Mystery/Thriller Reading Friends discussion

Spoilers welcome discussion topic for chapters 11-15 of Deacon King Kong by James McBride.
If the first to post please briefly summarize to guide the discussion.

Chapter 11- Pokeweed

Elefante is discussing plants with his mother but she tells him the Deacon will be by soon to help her. He has been asking her the Governor and his father and she affirms that his father was holding something for a friend and that it was in God’s hands. Elefante gets ready to leave but Joe Peck drives up. He tries to pressure the Elephant into letting him land some drop at his docks but the suggestion does not go over well.

Chapter 12 - Mojo

Sportcoat is hanging out in the boiler cooling his heels with some Kong. Hetty appears and they start in about the Christmas club money again. She tells him the money is in God’s hands, the palm of His hand actually. Hot Sausage rolls in, ignores Sportcoat and starts working on the generator. Sportcoat and Sausage make up, decide that Sport has some sort of mojo or witch following him. The generator goes out and Sausage wants Sportcoat to throw the switch on the box. Sportcoat throws the switch and manages to shock Earl, who had snuck in to take out Sportcoat, unconscious.


Chapter 13 - Country Girl

Elefante travels to the Bronx to visit the Governor. The Elephant sees the Governor’s daughter for a fleeting second and is instantly smitten. The Governor tells Elefante what his father hid for him and the background on how he got it in the first place. The Elephant is still stymied on where the item might be. The Governor gives him a card the Elephant’s father sent him while he was in prison and there is a sketch and an Irish blessing that ends with “May God hold you in the palm of His Hand”.

Chapter 14 - Rat

Lightbulb, Deems’ right hand man pays a visit to Bunch. Bunch wrings out all the info he wants from Lightbulb, including the story of how Deems took over the drug trade and that Deems is ready to bypass Bunch for his supply. Bunch then sends him on his way with a couple of hundred dollars but no promises of taking over for Deems which is what Lightbulb thought he had coming to him. Bunch then lets Earl know that he is being in Harold Dean to take care of Sportcoat.

Chapter 15 - You have no idea what’s Coming

The Haitian neighbor tries to apologize to one of the church ladies for causing the ruckus with his doll at Soup’s homecoming. He gives her the explanation of Mojo and they keep meeting up to do various chores at the church. Sister Gee is out cutting weeds in the church yard when Officer Potts rolls up. Potts tries to warn her that meddling with Deems and Sportcoat is dangerous and to let the police handle it. He also tells her that Sportcoat may have inadvertently started a drug war and dangerous people like Harold Dean, a killer who has been summoned to get Sportcoat, are about. Potts promises to bring her any further news before he leaves.

Sandi: great summaries, they pulled me right back into the story. I especially enjoyed chapter 12 Mojo. The scenes with Sportcoat and Hot Sausage crackle with their interaction. Sportcoat is bumbling along and avoiding peril at every turn (so far) adding a humorous tone. ( ala Roadrunner vs. the Coyote) lol

Ann wrote: "Sandi: great summaries, they pulled me right back into the story. I especially enjoyed chapter 12 Mojo. The scenes with Sportcoat and Hot Sausage crackle with their interaction. Sportcoat is bumbling along and avoiding peril at every turn (so far) adding a humorous tone. ( ala Roadrunner vs. the Coyote) lol"

Yes, I was thinking of Mr. Magoo while listening and how he always managed to avoid disaster somehow.

I almost was feeling sorry for Earl and everything he has gone thru trying to get Sportcoat.

The assassin was the best running gag in the book. I kept waiting for the next attempt.

Earl has got to be the world's worst assassin! (Thank goodness for Sportcoat).

I think the almost-flirtation between Sister Gee and Officer Potts is so sweet. I like to imagine what might have happened if they'd met at different time in their lives.

Also Elefante and the Governor's daughter. I can't wait to see where that goes.

The hitman Earl is like a cat with nine lives. He keeps getting himself hurt as he tries to take out Sportcoat. Too bad Bunch has hired a real professional this time. I like that the author humanizes Officer Potts and Elefante. He is sweet on Sister G, and Elefante is stirred by the Governor’s daughter. I think I know where the Christmas money and the artifact are located. It has to be in the church. Hetty tells Sportcoat in one of his foggy interactions with her spirit, and the Governor repeats the phrase to Elefante, “In God’s hands.”

Janice, yes he is and a candidate for one of the world's unluckiest hitmen!
Janice wrote: "The hitman Earl is like a cat with nine lives. He keeps getting himself hurt as he tries to take out Sportcoat. Too bad Bunch has hired a real professional this time. I like that the author humaniz..."

Earl was great comic relief.