KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI by David Grann

KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON

The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI

by

David Grann

            I listened to the audio version of David Grann’s book, Killers of the Flower Moon. It is an excellent, interesting book.

            The Osage were treated poorly by the whites. They were herded off to some nowhere land in Oklahoma. But then, oil was discovered on Osage land – and, the Osage maintained the mineral rights. As a result, the Osage became very wealthy. But then, Osage members were being murdered. Mollie Burkhart’s sister was shot; other members of her family were poisoned. Other members of the tribe were also murdered. Investigations were undertaken, but the murders were never resolved. J. Edgar Hoover eventually resumed the investigation with his nascent federal police, and it was this FBI investigation that finally began to unravel the truth.

            It is difficult to believe that Killers of the Flower Moon is nonfiction. It is difficult to believe that such egregious conduct on the part of authorities actually happened. It is difficult to believe that there are such heinous, vile people in the world who not only would do such unconscionable things to other people, but who also get away with such reprehensible conduct while maintaining appearances of respectability. Although Killers of the Flower Moon deals with these awful difficulties, and in this manner is unpleasant, it is well written, fascinating, and a “must read”.

SING, UNBURIED, SING by Jesmyn Ward

SING, UNBURIED, SING

by

Jesmyn Ward

            Jojo, 13, lives with Mam and Pop and Leonie and baby sister Kayla. Leonie is his mother; Mam and Pop are her parents. His father, Michael, is in prison. Leonie and her family are black; Michael and his family are white. His uncle, Given – Leonie’s brother – had been killed by one of Michael’s relatives. And, they live in rural Mississippi. As we follow Jojo and his family, we learn the backstory of the characters, witness Michael’s release from prison and Mam’s battle with cancer, and experience the many tensions that pervade this book.

            Ward’s Sing, Unburied, Sing is the 2017 National Book Award winner. There is not much that I like about this book. I do not like the characters, the story, or the writing. I read one review of the book wherein the reviewer noted that he/she did not like the “magical realism and fantasy” found in the book; those are the parts that I did like.

            I keep trying to understand my knee jerk negative response to this book, starting from the animal slaughter at the beginning through the end of the book. I keep trying to understand this book’s acclaim. I suppose the facts that the book engendered such a strong negative response in me – and that I have continued wondering why I have had this reaction – demonstrate why it is deserving of such acclaim. But, it was not a pleasant experience.

TWISTED PREY by John Sandford

TWISTED PREY

by

John Sandford

            Twisted Prey is the twenty-eighth book in John Sandford’s Lucas Davenport series. In this book, Davenport continues his work as a U.S. Marshal.

            U.S. Senator Porter Smalls was in a car accident in which his companion died. Investigators concluded it was an accident; Smalls insists it was attempted murder. So, Smalls calls the one investigator he trusts, Lucas Davenport. Marshal Davenport travels to Washington D.C. to investigate. Both Smalls and Davenport suspect that Senator Taryn Grant was once again behind the plot against Smalls. In addition to the appearance of Davenport’s nemesis, some old friends also appear in the book, such as Rae and Bob, the marshals we met in Golden Prey.

            Anyone who may have followed my reviews of Sandford’s books knows of my ambivalence toward them. Although some of the more recent books in the series have been decent, there were a few books before those that were mediocre. I love Davenport and Virgil Flowers, so I continue to read those series – but then I am faced with this frustration when I attempt to review the books.

            And, that frustration continues with Twisted Prey. The writing leaves a lot to be desired. For example, the dialogue is choppy – it feels rushed, as if it is in outline form and needs to be fleshed out. As I was reading Twisted Prey, I kept thinking “if only Sandford would hire me to help with the writing….” Twisted Prey is decent, but it could be great. While reading this book (only 28 books into this series), I started to suspect that Sandford does not care. He has some good characters, and his plots are usually solid – I get the feeling that the writing itself is not that important to him.

            So, once again, my opinion is mixed. Davenport is a great character, and Twisted Prey contains a solid Sandford plot; the writing is mediocre. I will continue to read the Davenport series – though I think it is a shame that he is publishing decent, mediocre books when they could be great.

LINCOLN IN THE BARDO by George Saunders

LINCOLN IN THE BARDO

by

George Saunders

            This book just blew me away. I don’t usually begin my reviews this way; but then, there is nothing usual about this book.

            Lincoln In The Bardo by George Saunders, the 2017 Man Booker Prize winner, is a work of historical fiction. Saunders centers his book around the death of President Lincoln’s young son, Willie. From that historical kernel, he weaves a magnificent work of fiction. The “setting” for Saunder’s novel is the bardo, a Buddhist term referring to the state between death and rebirth. As this kernel is woven into a novel, we meet all sorts of interesting characters, and their backstories slowly blossom. And, of course, there is President Lincoln, whose palpable grief over the loss of his young son pervades the book.

            The style of the book is unusual. Text is set apart, like quotes or a blocked factual statement, with a citation – as if the text were research for a scholarly work. However, it is not just the different physical style that sets this book apart; the entire fabric of the book is unusual, creative, and very, very clever.

            Lincoln In The Bardo, quite simply, is one of the best books that I have read in some time.

HIGH VOLTAGE by Karen Marie Moning

HIGH VOLTAGE

by

Karen Marie Moning

            High Voltage is the latest in Karen Marie Moning’s Fever series. It is, in Dani’s words, Dublin ATS – after the Song; much of the earth has healed, and the ancient magic within has reawakened. The Fae are relatively quiet, but things are changing. There are ancient earth gods stirring. Dani, as always, is taking care of her Dublin. But, Mac is gone, the Nine are gone; Dani is left to care for everything and everyone by herself. And, Dani, too, is changing.

            High Voltage is a Dani book. I have not been much of a Dani fan – or a fan of Moning’s Dani books – but, Dani grown up is a lot like Mac. So, I enjoyed High Voltage much more than I expected. It was a very pleasant surprise. Like many of Moning’s Fever books, this one is packed full of information and action. We learn a lot. Many questions are answered (though not all of them). And, all this is accomplished in one of Moning’s most creative – and imaginative – books yet.

            Despite being over 400 pages, the end of High Voltage came too soon for me. But at the end – and before Moning’s wonderful, extensive Glossary – she includes several deleted scenes, a wonderful addition that helps ease the transition back from the Fever world.