“There is nothing so powerful as truth – and often nothing so strange.” – Daniel Webster
The body of a young white woman is found after gunshots are heard by a retired police officer working security nearby.
Two gunshots actually, for not far away is the body of a young Latino man.
It’s another day in homicide for Detective Mariana Vega and her partner Detective Andrew ‘Dru’ Cook. And the media circus is on its way.
Two reporters enter the fray with different points of view. Paulo Richardson, a journalist for the Lower East Side Tribune, a neighbourhood newspaper. And Hannah Hawthorne for the ACN television network. As the news story progresses, these points of view change for both of them.
We have the basic components for the story but it’s the character’s first person narrative that is the magic of Kevin G. Chapman’s book The Other Murder. This carefully plotted story, brings us close to the people working the murders, without slackening the pace, or wrapping us up in unnecessary details.
On one hand, it’s a well composed story that brings the perspective of media sensationalism against a racist approach to reporting. And on the other hand, the detective’s approach to solve the cases, whatever that may bring, whoever’s feathers they may ruffle.
I’ve reviewed two of Chapman’s books Dead Winner, and Perilous Gambit. But when you follow along with a writers work, inevitably, one book becomes a favourite. The Other Murder is it for me. It’s a highly recommended read.
~ June Lorraine Roberts
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Murder in Common is #33 on the Feedspot Top 100 Crime Novel Website
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