not keeping this one
In Michael Gruber's 1st novel featuring Lt. Jimmy Paz, the subject was voodoo and supernatural powers; this time he tackles the issue of Christian faith, miracles and the issue of belief. I like this author, and I like these books, but I think the previous one was much better all around when all is said and done. However, this one is quite good as well and is worth a few hours of your time.

The Miami police get involved in the case of a Sudanese government official who is thrown from the balcony of his hotel room. Police arrive and in the man's room they find a young woman named Emmylou Dideroff, praying. She is arrested, and taken away for the man's murder, but denies killing him. Paz tells her that her best way out is confession; otherwise, it's the death penalty because the case seems to be open and shut. So she agrees to a confession, but it must be done her way...she has to write it in a series of notebooks. She has plenty of time to do this, because she's at a mental institution after having been found not competent to stand trial. And, oh my. What a confession she writes...her words are really the best part of this book. As Paz and her psychologist, Dr. Lorna Wise begin to read the story, the case of the dead Sudanese gets weirder and weirder as does Emmylou.

The author manages to weave in a debate about the power of Christian faith while taking a look at what civilization means to native peoples.
While it is true that this book is meant to be a mystery/crime type thriller, the story goes a bit deeper than most mystery novels and crime thrillers out today to explore some important questions. I would recommend it for sure, but read Tropic of Night first.

RELEASE NOTES:

releasing at the donation center later this afternoon