Catfish Café

Thomas Black Mystery

ISBN: 0-7887-4875-0 Order from: Recorded Books

A well-drawn investigation with solid characters and appealing protagonist, this mostly entertaining mystery ocasionally suffers from slowing plot and depressingly realistic subject.

Reviewed by David on May 17, 2003

Genre: Mystery (Private Investigator)

Synopsis: This is an unabridged recording of Catfish Café.

Thomas Black is a retired Seattle policeman turned a private investigator. When his old partner and good friend Luthor Little begs for his help, Tom cannot refuse. Little's daughter Belinda has disappeared, and the police suspect her in a serious crime. Belinda may be hiding, but Luthor fears she may be hurt, kidnapped, or even dead.

To find Belinda, Tom must delve into the complex and strained history of his friend's extended family, old crimes and present angers, to get to the truth, all the while contending with a hostile police detective handling the investigation.

Full Review: This is an exploration of a strained black family, and area unfamiliar to the white Thomas. Luthor's relationship with the women, the family own legacy of distrust and anger, the ex-con relatives and resentful youths, all contribute to the complexity of investigation. The characters are mostly well-drawn, with slowly emerging depths and justifications.

The book is a solid, mostly entertaining investigation. In some cases, the plot gets too slow, with significant periods filled with conversations and driving that may contribute to general color but strain the reader's patience.

Another aspect that may cause a strain is the noir-nature of the subjects of investigation: the alienation and bleakness that lead to crime—and are caused and perpetuated by it. While ultimately hopeful, the book's realism and skill contribute to its melancholy.

Overall: 5.5; Plot: 6; Characters: 5.5; Style: 5.5; World-building: 6; Originality: 5.5;

ISBN: 0-7887-4875-0 Order from: Recorded Books