Superb use of language captured my attention and led me willy nilly into the action. That was unceasing!

A Netgally ARC

Absolutely positively a five star read. Hard to believe it's Gardner's first novel. It is a tough, gritty crime fiction novel set in early fifties Chicago, St. Louis, and Southville. But it's far more than just another mystery novel as it creates a whole world of characters and places.

Elliot Caprice, the lead character, is a light-skinned man of mixed race in a time when that really mattered. As such, he sometimes straddles the line between two worlds. He is part of the Black community, but sometimes he can pass for White. Much of the action takes place in Southville, in-between the Jim Crow South and the Midwest, the world of corrupt mob-controlled Chicago. Race is often front and center in this story, but it's not what this story is about, at least plotwise.

The novel is filled with corruption, blackmail, murder, flight, jazz clubs, drug addicts, rooming houses, captivating widows, gunfights, brawls, and Senate Committtes. There's so much vividly portrayed life here that it's hard to believe it's Gardner's first published novel.

I received a free electronic copy of this historical (1952) novel from Netgalley, Danny Gardner, and Down and Out Books in exchange for an honest review. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me.

This is a debut novel, an awesome tale, and told very well. What Walter Mosley has done for the deep coastal south and Los Angeles, Danny Gardner has accomplished for the Midwest and Chi Town. I hope this is the first of many more Elliot Caprice novels. Elliot, Uncle Nathan "Buster" Caprice, Doc Shapiro, George Stingley and Ned Reilly, and Frank Fuquay make an unparalleled team.

Danny Gardner has written a fresh (in both senses of the word), smart, politically savvy/incorrect noir period piece rife with social injustice, racial nuance, high crimes and misdirections. A next-generation Walter Moseley, his characters are a hoot and a half and his story-telling a runaway train. If you like noir and are looking for a good time, don't miss this book from a budding star.Danny Gardner has written a fresh, smart, politically savvy and incorrect noir period piece rife with social injustice, racial nuance, high crimes and misdirections. A next-generation Walter Moseley, his characters are a hoot and a half and his story-telling a runaway train. If you like noir and are looking for a good time, don't miss this book from a budding star.

This book simply befuddled me - I did not like it so a review would really be unfair.

A Negro and an Ofay by Danny Gardner tells the story of Elliot Caprice. The story begins with Elliot in jail before he gets released with the help of his reverend/sheriff friend, George. After release, Elliot goes back to Chicago where he gets entangled in a world of crime. This is a crime fiction set up in the 1950s. It is fast paced with a lot of action. The writing was great and I liked the fact that the author uses a lot of dialogue in the story. I think my favorite part of the book was the setting. The author did a great job with the world building. The language, characterization and descriptions of the setting brought it alive and got me lost in the time period. Corruption and racial relations are themes in the story that further portray the time period. The protagonist being mixed race places him at the centre of the identity conflict. Apart from the setting, the character development is another aspect that I liked. The author not only created a complex, flawed but memorable protagonist but he also crafted support characters that really stood out. My only issue with the book was that it was a bit complex and felt heavy on the action. However, I recommend this book to fans of historical crime fiction.

https://lovintoread.blogspot.com/2017/05/a-negro-and-ofay-tales-of-elliot.html


also put a review on Tumblr, and Litsy

I lean towards historical fiction which is what made me select this book to read. It also fits under mystery & thriller and makes me want to read more of that genre if as well written as this. I definitely want to see more from Danny Gardner. For a debut novel, this was amazing. The character development was impressive. The flow was great. The realizing how far we have come and how far we have to go in race relations hit hard when reading this book. I highly recommend this book to all readers not just those attached to certain genres. It will definitely make you think.

Thank you.
Enjoyed it. Good read.
Will get copies for family and friends