Ace Boon Coon

Fans of Elliot Caprice won’t be disappointed. A timely dive into issues of poverty, economic disparity, and racial tension boiling over in 1950’s Chicago. In a story as relevant today as it was seventy years ago, Ace Boon Coon illustrates the struggle of a Black veteran trying to find his place in the world, torn between a failing family farm and the draw of the big city where glamour and corruption live side by side. Both worlds collide and threaten to bring Elliot to his knees. Smartly written, intricately plotted, highly recommended

I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for a review.

When I opened the first Elliot Caprice novel, A Negro and an Ofay, I told my husband that I wanted to be Danny Gardner when I grew up. His prose takes you smack into the middle of a scene (in that particular case, a Chicago jail cell during Jim Crow) and doesn't let go of you until after you close the cover of the book.

In this sequel, Caprice is still trying to help save his uncle's farm, as well as figuring out how many of his old friends from childhood are involved in a racketeering "short paper" operation (aka, collecting protection money) ... and why so many of them seem to turn up dead.

One of the things that was a little confusing is that flashbacks to Caprice's childhood were not readily delineated. You had to figure out from context that he was now a little kid, or a teenager, or a soldier ... and then you'd find yourself back in the main setting of the book. It was a distraction at times, as I had to go back and re-read to make sure I understood what was going on.

In the end, though, Gardner presented another solid historical noir detective story with more twists and turns than Chicago has back alleys. Highly recommended.

An enjoyable first read in what is destined to be one a great series. An historically accurate detective story with likable, relatable characters.