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3.97 AVERAGE
3.97 AVERAGE
Excellent book about fledgling African American police officers in Atlanta police dept in early 1950’s and the mystery they are solving. Really great telling of race relations— Jim Crow and violence in the south during that era and also a great mystery. The characters had a lot of depth, whether they were main characters or supports and despite the necessary harshness of the subject matter the book also had humor and warmth. Special kudos to the audible reader Andre Holland who is excellent and made it come alive with his skilled reading. As soon as I finished I immediately bought the next one!
In 1948 Atlanta inducted the city's first eight African American police officers into its ranks.
Darktown looks at the fictitious account of Boggs and Smith, two black police officers, who want to look into the murder of a poor black woman last seen with a rich white man. The problem is they are kept near powerless by the authorities, the biggest problem is that they can't arrest white people. Desperate to investigate they must risk it all and more.
The book is not a comfortable read, the tension, racism and unjust packs a punch. It is relevant for the here and now 4/5.
Darktown looks at the fictitious account of Boggs and Smith, two black police officers, who want to look into the murder of a poor black woman last seen with a rich white man. The problem is they are kept near powerless by the authorities, the biggest problem is that they can't arrest white people. Desperate to investigate they must risk it all and more.
The book is not a comfortable read, the tension, racism and unjust packs a punch. It is relevant for the here and now 4/5.
Well done thriller set in post-WWII Atlanta with the first black policemen on the Atlanta police force trying to solve the murder of a young black woman living in a whorehouse after being fired from working as a maid for a Congressman. I'll read the series.
Roughly based on the first African American police officers hired in Atlanta. Obviously well researched, great characters and relevant.
It's been quite a while since I read a book that was not only good but also engaging. Set it 1940's Atlanta, Georgia, Darktown: A Novel by Thomas Mullen is an absolutely superb read from beginning to end. In post-war, but pre-civil rights Atlanta, there is a unit of 8 African American police officers that patrol the streets of the 'black' side of town known as Darktown. These police officers have little to no power as they are not permitted to drive squad cars; nor can they apprehend anyone, not of their own race. They cannot wear their police uniforms to or from work, and they cannot even enter the police station. Instead, they are housed in the basement of the YMCA across the street. What power these 8 police officers have is largely insignificant, and indeed at times, they question themselves as to why they even bother.
"Maceo Snipes." Shot in the back for being the first Negro voter in Taylor County. "Isaac Woodard." War veteran, blinded two years ago by South Carolina cops for daring to wear his army uniform. "The Malcolm's and Dorseys." Two married couples, including another veteran and a pregnant woman, ambushed and murdered on a bridge over the Apalachee River. ~ Darktown: A Novel by Thomas Mullen
It's against that backdrop where the story really begins when Boggs and Smith, two of the black police officers, find the body of a young black woman. A woman who was murdered. This very same woman was last seen being abused by a former police officer; and a white one at that. It becomes apparent very quickly that the white officer has no intention of conducting a proper investigation. In their eyes, a dead black woman is nothing to lose any sleep over and she probably got what she deserved. The covert investigation into the murder is what leads down a darker path. I had to keep reminding myself that it was just a work of fiction; because while the treatment of African-Americans in the book is absolutely appalling, it was also pretty common.
Darktown: A Novel by Thomas Mullen is so gritty, real, and raw that I have absolutely no problem understanding why it's been optioned into a possible television series. The book reads like a television series, and I had no problem fully immersing myself in this version of 1940's Atlanta. The characters are fully fleshed out, very believable, and likewise the situations they find themselves in just seem so real, if not disturbing.
"Maceo Snipes." Shot in the back for being the first Negro voter in Taylor County. "Isaac Woodard." War veteran, blinded two years ago by South Carolina cops for daring to wear his army uniform. "The Malcolm's and Dorseys." Two married couples, including another veteran and a pregnant woman, ambushed and murdered on a bridge over the Apalachee River. ~ Darktown: A Novel by Thomas Mullen
It's against that backdrop where the story really begins when Boggs and Smith, two of the black police officers, find the body of a young black woman. A woman who was murdered. This very same woman was last seen being abused by a former police officer; and a white one at that. It becomes apparent very quickly that the white officer has no intention of conducting a proper investigation. In their eyes, a dead black woman is nothing to lose any sleep over and she probably got what she deserved. The covert investigation into the murder is what leads down a darker path. I had to keep reminding myself that it was just a work of fiction; because while the treatment of African-Americans in the book is absolutely appalling, it was also pretty common.
Darktown: A Novel by Thomas Mullen is so gritty, real, and raw that I have absolutely no problem understanding why it's been optioned into a possible television series. The book reads like a television series, and I had no problem fully immersing myself in this version of 1940's Atlanta. The characters are fully fleshed out, very believable, and likewise the situations they find themselves in just seem so real, if not disturbing.
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I enjoyed this from start to finish. The central mystery wasn’t all that predictable, and it didn’t feel forced when it was revealed. Mullen does an excellent job laying breadcrumbs down for the reader to pick up on if they so choose. Each subplot that branched from it captivated just as much. My only gripe is my own moral quandary regarding the excessive use of racially-charged language being the product of a white author. I understand historical accuracy being that this book is set pre-Civil Rights Era, but, at times, I just couldn’t suspend those feelings for the sake of enjoying the narrative. It just didn’t sit right with me. I liken it to watching a Tarantino film. It’s good and fun while it lasts, but you feel worse for it afterwards.
Disturbing depiction of real life in Atlanta not so long ago.
I loved this book. A fictionalized story of the first black police officers in Atalanta in the 1950’s. Built around the murder of a young black girl, great plot and character development!
Three stars and a waffle.
very well crafted and interesting enough plotline, just not my style.
very well crafted and interesting enough plotline, just not my style.
Well-written fiction based on facts of first African American police in Atlanta and the life of blacks in Jim Crow south. Looking forward to next in series.