A review by mslaura
Sweetsmoke by David Fuller

4.0

I initially waivered on whether or not to read this book. The premise -- a slave investigating a murder -- was interesting, but seemed like the kind of plot that could go really, really wrong and become completely unrealistic. I am so glad that I finally decided to read this book, as I really enjoyed it. I found myself interested both in the mystery and the characters themselves. The liberties which the slave Cassius were granted made sense in the context of the storyline and the complex relationship between himself and Master Hoke. The deceptions and backstabbing among the slaves and among the members of the household added depth to the story, and the author's vivid descriptions brought it to life. His depictions of the horrors both of slavery and of the battlefield were impressive and humbling.