Master of the Delta Book

While the better-known stars of crime fiction routinely shift thousands of copies of their books, there are some writers who are held in far higher esteem by the real cognoscenti of the form. These are the men and women who deliver crime fiction written with far greater skill than the more trumpeted names; writers whose use of language rivals (and often surpasses) that of more ostensibly 'literary' writers. Such a talent is Thomas H. Cook, a North American writer who has built up a considerable reputation as well as gleaning several awards and nominations. Most recently, his highly accomplished Red Leaves was shortlisted for the Crime Writers Association Dagger Award. But in some ways, his latest, Master of the Delta, is his most striking novel yet.Eddie Miller is known as the 'Coed Killer's son' since his father murdered and dismembered the body of a college girl when Eddie was a five years old. While Eddie chafes under the legacy of this soiled family name, Jack, scion of an aristocratic southern family, enjoys only respect when he returns from college to teach in Lakeland, Mississippi, his home town. While teaching the unlucky Eddie, Jack begins to see that there is more to this young man than most people have perceived: this is someone of real promise, struggling under a grim family legacy. Jack persuades Eddie to directly tackle the past and find out the truth about his father. But there are people opposed to this idea: the school principal, the local sheriff and even Jack's own uncommunicative father. Inevitably, some dark truths emerge, and lives are irrevocably changed.If this novel were not marketed as a crime novel (with encomiums from such names as Harlan Coben) it would no doubt glean a sheaf of enthusiastic reviews for its penetration and insight. But those who feel that there is no reason why such ambition should not find a place within the context of the crime genre, a rare treat is in store with Master of the Delta. --Barry ForshawRead More