Book of the Day

Our Review:

"The Queen City Detective Agency" by Snowden Wright was a priceless find for a mystery and noir fan like myself. Reading this book is like taking a journey to 1985 Meridian, Mississippi, a gritty town where corruption and racial tensions are festering under the surface of a culture that reluctantly embraces change.

Clementine Baldwin, Wright's protagonist, is a fresh addition to the hard-boiled detective canon. Through the treacherous criminal underworld of Meridian, Clem—a cynical ex-cop turned private investigator—uses his cunning and survival instincts.

A real estate developer named Randall Hubbard is assassinated, and the man suspected of the crime dies shortly after. The plot is delightfully complex. I was captivated from start to finish by Wright's intricate labyrinth of suspects, motives, and diversions. The nearly legendary Dixie Mafia shows up, adding an extra layer of danger and intrigue to the events.

However, Wright's mastery of scene and mood is what truly sets this work apart. From the vivid descriptions of Meridian's fading beauty to the expertly written language that conveys both the allure and danger of the South, the author's command of Southern culture shines through in every page. According to Ace Atkins, it is a "hilarious and edgy ride into the deepest of the Deep South" that makes you laugh and makes you think about the complex socioeconomic issues that have created and will influence the South in the future.

"The Queen City Detective Agency" is a must-read for mystery lovers and fans of Southern literature. The intricate plotting, intriguing characters, and superb prose of Wright make this book an excellent mystery as well as a powerful look at a changing time and place. The fact that Eli Cranor praised Wright as "a novelist at the height of his game" comes as no surprise. This book establishes Snowden Wright as a major player in contemporary Southern fiction.

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