Aubrey Nye Hamilton Reviews: Deus X: An August Snow Novel by Stephen Mack Jones

August Octavio Snow, the Detroit ex-cop and self-appointed protector of the Mexicantown neighborhood where he grew up, is the inspired creation of Stephen Mack Jones, who has deservedly won a number of awards for Snow’s adventures.

In Snow’s fourth appearance, Deus X (Soho, November 2023), he is visiting his long-time girlfriend in Norway. He receives a panicked call from home: one of his elderly neighbors is in ICU with a heart attack. The two older ladies have been his special project for a long time. They took in the young computer whiz from an earlier book as a boarder and the three have become a tight trio. Of course Snow returns to Detroit, where he deals with the immediate crisis and in the process learns that the Catholic priest who baptized him and who has been omnipresent in his life suddenly retired and is quietly fading away. After some prying Snow learns a secret group within the Church has targeted the good father and Snow will not stand for a threat to the people he considers his family. While Snow’s mother was a devout believer, he is not quite as convinced so he has no trouble going after the rotten apples in the Church hierarchy.

Snow is a fine addition to the roster of fictional unlicensed investigators who do favors for friends – think Rush McKenzie, Henry Malone, Tom Bethany, J. W. Jackson, and Matt Scudder. He also cooks. A lot. Plan on keeping a bag of chips and dip nearby to assuage the hunger pains that will arise as you read this one.

While the themes are nothing new, Jones imbues the plot with crackling energy and creates memorable characters. His imagination apparently knows no bounds: In Dead of Winter I thought his depiction of the afterlife was striking; in Deus X he introduces a witch who practices quietly but openly in a residential neighborhood.

The very best part of this very good book is the portrayal of the profound connections that Snow forged with his parents and that he has replicated in his growing chosen family and the deep affection they all have for each other.

One of the few series that I track these days, I am looking forward to the next title. Highly recommended.

·       Publisher: ‎Soho Crime (November 7, 2023)

·       Language: ‎English

·       Hardcover: ‎360 pages

·       ISBN-10: ‎1641294957

·       ISBN-13: ‎978-1641294959

 

Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/4cSxhpE

 

 

Aubrey Nye Hamilton ©2024

 

Aubrey Hamilton is a former librarian who works on Federal It projects by day and reads mysteries at night.

Review: Deus X: An August Snow Novel by Stephen Mack Jones

As Deus X: An August Snow Novel by Stephen Mack Jones begins, the former police officer August Snow is in Oslow, Norway, and far from his Detroit home. But, you do what your girlfriend asks of you and that includes helping Captain Edus “Eddie” Gofu and the Oslo Police Department with a case. Snow’s everything, Tatina Stadtmueller, and her family have connections and the good Captain is one of those connections. He is less than thrilled with Snow and his history with the Detroit PD, but accepted his help because her mother asked him to do so. Snow likes Captain Eddie and understands where the man is coming from and why.

His good deed is done and he is spending time with Tatina and her family when he gets a call from home. Sylvia, one half of his elderly neighbor tag team that includes Carmela, has had a significant heart attack and is in ICU at the hospital. She is in bad shape and he needs to get home. He does so and leaves Tatina behind.

Once back in Detroit and home amongst his people, he soon discovers Slyvia isn’t the only old friend in trouble. So too is Father Grabowski. The Franciscan priest recently retired is not doing at all well. For all intents and purposes, he is somewhat homeless and moving between rooms with various friends. He is also suddenly drinking heavily. Something strange is going on and far beyond the fact that he no longer has a job.

There is also another priest, a man named Father Petra, who seems to be around contacting various people. There seems to be no local record of him and Snow soon learns that he does not have much of a history that can be found online either. Nobody knows what is going on though his presence could be connected to Father Grabowski.

As always, August thinks of family as far more than blood ties. In his world, people he cares deeply about are family. That is Lucy, Slyvia, Carmella, and others. He can’t do much to help Sylvia other than be around as her situation is up to medical folks.

But, Father Grabowski is a far different matter. Activeky trying to help him soon leads into an often-violent case with, among other things, links to events decades ago and modern-day hitmen working on behalf of the Vatican. It is all so complicated and all so good of a read.

Deus X: An August Snow Novel is the fourth book in the August Snow series that began fittingly enough with August Snow. The gang is all here in this solidly good read. So too is Snow’s love of Detroit, cooking, and good friends. Like the other books on the series, this one is also part mystery and part thriller. Strongly recommended as is the entire series.

 

 

My digital reading copy came from Soho press by way of NetGalley. Months ago, after I was initially denied by the publisher and I had cancelled my request there only to suddenly get it in mid-October, I also received a print ARC from a good friend that wishes to remain anonymous. I ended up reading considerable portions of the book on my iPad during doctor visits which was a great way to pass the time and stay sane in waiting rooms.

 

Kevin R. Tipple ©2023

Lesa's Book Critiques: DEUS X BY STEPHEN MACK JONES

 Lesa's Book Critiques: DEUS X BY STEPHEN MACK JONES