Cahokia Jazz

LoveReading Says

Presenting an exhilarating murder mystery that plays out in a Mississippi city in the heady 1920s, Francis Spufford’s Cahokia Jazz is mind-bendingly inventive. With American history reimagined as having not involved the annihilation of indigenous peoples, and the sprawling, multi-cultural city of Cahokia being an ancient indigenous city, this takes the noir-ish context to new thought-provoking levels. It’s also dizzyingly compelling, characterful and chockful of curveballs you’re unlikely to see coming. 

The opening scene sees Detective Barrow and his partner discover a corpse on the roof of a pyramid-shaped skyscraper, amidst “a clot of shadows,” with “the wind full of wet flakes.” It seems the victim has been ritually murdered, and the death will incite mayhem in the city, with culture wars and personal passions playing out against a backdrop of skyscrapers, fog and smoke to a wailing jazz soundtrack. 

Cahokia Jazz is nothing but richly-written, twisty and dazzlingly fresh.

Reviewed by Joanne Owen
Joanne Owen’s lifelong love of reading and writing began when she was growing up in Pembrokeshire, and very much wished that witches (and Mrs Pepperpot) were real.
More reviews by Joanne Owen

About Cahokia Jazz

A thrilling tale of murder and mystery in a city where history has run a little differently -- from the best-selling author of Golden Hill.ORDER NONESUCH, THE NEW NOVEL FROM FRANCIS SPUFFORD, NOW'Utterly immersive.' Spectator'Thrilling.' Financial Times'Unlike anything else you will read this year.' Daily Express'A classic of alternative history.' Observer'A delight.' Sunday TelegraphIt's 1922 and Americans are drinking in speakeasies, dancing to jazz, stepping quickly to the tempo of modern times. In the ancient city of Cahokia - a teeming industrial metropolis, a tinderbox of every race and creed - peace holds. Just about. But on a snowy night at the end of winter, two roughshod detectives are called to the roof of a skyscraper. Their investigation will spill the city's secrets and bring it, against a soundtrack of wailing clarinets, either to destruction or rebirth.What readers are saying:***** 'A marvellous, atmospheric, beautifully written and gripping read that dares to hope, amidst a background of bleak darkness and the pulsing joy of jazz, that I recommend highly.'***** 'Original, imaginative, thought provoking, engrossing, engaging and beautifully written with characters who are credible and engaging. What more is there to ask for from a master at the top of his game. I enjoyed this as much as Golden Hill, which is praise indeed.'***** 'The Yiddish Policemen's Union is an obvious point of comparison; I also got echoes of James Ellroy, though with more light in the darkness, or maybe just a greater readiness to forgive humanity's failings. There's perhaps a dash of Earthly Powers too, and at least one nod to The Leopard; exalted company, to be sure, but Cahokia Jazz can hold its head high among them.'

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