Black Hornet

James Sallis makes numerous contributions to the literary world - to date he has penned some 24 volumes among them are works of poetry, fiction, biography, translation, essays, and criticism. (He also writes a column for the Boston Globe's review section). Not the least recognized and appreciated among his works are the Lew Griffin series, crime stories. With these books he has created an intriguing lead character in Griffin, a complex, often violent, sometimes compassionate private investigator who happens to be black. Black Hornet is set during one of 1960s hottest summers in New Orleans. Now, the heat isn't just reflected by the thermometer but by the escalated temperatures of the people - they're angry, hostile, riled by separatists and the Black Panthers. Not a good place to be when nothing and no one is cooling off. Five people have been killed - randomly shot by a sniper. The sixth victim, a white woman, happened to be standing right by Griffin when she was shot. Too close for comfort and too much for Griffin to take so he sets about finding the crazed killer. Sallis is a superb storyteller, an eloquent writer whose prose packs an even greater wallop in part due to its spareness. His writing is authentic and atmospheric, his wording taut as this novel races to an unexpected finish. G. Valmont Thomas, a member of the acting company at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival delivers a riveting narration as Griffin wrestles with his private demons and chases down a killer. Gail Cooke

James Sallis is simply one of our best, living writers. And this slender book is a delight to read. Once again, Lew Griffin is plunged into the criminal world, this time murders in 1960s New Orleans. White people are being picked off by a sniper including a beautiful reporter whom Griffin has just gotten to know. With racial tensions at the burning point, and with suspicions that the sniper is an African-American, Griffin finds himself walking a tightrope between a radical Black organization and white police officers. Drenched in booze and books, Griffin is at times lost, at times securely in control. The dialogue is crisp, the characters real. Bravo!