Rating: 
Summary: Tremendous Debut
Review: The Huntsman is an impressive first novel from an obviously talented new writer. A book with Midwestern sensibilities and Southern charm, The Huntsman weaves a number of stories into one with unparalleled grace. The focus of the story rests on the relationship between a young Black man (Booker Short) and two members of the White social elite in Kansas City--the daughter of a judge (Clarissa Sayers) and a quirky but well-respected war veteran (Mercury Chapman). Short's interactions with these two people change not only his life, but also the lives of all those with whom he comes into contact. The relationships are genuinely complex--there are no heroes and no villains, only round, robust characters. Deftly crafted, the reader enjoys the journey of the novel as much as the destination: Terrell beautifully details the numerous landscapes he presents us (geographical, political, social, personal). I recommend this novel highly to a wide variety of readers: those interested in a sophisticated, literary mystery; those who are concerned about race and class in our society; and those who would like to be introduced to a rising star in the world of fiction.
Rating: 
Summary: Very Disappointing
Review: There has been much furor over this book in KC because of the author's local roots and the book's exclusion from the "United We Read" program. After hearing almost universal praise for this novel (and with the interesting backdrop of controversy), I had high expectations for "The Huntsman". Apparently, too high. I found the book pompous, lacking in meaningful character development and without true insight into the espoused racial themes. Prior to purchasing the book, I had read a few reviews comparing Terrell to Faulker. Faulkner is no doubt rolling over in his grave...
Rating: 
Summary: A FIRST RATE MULTI - LEVEL THRILLER
Review: There's a new storyteller on the block and he's mighty fine. Whitney Terrell's assured debut novel indicates that he is a writer to relish and an author to watch.
"The Huntsman" takes us to Kansas City, Missouri a decade ago. It's a city marked by rifts, compartmentalized by race, prestige, and bank account. Nonetheless, an imperishable past binds many together whether these ties are acknowledged or not.
Booker Short, a young embittered black man, comes to Kansas City with retribution in mind. The target of his gall tops the social register, Murray Chapman, who is wealthy and admired. There are two things that Booker didn't count on - falling for Clarissa Sayers, the lithe white daughter of an obsessive federal judge and her murder, an act of virulence announced by her body being washed up on the shores of the Missouri River.
The young black man is, of course, thought to be the killer. But there many past secrets to be revealed as a manhunt for him ensues, again dividing an already fractious citizenry.
Whitney Terrell's characters are true and his eye for locale on target in this firstrate multi-level thriller.
- Gail Cooke
Rating:
Summary: Not just a tale of murder
Review: This book, the author's first, is loaded with atmosphere and, more important, astute observations on the psychology of race relations in America. Yes, there is a murder, and yes, finding the murderer is part of what drives the plot, but the main thrust of the book is the extended rumination on the twisted, complicated, unending entanglements of whites and blacks in the American Midwest. Booker Short, Mercury Chapman, Marcy Keegan, Stan Granger are all memorable characters. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: United we read
Review: This is a good book, I don't care what anybody says. I read it in practically one sitting, which I never do, mostly because I have a mild bladder control problem. To prevent any serious disasters, however, I read the entire book on the john, and I might even consider purchasing some adult diapers if I decide to read it again. So imagine--if I can read this book cover to cover with my medical condition, just think of what this book could do for children with ADD. They should all be chained to desks and forced to read it, because some day Whitley Strieber--or whatever his name is, I forget--is going to be considered the next William Gallsworthy or Sarah Orne Jewett. I can't comment on the "William Faulkner" reference, since I never could stand William Faulkner enough to get through the first sentence--except for the fact that I did absolutely love "The Big Sleep" with Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall (sp?), which I highly suggest to anyone who likes movies of that genre, or any genre. I also want to confess that I'm very drunk right now, but that doesn't diminish my love and enjoyment of this book. Which book was it again? Oh, right--the Walt Whitman book. I just had an accident.
Rating:
Summary: United we read
Review: This is a good book, I don't care what anybody says. I read it in practically one sitting, which I never do, mostly because I have a mild bladder control problem. To prevent any serious disasters, however, I read the entire book on the john, and I might even consider purchasing some adult diapers if I decide to read it again. So imagine--if I can read this book cover to cover with my medical condition, just think of what this book could do for children with ADD. They should all be chained to desks and forced to read it, because some day Whitley Strieber--or whatever his name is, I forget--is going to be considered the next William Gallsworthy or Sarah Orne Jewett. I can't comment on the "William Faulkner" reference, since I never could stand William Faulkner enough to get through the first sentence--except for the fact that I did absolutely love "The Big Sleep" with Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall (sp?), which I highly suggest to anyone who likes movies of that genre, or any genre. I also want to confess that I'm very drunk right now, but that doesn't diminish my love and enjoyment of this book. Which book was it again? Oh, right--the Walt Whitman book. I just had an accident.
Rating:
Summary: Gripping Thriller
Review: This new novel is much more than a gripping thriller. Terrell is a gifted writer with a strong and imaginative literary voice. The characters are unforgettable. I especially liked the way Terrell imparted his knowledge of sports, country club demeanors, and overall Kansas City life to the reader. I had trouble putting The Huntsman down.
Rating:
Summary: Marvelous debut for a promising young writer
Review: Whitney Terrell delivers a book difficult to pigeonhole or quantify in this his first novel. Is "The Huntsman" it a mystery? In the sense there is a murder, yes. Is it social commentary? In that it deals unblinkingly with the nature of racial relations, yes. Is it a coming of age story? A buddy story? A love story? Police procedural? Noir? Yes. Yes. Yes, yes, and yes. Which is why this book is so engrossing. Terrell blends genres without drawing attention to them. He does it capably despite this being his first title. "The Huntsman" starts a little slowly, admittedly. You have to plug through roughly the first quarter of the novel before seeing it take off. But when he gets it in gear, hang on; he's tanked with high octane and burning nitro. The story turns on the life of Booker Short, a young black man with reasons to be bitter. Betrayed by family and friends, he ends up in Kansas City, Missouri, a city with a clear racial division, and strikes up a relationship with Mercury Chapman who served as the white commander of the black truck and transportation company Booker's grandfather served with during World War II. As a caretaker at a small hunting club, Booker comes into contact with a young white woman -- daughter of a prominent federal judge -- and they become a couple. Her body is fished from the Missouri River near the hunting club, and Booker quickly becomes a suspect. Some reviewers may dwell on the racial aspects of the novel. Don't let that dissuade you. Terrell doesn't preach; he coolly reports. And his approach is dispassionate; a telling of a story that spans half a century, two continents, and all the divisions that have occurred in the years since Brown vs. Board of Education. He has a marvelous vocabulary, communicates effectively, and is a master and scene-setting and dialog. Two minor criticisms. The story starts slowly. It appears Terrell expends a great deal of time re-writing and re-casting his story. The first few dozen pages have a wooden, re-worked feel to them; as we delve deeper, though, the book becomes more lively and engaging, probably because the number of re-writes is fewer the deeper we get into the novel. Second is the casual way in which Terrell plays with law enforcement procedures. Kansas City detectives range far outside their jurisdiction with little attention to the limitations to their authority. A minor point, noticeable only to those within the law enforcement community. Even with those small blemishes, it's still a marvelous story, well worth the investment of your time.
Rating:
Summary: Marvelous debut for a promising young writer
Review: Whitney Terrell delivers a book difficult to pigeonhole or quantify in this his first novel. Is "The Huntsman" it a mystery? In the sense there is a murder, yes. Is it social commentary? In that it deals unblinkingly with the nature of racial relations, yes. Is it a coming of age story? A buddy story? A love story? Police procedural? Noir? Yes. Yes. Yes, yes, and yes. Which is why this book is so engrossing. Terrell blends genres without drawing attention to them. He does it capably despite this being his first title. "The Huntsman" starts a little slowly, admittedly. You have to plug through roughly the first quarter of the novel before seeing it take off. But when he gets it in gear, hang on; he's tanked with high octane and burning nitro. The story turns on the life of Booker Short, a young black man with reasons to be bitter. Betrayed by family and friends, he ends up in Kansas City, Missouri, a city with a clear racial division, and strikes up a relationship with Mercury Chapman who served as the white commander of the black truck and transportation company Booker's grandfather served with during World War II. As a caretaker at a small hunting club, Booker comes into contact with a young white woman -- daughter of a prominent federal judge -- and they become a couple. Her body is fished from the Missouri River near the hunting club, and Booker quickly becomes a suspect. Some reviewers may dwell on the racial aspects of the novel. Don't let that dissuade you. Terrell doesn't preach; he coolly reports. And his approach is dispassionate; a telling of a story that spans half a century, two continents, and all the divisions that have occurred in the years since Brown vs. Board of Education. He has a marvelous vocabulary, communicates effectively, and is a master and scene-setting and dialog. Two minor criticisms. The story starts slowly. It appears Terrell expends a great deal of time re-writing and re-casting his story. The first few dozen pages have a wooden, re-worked feel to them; as we delve deeper, though, the book becomes more lively and engaging, probably because the number of re-writes is fewer the deeper we get into the novel. Second is the casual way in which Terrell plays with law enforcement procedures. Kansas City detectives range far outside their jurisdiction with little attention to the limitations to their authority. A minor point, noticeable only to those within the law enforcement community. Even with those small blemishes, it's still a marvelous story, well worth the investment of your time.
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