Thrown-Away Child: A Neil Hockaday Mystery

Rating:
Summary: A murder mystery that probes the heart, and the problem.
Review: A mystery buff, I find the Edgar award a strong clue toward a satisfying writer. Thomas Adcock, a recent winner, fits that catagory to a T. "Thrown-Away Child" , his new book, is strong, violent and at the same time a probing story of the "lost boys" whose pain translates into much of the agony we see in our streets today (and in our prisons) With subtlety and insight, Adcock takes us to the heart of the family - Hockaday's newly acquired inlaws -who are New Orleans African-American; the "father of us all" - Joe Never Smile; and Neil's beloved mother-in-law ,Violet. The "Shamrock" Irish-American NYPD detective, Hockaday, finds himself working a murder in the center of New Orleans, tracing the terrorist group - MOMS (they brand their victims with those letters) , while gaining insight into himself and the racism which fuels the flames of our urban hells. "What's worse: living with a bad conscience, or knowing the peace of mind that comes from being hanged for what you done?" The dialogue is tasty. A joy of a book