The Dying Crapshooter's Blues by David Fulmer, jv

[jere_ga]

This book is similar to the Valentin St. Cyr series by David Fulmer, but this one took place in 1920's Atlanta. The main character, Joe Rose, a professional thief and gambler, returns to Atlanta, after being away for several months and is asked by a rounder (crapshooter) and pimp, Jessie Williams, to find the cop that shot him. In today's times, Jesse would not have succumbed to his wound, but Jesse refused to be taken to Grady Hospital because a police investigation would ensue. Joe is unsure of his ancestry as he was placed on the steps of a Philadephia orphanage. Although most consider him an Indian (Native American) because of his copper skin color and his nose, curved like a bow, and his black glittering eyes--a ladies man, of course. Willie McTell, a young, black, blind guitar player, was asked by Jesse Williams to write a song to be sung over his grave. Thus, the title--Dying Crapshooter's Blues.

Other characters include a corrupt police captain, the captain's wife, Joe's black girlfriend Pearl, City Officials, all surrounding a burglary of jewels from the Payne Mansion. As Joe gets closer to the finding the connection to Jesse's shooting and the jewelry theft, his witnesses and connections start dying off.

I was interested in this book as it takes place in my hometown, Atlanta, and I remember my grandmother grew up talking about the streets and places of Atlanta before the interstate and expansion. I did not enjoy this book as much as I did the Valentin St. Cyr series, although they are similar in style and context. BUT this man can write.