There are people who insist crime fiction can have no serious literary merit. These people have obviously never read James Sallis' books.
The Story
In Cypress Grove, John Turner is a man who has fled his old life as a former cop and therapist, who did prison time for a mistake he made while on the force. Turner is quietly living in the woods – as far from other people as he can get. Things take a turn, when the sheriff from a small town near Memphis shows up and asks Turner for his help on a murder investigation.
Though it's never entirely clear why the sheriff seeks out Turner's help in particular (apart from the fact that he lacks resources and Turner's there), the loner detective agrees to assist in the case – a brutal ritualistic slaying. And, in doing so, Turner must return to the society of people he's been seeking to avoid and confront the violent ghosts from his past.
Parallel Narratives
James Sallis tells Turner's tale in two sets of narratives, alternating them from chapter-to-chapter. One is the story of the investigation; the other is the story of Turner himself, how he got to be where he is – including his time as a police officer, his ordeal as an ex-cop in prison and his experiences as a therapist.
In the present day storyline, Turner meets a woman – an attorney named Valerie Bjorn. Turner's growing attraction to Bjorn draws him even closer into the small town fold. Along with an amiable relationship with the sheriff, his deputy and the other townsfolk, they stand in marked contrast to the darkness and turmoil in Turner's former life. And the investigation turns up suspects who have a few skeletons in their own closets.
Literary Crime Fiction
Written with a moody feel that's dark, suspenseful and sardonic by turns, Sallis tells the story with fluid prose that goes down like fine bourbon. At times, Turner's observations and insights are keen enough to take one's breath away.
Yet, despite all the literary flourishes, Sallis succeeds in telling a suspenseful and fascinating tale, both of Turner's life and the murder – which not only gets solved, but Turner seems to change and grow by the story's end.
Cypress Grove is the first in a three-book Turner series. Anyone who claims crime fiction can't be good literature simply must read it.
Cypress Grove Walker & Company (April 1, 2004), ISBN: 978-0-8027-7695-2
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