Title: Who Killed Jerusalem?
Author: George Brown
Publisher: Galbraith Literary Publishers
Genre:Â Mystery Thriller, Absurdist Fiction
First Publication: 2023
Language:Â English
Book Summary: Who Killed Jerusalem? by George Brown
In 1977, Ickey Jerusalem, San Francisco’s golden-boy poet laureate, is found dead in a locked, first-class toilet on an arriving red-eye flight.
Ded Smith, a desperately unhappy, intelligent philistine with a highly developed philosophy to match, is called in to investigate the poet’s death. Thus begins a series of hilarious encounters with the members of Jerusalem’s coterie.
Ded soon realizes that to find out what happened, he must not only collect his usual detective’s clues but also, despite his own poetically challenged outlook, get into the dead poet’s mind. Fighting his way through blasphemous funerals, drug-induced dreams, poetry-charged love-making, offbeat philosophical discussions, and much, much more, he begins to piece together Jerusalem’s seductive, all-encompassing metaphysics.
But by then, the attempts to kill Ded and the others have begun.
Before Ded’s death-dodging luck runs out, will he be able to solve the case, and perhaps in the process, develop a new way of looking at the world that might allow him to replace his unhappiness with joy?
Book Review: Who Killed Jerusalem? by George Brown
Mystery novels have long been a source of fascination and intrigue for readers of all ages. From the classic tales of Agatha Christie to the more contemporary works of Gillian Flynn, the genre has a rich history filled with enigmatic characters, intricate plots, and endless possibilities. “Who Killed Jerusalem?” by George Brown is no exception. Set in 1977 San Francisco, the story follows the investigation into the death of Ickey Jerusalem, the city’s golden-boy poet laureate. Insurance investigator Ded Smith is called in to assist local law enforcement with the case, and what follows is a wild ride through the worlds of poetry, philosophy, and offbeat characters.
As Ded delves deeper into the mystery, he is forced to confront his own personal demons and develop a new way of looking at the world around him. The plot was labyrinthine and complex, with twists and turns that kept me guessing until the very end. But amidst all the intrigue and mystery, there were moments of pure hilarity as the author’s quirky, eccentric characters stumbled through their misadventures with aplomb. Brown’s writing is clever, humorous, and full of unexpected surprises, making “Who Killed Jerusalem?” a must-read for fans of the mystery genre.
The author’s use of absurdist mystery fiction makes for a unique and refreshing reading experience, as the story makes the reader question what is real and what is not. Brown’s decision to attribute all of Jerusalem’s works, including poems, aphorisms, and marked-up drafts, to William Blake adds an additional layer of depth and intrigue to the story. Despite Jerusalem’s San Francisco residency in the 1970s, his works are written in the language of late 18th and early 19th century London. This attention to detail, as well as Brown’s clever plot twists and rich character development, make “Who Killed Jerusalem?” a must-read for fans of both absurdist and mystery fiction.
The characters in “Who Killed Jerusalem?” are vividly portrayed and bring a sense of humour to the story. Ded Smith, the private investigator, is a character readers will root for. Despite his “philistinism,” he proves to be an intelligent and capable detective. Jerusalem’s coterie is a collection of unconventional and eccentric characters that range from a drug-addled artist to a flamboyant actor. Their interactions with Ded and O’Nadir provide comic relief and keep the story moving at a fast pace.
George Brown has created a complex storyline in ‘Who Murdered Jerusalem?’ that keeps the reader involved throughout the tale. The author, George Brown, has constructed the narrative with a tapestry of unusual characters, complex motivations, and puzzling clues. The reader is presented with a number of philosophical challenges throughout the course of the work, with the primary focus being on the nature of knowledge and how individuals subjectively understand the truth.
The writing style of Brown is both witty and thought-provoking, which encourages the reader to accompany the characters on an adventure of discovery that is both intense and intellectually stimulating. The book’s characters are vivid and believable, each with their own unique quirks and flaws, and the plot is intricate enough to keep the reader guessing until the very end. The book is an intriguing piece of absurdist fiction, and the author’s writing is certain to leave a long-lasting impression on readers who are interested in the absurdist mystery genre.
