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In 1996 Chicago, a group of men are targeting specific African American women and kidnapping them off the streets for reasons unknown. Joe Clark is a former gang member now working in the Chicago police department. Through an incredible bit of coincidence, Clark manages to infiltrate the kidnapping group but gets nowhere fast. He will manage to break the case when Wu Chang, a reporter from the South China Press sees a pattern going on in his country. He is also investigating the unjust execution of his cousin and his leads will take him to Chicago. He will enroll Joe Clark in his investigation and together uncover a dark conspiracy masterminded by a man known only as The Colonel. Aside from an original title, there is little to like in Michelle I. Williamsís debut novel. The plot is ill structured; there is a sense of overkill in several portions of the book; and the author expects the reader to turn of their logic circuits in order to bring some incredulous situations in a story that is not even science fiction. There is too much emphasis on the skin color of all the characters when there was no need. Literature should be universal and readers can figure things out with the context of the book. There is no reason for having it spoon fed to us. When each kidnapping is portrayed the victims make note that they were two white men. If it was only one victim who said that ñ fine, but it was several. Who cares what their skin color is? As the story progresses, we learn that this is not a hate crime, but a heinous one done strictly for profit. Race here is irrelevant. Second, Joe Clark is a former gang member now working as a police officer. Wouldnít he be a bit wary, careful and distrustful? A Chinese reporter approaches Clark with an unbelievable story that he swallows hook, line and sinker. As a cop you would expect him to do at least a background check to verify the reporterís bona fides. The Internet was in its infancy then, Clark could have at least used a search engine. Finally, why would a Mainland Chinese man come to America to investigate what, at first, seems like a random rash of kidnappings? If he were from Hong Kong the story might be more plausible, however, it is about as likely as an Amish woman flying to a Las Vegas convention to check out the new Mac computers. Williams might have had a good idea of what she wanted to write when she first started the novel, but the end result is something else. Donít take too long to ponder if this is the book for you. You have been warned.
Reviewed by Angel L. Soto, February 2003
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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)
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