Holy City

On the outskirts of the holy city known as Richmond, VA, lies long-suffering Euphoria County, where residents and lawmakers are anything but saintly. When Deputy Sheriff Will Seems discovers Tom Janders’s house aflame with Tom’s body inside and Zeke Hathom, the father of Will’s childhood friend Sam, fleeing the scene, a homicide investigation ensues. Will doubts Zeke’s involvement, but Sheriff Mills, eager to close the case because of the upcoming election, isn’t looking to explore the possibility of additional suspects. Private investigator Bennico Watts, with her marred police-force past, teams up with Will to spur the investigation, courtesy of contravening local laws. Once the murder is solved, author Wise navigates the characters toward their resolution and reconciliation with personal histories in a locale cautiously called home. With a talent for writing place, Wise weaves his grim debut around topics of revenge, drug addiction, small-town politics, and the complications of returning to one’s hometown. Actor/narrator Chris Henry Coffey’s gravelly voice complements the scuffed-up, imperfect characters and the novel’s atmospheric setting.