Monument

Former journalist Owen offers a solid 11th “Willie Black” mystery (after Jordan’s Branch). Richmond, VA, mired in the COVID-19 pandemic, sees peaceful daytime Black Lives Matter demonstrations erupt into vandalism and anger around the city’s numerous Confederate monuments. After a busy night covering the chaos, veteran journalist Willie Black is called in early to cover a press conference, where police announce their discovery of a double homicide: a married couple, found dead in the apartment above their used bookstore. The case becomes personal when the main suspect turns out to be Willie’s ex-wife’s son, who’s on the autism spectrum. With police resources stretched thin by the ongoing protests, Willie taps into his network of contacts and sharpens his investigative skills to uncover the truth. Through a variety of characters, Owen presents the mystery from multiple points of view and touches on current issues, including the COVID-19 pandemic and racism.