Books: Police photographer disputes doubts in ‘Exposure’; ‘Queen City Detective Agency’ launches new series

“Exposure” by Ramona Emerson. Soho Crime, 288 pages, $29.95

Ramona Emerson’s ‘Exposure,’ her second novel about police photographer Rita Todacheene, takes another leap forward, weaving poignant looks at Navajo culture, crimes against Native Americans, mysticism, family ties and mental health issues into a plot that occasionally feels off center. hits. also remains a solid piece of storytelling.

‘Exposure’, by Ramona Emerson (Soho Crime/Courtesy)

A Native American herself, Emerson set a high standard for character development and an evocative setting in ‘Shutter,’ her 2022 debut. Rita manages to uncover the often hidden aspect of a crime scene as a forensic photographer for the Albuquerque, New York Police Department Mexico. Her secret is that the spirits of the deceased visit her, causing her to discover what others have missed. But this gift was met with skepticism and fear from her colleagues and superiors, which increased after she exposed corruption in the police department.

An ongoing theme that continues in ‘Exposure’ is the treatment of destitute indigenous people, especially those who disappear without a trace or are found dead. ‘Exposure’ picks up approximately six months after the events of ‘Shutter’ and Rita is still recovering from physical injuries. Her sick leave is cut short when she is called to a gruesome murder scene. Rita knows who the real killer is, but her theories are ignored. Admitting that the victims’ spirits told her this puts her under further scrutiny.

Rita’s mental state is also precarious, as dealing with different spirits confuses her mind. For her own peace of mind, she leaves the police department and moves back to her family who live on the reservation near Gallup, NM. There, new spirits of needy native people arise and her help is requested by the local police, who believe her gifts. are important in solving the series of murders of area residents.

Emerson’s heartfelt look at the victims, especially those who are Native American, heightens “Exposure.” Rita is a solid character whose intelligence and compassion are excellent. But at times, Emerson tends to focus so heavily on Rita’s mental state that this aspect sometimes overwhelms the story.

Emerson is among a growing number of authors who focus on Native American characters and delve into issues and culture. ‘Exposure’ paves the way for more stories with Rita.

A new series

Snowden Wright’s new novel is ‘The Queen City Detective Agency’. (Paul Gandy/courtesy)

‘The Queen City Detective Agency’ by Snowden Wright. Tomorrow, 272 pages, $30

As “The Queen City Detective Agency” opens, Turnip Coogan – yes, Turnip is a nickname, though few remember his real name – stands at the edge of the courthouse roof in Meridian, Miss. The courthouse also serves as a prison, from which Raap had wanted to escape. But this petty criminal turned would-be assassin planned his grand prison escape, forgetting that there was no other way to escape than jumping through several floors.

Snowden Wright lets this beginning set the tone for the launch of his new series – a mix of dark humor, rural noir, a hard story, the history of Mississippi and the culture and racial divisions of the South in 1984, the era in which the novel took place. has been set.

As Turnip stands there considering his options – that is, if he knew what the word “options” meant – a crowd gathers below. He thinks they’re cheering ‘Rap, Raap’. Instead, they chant “jump, jump,” which, despite the best efforts of the provincial rescue unit, is what happens.

‘The Queen City Detective Agency’, by Snowden Wright. (Tomorrow/courtesy)

Despite the many witnesses, Lenora Coogan believes that her son did not die in the fall, but was murdered. She also doesn’t believe the evidence that Turnip killed real estate developer Randall Hubbard, hired by his much younger wife. To clear her son’s name. Lenora hires Clementine “Clem” Baldwin, owner of the Queen City Detective Agency, and her associate Dixon Hicks.

Clem quickly proves to be a formidable character, sturdy enough to carry a series. Biracial Clem faces racism and underestimation in every case. “It was hard to be a black woman in Ronald Reagan’s America. In 1980s Mississippi, it was even harder to be a black woman. But to be a black woman who was also a private investigator in both places? Now that was next to impossible.” But Clem was a ‘pragmatist through and through’.

As a way to deflect the scorn toward them from white bureaucrats, housewives, and others, she comes up with a “solution” and hires “a prop.” Enter blond-haired, former city sports hero Dixon. Clem is definitely in charge, and the two manage to appropriate racism.

At first, the two doubt Turnip’s innocence, as well as the rumors that the Dixie Mafia is real and not a myth. Politically, an economically depressed area. ambition and the perceptive Clem take ‘The Queen City Detective Agency’ to the next level. The case takes the two detectives to different neighborhoods of Meridian, which “had billed itself as the state’s ‘Queen City,’ but in recent decades had become more of a countess or a baron.”

Wright combines bits of humor with a sharp approach to his plot in “The Queen City Detective Agency,” featuring characters that readers look forward to returning to.