Assessment:
Plot: Hiller creates a compelling context for this mystery novel set in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Issues of disaster recovery, gentrification, and local politics are explored in tandem with criminal intrigue. A somewhat convoluted conclusion muddies the otherwise well developed storyline.
Prose: While Hiller's prose is generally clear and smooth, character motivations and backstories are often conveyed through exposition, rather than through organic storytelling, while dialogue can be stilted and less than realistic.
Originality: Hiller brings a particularly human element to this mystery by focusing on the lives of New Orleans residents and the divisions between the wealthy and poor, which become more stark in the aftermath of disaster.
Character Development: At times, character development is secondary to Hiller's intriguing setting and the nuanced perspective on post-hurricane New Orleans. Readers may struggle to gain clear insights into the protagonist, while side characters can seem archetypal.
Date Submitted: May 10, 2018
This book is a snapshot into the sordid politics and rampant corruption that define New Orleans. Set in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, or as locals call it. the "Federal Flood," Hiller peels back the onion to give us an insider's perspective of the rampant corruption that haunted the city in that period. A mixture of disaster capitalism and "backroom" Louisiana politics, Can't Stop The Funk captures the hidden side of race, real estate, government corruption and family ties that definethe most unique city in America. While reading the book, I caught myself backtracking on real stories I've worked on that closely resembled the ones Cadillac was unravelling. This book could easily be non-fiction. I can't wait for the next Detective Holland adventure.
