A crisp swamp noir that plunges deep into the bogs, trailer parks, and ‘gator pits of the Everglades, Mattson’s Interception City, the followup to Killing Liberty, offers a sweaty, surprising crime story involving sneaky psychics, a lusty vice principal, an ill-fated high school reunion, and of course those evergreen elements of tragicomic Florida thrillers: corrupt cops, ugly racial tension, and murder most marshy. One chief strength of Mattson’s brisk, compact novel is its well-crafted plot—the nuanced layers of storytelling and shifting motives will draw in readers who relish dark but amusing stories of wild local color amid the Florida muck.

Despite some broad, satiric types and Mattson’s sharp comic timing, the lead characters are multifaceted and convincing, even as the situations they face (trying not to lose a gold tooth down a corpse’s throat; holding off a home invasion with a garden tool) always come close to spinning out of control. Their actions can shock, as when Leonard, a federal judge, drunkenly shows up to his ex-wife’s home and then shocks the reader by going much too far, threatening her with violence. The story moves quickly but leaves readers time to soak in uncertainties—would Leonard have killed Wendy on the spot if things had gone differently? It also has heart amid over-the-top elements like a Psychic Trailer Park Hotline cable show. Seeing Wendy break down after all of the abuse and turmoil she has suffered, and learning to lean on her daughter for support, is as heartbreaking as it is convincing.

Interception City offers a wild, surprisingly emotional ride, despite a few instances where the plot and characterization fall victim to the familiar. However, its engaging plot, swift storytelling, and assured twists will surely satisfy readers who prefer their crime fiction caked in Florida sweat.

Takeaway: Brisk, surprising Everglades noir with strong central characters.

Comparable Titles: Tim Dorsey, Jonathon King’s Max Freeman series.

Production grades
Cover: B-
Design and typography: B
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A