futures. Losing an auction at the last
second to an unknown bidder, Paul
becomes fixated on obtaining a rare,
highly desired map—regardless of cost
or the dubiously moral actions required
to complete its acquisition. Meanwhile,
small-town-girl-turned-trophy-wife
Jennifer Mehraz reignites a passionate
romance from her past after a man in
military fatigues appears at the auction,
risking potentially violent repercussions
from her wealthy husband if he discovers
her infidelity. An attempted abduction
results in two unforeseen deaths, which
send carefully crafted plans spiraling out
of control. As bodies pile up and Jennifer’s
fear for her safety reaches a crescendo, Paul
attempts to help his friend while advancing
his own interests. The narrative is as
impressively constructed as the maps in
Paul’s collection: each section laid out in
seamless order to allow for a satisfyingly
neat conclusion. What the narrative has in
plotting it lacks in characterization, often
relying on overused noir conventions—
particularly with regards to women—
which ultimately allows the city itself to
emerge as the most memorable character.
New York, in its glory and historical
complexity, defies any who would
attempt to possess it and dwarfs the
ambitions of this intricate cast of ruthless characters. (June)
The Slip
Mark Sampson. Dundurn (IPS, U. S. dist.; UTP,
Canadian dist.), $15.99 trade paper (280p)
ISBN 978-1-4597-3575-0
Early in the riotous but astute third
novel by Sampson (Sad Peninsula),
readers will see that renowned philosophy
professor and public intellectual Philip
Sharpe is about to take a tumble; it’s
just a question of how far he will fall and
whether he will be able to get back up.
Philip has admirable traits, including
having attained an Oxford education in
spite of an impoverished childhood, but
he nevertheless comes across as neglectful
husband and an impatient, pompous
know-it-all. A televised debate against a
“grotesquely conservative” newspaper
columnist degenerates into sniping, and
he insults his opponent. Social media
explodes with criticism and threats
directed at Philip, and the next week
gives him ample cause to double-fist his
cocktails. In addition to stretches of expertly
timed hilarity, including a hellish brunch,
the author examines an assortment of
contemporary issues, such as the gendered
division of household labor, everyday
sexism, volatile university politics, social
media crucifixions, and political correct-
ness. Sampson’s gift to his protagonist is
not judging the 49-year-old “compul-
sively type A” prof as a hopeless jerk. Like
Robertson Davies, he grants him the
ability to direct his prodigious intellect
inward, with satisfying results. (June)
★ Season of Crimson Blossoms
Abubakar Adam Ibrahim. Cassava Republic
(Consortium, dist.), $15.95 trade paper
(320p) ISBN 978-1-911115-00-7
Ibrahim’s excellent first novel tells of
the unlikely romance between a Muslim
widow and a dope-dealing street tough
amidst the troubles that each faces.
When 55-year-old Binta Zubairu wakes
to the smell of cockroaches, she knows
that something terrible will happen to
her; as the odor has always heralded
disaster in the past. Her niece Fa’iza and
granddaughter Ummi, who both live
with her, are
away at school
when her home
is robbed by a
knife-wielding
young man.
Mysteriously,
most of the
stolen goods are
returned a few
days later and
Binta’s assailant
appears to apologize. When Hassan
Babale, known as Reza, returns a third
time, the two are overcome by their inex-
plicable desire and thus begins an illicit
romance. Binta must also contend with
the arrival of her daughter, Hureira, who
has left her husband, and the increasingly
erratic behavior of Fa’iza. Reza’s jobs for
his senator boss escalate in danger.
Throughout this tale set in the author’s
native Nigeria, current and past violence
taints the lives of these characters seeking
solace where they can find it. Each feels
longing and loss and must contend with
the forces of propriety and duty to family.
(May)
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