Review: Madam Ricketts: A Story of Murder, Deceit and Dark Humor

Madam Ricketts: A Story of Murder, Deceit and Dark Humor by C.D. Hancock
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I just finished this book and  I ran to my computer just to come here and say “Wow!”

   

    I did not see that ending coming.  C.D. Hancock writes from multiple points of view in this wild, weird, not-quite-western novel.  The base of the story is set with two unreliable narrators, a madam with questionable motives, and the reporter whose recalling her story but has been denied paper, pens, recorder, and sanity.  It delves into a history of heroes who become villains, families that become enemies, and ghosts that thirst for vengeance long after they’ve decayed.  

     What I liked 

    The diverse characters. There are cowboys and Indians but this story is not a typical western.   

     Black people not only exist in this wild wilderness, they surprise you.  

      There are wives, daughters, and whores but no damsels in distress waiting for a white knight, these ladies have good aim and are as patient as snakes waiting for the perfect time to strike.  

What I loved: 

    The adult themes are not introduced for shock value.  Due to the nature of the story there is violence and sexual abuse, but both are used as common sense plot points that move the story.  The violence isn’t gruesome for the sake of horror.  The sexual abuse is mentioned and implied, but never dwelt on in pornographic detail.  I did not come away from this book with post traumatic shock like I have some other novels.  

What I hated:

      Was the ending!  Not in a  Game of Thrones “Why did he do that!?” kind of way.  

But in “No!  How?  What!? No!” kind of way. It’s more like the last minute of the first Saw movie kind of way.   

    No neat button endings here. It’s as messy and satisfying as a crushed roach.  And I’m happy to find that there is a sequel.  

This was a fun read that I obtained for free and was asked to give feedback on!  I'm happy I was able to help.

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Thanks for reading.  I'll see you on the next page.  

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