Kirk St Moritz

The author, Kirk St. Mortiz, gave me a copy of this novel in exchange for my review.

“The Day that Jesus Rode into Croydon” is a fabulously complex story in which a story of a neglected boy with emotional problems and a slacker called into action in modern day run side by side. The character list is incestuous and a bit of a shell game. Adding to the fun is a Detective Inspector with deep suspicions about the young roommates.

St. Moritz showed mastery in the way he eases the reader into the cast of characters. Joe, Danny and Katie (Joe’s best friend and secret love) are central characters. In great insight St. Moritz builds a connection between the three before bringing in Mia, a dividing force that is perhaps somewhat too perfect. Polston and Walker, the cops, shared an interesting dynamic. Polston hates Walker who is incompetent, stupid and has the single claim to fame of a very brief career in a rougher station. In a Vonnegut-esque turn of brilliance, St. Mortiz breaks into the narrative to include Walker in a version of a “Up” type of documentary. There is a minor sub-plot involving murder victims in the basement of a bar and as much as I would have liked more on that, “The Day that Jesus Rode into Croydon” is not a short story and the added weight may have thrown the story off balance instead of adding that extra flavor of intrigue.

St. Moritz plays a shell game with the plot. The child from the past who is referred to as “Morgan” develops a deeply complex emotional life revolving around a need for revenge against schoolmates. He is clearly in a very bad situation. Young Morgan’s tale is vital to the progression of the story but his purpose is not immediately clear and therein lays the brilliance of this tale. When the full purpose hit, this reader was blown away at the clever and creative talent of this author. “The Day that Jesus Rode into Croydon” is listed as the author’s first novel but this is clearly an author who gave great care and consideration to his creation. This is not the novel that falls off of the end of a first time author’s pen.

Fabulous read. If you like complex, edgy and brilliant stories, this is one for you.… (mer)