Cahokia Jazz

A thrilling tale of murder and mystery in a city where history has run a little differently -- from the best-selling author of Golden Hill.

ORDER NONESUCH, THE NEW NOVEL FROM FRANCIS SPUFFORD, NOW

Utterly immersive.Spectator
Thrilling.Financial Times
Unlike anything else you will read this year.Daily Express
A classic of alternative history.Observer
A delight.Sunday Telegraph

Its 1922 and Americans are drinking in speakeasies, dancing to jazz, stepping quickly to the tempo of modern times. In the ancient city of Cahokia - a teeming industrial metropolis, a tinderbox of every race and creed - peace holds. Just about.

But on a snowy night at the end of winter, two roughshod detectives are called to the roof of a skyscraper. Their investigation will spill the citys secrets and bring it, against a soundtrack of wailing clarinets, either to destruction or rebirth.

What readers are saying:

***** A marvellous, atmospheric, beautifully written and gripping read that dares to hope, amidst a background of bleak darkness and the pulsing joy of jazz, that I recommend highly.

***** Original, imaginative, thought provoking, engrossing, engaging and beautifully written with characters who are credible and engaging. What more is there to ask for from a master at the top of his game. I enjoyed this as much as Golden Hill, which is praise indeed.

***** The Yiddish Policemens Union is an obvious point of comparison; I also got echoes of James Ellroy, though with more light in the darkness, or maybe just a greater readiness to forgive humanitys failings. Theres perhaps a dash of Earthly Powers too, and at least one nod to The Leopard; exalted company, to be sure, but Cahokia Jazz can hold its head high among them.