The cover of Uncivil Seasons by Michael Malone caught my interest in a display at my library. It is the first book in a “much more than a mystery” series featuring two police officers named Justin and Cuddy. I was impressed by what I read about the author’s body of work. He has won a number of awards – an Edgar, an O. Henry, a Writers Guild Award and an Emmy. He’s written short stories and both serious and comic novels. He was also head writer for a popular daytime television series (One Life to Live) for a number of years and now teaches Theatre Studies at Duke University. Every literary review I read spoke highly of Malone’s work and writing skills.The clincher was that the series takes place in North Carolina, Malone’s home state, an area that I knew very little about but have always been interested in learning more. I quite enjoyed Uncivil Seasons. The mystery is excellent but as indicated earlier the book is much more than a mystery. The plot line seems to serve as a back drop for the author to delve into the emotions and pressures people grapple with in their daily lives as well as the conflicting demands they face and the choices they make.Michael Malone writes seamlessly. He uses very interesting and descriptive language and really knows how to describe nature and make you feel like you’re there. His character development is not superficial. Rather, he takes you inward and introduces you to the character’s thoughts, feeling and motivation. Malone is particularly skilful in writing dialogue. The dialogue is full of accents and idioms, each unique to the many and wide ranging characters.The characters themselves are full of life and each very different from the other. The author also demonstrates that he has an excellent imagination and does a good job of showing the “new” south in transition. The “new” south is a combination of the “old” south - those whose families have been born and living in the south for multi-generations, born into privilege and wealth and used to calling the shots in small town America. Times are a changing however and with technological advances and a new generation of younger, working people from outside the south are moving in and changing it into the “new” south. The “new” southerners want to share more in the south’s wealth and have a greater say in their own life and governance. Malone doesn’t lecture but this story definitely has an underlying theme of opinion and critique on status quo and old ways needing to make way for new ideas and meritocracy.Justin and Cuddy are the heart and soul of the book. In some ways they are polar opposites – Justin was born entitled and his family has lived for generations in North Carolina but he has never really bought into the old school entitlement. He doesn’t want to be in the legislature. He thinks that police work is more interesting and his stubborn streak tells him to follow his heart and intuition despite the criticism and resistance from others. Cuddy was born into a working class family on the other side of the tracks. He is full of personality, ambition and aspiration. He is a wise-cracker who brings his dog to work, has a silver tongue and loves Elvis and the ladies. He has studied hard and used higher education in addition to his personality to get ahead. These two are partners and friendly banter abounds making for quite pleasurable reading. They clearly enjoy each other’s company and I found myself smirking and chuckling often and was frequently touched by demonstrations of their friendship.While Justin and Cuddy are the principal characters, there is an incredible ensemble cast in the book and it runs the gamut from mountain bootleggers to high society. I really did get a sense for all of North Carolina and quite enjoyed the variety of folks there. The author’s character development and dialogue, as mentioned earlier, is extremely well done.Now I know why Michael Malone has won a number of literary awards. I am looking forward to the second book in the Justin and Cuddy series and am also considering reading some of his other books. I am a big fan of writers who express themselves well, and write as if character development is as important as plot and who also have some intelligent commentary, observations and life lessons included in their stories. Michael Malone packages all three criteria into one enjoyable Uncivil Seasons.
In my book, Michael Malone makes for a pleasant read, even when it comes to homicide. His language is crisper, his descriptions richer, his characterizations amusing, the dialogues more believable and his plots generally far more sophisticated than the usual run-of-the-mill murder mysteries that I have recently ripped through. This book, like the other Malone books that I have read, does not disappoint. The action, set in North Carolina, smacks of Southern charm and Old-World codes of honor intertwined with a murder investigation and a lot of humor, if you can believe that combo. I'm purposely not hinting at the plot (since anyone can get a taste of the action by looking at the book cover), since this book is good enough to pick up and read, just like that.
I liked this one the least of Malone's books so far, but towards the end, I saw more of the kinds of writing that I like him for--more complexity in the characters, more nuance in their relationships. Mostly, I think that the friendships Malone depicts are among my favorite elements of his work, and I do like that here too--it's just a bit more opaque.One of the questions I have is about his choice to have this book narrated by one character and the next book in the series (which I actually read first) narrated by a different character. It's interesting, definitely, but I'm not sure that it works for me (though on paper I love the idea).
—Jennifer
This is the first book I've read by Michael Malone. I really liked it: the characters, setting, and story were all of a solid piece and all well constructed. There are a couple minor scenes where some inconsequential (and pretty tame) violence felt forced on the story, but otherwise things unfolded in a way that felt very natural.Detective Justin Savile, our narrator and protagonist, is part of the social inner circle of Hillston, North Carolina. Bred for law and perhaps politics, he breaks from his family's wishes and joins the local police department. Malone has a great way of making Justin both part of and separate from the town's social powers-that-be. He's reminded, none too gently, how much he owes his connections, yet his personality rather convincingly tends toward honor over loyalty.Justin's partner, Cuddy Mangum, is from the wrong end of town and more familiar with some of the sketchier characters who live there. Cuddy never misses a chance for a joke, and he delights in playing up the social distance between himself and Justin.The murder case at the heart of the narrative takes Justin and Cuddy into homes rich and downtrodden, and through it all Malone very convincingly (and generously) paints a portrait of Hillston. Though some of its denizens obviously thrive better than others, Hillston feels like a place where real people would actually choose to live. Past mistakes can and do haunt the present, but they can be overcome — in time — as well.
—Paul
I can't do this book, or this three book series so far, justice. From the first page you are hooked. Malone's use of the English language is beautiful to read. I am humbled by his mastery of prose. There are several contemporary writers who make me feel that way. That would be enough to make me recommend a book, with reservations. Malone, however, delivers in every other way. His lead characters, Justin Savile V and Cuddy Mangum, police detectives in a small North Carolina college town, are engaging and endearing. You will love them, and their weaknesses. This book features Justin. The other books in the series are unique in that they change main character point of view. The second book, TIME'S WITNESS, is narrated by Cuddy, and the third book, FIRST LADY, features Justin again. Malone brings the new South into crystal clear focus with his grasp of small, southern town politics, strange and delightful characters, class and race issues. And the mystery is top notch, too. A real page turner that keeps you guessing. And last but not least, a good romance.
—Samantha
