Book Review: All the Lucky Ones Are Dead

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

All the Lucky Ones Are Dead     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Gar Anthony Haywood
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Ethnic   Private Investigator
Series: Aaron Gunner # 6
Putnam, Jan 2000, $23.95, 232 pp.

Gangsta-rap superstar C.E. Digga Jones seems to have everything. His career appears at its apex and yet he seems to be rising even further into a mega-superstar. He is extremely wealthy and his personal life appears even more prosperous than his career. Yet at the pinnacle of personal and professional success, C.E. Digga commits suicide. Only the father of the popular rapper thinks someone murdered his son. He hires LA detective Aaron Gunner to learn the truth.

As Aaron digs into the Digga case, he rejects serving as a bodyguard to Sparkle Johnson. Though he could use the cash, Aaron has ethics and the noted radio talk show host is hated by just about everyone, including the private sleuth. Sparkle rejects Aaron too until a car bomb makes both reconsider their mutual animosity. As he struggles to keep Sparkle safe, Aaron learns that Digga had several enemies and loved ones benefiting from the superstar’s death. He begins to agree with his client that someone killed the rapper, which takes Aaron into the ugliest streets of Los Angeles in an effort to obtain the truth.

The sixth Aaron Gunner tale contains the elements that have made this an award winning series. Yet, author Gar Anthony Haywood imbues a freshness into the story line that makes ALL THE LUCKY ONES DEAD feels like a debut tale. The dual story lines are both interesting though separate plots. The links are the mean streets of LA and Aaron. Mr. Haywood makes the novel work as his African-American detective brings the city to life in a way rarely seen in a novel including those well written previous tales starring Gunner.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner