The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride

Genre: Fiction

Publisher: Penguin Random House

Reviewer: JAG

JAGS: 10

The year is 1936. The Heaven and Earth Grocery store is the only refuge for the poor black residents and outcast Jewish communities on ChickHill, in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. The promise of the American Dream is achievable by some. For others, a myth bought and sold on the backs of the marginalized. Namely, everyone who isn’t a bonified tried and true white Christian American. Immigrants need not apply. 

The story introduces us to Moshe and Chona Ludlow who own and operate The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store, but also two theaters. A deaf black boy is wanted by the state, and the community of ChickHill bans together to keep the child safe from the dangers of bigotry and deceit.   

James McBride has taken us back to a time when social and civil injustices were as common as the rising sun. He has woven together a masterpiece of historical fiction, filled with a collection of quirky neighbors of ChickHill, that show kindness and equality when faced with adversity.

This book is a shining example of McBride's talent as a prolific writer. His purposeful storytelling brings meaning to a time in American history that most of us would rather forget. A story that only James McBride can tell. 

Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson

Genre: Mystery

Publisher: Harper Collins

Reviewer: JAG

JAGS: 6

Those who can't do, teach.

And Ernie Cunningham is no exception. Ern, to close friends, helps writers navigate the craft of murder mystery as a crime fiction aficionado. After one fateful evening with his brother, Ernie broke the cardinal rule of the Cunningham Family and snitched on his brother for murder. 

Fast-forward 3 years, and Ernie is headed to a ski lodge for a family reunion, and hopefully reconciliation with his newly released brother. Little does the Cunningham family know, including Ern, that this weekend retreat will be anything but normal. Death seems to follow wherever they go. Ernie must use every ounce of his deductive reasoning, and his "10 Commandments of Detective Fiction from Ronald Knox's 1929 playbook, to solve a rash of unexplained murders. 

Agatha Christie meets Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, meets Guy Ritchie, in this salute to the Golden Age of Crime fiction. Can Ern make peace with his brother and his family before the next body turns up? Are his skills as a sleuth as good as the literary greats he teaches about? 

Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone is a humorous take on crime drama. Confusing in parts, and drags in others, the story is overall pretty good. It was reminiscent of the movie Clue, just with too many backstories. Ern, the main character, could have been less self-deprecating. You are constantly reminded of his failings in life and his quest to be the Sherlock Holmes of the Cunningham Family. 

It's definitely a page-turner, only because you want to just finish it. Good palate cleanser if you had a month of hard fiction right before.