'The Coyotes of Carthage' by Steven Wright follows the character development of Dre Ross, a political operative tasked with persuading a South Carolina community to allow a mining company to purchase public land for gold mining. The novel delves into the underbelly of American politics, showcasing the use of opposition research and political tactics for public policy decisions and campaigns. As Dre navigates through moral ambiguity, personal struggles, and the dark world of political influencers, readers are taken on a fast-paced journey through the chaotic mind of the main character.

Characters:

The characters are multifaceted, offering a mix of virtues and flaws that reflect the complexities of human nature and societal pressures.

Writing/Prose:

The author's style is characterized by clarity and a balance of humor and seriousness, effectively depicting nuanced social and political themes.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative focuses on a political consultant's efforts to sway public opinion for a mining company's interests, intertwining personal struggles and ethical dilemmas within a politically charged environment.

Setting:

The setting encapsulates a small Southern community grappling with economic and social pressures, enhancing the thematic depth.

Pacing:

The pacing remains engaging throughout, though it shifts to a heightened state of chaos as the protagonist's struggles intensify.

Notes:

The novel addresses serious themes like racism, sexism, and corporate greed.

The main character, Dre, is a political consultant dealing with personal issues and moral ambiguity.

The setting reflects the complexities of small-town America without relying on stereotypes.

The book is considered engaging and gripping, particularly during the COVID-19 quarantine.

Dre faces challenges like being a Black man in a predominantly white environment and overcoming his past as a felon.

The narrative blends humor with dark themes of American politics and campaign strategies.

The author, Steven Wright, is praised for his direct writing style and character depth.

Many readers find the book insightful about political campaigns and the use of dark money.

Some readers criticize the ending as disappointing while others find it fittingly symbolic.

It was described as both enlightening about political operatives and satirical, sparking discussions on public policy.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of racism, political manipulation, social injustice, and morally ambiguous behavior.

From The Publisher:

SHORTLISTED FOR THE ERNEST J. GAINES AWARD FOR LITERARY EXCELLENCE

"With this splendid debut, Steven Wright announces his arrival as a major new voice in the world of political thrillers. I enjoyed it immensely." -John Grisham

A blistering and thrilling debut-a biting exploration of American politics, set in a small South Carolina town, about a political operative running a dark money campaign for his corporate clients

Dre Ross has one more shot. Despite being a successful political consultant, his aggressive tactics have put him on thin ice with his boss, Mrs. Fitz, who plucked him from juvenile incarceration and mentored his career. She exiles him to the backwoods of South Carolina with $250,000 of dark money to introduce a ballot initiative on behalf of a mining company. The goal: to manipulate the locals into voting to sell their pristine public land to the highest bidder.

Dre arrives in God-fearing, flag-waving Carthage County, with only Mrs. Fitz's well-meaning yet naïve grandson Brendan as his team. Dre, an African-American outsider, can't be the one to collect the signatures needed to get on the ballot. So he hires a blue-collar couple, Tyler Lee and his pious wife, Chalene, to act as the initiative's public face.

Under Dre's cynical direction, a land grab is disguised as a righteous fight for faith and liberty. As lines are crossed and lives ruined, Dre's increasingly cutthroat campaign threatens the very soul of Carthage County and perhaps the last remnants of his own humanity.

A piercing portrait of our fragile democracy and one man's unraveling, The Coyotes of Carthage paints a disturbingly real portrait of the American experiment in action.

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The Coyotes of Carthage

Steven Wright

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