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The Black Minute

Christopher Valen
North Star Press of St. Cloud, Inc. (2009)
ISBN 9780878393329
Reviewed by Enid Grabiner for RebeccasReads (11/09)

In this easily readable, but deceptively intricate mystery, John Santana, homicide detective for the St Paul police force, is assigned to investigate the murder of a young Hmong woman found on Harriet Island.  It proves not to be a simple crime, but one that involves the Hmong community, drug trade to finance weaponry, and political involvement at high levels of government.  As he struggled to solve the crime, Santana also has to face his own demons while remaining unbiased.  Can he trust and protect his partner?  Can he also trust and protect the woman with whom he is falling in love?  Can he protect the President?

John Santana’s Columbian background is a constant menacing companion that prevents him from making close personal connections.  The layers of his past are slowly revealed as the story unfolds. The parallel between him and members of the Hmong community prove to be universal in themes of the immigrant tied to his homeland while trying to assimilate in a new environment.  The past remains a phantom reminder of why they fled.

There is not one reason why this book isn't a winner!  Everything about it screams success.  The book is masterfully written with a tightly-woven plot, visually detailed settings and well developed characters.  Valen has done his homework enriching the mystery by providing abounding facts about the Hmong and Columbian cultures, the Twin cities area landmarks and tunnels, the 3M Company and even the weapons and explosives.  Nothing is left unexplained in this extremely satisfying read.


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