U.F. with a degree in English, then got an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from the University of Arizona. He lives in Gainesville with his wife and son. He writes mystery, thriller, and science fiction novels.
Clifton's new novel is Twice The Trouble.
At Shepherd he tagged five titles that feel "like a genre novel (that is, it has a great plot) but also has the depth and vividness of a literary novel." One title on the list:
What Meets The Eye by Alex KennaRead about another entry on the list.
One thing I really like about this mystery novel is the way it is told from multiple points of view, which is a very unusual techniquein mystery fiction. That’s one reason that it felt, to me, so much like a literary novel.
The first character is a brilliant, tortured artist named Margot, who is already dead at the start of the novel. The second character is Kate, an ex-cop turned P.I. who is hired to find Margot’s killer.
Both women are compelling, interesting characters, but I especially liked the way Kenna renders the hero, Kate. She’s a single mom in recovery from a drug addiction. Her ex is a creep, and most of her old (male) cop colleagues are, too. Her struggle in solving the case felt completely real and human to me. And that’s the signature quality of literary fiction.
Q&A with Alex Kenna.
My Book, The Movie: What Meets the Eye.
--Marshal Zeringue
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