Stone City Author:Mitchell Smith This gripping novel is many things. On one level it is a page-turning murder mystery. On another it is almost a sociological study of prison life, its rites and rituals, its racial antagonisms and its power ploys, its intimidations and its deprivations. On another level, a large unnamed Midwestern prison serves as a metaphor for contemporary Ame... more »rica, festering with evils and dreaming of innocence. In that prison two inmates have been murdered and a former history professor, jailed for killing a girl in a drunken driving accident, is forced by the different coercive pressures of the prison authorities and the inmate kingpin to find out who is the killer. Graphic and searing, an unflinching, harrowing vision of hell, this is a fine novel with strong best-seller potential.
I have been to prison and this book in its day to day descriptions of life inside are riveting and true to form. I can almost relive my time inside with the vivid words. The interpersonal relationships are colorful and accurate. Would think this author did some time!« less
This book is quite well done although a big of a struggle to get through some of the side issues; however, it is quite disturbing in content and the wrap-up is beyond horrid but true to the author's story.