White Skin Man by
John Baker
hbk out February 04
Published by Orion
at £17.99
Second of Baker's books to feature ex-con Stone Lewis who is now settled in Hull
with Vietnamese lover. Here Stone gets drawn into a mystery when photographer
Katy Madika accidentally takes pictures of a murder and is then stalked by the killer
who wants her camera - and her silence. Across town three racists are busy starting
up a website to spread their beliefs and are also planning some direct action and a
friend of Stone's family, a black teenager, gets threatened on the street. Baker shares
the story out between several characters and succeeds admirably in getting inside their
heads so we can empathise even with the least savoury personalities. A pleasure in
Baker's work is the way that his characters actually talk to each other, whether it's
debates on how to tackle violence or the link between a Dylan song and a Beatles
lyric. Philosophy is no dirty word here, people share their thoughts on the way of the
world as well as trying to work out what they actually think. Stone, who has autistic
traits, is a vulnerable and intriguing character but we are equally captivated by his
aunt Nell and friend Heartbreak and the young racist Mort who cares for his disabled
mother. The plot moves inexorably towards violence and confrontation and there is
the flavour of a modern morality tale in the outcome - though not a happily-ever-after
ending for everyone.
Manchester Evening News 28.2.04
(
Cath Staincliffe
author of the popular Sal Kilkenny mysteries set on the mean streets of Manchester)
White Skin Man by
John Baker
