This was such an odd book, and I think that's why I liked it. Be warned, this likely isn't for everyone, and can be a bit dialogue heavy (not my favorite but it works for this story). The plot moves along fairly smoothly, with just enough twists that you can't be entirely sure *where* you'll land. Ded kind of gave me Columbo vibes (but I can't quite put my finger on why). If you're looking for a book that weaves together unique characters, a locked room murder mystery, art, poetry, and a little philosophy, then you've found your next read. ( )

* I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book. *

Insurance adjuster Ded Smith is on a 747 flight when famous poet Ickey Jerusalem is found dead in the first class toilet. Somebody had recently taken out a policy on Jerusalem's life, so his employers commission Ded to investigate the death to see if the policy has to be honoured.

Ded's investigation involves him with a cast of weird characters who are, to varying degrees, adherents of Jerusalem's strange metaphysical theories. Ded needs to work his way through these metaphysics in order to understand what has happened, and to explain Jerusalem's death.

Brown is clearly a big fan of William Blake, but I cannot endorse his claim that you don't need any knowledge of Blake to enjoy the book. The story is chock-full of allusions to Blake's metaphysics, philosophy, mythology, art and poetry, and nearly all of the characters have names connecting them to Blake's works, in ways that appear to be relevant to the plot. I found myself constantly flicking over to Google to look up some character's name, find out how it fitted into Blake's mythos, and thence into Brown's story. In the end, this all became boring and, by the time I was about three-quarters through, I just wanted to be done with this book. ( )

Oh!

George Albert Brown's Who Killed Jerusalem is a tale of murder, mystery, and obscene mayhem, with a surprise at the funeral of Jerusalem. The characters are zany, creative, and ingenious, and Brown's philosophy drives readers to a cognitive state.

Ded Smith is the main character and investigator of Icky Jerusalem's death, who was San Francisco's poet laureate in the 1970s. His philosophy is outside normal thought but is expected of a popular person at the height of Hippie culture.

Ded discovers that Icky had a boat docked at a marina with a "harbormaster" who included dues and fees. When Ded investigates the boat, he finds it to be a "grubby" 11-foot wooden sailboat, which is completely pointless and likely to cause complaints from other dockers.

Icky kept a boat without navigational aids, but the harbormaster did not.
Icky's work may have revealed that he was not pointless after all, but Ded must do the work to figure out how he died.

Ded's college professor was from a Sicilian village that strongly prohibited premarital sex, and believed this was done to prevent premature child bearing. However, studies showed that the actual reactions of fathers were different, such as "Mama mia!" and "You have been ruined". Brown states that this happened in 97.8% of the cases studied.

I overall enjoyed this read!George Albert Brown's Who Killed Jerusalem is a tale of murder, mystery, and obscene mayhem, with a surprise at the funeral of Jerusalem. The characters are zany, creative, and ingenious, and Brown's philosophy drives readers to a cognitive state.

Ded Smith is the main character and investigator of Icky Jerusalem's death, who was San Francisco's poet laureate in the 1970s. His philosophy is outside normal thought but is expected of a popular person at the height of Hippie culture.

Ded discovers that Icky had a boat docked at a marina with a "harbormaster" who included dues and fees. When Ded investigates the boat, he finds it to be a "grubby" 11-foot wooden sailboat, which is completely pointless and likely to cause complaints from other dockers.

Icky kept a boat without navigational aids, but the harbormaster did not.
Icky's work may have revealed that he was not pointless after all, but Ded must do the work to figure out how he died.

Ded's college professor was from a Sicilian village that strongly prohibited premarital sex, and believed this was done to prevent premature child bearing. However, studies showed that the actual reactions of fathers were different, such as "Mama mia!" and "You have been ruined". Brown states that this happened in 97.8% of the cases studied.

I overall enjoyed this read! ( )

historical-fiction, historical-research, insurance-investigator, law-enforcement, mystery, puntastic, read, situational-humor, sly-humor, verbal-humor****

The largest collection of improbably named characters I've seen in a while. The length is a bit daunting (not to be read continuously on a long car trip), but perfect for diving into at intervals (subway and such). Also, I did not find the humor to be of the rolling on floor variety but the inelegant snorts and giggles sort. I really enjoyed this trip uphill and down in the investigative sense which is filled with twists and red herrings.
I was lucky to get the audio narrated by the incomparable Patrick Lawlor.
I requested and received a free temporary audio copy from Galbraith Literary Publishers Incorporated via NetGalley. Thank you! ( )

Review of eBook

In 1977, Ickey Jerusalem, heralded as San Francisco’s golden boy, arrives on a 747 overnight flight . . . dead. Found in a locked, first-class toilet, the poet laureate, to all appearances, committed suicide.

Ded Smith, an insurance investigator for the Olympian Life Insurance Company, joins San Francisco Police Inspector O’Nadir as he investigates the death. Despite evidence to the contrary, Ded [sometimes referred to as Doctor Deadly] is not so sure certain that Ickey’s death was by his own hand.

But if Ickey didn’t take his own life, who is responsible for the poet’s death? Could it be Robert William, the flight purser? Perhaps it was Beulah Vala, Ickey’s blind personal assistant, or Bacon Urizen, his lawyer? Or could it have been the plastic surgeon, Doctor Bromion Ulro? The business manager, Tharmas Luvah? Or, perhaps, Adam Ghostflea, Ikey’s chauffeur?

Why would any member of Ickey’s coterie murder the poet? And why would Ickey commit suicide when it seemed as if he had finally reached the apex of his creativity?

=========

Although inundated with references to William Blake’s poetry, words of wisdom, paintings, and drawings, the author of this philosophical murder mystery asserts that any familiarity with Blake is not necessary for readers of this delightful tale. And, although the author ascribes Blake’s musings to Ickey Jerusalem, the wandering metaphysical concepts may be just a tad confusing for those who have yet to meet Blake.

Ickey’s retinue is as unusual as the names they bear; their nonplussed attitudes belie the inventiveness of this madcap tale. With strong [albeit a tad comical] characters and a plot that only slowly reveals its secrets, readers who enjoy untangling the mystery before the big reveal will find much to appreciate here.

At times, the narrative tumbles into absurdity; the compelling metaphysical aspects often elicit chuckles. But the plot is clever; with its healthy dose of humor, this tightly-woven mystery is sure to keep readers guessing . . . and the denouement doesn’t disappoint.

Recommended.

I received a free copy of this eBook from Galbraith Literary Publishers and NetGalley
#WhoKilledJerusalem #NetGalley ( )