Book Scene -- 'The Gods of Gotham'

Intelligently written, "The Gods of Gotham" is an impressive sophomore effort by Lyndsay Faye in the world of historical mystery. Using powerful moments from the United States' past to fuel an enthralling story about the intricacies of politics, religion and immigration during a tradition-soaked era, this story carries its own voice within a genre that is saturated with predictable whodunit plotlines.

As a story, it is well written and spectacularly entertaining. As a social critique, it offers rare insight regarding the influence an immigrant group can have on its host nation's culture. This is not simply a crime novel, but an effort to reveal some of the more obscure details regarding how groups of people see themselves and others when forced to live and work together.

In a world where religion and politics go hand in hand, Timothy Wilde is a complex character caught in the middle as both an influencing element and neutral observer. His journey to self- realization after a tragic fire leaves him penniless and disfigured is just as interesting as the crime itself. We see his life story come to a culmination at the same time the city itself reaches a point of true identity.

The New York Copper Stars, soon to become the prestigious NYPD, are formed in 1845, and Wilde's vagrant brother recruits him to the force. He is told, "You'll take to it like a bird to air" due to his keen observation skills acquired from tending bar at his previous job. And soon enough, Wilde is thrust into a high-profile murder case involving 19 discovered bodies, all disposed of by a mythical man in a black hood. It soon becomes the sole responsibility of Wilde to uncover this remarkable tragedy while navigating through the political pressure of working for a corrupt system and trying to defuse racial and cultural tension throughout the city.

Faye has an interesting writing style and is likely to become a best-selling author. "The Gods of Gotham" is a story that slowly and surely pulls you in, leaving you wanting more when you get to the end. The characters are presented with ease and intentionality, and the story itself is gripping from cover to cover. Make no mistake, Lyndsay Faye is an author not to be missed.

* "The Gods of Gotham" by Lyndsay Faye will be published in March by Amy Einhorn Books/Putnam. It retails for $25.95.

* Mark James works at Inklings Bookshop. He and other Inklings staffers review books in this space each week.