I read Stephen Mack Jones’ fourth August Snow mystery, Deus X, twice. It was just as good the second time around. Jones manages to tell an engrossing story dealing with organized religion while also handling found family in a violent, sometimes humorous account. Add in that beautiful writing, and Snow’s cooking, and there’s so much appeal to this book.

Snow is in Norway with his girlfriend, Tatina, when he’s called home to Detroit’s Mexicantown. Snow’s elderly neighbor, Sylvia, had a heart attack. Her roommates, Carmela and Lucy, are not handling that well. Lucy, a young hacker, needs a shoulder to cry on. There’s nothing Snow can do except be there for the women. But, he can do something for another friend.

Snow has known and loved Father Micheal Grabowski for his entire life. But, he doesn’t know all of Father Grabowski’s secrets. Rumors say that Father Grabowski’s retirement came after he heard about the hanging death of a priest in a Detroit suburb. Now, Father Grabowski appears to be wasting away, but he won’t tell Snow why he doesn’t want to talk about a visiting priest at the hospital, Father Dominioni Petra. But, when Snow hears Father Grabowski arguing on the phone, he’s pushy enough to ask questions. And, he has a couple friends who can dig around for him, including another priest and Lucy, who can find anything on the Internet.

It seems Father Petra really does represent the Vatican. But, why the sudden interest in Father Grabowski, a retired Franciscan? Although Snow’s late mother always had faith in the Catholic Church, Snow doesn’t have time to sort out the good and the bad. Someone is targeting his retired friend, and Snow doesn’t care how high they are in the religious hierarchy. Then, there’s that mysterious group calling itself Deus X, with links to the past. Someone is determined to ruin Father Grabowski, but Snow isn’t going to let that happen.

Stephen Mack Jones tackles difficult subjects in Deus X. Religious fanaticism has a long history, and it’s rearing its ugly head again in modern times. August Snow takes it on headfirst in an attempt to save a friend. Yes, there’s violence and gun battles in this book. But, it’s worth every bit of it for the humor and love of found family. Check out the book, or start with the Hammett and Nero Award-winning first book, August Snow.

Stephen Mack Jones’ website is https://www.stephenmackjones.com/

Deus X by Stephen Mack Jones. Soho Crime, 2023. ISBN 9781641294959 (hardcover), 360p.

FTC Full Disclosure – I received a galley from NetGalley to review for a journal.