Scavenger: A Mystery

In the novel "SCAVENGER," a Black homeless man is set up to take the fall for a crime he didn't commit. He must navigate an underground world to uncover a prize while facing themes of race, homelessness, hustling, and the savagery of the human psyche. The novel paints a portrait of D.C. from the ground up, with back-alley streetscapes, gentrification clashes, and unexpected encounters between politicians and bottom-rung natives.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 356 pages
Publication date: 29 October 2020
Publisher: Three Rooms Press

In the bustling yet desperate realm of D.C.'s underbelly, a Black homeless man finds himself thrust into the role of a detective after a wealthy ex-government official sets him up to take the blame for a heinous crime he did not commit.

Christopher Chambers, the acclaimed author of A Prayer for Deliverance and Sympathy for the Devil (a NAACP Image Award nominee), presents a contemporary twist on classic hardboiled noir narratives in SCAVENGER, a gripping thriller that delves into themes of race, homelessness, hustling, and the intricate depths of the human psyche.

The novel revolves around Dickie Cornish, a streetwise survivor who calls a homeless camp near D.C.'s Smithsonian Museum of Natural History home. Trapped in a frame for the murder of two of his closest friends and facing a life sentence in prison, Dickie crosses paths with Jamie Bracht, a wealthy ex-Homeland Security Secretary. Bracht offers him a lifeline if Dickie can navigate the treacherous underworld and uncover a prized possession that Bracht will stop at nothing to acquire.

As Dickie embarks on his quest, SCAVENGER takes readers on a journey through the hidden world of Washington, D.C., where hustlers, drug addicts, homeless individuals, and undocumented immigrants struggle to survive amidst a backdrop of poverty and hardship. Chambers paints a vivid portrait of the city, capturing the essence of its back-alley streetscapes, gentrification clashes, and unexpected encounters between politicians and the marginalized natives. The novel's soundscape is enriched by the use of patois, street Spanish, and D.C. slang, adding an authentic and immersive element to the narrative.

Initially an amateur detective, Dickie quickly learns the ropes of the trade as he navigates a cat-and-mouse game of greed, deceit, double-crossing, and murder. The mystery, reminiscent of the works of Hammett with San Francisco or Chandler with Los Angeles, is as much about Washington as it is about the morally depraved monsters who prey on ordinary individuals.

Washington City Paper aptly observes: "Like Hammett with San Francisco or Chandler with Los Angeles, Chambers' mystery is as much about Washington as it is about the amoral monsters who prey on ordinary people."

SCAVENGER is a gripping and thought-provoking exploration of the human condition, offering a fresh perspective on the struggles and resilience of those who are marginalized and overlooked in society. With its compelling characters, intricate plot, and vivid portrayal of the city, this novel is a must-read for fans of hardboiled noir and those who seek to understand the complexities of the human experience.

Weight: 488g
Dimension: 140 x 209 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781941110942