Howard Owen taucht tief in die Komplexität der menschlichen Psyche und die anhaltende Wirkung der Vergangenheit auf die Gegenwart ein. Seine Romane, die oft vor dem Hintergrund des amerikanischen Südens spielen, erforschen tiefgründige Themen wie Schuld, Erlösung und vielschichtige Familiendynamiken. Mit einem scharfen Blick für Details und einem präzisen Gespür für menschliche Schwächen erschafft Owen Charaktere, die ebenso fehlerhaft wie unvergesslich sind. Seine Prosa, die sowohl roh als auch lyrisch ist, zieht die Leser in Erzählungen, in denen Verbrechen und persönliches Drama mit unentrinnbarer Kraft ineinandergreifen.
The plot unfolds in Dogtown, where the brutal murder of a seemingly harmless blue-collar worker raises alarm among residents. The mystery deepens when an elderly couple is also found dead in their upscale home shortly after. As the protagonist, Willie Black, investigates these shocking events, he begins to suspect a sinister connection between the two killings, challenging the notion of safety in his community and unraveling hidden truths.
The River City emerges as a hub for gritty noir, featuring brand-new stories from a diverse array of authors. The introduction reflects on Richmond, Virginia, highlighting its complex history marked by deception, conspiracy, and violence. Henry Miller's sardonic remark about preferring to die in Richmond underscores the city's dual nature. Today, Richmond is a blend of elegance and brutality—home to winter balls and garden parties, yet also notorious for crime and drug activity. The city boasts prestigious ad agencies and law firms, alongside a rich tapestry of residents, from the First Families of Virginia to immigrants from various backgrounds. Richmond's social fabric includes strict manners and a sense of neighborliness, but also an underlying tension that cautions against road rage. This juxtaposition of charm and danger creates a fertile ground for noir storytelling, making Richmond a compelling backdrop for tales of moral ambiguity and human complexity.