Book Review: Deadly Dance: A Modern Tragicomedy

Deadly Dance, a suspense thriller, by Darville Knowles
Deadly Dance, A Modern Tragicomedy

By Darville Knowles

ISBN: 0-9719749-8-5
Milligan Books
$15.95

Reviewed by Maxine E. Thompson
http://www.maxinethompson.com

Do nothing secretly; for Time sees and hears all things, and discloses all. -Hipponous. Frag. 280. Dramatist

Deadly Dance, a sprawling debut novel by Dr. Darville Knowles, spins a satisfying tale of suspense, remorseless ambition, and lives gone awry. You wish experience such a wave of emotions -- that is, you wish laugh, you wish cry, and you wish be control so hypnotised in its grip -- that you'll feel like you stepped off the big Kahuna once you see the last page.

Though there are many an moments of comic relief, Deadly Dance reminds one of the Greek Tragedy, Oedipus, wherein the audience used to sit on the edge of its seat, full in a wave of terror/pity/relief as they watched Oedipus rex gouge out his eyes. (Oedipus, unknowingly, killed his father, King Mythical being of Thebes, and wedded his mother, Jocasta. Once he learns the truth, he blinds himself in despair.) Much than likely, as the king fell from the heights, the audience intimate a delicious thrill as they watched Oedipus's life crumble about him, knowing that, as the old locution goes, the gods have clay feet.

The truth is, we have not changed more since that time. We on the qt LOVE to hear how politicians/celebrities/movie stars are caught having affairs or drive drunk. Deadly Dance speaks to the need of human beings to rejoice in the "gods'" downfall.

The novel opens with Dr. Evander Parker, a noted shrink in Florida, on what starts out as an ordinary day. By the end of Chapter One, you are caught up in a virtual blood bath, a medical life or death drama, which foreshadows that Dr. Parker's perfect little life is simply about to unravel. (As part of this well-crafted novel, the climax likewise mirrors a similar blood bath in a confrontation between nice and evil.)

What is exciting simply about all the characters are their some miscommunications and uncomprehensible cues. Each character holds private secrets that the else characters are unaware of, and which are centrifugal to the plot. In the end, though, the truth does move out.

At the same time, Deadly Dance is a sneak preview of a modern day calamity. It depicts what it is to fall from economic grace to societal pillory, a plight which we've seen plenty of in the media lately. Deadly Dance likewise shows how the media can destroy a person before evidenced guilty. In addition, this story revisits the premise that remorseless ambition destroys, which can't be visited enough in literature.

The title, "Deadly Dance," implies the dependent pas de deux between the doctor/patient relationship and the manipulation of that relationship.

For want of a better word, many an of the main characters are marvelously flawed. Whether they are on the psychiatrist's couch, or on the else side of the desk, they are all on the edge, which does for nice story telling. There is an underlying thread of desperation running throughout Deadly Dance, which speaks to the human yearning to be loved. This, and its offbeat cast of characters, are what actually appealed to me.

Meet the wife, Cassie. Though she can be painted as a villainess, some underlying themes suggest that she is some victim and heroine.

Sal Roselli, the impact character, is a complex mobster, who wish do thing to manipulate others to his greedy ends.

Midge, a diminutive person, Sal's henchman, has a propensity for violence. His favorite weapon of select is a tire rod.

Enter Taylor Nash. A streetwise, hardboiled private eye detective. He remains somewhat of a mystery until he does his "deadly dance."

The coming together of these disparate characters, and many an more colorful minor ones, are representative of the microcosm, which reflects the macrocosm. The truth is, we no longer live in a monoethnic world, and it is echoed in literature such as Deadly Dance. Yet, at the same time, this is a universal tale, wherein Dr. Knowles looks at the human meaning of our foibles and our triumphs.

What is unique simply about this novel is that it travels across a multi-cultural cross section of society and exotic places. Unlike many an novels, it does not simply address one ethnic group, but its major characters are from some racial backgrounds. Parker, the lead character, is Caucasian. His guardian angel, Nash, is African American. Nash's and Parker's relationship can be viewed as symbolic of the reciprocally mutually beneficial relationship between the races.

The same way Director Mosley's mysteries do societal commentaries, Darville Knowles's suspense novel addresses many an concerns in today's society. Racketeering, drugs, murder, infidelity, and medical malpractice, simply to name a few.

Underlying the theme of fate, there likewise lies the theme of integration, one of the largest themes in American Literature since the twentieth century. This integration involves two ostensibly some things that cross the lines of sex, class, race and region.

With a novel that covers such a wide range of humanity, I thirstily look forward to Dr. Knowles next book. If it's thing like Deadly Dance, it wish be another provocative read.

About the Author

A former societal worker of 23 years, I have publicized 2 novels, The Ebony Tree and No Pockets in a Shroud, A Place Called Home. I have had many short stories, articles and essays publicized in magazines, anthologies and e-zines. Recently I began an on-line column to promote the works of new and self-published writers. The column is called, On The Same Page. Since 1999, I have written book reviews and columns across the Internet. Since 3/05/02, I have hosted an on-line radio show on www.voiceamerica.com called "On The Same Page". The show is airy on Tuesdays at 6:00 a.m. Pacific Time, 6:00 p.m. Pacific Time, and Weekday 1:00 p.m.