“The Man Who Fell From the Sky” by Bill Fletcher Jr.(★ ★ ★ ½)
Hard Ball Press │ August 2, 2018 │ 350 pages
Bill Fletcher Jr.’s The Man Who Fell From the Sky is a compelling mystery that transcends genre boundaries by fusing social history, racial identity, and classic investigative tension. Fletcher’s prose is crisp and straightforward — reminiscent of the clarity found in Walter Mosley’s work, balanced with the methodical pacing of a traditional detective novel — yet he carries his narrative with a rhythmic intentionality that keeps pages turning.
David Gomes, a young Cape Verdean American journalist, is the ideal guide into this world: curious, perceptive, and pulled into danger as he pursues truth amid simmering racial and intergenerational tension. The story’s emotional core lies in how Gomes’ investigation peels back not only a murder but also the tangled legacies of family and community, inviting readers to wrestle with identity and belonging. We know what’s happening in Fletcher’s mysteries from the outset — or we think we do — as the grounding in socio‑political realities is necessary in unravelling the crime. These historical and political truths don’t weigh story down - rather it enriches it, making the mystery feel rooted in the current reality. So refreshing to read, as so many detective tales are more concerned with the “whodunit” that it can become cartoonish — this was the exact opposite.
While some readers may prefer more poetic or descriptive flourish (readers like Femficātiō), the strength here lies in how Fletcher lets the facts of people’s lives — their choices, contradictions, and histories — carry the narrative with urgency and weight. A thoroughly enjoyable read.
Star Review Breakdown:
Classic Literature: ★★½
Message Quality: ★★★★☆
Entertainment Value: ★★★★☆
Star Value: 3.5/5 Stars
