City of Hate

City of Hate

by Timothy S. Miller

PDF, 236 pg.
Goliad Media Group, 2020

Read: May 27-30, 2020
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore!


I have spent the last two nights staring at my laptop trying to will words on to the screen to tell you about this book. And nothing is coming out. I’ve written and deleted one sentence several times, and it’s getting the best of me–and I’m more than frustrated. I think I’ll take a break tomorrow, and maybe try to write about something else. But City of Hate was published on Monday, and I received an ARC so I feel compelled to say something about it as soon as possible. So, I’m just taking a moment to say that this is a complex novel that demands thinking about before you try to say much.

In the meantime, here’s the blurb:

The Virgin Mother’s image — a moldy shadow with patches of holy light — has appeared under the Triple Underpass right next to the Grassy Knoll. The image of the Virgin Mother — so close to the site where JFK was assassinated — brings believers to pay their respects and to ponder its meaning.

But Hal Scott has more to worry about than the Virgin Mother.

Recovering alcoholic, lover of secrets, and quickly approaching middle-age, Scott discovered his best friend dead in his downtown Dallas apartment. And all fingers point to Scott as the murderer.

There is a conspiracy underway, and it’s tied to a gubernatorial campaign, illicit photographs, and a video that will undermine the election. And more than likely get Hal Scott killed.

The only one Scott can turn to is Lemon — the self-proclaimed bastard son of Lee Harvey Oswald. Lemon’s mother owns Conspiracy Books, just blocks away from the old Texas School Book Depository, and she used to dance at the Carousel Club, owned by the notorious Jack Ruby. The FBI, the CIA, and the John Birch Society all want what Lemon has discovered in her mouldering attic. What he found is bigger than them all, and there will be a price to pay for its exposure.

While I’m at it, here’s the trailer:

You’ll be hearing more about this from me soon (I hope).