Review by Kristine Goulding
Published by Faber & Faber, 2023, 496 pages.

Francis Spufford’s Cahokia Jazz is an exceptional alternate history that transports readers to a reimagined 1920s America. In this version of the past, Cahokia—a thriving city built around the real-life Cahokia Mounds near a village called St. Louis—has replaced New York as the cultural and economic hub of the continent. Here, Indigenous populations largely survived the smallpox pandemic of the “Columbian exchange,” creating a sovereign nation-state within the broader United States. Against this vivid backdrop of jazz, racial tensions, and political corruption, Spufford weaves a gripping murder mystery with cinematic flair.

The story begins with the gruesome murder of Fred Hooper, a white, low-ranking bureaucrat tied to the Ku Klux Klan. His body is discovered near Cahokia’s iconic mounds, with his heart torn out in what appears to be a ritual killing. Two detectives are tasked with solving the case: Phin Drummond, a shrewd and manipulative white man, and Joe Barrow, his mixed-race partner who initially seems like a sidekick but soon takes the leading role. Both men are war veterans whose bond was forged in the trenches, though Barrow’s journey drives the narrative. A part-time, would-be jazz pianist, Barrow is of Indigenous and Black heritage and is struggling to navigate a society that sees him as an outsider in all racial circles.

As the investigation unfolds, suspicion falls on the Indigenous community, raising tensions in a city already fraught with racial and political divides. For Barrow, the case becomes deeply personal, forcing him to confront his precarious position within Cahokia’s police force and society at large. Moving between smoky speakeasies, corrupt political arenas, and the city’s wealthy elite, Barrow uncovers a conspiracy far bigger than a single murder. Hooper’s death appears to be a calculated act designed to discredit Cahokia’s Indigenous leaders, tied to a land corruption scheme that could pave the way for white capitalists to seize control, threatening the nation’s delicate power balance.

Barrow’s investigation is further complicated by his own troubled past, which becomes inextricably linked to the case. These layers of personal and professional conflict add richness to his character, making him a compelling and relatable protagonist. As the story reaches its climax, shocking twists reveal the true stakes, exposing the dark truths behind Cahokia’s glittering exterior and the roles those both in and out of racial groups play in holding the city together. The resolution ties together the city’s history, its simmering tensions, and the cost of its ambitions, leaving both Barrow and the reader to grapple with uncomfortable realities.

Spufford’s novel is a masterclass in storytelling, blending noir intrigue with a meticulously imagined world. The pacing is quick and draws the reader in, the prose sharp and evocative, and the characters complex and compelling. While the alternate history may initially require a leap of imagination, Spufford’s masterful world-building quickly draws readers in. Cahokia Jazz is not only a thrilling mystery but also a profound exploration of identity, power, and the stories that shape societies. As the United States grapples with profound questions about race, politics, history, and power, Cahokia Jazz feels especially timely, resonating deeply in this period of uncertainty and upheaval.