STUDENT WRITER BRIAN BEATTIE RECOMMENDS WANDER IN THE DARK BY JUMATA EMILL
The novel Wander in the Dark depicts a bonded brotherhood between two estranged half-brothers: Amir and Marcel Trudeau, both of African American descent. This brotherhood is tested throughout the novel when a tragic murder unfolds, leaving one of the brothers as a primary suspect, fueled not only by the circumstantial evidence presented but also by the color of his skin and the racial prejudices that ensue. To have any hope of clearing the brother’s name, both brothers must work together to investigate and uncover the truth, delving into the darker secrets behind the murder. Ultimately, they challenge not only their wits but also their strained relationship, as they confront unresolved truths and the people surrounding them.
Wander in the Dark by Jumata Emill does a brilliant job of crafting a mystery/thriller/drama while touching upon the relevant and pressing issue of systemic racism within the U.S. justice system. One immersive element of novels in this genre, for me, is how well the characters are crafted and presented. Kudos to Jumata Emill, because the time I spent biting my nails and feeling on edge for Amir and Marcel was astonishing. The novel shifts between Amir and Marcel in a first-person, informal style, which allows me to connect more deeply with the text and understand the emotional complexity of the conflicts that unfold.
Amir and Marcel are also great character foils for one another. Coming from different classes and privileges, it’s interesting to see how their similarities prevail as the novel progresses. It shows how the brothers relate to, see, and interact with their surroundings, ultimately shaping their development and roles throughout the story. This gives me, as a reader, a deeper understanding of their relationship as siblings, especially as conflicts arise throughout the text, leading to moments of unity between them.
The subplot layering is perfectly on point in this novel. Jumata Emill pulls the reader down different investigative paths that Amir and Marcel take, as they both aim to prove innocence amid the complexity surrounding the murder. With the rich investigative process and the clues building up throughout the novel, I never felt the story lagged or dragged on. While I didn’t agree with how some parts of the novel played out (no spoilers!), the significance was too minor to overshadow my overall enjoyment.
In conclusion, I would highly recommend this novel to any teenage or adult crime novel enthusiast who wants a relevant exploration of social and political issues in society. It addresses not only the murder mystery aspect but also the racial tension and prejudice. I also confidently recommend this novel to anyone interested in the legal field. This novel is similar but lighter than a John Grisham novel. So, if you are one of those individuals who struggle to stay immersed in reading but are genuinely interested in crime and the racial biases in modern-day legal systems, I truly recommend giving Wander in the Dark a read.
Brian Beattie is currently a student attending Fredericton High School in New Brunswick, Canada. He has a passion for writing, and often writes in his free time. He always has ideas to throw out onto a piece of paper, and never really thinks about trying for the marks aspect when it comes to his writing pieces. He feels that, as within sports, you only perform on the field as good as you performed at practice. So, he takes every opportunity when writing to better his skills.