By Daniel
winnipegpublibrary
November 4th, 2024
In downtown Los Angeles, Alex Damage makes his way to a nearby 7-11. He purchases a pack of cigarettes then steps back into the smoggy summer morning. With his head pounding from the previous evening, Alex soon realizes that his leather jacket is missing. After making his way down Santa Monica Boulevard he returns to the Starwood Club, only to discover that a crowd has gathered to pay their respect to Jerry Rash, lead singer for Bad Chemicals.
It’s 1981 and the hardcore punk scene is riddled with addiction and violence. The intensity of the music attracts all kinds of people, some are searching for community while others simply want to destroy everything in their path. So it’s no surprise when Alex learns that the singer died from an overdose.
Or did he?
After several shots of bourbon, Alex becomes acquainted with Zii, a no-nonsense punk rocker and girlfriend of the recently deceased.
Hey you’re that one guy, right?
You’re going to have to be more specific than that.
The one who is, like, the punk private eye?
From that point on, it’s off to the races.
Mystery novels are as common as pigeons, sometimes the plumage is a little different but each is essentially the same as the others.
In this book, it’s the author’s familiarity with the music that brings a kind of energy to the page. When Alex is at a show we can feel the intensity of the band and the heat that’s emanating from the moshpit. It’s those kinds of details that make this book standout. Through his research, Decker brings some of the world events into the story. It’s a fun detail that reminds the reader that we’re in the 80s. At the same time, Alex attends some shows that actually took place. Decker transports you to a part of LA that no longer exists.
Ever heard of Oki Dog?
This humble eatery reminds me of some of Winnipeg’s greatest culinary institutions such as Dairi Wip, Ms Mikes or VJ’s. Located in West Hollywood, Oki Dog served as a communal space for punks, runaways and sex-workers. As our spiky hair protagonist makes his way there to eat his first meal of the day we learn about its importance. Since most punks were broke, few of them could afford a phone let alone pay their bills. So how could they get in touch with their friends? How did they find out what’s going on? The answer is simple, head down to Oki Dog.
*A fun fact is the Oki Dog (hotdog) was the eatery’s signature dish. It consisted of two hot-dogs with chili and pastrami, served in a tortilla wrap.
Decker cares about his characters and it shows. The bond between Alex and Rad (bff) is visible from the beginning. Even when they’re exchanging headbutts you can feel the love between these two. Rad is there to help his friend in times of need. Which includes buying Alex an Oki Dog or protecting him from skinheads. We often find women, especially in the noir genre, playing the damsel in distress or love interest. This outdated trope is both lame and tiresome. Fortunately for the reader, it’s clear that Zii is no damsel. From the moment she comes into the story we know that she isn’t to be messed with. Like a Transformer, there’s so much more than meets the eye.
This Rancid Mill is a fun combination of hardcore and noir. Honestly, it sounds ludicrous, like it’s an experiment doomed to fail. But it doesn’t! The book pulls the reader into the story and the reader loses themselves in the mystery. If you’re looking for something different – this is it.
Scorched Grace / Blessed Water by Margot Douaihy
A queer punk rock nun? Sign me up!
In her first book, Scorched Grace, Margot Douaihy gives us something that we had been missing and her name is Sister Holiday. Scorched Grace tells the story of Holiday Walsh, the hard as nails punk rocker who lived hard and loved even harder.
After starting a new life in New Orleans, Sister Holiday is moving forward. Teaching at Saint Sebastian’s School allows her to share her love of music with her students. Unfortunately for her, she still has to come to terms with memories of lost love and trauma.
Following the death of a colleague and a series of arsons, Sister Holiday takes it upon herself to start her own investigation. Was it a suicide or murder? Soon the would-be detective is snooping around, questioning students as well as her fellow teachers. At first the detectives on the case seem entertained that a nun is conducting her own investigation. But soon enough those smiles turn into frowns as they continue running into Sister Holiday in the strangest of places.
The next novel, Blessed Water, plunges deeper into Sister Holiday’s past. (I like puns, sue me.)
As Sister Holiday struggles with her unresolved trauma, she continues to follow the path of redemption. When tragedy happens at Saint Sebastian’s School, it is the Redemption Detective Agency that’s on the case. Yeah – you heard right! Our favorite nun is now an amateur detective and is accompanying her mentor on a murder case.
Now, some might wonder, “Seriously? Another punk detective story?” Yes!!! But here’s the thing. Although Alex Damage (This Rancid Mill) is a clever and resourceful sleuth, Sister Holiday is a force to be reckoned with.
While the punk scene is based on anti-authority, DIY ethics and inclusiveness – the reality is much different. It was and remains a male-dominated genre that all too often shines the spotlight on white dudes over other people. There are, of course, many female punks who came up in the scene and have left their mark including; Poly Styrene (X-Ray Spex), Kathleen Hanna (Bikini Kill) and Laura Jane Grace (Against Me). That being said, each of them encountered challenges within their own scene; whether it be sexism, racism or transphobia.
Even as a nun, Sister Holiday holds onto Riot Grrrl ethics. She cares about her community, supports women and fights tooth and nail against misogyny. What better way to dismantle the patriarchy than from within the Catholic church? Similar to Lisbeth Salander (Girl With the Dragon Tattoo), Holiday is fighting for justice. You can knock her down but you cannot keep her down.
The Sister Holiday series is a must read for anyone who loves a good whodunnit.
– Daniel
