Deacon King Kong

In September 1969, in the vibrant yet struggling Cause Houses housing project of south Brooklyn, an elderly and eccentric church deacon known as Sportcoat commits an inexplicable act: he shuffles into the courtyard and, in front of numerous witnesses, shoots the project's drug dealer, Deems Clemens, at point-blank range. This shocking event unravels a complex tapestry of interconnected lives, revealing the deep-seated secrets and shared humanity within the community. James McBride masterfully brings to life a diverse cast of characters affected by the shooting, including African-American and Latinx residents, local police, members of the Five Ends Baptist Church, and even neighborhood Italian mobsters. As the investigation unfolds, the narrative delves into the tumultuous social landscape of 1960s New York, exploring themes of crime, faith, love, and redemption. McBride's poignant storytelling ultimately reveals that truth can be found in unexpected places, and that hope and compassion are the bedrock of human resilience.