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Jodi Compton came quite literally out of nowhere in 2004 with THE 37th HOUR, a dark novel of secrets, revenge, and rough but appropriate justice. A number of questions were left unresolved at its close, making SYMPATHY BETWEEN HUMANS, its nominal sequel, a highly anticipated follow-up. It does not disappoint, and in some ways it exceeds the expectations raised by its predecessor.
While SYMPATHY BETWEEN HUMANS stands fine on its own, I would strongly recommend reading THE 37th HOUR first. This hardly will be a sacrifice. The book, which introduces Minneapolis police officer Sarah Pribek, is incredibly well-written and knowing what came before will enhance enjoyment of this latest work. The novels join together almost as if they were one long story separated by bindings; my impression after reading them was that they were in fact originally written as one. Each work has its own strengths, however, and SYMPATHY BETWEEN HUMANS does not rely on THE 37th HOUR as its reason for existence. Compton keeps things moving quite nicely from the first page, creating three separate plotlines --- one dealing with unresolved matters left over from THE 37th HOUR and two new ones.
The major unresolved issue from THE 37th HOUR is the pall of suspicion cast over Pribek with respect to the murder of Royce Stewart. While Pribek did not do the deed, she was present at the occurrence and certainly complicit in the subsequent cover-up. The investigation into Stewart's murder seems to have faded quietly away until Grey Diaz, a Faribault County District Attorney, emerges. Faribault County is the locus of Stewart's death. While Stewart was a waste of skin, Diaz, stuck in a quiet position with time on his hands and ambition in his heart, appears on the scene and begins pursuing Pribek as a likely suspect.
Compton creates an extremely interesting situation here. THE 37th HOUR closed with the readers knowing that Pribek looked to be the primary suspect, so that the publication of SYMPATHY BETWEEN HUMANS comes with its own sense of urgency. But Compton does not let the book coast on this lone plotline. Pribek becomes involved in what appears to be the case of a runaway teenager. As is the case throughout the novel, however, there is more here than is evident at first blush. During the course of her investigation, Pribek uncovers a mystery and a secret that has lain dormant for several years. There are elements of gothic mystery here, surprisingly so, and Compton puts this plotline to good use as a contrast to the other professional and personal elements of Pribek's life.
Additionally, and perhaps most significantly, Pribek is assigned to investigate the rumor of an unlicensed individual practicing medicine in an impoverished area of Minneapolis. She is able to identify the individual --- Cicero Ruiz --- fairly quickly but does not arrest him and, in fact, stalls the investigation. The passages concerning Pribek's involvement with Ruiz illustrate the extent of Compton's literary craftsmanship. Pribek is a flawed, damaged soul who makes decisions that often are steeped in confusion. Yet the reader understands precisely why Pribek acts as she does with Ruiz as much by what is not said as by what is. Compton accordingly demonstrates not only a faith in her own talent but also a respect for her reader. If one of the major rules of writing is "show, don't tell," in these passages Compton reveals the outline of the bump behind the curtain in the darkened room of Ruiz and Pribek's uneasy, flawed relationship.
SYMPATHY BETWEEN HUMANS ends, as does its predecessor, with some unresolved issues. Whether these will be addressed by Compton in a future novel or consigned to the reader's imagination remains to be seen. What is certain, however, is that Compton, in the short space of two novels, has become a major literary voice to be reckoned with. Very highly recommended.
--- Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub
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