A Cult Murder and the Age of Aquarius | Jefferson Country Book Review
There’s something about holding a book in your hand that a Kindle can’t replicate. The joy of sifting through the pages and uncovering the plotline is unparalleled. You’ll relate to that sentiment if you’re an avid reader like me.
While I don’t get a ton of time to read these days, I try to grab a book as often as I can. So, when I came across the cryptic cover of Jefferson Country in the “New Releases” section at a bookstore, I was drawn to it.
I’d be lying to you if I told you I went through the synopsis before buying the book. I checked out the cover and thought I’d read a few pages every day over the next few weeks.
The same night I started reading the first few pages. And before I knew it, I was up till the crack of dawn trying to decipher the murder mystery while being enamored by the protagonists’ enviable chemistry. Thank God it was a Saturday, and I didn’t have to be up early in the morning.
So, what’s the big deal about Jefferson Country? Should you read it or give it a pass? Let me explain.
Decoding Jefferson Country: What’s It All About
To label Jefferson Country a murder mystery or thriller would be unfair to the complex plotline that author L.T. Kuhlman has crafted. It’s a rollercoaster ride involving a cosmic cleanse, social reordering, and the feminist revolution. Then there’s a passionate love story involving the main characters. And there are undertones of an intriguing political thriller.
The best way to describe “Jefferson Country: A Tale of Love and Revolution in the Oncoming Age of Aquarius” is that it’s a roman a clef. The author uses real-life events and fictitious characters to weave a gripping storyline that hooks you from the start.
Jefferson Country is set in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 1975. The novel opens with the gruesome murder of Roberta Wiley. Henry Tilghman, the prime suspect, gets involved in a romantic relationship with Claire Fox, a journalist. Fox helps Tilghman escape the gallows, and the duo works together to decipher the bizarre pictogram on Wiley’s body.
What unravels is a mystifying narrative involving a cosmic cleanse and societal reordering with hints of a dystopian thriller. Then there are people who’ve gathered in Thomas Jefferson’s residence wearing medallions with the same ox skull pictogram that Tilghman found on Wiley’s body.
If I describe the plot any further, I’d be giving away too many spoilers. Suffice it to say that whether you’re a fan of romantic novels or mystery thrillers, Jefferson Country won’t disappoint you.
My Thoughts on Jefferson Country
To say that I’ve been smitten by Jefferson Country’s roman e clef plot would be an understatement. I breezed through its 526 odd pages over the weekend, pushing everything else to the backburner.
What I loved about the novel was that it didn’t fit into a specific genre. It combines the best of political thrillers, murder mysteries, science fiction, and love stories.
Then there’s the interesting assortment of characters, each with their vested interests and motives. I particularly enjoyed the gray shade in every character. You never know who’s worthy of your trust. It’s precisely what helps the author introduce mind-numbing plot twists and sweep you off your feet.
The vivid descriptions of every character and event came in handy for visualizing each scene as though it was unfolding right in front of my eyes. And then there’s the mystery surrounding Roberta Wiley’s murder that reeks of a cultish execution.
Should You Read Jefferson Country?
Let me put it this way – if you’ve got a thing for genre-defying roman a clef storylines with an interesting ensemble of characters, Jefferson Country is just the novel for you. It’s a welcome break from the usual Netflix and chill routine you follow every weekend.
A word of caution, though – make sure you set aside a couple of free days before getting your hands on the novel. The last thing you want is to wonder about the next plot twist during a client meeting.
Once you’re done reading Jefferson Country, don’t forget to share your thoughts in the comments section below.
And if reading isn’t your thing, wait until Netflix adapts the novel into a binge-worthy web show (which I’m sure will happen soon).
