"D-E-L-U-S-I-O-N-A-L. Eleven points plus fifty point bonus"

Epiphany Jones is the debut novel from American journalist and novelist Michael Grothaus. Whilst the book will no doubt be shelved under 'Crime thrillers' in bookshops Epiphany Jones in truth is a unique genre blurring novel that cleverly weaves together a criminal investigation, wildly dark humour and psychologically driven misadventure.  The novel holds no punches; sex trafficking, the seedy Hollywood underworld, art theft, psychotic hallucinations and kidnapping this book has it all, but is there any sense behind Epiphany Jones?

Our protagonist is Jerry, a guy struggling to come to terms with a traumatic past, who is suspected of stealing a priceless Van Gogh painting from the museum in which he works as a picture restorer. Forced underground he meets a mysterious woman, Epiphany Jones, who is utterly beguiling to the loner and online porn addicted Jerry.  

The couple end up on the run to Mexico and then across the Atlantic to Portugal before landing at the Cannes film festival. The plot is fast paced and packed full of episodes that develop the unlikely relationship between Jerry and Epiphany who believes the voices she hears in her head are from God himself. With Jerry fighting his own deep bouts of depression and hallucinations you'd be forgiven for wondering where the comedy lies yet in amongst this challenging set of circumstances Grothaus finds deeply dark and welcome humour. 

Michael Grothaus's talent is creating a world populated by initially unlikable characters that end up being completely readable. At times I thought of Douglas Coupland in books like Worst. Person. Ever. Likewise the backdrop to the story which exposes the dark underbelly of Hollywood is reminiscent of Bret Easton Ellis's work in Glamorama and Imperial Bedrooms; explicit, raw and unnerving.

There's is no doubt that this novel is memorable and Grothaus absolutely delivers a new voice in a crowded genre but the trouble I have with Epiphany Jones is that, whilst the characters are well drawn and believable, I found it pretty difficult to connect emotionally. Despite this, there is a lot, and I mean a lot, going on in this story which keeps you guessing right to the end.

For me the real genius in this novel is the bringing together of unconventional characters in a narrative around mental health issues and serious crime.   

I read this novel in paperback in June 2016 in mostly at home in Thame, Oxfordshire.

Epiphany Jones by Michael Grothaus, published by Orenda Books, 340 pages