Book Review: In a Pickle

Reviewed by Tomi Alo

A unique and intriguing tale about the enigma surrounding the life of Charles Madison Montgomery Washington

“And Mama reminded me, ‘Look out for them half-truths on account’a you may have been handed the wrong half.”

While focused on the life of Charles Madison Montgomery Washington, In a Pickle is narrated by Reverend Sweet Bird Charles, Charles’s lover, as she navigates Charles’s myriad adventures. The book covers themes such as secrets, truths, identity, and mental health.

Charles Madison Montgomery Washington is a man who leads a hard life but doesn’t let it overcome him. He is a master of disguise, with many names and tons of secrets. He is much smarter than he looks (or people would think), and he is great at his business, at least until he makes a mistake that will get him killed. Before departing for a supposed “conference” at The Gray Bar Hotel, Reverend Sweet Bird Charles notices a peculiar shift in Charles’s demeanor.

Curiosity compels her to discreetly trail him to the entrance of the Catholic Church. Witnessing Charles enter the confessional box with Father Murphy sparks a surge of questions within her. She becomes determined to decipher the nature of their exchange and the extent of Father Murphy’s knowledge regarding Charles’s enigmatic life.

As Reverend Sweet Bird Charles delves deeper into uncovering these hidden truths, unfolding events raise more questions than they offer answers. Would she be able to find out the whole truth about who Charles Madison Montgomery Washington really is? Or will she find herself caught up in the mess of Charles’s business?

Author Marilyn Whitehorse employs a first-person point of view and a thick Southern accent to skillfully weave an intricate mystery within the pages of In a Pickle. Initially, the Southern accent that dominates the storytelling can be difficult to read and requires some adjusting, but once you get used to it,  it adds a distinctive charm to the story. In the end, it plays a big role in creating such an engaging and immersive  reading experience. 

The author also thrives in humor and vivid imagery within the voice: “Yeah, it’s famous, all right. And they got dinner and a show, although not every night. It kinda depends on who’s in town, if you know what I mean. If’n you heard the name of the joint, you’d recognize it right away, I reckon. I be getting myself a Cadillac job to keep myself busy every day. And living in what some calls a castle.” This consistently playful language adds depth, evokes laughter, and paints some vibrant scenes.

Our second protagonist, Reverend Sweet Bird Charles, is an erratic and unreliable narrator throughout this tale. Her tendency to ramble and easily lose focus makes her chaotic and a little bit untrustworthy. It’s surprising and a little hard to believe that she doesn’t have any clue about her lover’s occupation and doesn’t find anything suspicious until much later. Especially when the truth is always right in front of her.  I could not rely on her version of the story, not only because she is a third party to the situation but also because most of what she tells us are mainly speculation. 

This makes the book a little frustrating at times. I had to guess and come up with my own explanations as to what is happening in order to understand where it’s meant to go. In a Pickle demands significant effort to read, requiring regular keen attention to decipher hidden meanings within the characters’ dialogues and monologue.

Thankfully, the mystery surrounding Charles and the novel’s overall plot helps ramp things up and keep things moving. Although the first thirty percent of the book is slower, the rest is enthralling and full of surprising twists. I was eager to find out more about Charles Madison Montgomery Washington, no matter how little. What were his secrets? Why did he do the things he did? What happened to the money in the pickle jar or the diamonds? And how exactly did he die? What was left in stock for Reverend Sweet Bird Charles?

Overall, In a Pickle is an engaging mystery that takes readers on a thought-provoking journey about finding the truth and navigating the complexities of secrets and identity.

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