The Orange Spotlight

Dr. Jesus & Mr. Dead by Cooper Renner

It is always challenging to review a book without giving away too much. In Cooper Renner's debut novel Dr. Jesus & Mr. Dead there are many twists and turns that I am going to have tread lightly. The story weaves together two main characters Richard Dedmon and Jonathan de Leon. Through tales and journals that date back as far as the 1300's in England, you come find out that both of them have been alive many many years and that Jonathan has either followed or run from Dedmon for centuries. Jonathan, a perpetually 12 year old boy, is wise in history, but is still lacking a certain maturity.

The book is split into main sections "Dr. Jesus" and "Mr. Dead". You clearly the two sides of Dedmon and how he is conflicted by both. The modern day story finds Rev. Dedmon bringing his form of worship to the small town of Cosden, NM. Most of the town falls in love with his message and what they perceive as holy powers. The story is gripping and well researched and thought out. Cooper is able to tell the stories of both of these characters with depth and care while adding in the main other great local folks. The big event of the story focuses around a plague that has been weaving in and out of history and now has found its way to Cosden.

Dr. Jesus & Mr. Death is now available digitally through Amazon and Barnes & Noble. You can download an excerpt here.