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Book Review: Murder Mystery Shows Signs Of Life In Gibsonton

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By K. SUE COLLINS

The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 2, 2008

"Kaleidoscope," by Darryl Wimberly (Toby Press, $25)

It's a circus out there. Nobody knows this better than gambling debt-plagued Jack Romaine.

In "Kaleidoscope," Romaine has one chance to clear his debts and start a new life with his son. The seemingly simple assignment of escorting released prisoner Sally Price to mobster Oliver Bladehorn's house for questioning turns ugly when she is murdered by a sadistic Arno Becker.

Price's death means a cold trail to find Bladehorn's stolen money - money that would have helped ensure Romaine's future. His trek takes him to Kaleidoscope, a town situated on the outskirts of Tampa in the 1920s.

Based on the Florida town of Gibsonton, Kaleidoscope is home to freaks and geeks during the carnival's off-season. The secret to Bladehorn's missing cash lies in this community of blue-skinned babes, Siamese twins, midgets, fire spewers and a 647-pound fat lady called Princess Peewee.

In Kaleidoscope, Romaine is the outcast and the residents function as a tight-knit family unit distrustful of strangers. Romaine finds a home among the carnival folks but must betray their confidence to locate Bladehorn's money.

Darryl Wimberley captures the topical essence of an America in stasis between World War I and the Great Depression. "Kaleidoscope" shows the juxtaposition between the horrors of appearances and inward demons. Killer Arno Becker looks normal but is more garish inside than the most deformed freak.

Be forewarned: "Kaleidoscope" is not for readers with weak stomachs.

K. Sue Collins of Tampa is a crime novelist.

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