J. Kent Messum

https://jkentmessum.com/

J. Kent Messum is an author and speaker who always bets on the underdog. A graduate of York University's Fine Arts Program, Mr. Messum worked as a professional musician for 15 years before switching to his writing career. His first novel Bait (Penguin Books) won the 2014 Arthur Ellis Award for Best First Novel. His second novel Husk (Penguin Books) was recently optioned for an international TV series by Warp Films in the UK. Mr. Messum is currently at work on his third and fourth novels.

He lives in Toronto with his wife, dog, and a trio of cats.

Books by J. Kent Messum

Image of Bait: A Novel
Image of Husk

Book Reviews by J. Kent Messum

Image of The Ulster Tales: A Tribute to those Who Served 1969-2000
Author(s):
John Wilsey
Genre(s):
Biography, Autobiography & Memoir

The Ulster Tales: A Tribute to Those Who Served 1969-2000

October 24, 2018
Reviewed by: 
J. Kent Messum

“John Wilsey takes military history a step further, putting us in the many pairs of shoes of those directly involved and effected by the violence and tensions of The Troubles.”

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Image of Radicals Chasing Utopia: Inside the Rogue Movements Trying to Change the World
Author(s):
Jamie Bartlett
Genre(s):
Political Ideologies, Political & Social Science

Radicals Chasing Utopia: Inside the Rogue Movements Trying to Change the World

June 24, 2017
Reviewed by: 
J. Kent Messum

“Radicals Chasing Utopia could influence you to chase after some of these utopian organizations and ideas, or make you want to flee from them just the same.”  

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Image of The EC Archives: The Haunt of Fear Volume 4 (Ec Archives: the Haunt of Fear, 4)
Author(s):
Bill Gaines
Genre(s):
Graphic Novels & Comics, Horror

The EC Archives: The Haunt of Fear Volume 4

May 25, 2017
Reviewed by: 
J. Kent Messum

“the kind of comics that kept the nightlights on and made children check under their beds.” 

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Image of White Tears: A novel
Author(s):
Hari Kunzru
Genre(s):
Literary Fiction, Cultural Heritage

White Tears: A novel

April 21, 2017
Reviewed by: 
J. Kent Messum

There’s a lot going on in White Tears . . . maybe too much.

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Image of Moby Dick (Graphic Novel)
Author(s):
Herman Melville
Genre(s):
Literary Fiction, Graphic Novels & Comics, Literary

Moby Dick

March 23, 2017
Reviewed by: 
J. Kent Messum

“proves a compelling vehicle for a retelling of one of the world’s greatest stories.”

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Image of The Possessions: A Novel
Author(s):
Sara Flannery Murphy
Genre(s):
Literary Fiction, Mystery

The Possessions: A Novel

February 22, 2017
Reviewed by: 
J. Kent Messum

Is it better to leave the dead alone or bring them back into our lives?

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Image of The Murder of Sonny Liston: Las Vegas, Heroin, and Heavyweights
Author(s):
Shaun Assael
Genre(s):
Biography, Autobiography & Memoir, Boxing, Criminals, True Crime, Sports, Boxing

The Murder of Sonny Liston: Las Vegas, Heroin, and Heavyweights

November 18, 2016
Reviewed by: 
J. Kent Messum

Charles “Sonny” Liston, former heavyweight champion turned drug dealer, was found dead in his Las Vegas home on January 5, 1971.

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Image of Black Dog: The Dreams of Paul Nash Limited Edition
Author(s):
Dave McKean
Genre(s):
Graphic Novels & Comics, Fantasy

Black Dog: The Dreams of Paul Nash Limited Edition

October 27, 2016
Reviewed by: 
J. Kent Messum

“I’m a room without a door. A war artist, without a war.”

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