As I mentioned in my last post, I recently finished reading Hellhound on His Trail: The Stalking of Martin Luther King Jr. and the International Hunt for His Assassin by Hampton Sides. This was definitely a good book. It begins with James Earl Ray's escape from the Missouri State Penitentiary at Jefferson City and follows his movements prior to and after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It ends with Ray's arrest.
One thing that set this book apart for me was its voice. Even though it is a non-fiction book, Sides presents it in such a way that it appears like a mystery novel or some type of thriller. It isn't dry or boring at all, traits that are sometimes present in non-fiction works. The book's suspenseful nature is especially impressive since everyone is aware that King was assassinated. Yet, during the pages leading up to that infamous gunshot, I found myself hoping he might somehow survive.
In addition to its excellent voice, Hellhound on His Trail is full of details. Prior to writing the book, Side's did painstaking research and traveled to the same destinations Ray went to during his flight. Side's hard work is readily apparent in his presentation. The settings and actions of the book are all vividly described, making it even harder to set down. This is a must read for anyone that is a fan of true-crime, mystery, suspense, or history. Indeed, Side's has masterfully inserted the best traits of each genre in this book.
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