| Judas Shuffle is a Southern Gothic modernist novel exploring the relationship between Samantha McKelvey, an officer in the District of Columbia's Metropolitan Police Department, and her partner, a German Shepherd K-9 named Tilly. As they serve the city they were sworn to protect, the violence and degradation they encounter makes them question their understanding of humanity. Yet their relationship grows stronger even as their hopes are shattered by the brutality they witness. Meanwhile, they must confront a devout Catholic deacon, marked with the wounds of the stigmata, who feels God has abandoned him. The deacon so desires to hear the voice of his creator again that he begins "sending souls up to heaven" in order to provoke a response from God. Eventually, he focuses on Sam and Tilly as the answer to his spiritual torments. Their encounters leave a trail of blood that transforms all of them irrevocably. |
