(Reviewed by JD Jung)
It’s 1973, and seventy-five-year-old Imogene Taylor has just been released from the Chino Institute for Women after serving time for second-degree murder. As she returns to her home in California’s Inland Empire, readers are immediately drawn into a world marked by dark humor, quirky characters, and her constant reminiscing about her life with her late husband.
She needs to work to stay out of jail, so she gets a job at Dentco, a store that sells damaged dry goods. However, this ex-con can’t seem to catch a break.
Her parole officer is constantly on her tail just to lure her into violating her parole in hopes of sending her back to prison. There’s too much going on to keep Imogene on the straight and narrow, though. The story quickly picks up pace as Imogene becomes entangled in a series of bizarre and dangerous events.
For instance, a gangster tries to shake her down for protection money, and she helps a neighbor bury a body of a long-deceased woman. Let’s not forget that she is also in possession of a handgun. As all these events occur, she constantly hears the advice of her former cellmate in her head.
One of the novel’s strengths lies in its character development and the way it plays with appearances. Imogene’s resilient spirit shines through, making her a compelling and relatable protagonist. Also, as the story unfolds, it becomes evident that people and events are not what they seem. The author masterfully weaves these twists into the narrative, yielding surprises throughout the story.
The only problem I had with The Blind Devotion of Imogene was a minor yet noticeable flaw. This occurs with the mention of serial killers Jeffrey Dahmer and Ted Bundy, who were not known to the public in 1973. While this does not detract significantly from the overall story, it momentarily disrupts the historical authenticity of the narrative.
Despite this minor historical inaccuracy, the novel’s strength lies in its ability to surprise and engage, making it a fun and engaging read.
