Pagan Babies

Father Terry Dunn, a priest in Rwanda years after the genocide, takes justice into his own hands against Hutu killers who murdered his Tutsi congregation. He returns to Detroit on a mission to raise funds for Rwandan orphans, known as 'Pagan Babies.' In Detroit, Terry encounters Debbie Dewey, a woman recently released from prison for running down her ex-husband Randy with a car. Randy, now a restaurant owner with mob connections, previously stole money from Debbie, while Terry has his own unresolved issues with the IRS that initially drove him to Rwanda. The paths of Terry and Debbie intersect as they develop a scheme to extract funds from Detroit's criminal underground, targeting both Randy and a local crime boss. Their plan brings them into a complex web of mob figures, hitmen, and con artists, all circling the same prize. The novel explores themes of justice, redemption, and the moral complexities that arise when good intentions become entangled with criminal enterprises. Leonard's story connects two seemingly disparate worlds - post-genocide Rwanda and Detroit's criminal underworld - through characters seeking both absolution and profit.

Readers say this isn't Leonard's strongest work but still delivers his signature dialogue and dark humor. The Rwanda storyline at the start hooks many readers before shifting to Detroit, though some felt the transition was jarring. Readers liked: - Fast-paced dialogue between characters - The complex relationship between Father Terry and Debbie - Dark comedy mixed with serious themes - Authentic portrayal of both Rwanda and Detroit settings Readers disliked: - Plot becomes less focused in second half - Some found the Rwanda/Detroit connection forced - Not enough depth given to supporting characters - Ending feels rushed compared to setup Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon: 3.9/5 (120+ ratings) One reader noted: "The opening chapters in Rwanda are gripping, but the story loses steam once it moves to Detroit's crime scene." Another praised Leonard's "ability to write natural dialogue that reveals character without exposition."

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🔸 The term "Pagan Babies" historically referred to non-Christian children in mission territories, and Catholic schoolchildren would often donate pennies to "adopt" them. 🔸 Elmore Leonard was known as "The Dickens of Detroit" for his intimate portrayal of the city's criminal landscape across multiple novels spanning five decades. 🔸 The book's Rwandan genocide backdrop is based on actual events from 1994, where approximately 800,000 people were killed in just 100 days. 🔸 Leonard wrote this novel at age 75, marking his 37th published book in a career that began with Western fiction before switching to crime novels. 🔸 During the research for this book, Leonard made several trips to Detroit's criminal courts to study the mannerisms and language of real-life criminals for authenticity.