T. Geronimo Johnson’s latest novel, "The Occidental Book of the Dead," offers a complex and incisive exploration of race, policing, and social dynamics in the fictional city of Atlantis, located in the state of Gorgeous, set against a backdrop that parallels the American South. The narrative centers on George Washington Jonson, a Black police officer who, early in his career in 1992, encounters blatant and subtle racial biases within the police department as he trains a white rookie officer, Lukas Utner. Their interactions highlight the entrenched racism that pervades not only the police force but also the broader society.

Johnson, drawing on rich, multi-layered storytelling, follows Jonson’s trajectory from his early days under the mentorship of Thomas Tucker, a self-proclaimed redneck nostalgic for Confederate symbols, to a more settled stage of his life, marked by marriage and fatherhood. The plot takes a critical turn when Jonson and Utner respond to a call that culminates in the shooting of Anthony Montana, a white teenager. The circumstances of the shooting are ambiguous, with evidence suggesting possible police misconduct, including the planting of a firearm on the victim.

The novel shifts narrative style midway, moving from third-person to a first-person account as Jonson recounts his story decades later in a book-within-the-book titled "The Book of the Opening of the Mouth." This section reveals the widespread cultural impact of Jonson’s story, which has been adapted into various media forms. Johnson further expands on systemic issues by introducing two metaphoric groups: “Vikings,” representing rogue vigilante officers targeting certain communities, and “Olympians,” symbolic of institutional powers that shape policies and maintain social divisions, often under the guise of respectability and reform.

"The Occidental Book of the Dead" tackles a broad array of themes, including the history of the South, racial and economic inequities, and popular culture, demanding sustained attention due to its layered character connections and frequent digressions into sociopolitical commentary. Johnson’s prose captures a wide emotional range—from frustration and confusion to tenderness and longing—particularly in the voice of Jonson, whose personal and professional lives are deeply intertwined with the larger issues explored.

Throughout the novel, Johnson combines sharp social critique with elements of dark humor and poignant reflection, painting a vivid picture of institutional racism’s enduring effects and the complexities of navigating identity and morality within such a landscape. His work underscores the persistent tensions and unresolved conflicts that define both individual lives and broader societal structures.