The Scent of Burnt Flowers

A Novel

By: Blitz Bazawule

Narrated by: Dion Graham

Fleeing persecution in 1960s America, a Black couple seeks asylum in Ghana, but fresh dangers and old secrets threaten their newfound freedom in this hypnotic debut novel.

“I am truly blown away by this novel.”—Jacqueline Woodson, New York Times bestselling author of Red at the Bone

ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: CrimeReads

When the windshield of his Chevy Impala shatters in a dark diner parking lot in Alabama, Melvin moves without thinking. A split-second reaction marrows in his bones from the days of war, but this time it is the safety of his fiancé, Bernadette, at stake. Impulse keeps them alive, and yet they flee with blood on their hands. What is life like now that they are fugitives? Pack passports. Empty bank accounts. Set their old life on fire. The couple disguise themselves as a pastor and a reluctant pastor’s wife who’s hiding a secret from her fiancé. With a persistent FBI agent on their trail, they travel to Ghana to seek the help of Melvin’s old college friend who happens to be the country’s embattled president, Kwame Nkrumah.

The couple’s chance encounter with Ghana’s most beloved highlife musician, Kwesi Kwayson, who’s on his way to perform for the president, sparks a journey full of suspense, lust, magic, and danger as Nkrumah’s regime crumbles around them. What was meant to be a fresh start quickly spirals into chaos, threatening both their relationship and their lives. Kwesi and Bernadette’s undeniable attraction and otherworldly bond cascades during their three-day trek, and so does Melvin’s intense jealousy. All three must confront one another and their secrets, setting off a series of cataclysmic events.

Steeped in the history and mythology of postcolonial West Africa at the intersection of the civil rights movement in America, this gripping and ambitious debut merges political intrigue, magical encounters, and forbidden romance in an epic collision of morality and power.

©2022 Blitz Bazawule (P)2022 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“The novel is by turns rollicking, romantic and solemn, always acutely aware of the historical forces shaping its characters’ destinies and fascinated with the culture shocks they experience as they move between continents.”—Dave Itzkoff, The New York Times

“Blitz Bazawule is a phenomenal storyteller. The Scent of Burnt Flowers is at once deeply real and surprisingly magical. I am truly blown away by this novel.”—Jacqueline Woodson, New York Times bestselling author of Red at the Bone

“Blitz Bazawule’s debut novel is so alive, so cinematic. I am thrilled to have fallen into this—a colorful, delicious ride through the senses and beyond; a tale of danger, love, and all the small, true things that will not be named.”—Yrsa Daley-Ward, PEN Ackerley Prize-winning author of The Terrible

Fantasy Meets Historic Fiction

The interjection of fantasy objects and characters seemed out of place in this Historic Fiction.

Rambling Amateurish Writing

I tried to give it two stars overall on the basis of Dion Graham's excellent performance, but four stars came on.

thoroughly captivating!

held my attention from start to finish and remained in my thoughts days after.

Stellar storytelling

Blitz has a true art for story telling. Each scene felt as if I was watching a movie. Many twists and turns leading up to the ending, which did not disappoint.

Enthralling

I started this book today and couldn't stop! It is so good! I had to finish it today.

Bravo for first novel by generational artist

The Scent of Burnt Flowers is a phenomenal debut novel from hip hop emcee and filmmaker Blitz the Ambassador. His knack for lyrical storytelling comes through in his prose as well. Much like his personal story the characters in the novel weave a diasporic tale filled with love, betrayal, hope, and suffering. I highly recommend!

Breathtaking

I was invested in the characters as soon as we met them. This story takes you through twists and turns and you never expect the ending. The imagery and Blitz's ability to submerse the reader in every locale is a work of absolute genius. Highly recommended.

This story has a NEW flavor!

I was surprised by the ending and was left wanting more!! I have so many questions! Especially about the guitar!!

The historical background of Dr. Nkrumah's overthrow by the CIA. The plot is tight as well.

The shootout between Melvin and Kwesi. Too evocative of American crime TV. But I'll recommend this book to all my friends!

The Ghanaian and women accents were terrible

I enjoyed the story and it's twists and turns. I realize that the narrator had about 12 accents to master. But the main ones, Ghanaian and Bernadette's were so bad that they distracted from the story. I'd recommend the text version.