The Disturbance

Disturbance is a book-length poem by Ivy Alvarez that chronicles a brutal murder case, based on fact, of a multiple-homicide, where an entire family was gunned down by the husband/father. The book features poems in a kaleidoscope of voices from all the characters involved. We first meet the family itself and witness the how the father's controlling attitude gradually escalates into violence. Then we get the aftermath: the authorities, police and neighbours, who all might have helped to prevent this tragedy. This is a very dark book, but a courageous one, ultimately about evil and its presence in our everyday lives. The fact that this family was relatively well-to-do, seemingly prosperous and well-connected, adds another layer of intrigue and mystery. Some graphic violence, but emphasis on character and motivation.