A Brief History of Seven Killings is a masterfully written novel by Marlon James that delves into the tumultuous era of the late 1970s in Jamaica. It explores the attempted assassination of the legendary musician, Bob Marley, and the chaotic backdrop of political and social upheaval.

On December 3, 1976, just before the Jamaican general election and two days before Bob Marley was to play the Smile Jamaica Concert, seven gunmen stormed his house, machine guns blazing. This audacious attack wounded Marley, his wife, and his manager, casting a shadow over the nation.

Spanning decades and continents, the story unfolds with a diverse cast of characters, including assassins, journalists, drug dealers, and even ghosts. From the gritty streets of Kingston in the '70s to the crack houses of '80s New York, and finally to a transformed Jamaica in the '90s, this novel paints a vivid picture of a world filled with intrigue and danger.

Brilliantly inventive and stunningly ambitious, this novel is a modern epic that secures Marlon James’ place among the great literary talents of his generation. It is a gripping tale of power, mystery, and the indelible impact of history.