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Mystery/Thriller Book ReviewsPage Two of ThreeForged in Blood by Joyce ChristmasFawcett Books, August, 2002Paperback, 224 pages ISBN: 0449007146 Ordering information: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk 
Retired office manager and sometime amateur sleuth
Betty Trenka is excited about her upcoming European
vacation with her new friend, the elegant Lady Margaret
Priam. Betty and Margaret travel to Priam's Priory to
attend the wedding of Margaret's brother, the Earl of Brayfield. They then
head on to Italy to visit a friend's fabulous Italian villa, which is
rumored to house an heretofore unknown Old Master.
The wedding goes off without a hitch,
but when they arrive in Rome, Betty and Margaret find
themselves involved with an artist and an art dealer
who may be about to pull off a major art forgery. Betty and
Margaret do manage to see the legendary painting, but the
scenery is marred by a dead body lying in the
villa's beautiful and ancient fountain.
Betty Trenka and Lady Margaret have both been stars of their own popular mystery series, until the two sleuths met up (in A Better Class of Murder) to solve a high society murder set in Manhattan, with very entertaining results. Now, the charming aristocrat and the no-nonsense New Englander join forces to stop an art forger and a murderer. Readers are taken on a fascinating tour of London and Rome, as the two sleuths see the sights and socialize with everyone from criminals to screen stars. Ms. Christmas is known for her wit, her style and her excellent characterizations. Lady Margaret Priam's cool elegance and polished social skills play perfectly off Betty's down to earth, Yankee sensibility and dry sense of humor. This is a truly delightful mystery series. Highly recommended. Louisiana Bigshot by Julie SmithForge, September, 2002Hardcover, 304 pages ISBN: 0765300591 Ordering information: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk 
Talba Willis is a young, African American
computer genius and private investigator by day, but at night
she becomes the poet and performance artist called the
Baroness de Pontalba. Talba's latest case involves investigating
the supposed suicide of her friend, Babalu Moya. Babalu
was very reticent about her past (Babalu wasn't even her real name),
so Talba is forced to go to Babalu's hometown of Clayton,
Louisiana to find out more about her life. Clayton turns out
to be a tight-lipped, racist community which makes it clear
that Talba is very unwelcome in the area. Time is quickly running
out for Talba on this investigation; either she gets some answers
fast, or she may share poor Babalu's fate.
This is the second entry in the Talba Willis PI series, after Louisiana Hotshot. The irrepressible and talented Talba is a perfect foil for her older, white boss, Eddie Valentino, and their interactions are always hilarious. Miz Clara, Talba's eccentric mother can be counted on to provide endless irritation for Talba, and her sensitive and handsome teacher can be counted on to provide lots of emotional support. Talba is a unique and interesting character, and the plot is fast-paced. Julie Smith has a gift for bringing New Orleans to life, and this is one PI series that is extraordinarily entertaining. Mystery Book Reviews Page One | Page Two | Page Three Click Here to Return to the Book Reviews Index ** To visit the archives of mystery books reviewed in The IWJ, please click here. |
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