Back on Track

New reviews coming soon! I'll be importing my work from the past two years, but in the meantime,
I'm reclaiming my small place on the web.

Saturday, February 24, 2007

Murder Mystery Review

Witness in the Square
by Gini Anding
ISBN-10: 0595410952

In the reflective tradition of Agatha Christie, Gini Anding offers another great mystery for readers to pick apart. In "Witness in the Square," we find ourselves once again in Paris with Amy Page and Jean-Michel Jolivet, deep in a plot of murder, intrigue, and of course, passion.

Amy is always on the verge of turning out a new article for a magazine back home in the states, always taking notes for her cookbook, and always in the thick of things on the Ile Saint-Louis, in the heart of Paris. It seems too that she is always in the midst of criminal activity, occurring unbeknownst all around her. Inspector Jean-Michel Jolivet, her lover, is recovering from a gunshot wound from one of their previous escapades and is not by Amy's side when she is brought in for questioning in regards to a murder she is somehow connected to. The victim was carrying Amy's umbrella and so the web is woven. How very involved Amy unknowingly is, becomes key to figuring out what is going on. When a second acquaintance falls victim, the entire Ile Saint-Louis is turned upside down in concern. What could the clues left behind mean? Things that normally would not make any kind of sense, to Amy, is a puzzle to ponder. In her unorthodox fashion at figuring, Amy holds further clues that she isn't even aware of. Jean-Michel patiently takes on the task of drawing out what needs to be known, while trying to protect his beloved. Throughout it all the couple realizes that they are indeed, a couple, and tries to understand the importance of that realization.

The plot is bigger than imagined with twists that lead to high staked risks. With points of interest that include stamp collections, hand carved earrings, Hawaii, forged passports, and terrorist activities, this is not your typical murder mystery. Author Gini Anding goes into wonderful detail of her beloved Ile Saint-Louis, giving historical facts to deepen the reader's experience. Hawaii's history too is explored, as well as the use of the female form in classic art, among other tidbits.

The environments that Gini brings her readers to are rich with detail and breathing with life. If you can't afford to travel you can always delve into a Gini Anding book! The characters are endearing and capable of living out the plot and you will be left wondering what they are up to while not in a story in front of you. This third book in a series certainly adds to the collection but it also stands alone as a fantastic read. I highly recommend "Witness in the Square" as a murder mystery with a darker side than most.

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