The Legacy of Shadows
Non-series
Daniel
Boán
John Gordon Burke (Trade Paperback)
ISBN-10: 0-934272-88-3 (0934272883)
ISBN-13: 978-0-934272-88-9 (9780934272889)
Publication Date: October 2009
List Price: $17.00
Synopsis (from the publisher): The English language translation of Legado de Sombras presents the reader with an enigma inside a mystery as a writer turns to the investigation of his artist friend's death. Set in a remote and largely uninhabited mining town in South America, totally unexpected developments overtake the principal character of the story. They will also prove to be a surprise to the reader of the book as well.
Review: Daniel
Boan crafts a mysterious tale of a man seeking information on the
circumstances surrounding the death of his friend in this first English
translation of his work, The Legacy
of Shadows.
Set in the small, remote, desolate mining town of Valle Viejo where
time and place have been lost to the few remaining inhabitants, the
story tells of Victor, a writer, who has received word that his best
friend, Walter, an artist, has died while visiting the town, just a day
before he was to return home. The local priest had found Victor’s
address on mail that Victor had sent to Walter and wrote to him
informing him of Walter’s untimely death. Victor makes a journey
to Valle Viejo, a location that Walter had described as a perfect place
for an artist to find inspiration. It is tranquil, relaxing and the
surrounding mountains and rivers are ideal subjects. But Walter was a
young, healthy man. So what happened? How did he die? When Victor
arrives, Walter’s car, once bright and shiny, now covered with
dirt, tires flat, is parked in front of a guest house. The owner of the
house welcomed Victor, putting him up in the same room Walter had
occupied. Victor was, as was Walter, the only guest. The room was
discolored and had indications of humidity and moss. There was only one
canvass of Walter’s in the room: a horrible painting depicting
the shadows of the humidity contamination. Where were the paintings
Walter had told Victor about in his many letters?
Victor decides he needs to learn more about this little town. The
original settlers had high hopes of it becoming a thriving coal mining
town. The railroad put in tracks and a station, homes and a church were
built, including the two story rooming house in which Victor, and
Walter before him, stayed. But long ago the mine collapsed and men
died. When others went down to try to save them, they, too, died.
Finally the mine closed and the residents started to leave. But some
stayed on believing the town would build up again. Mrs. Grinsberg, the
“casera” of the guest house, and her daughter Lucia, stayed
vowing never to leave. Mrs. Grinsberg spends most of her time at the
check-in counter waiting for guests to come. The station- master hired
by the railroad years ago keeps the station open just in case the
railroad brings a train through. The priest has services each Sunday
for the few families who have sworn they will never leave Valle Viejo.
Those who die there are buried in the church’s cemetery. But for
some mysterious reason, whenever a resident now decides to leave, he
disappears or dies suddenly before he can depart. Victor sees a story
here, about this deserted, depressing town and the people who live
here. But why do they stay? As Victor finishes his writing and decides
to leave, he begins to wonder, will he die a sudden death, like his
friend Walter?
The Legacy of Shadows is
quite innovative in its style and content. One doesn't just read the
story here, rather one seems drawn into the story's environment, just
as Victor is. The characters have a well-worn feel to them, oddly
familiar yet unknown at the same time. What makes this somewhat all the
more remarkable is that it is accomplished in a novella of just 126
pages. The Legacy of Shadows
is a most uncommon mystery, one well worth seeking.
Special thanks to guest reviewer Betty of The Betz Review for contributing her review of The Legacy of Shadows and to John Gordon Burke Publisher for providing a copy of the book for this review.
Review Copyright © 2009 — Hidden Staircase Mystery Books — All Rights Reserved
Have you read The Legacy of Shadows? How would you rate it?
Novels by this author …
The Legacy of Shadows
John Gordon Burke (Trade Paperback), October 2009
ISBN-10: 0-934272-88-3 (0934272883)
ISBN-13: 978-0-934272-88-9 (9780934272889)
Omnimystery keywords for The Legacy of Shadows ...
Location(s) referenced: Argentina.
