In the Shadow of the Glacier
A Molly Smith Mystery
Vicki Delany
Poisoned Pen Press (Hardcover)
ISBN-10: 1-59058-448-1 (1590584481)
ISBN-13: 978-1-59058-448-4 (9781590584484)
Publication Date: October 2007
List Price: $24.95
Synopsis (from
the publisher): Trouble is brewing in the small, bucolic mountain town
of Trafalgar, British Columbia. An American who came to Trafalgar as a
Vietnam War draft dodger has left land and money to the town but
there’s a catch: the money must be used to build a garden to
honor draft dodgers. This bequest has torn the close-knit, peaceful
town apart. Then the body of a leading opponent is found in an alley,
dead from a single blow to the head.
Constable Molly Smith is assigned to assist veteran Detective Sergeant
John Winters in the investigation. But Winters doesn’t want the
help of the enthusiastic rookie, and suspects that he’s been
assigned Smith for political reasons – her mother, a life-long
activist, is the leader of the group arguing for the park.
Egged on by a muck-raking TV personality, outside agitators from both
sides are soon streaming into Trafalgar, while Smith and Winters search
through small-town secrets for a killer.
Review: The first book in Vicki Delany's new series featuring Constable Molly Smith, In the Shadow of the Glacier, takes on a controversial subject that, after more than thirty years, is still alive for many today: the war in Vietnam.
It is estimated that more than 50,000 young men, in order to avoid the
draft in the US during the Vietnam War, became draft dodgers and fled
to Canada, leaving their homes and families in America. Some never
returned, even though amnesty was offered. One draft dodger settled in
the small mountain town of Trafalgar, British Columbia. He spent his
life there, and when he died he left all of his land and money to the
city, but only if it would used to create a beautiful garden to honor
all draft dodgers. This idea split the normally close-knit city right
in two. There were those who heartily supported the plan, and those who
still felt draft dodgers were traitors to America. Reginald Montgomery,
a building planner, was one of the chief opponents to the garden. He
wanted to build a huge resort in Trafalgar, called the Grizzly Bear,
which he said would bring in money for the city, make jobs, and welcome
visitors and vacationers from both Canada and America. Now there is
another division to this small town. Montgomery wants to build The
Grizzly Bear on the grounds that are homes to the bears, deer, and
other animals of the forest. The animal rights people are dead set
against such a venture. Others feel this would be a great boon for
their city. With so many of the town folk angry at Reg, it was no
surprise to find him beaten over the head and left dead in a dark alley.
Detective Sergeant John Winters, newly transferred into Trafalgar, is
assigned the case. Constable Molly Smith, born and raised in the city,
is assigned as his assistant. But her interest in the case is not
completely objective: her parents came to Trafalgar when her father
dodged the draft. Molly, eager and fast to jump to conclusions, is a
good counterpart to Winters, who is rather slow and methodical. After
Smith makes it clear who's in charge, he eases up on Molly who has a
hard time telling when he is serious or joking. Their banter becomes a
joy to read. They interview Reg’s widow, the local dentist, the
shopkeepers, anyone known to oppose Reg’s opposition to the
garden, and anyone who opposed his plans for the Grizzly Bear. Getting
no where, they even interview a local kid who stole Molly’s
locked bike from behind the police station. Though discouraged, as they
begin to review their notes, they realize one of these peoples is a
murderer.
In the Shadow of the Glacier
is a terrific murder mystery replete with delightful characters and
good humor; a very promising start to this new series. And anyone who
lived through the era of the 1960s will undoubtedly smile when Molly's
given name is revealed: Moonlight Legolas.
Special thanks to guest reviewer Betty of The Betz Review for contributing her review of In the Shadow of the Glacier and to Poisoned Pen Press for providing an ARC of the book for this review.
Review Copyright © 2007 — Hidden Staircase Mystery Books — All Rights Reserved.
Mysteries in this series ...
In the Shadow of the Glacier
Poisoned Pen Press (Hardcover), October 2007
ISBN-10: 1-59058-448-1 (1590584481)
ISBN-13: 978-1-59058-448-4 (9781590584484)
Omnimystery keywords for In the Shadow of the Glacier ...
Location(s) referenced: British Columbia.