Synopsis (from
the publisher):
During her time at the International House of Chicago, aspiring African
American poet, Geneva Anderson has met people from around the globe,
listened to debates about world issues and celebrated the arts. But
with the arrival of a new year, Geneva will also discover that an
inheritance can be a blessing and a curse.
After her aunt, Victoria Franklin, the director of the International
House of Chicago is murdered; Geneva’s life is unraveled by a
mysterious inheritance and a murder charge. With the help of her best
friend, Zain Valdez, Geneva decides to investigate her aunt’s
murder.
Geneva’s investigation leads her to the revelation that her
beloved aunt led a secret life and that the list of suspects even
includes her academically accomplished neighbors.
To clear herself, she must navigate through a web of lies, secrets, and
revenge until she learns the poetry of murder.
— ◊ —
— ◊ —
The Poetry of Murder
A Geneva
Anderson Mystery
Bernadette
Steele
Oak Tree Press (Trade Paperback)
ISBN-10: 1-892343-08-8 (1892343088)
ISBN-13: 978-1-892343-08-6 (9781892343086)
Publication Date: January 2008
List Price: $12.95
— ◊ —
Review:
Bernadette Steele introduces poet fellowship recipient Geneva Anderson
who is suspected of killing her wealthy aunt in The Poetry of Murder.
Geneva is staying at International House while composing a book of
poetry as part of her studies. Her aunt, Victoria Franklin, is the
director of the facility. (Note: International House at the University
of Chicago is real place. Its mission is to promote cross-cultural
understanding, mutual respect and friendship among students and
scholars and on the part of the people of metropolitan Chicago toward
individuals of all nations and backgrounds.) When Victoria is murdered
in a ritualistic fashion, Geneva becomes a suspect. Her motive: she is
the sole beneficiary of $10 million. When she's released on bail,
Geneva is determined to clear her name and identify the person, or
persons, who killed her aunt.
As the first book of a series, The
Poetry of Murder has much going for it. It introduces an
appealing character in Geneva Anderson, and the setting of
International House that offers a multitude of scenarios around which
to construct a series of mysteries. Unfortunately, and somewhat
ironically, Geneva plays a subordinate role to her supporting
characters that are more richly drawn and seem to have greater
dimension. For example, the detective in charge of Victoria's murder,
Yvonne Peterson, has a much larger profile than Geneva and is arguably
more interesting.
Though the plot of the book is intricate and well-thought out, the
narrative at times seems disjointed or incomplete, failing to deliver
on the promise of the intrigue behind the murder. Part of the problem
here is that there are too many points of view. Virtually all of the
principal characters have something to say, and many (maybe most) do
not contribute to the continuity of the story in any meaningful way and
are simply unnecessary distractions.
The Poetry of Murder
provides a good introduction to a series worth watching, but tighter
and more judicious editing of subsequent books will be required to
maintain readers' interest over the long term.
Special thanks to Bernadette Steele for providing a copy of The Poetry of Murder for this review.
Review Copyright © 2008 — Hidden Staircase Mystery Books — All Rights Reserved
Have you read The Poetry of Murder? How would you rate it?
Mysteries in this series …
The Poetry of Murder
Oak Tree Press (Trade Paperback), January 2008
ISBN-10: 1-892343-08-8 (1892343088)
ISBN-13: 978-1-892343-08-6 (9781892343086)
Omnimystery keywords for The Poetry of Murder ...
Location(s) referenced: Chicago, Illinois.
