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
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.
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.
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.