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Calla Gentry works as a trial consultant in Tucson, Arizona, but only on civil cases. Following her sister's brutal rape and attempted murder, Calla has become a victim by proxy. However, when she is forced into helping with a murder trial, she starts to suspect that the accused, Raymond Cates, was the man who raped her sister. She begins her own investigation and realises that things are not at all what they seem. If there were a prize for the best title of the year, FORCING AMARYLLIS must surely head the nominations. The eponymous Amaryllis is never given the opportunity to speak, as she lies in a coma. The reader can only find out what happened from her sister and we soon become aware that Calla has only a fragmented idea of that night. Calla makes a very interesting character and her voice is compelling. Louise Ure also succeeds with her Arizonan setting. She creates a powerful picture of a mixed-race state, with Spanish and American English words and culture intermingled, as well as mixed-race characters. For a debut novel, FORCING AMARYLLIS is an enjoyable read. At times, there are things that do not ring overly true. For example, Calla recounts the story of how she went to the motel to find her sister nearly dead. It is only as we get deeper into the book that Calla realises that there is something odd in that her sister managed to check into a motel room whilst bleeding and badly injured. Obviously, she does not expect her sister to lie to her, but it does not appear at all logical to the reader. Apart from this minor gripe, FORCING AMARYLLIS reads well and is sure to appeal to readers in Arizona, whose state she brings alive. Louise Ure clearly has more stories to tell and it looks as though she could become a powerful new voice in mystery literature.
Reviewed by Luke Croll, May 2005
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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)
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