|
[ Home ]
[ About | Reviews | Search | Submit ]
Set on two beautiful Greek isles, Tinos and Mykonos, this police procedural by Jeffrey Siger is an engrossing read with both a rich historical background and a clear presentation of current issues facing the country. The book opens on Tinos, where two incinerated bodies have been found in the back of a torched van, along with pieces of the Greek flag. A note says only: "Revenge or Death," a phrase closely resembling Greece's motto of "Freedom or Death." The double murders quickly become a political hot cake as the press blames the foreigners who they say are invading the country's shores. Police Chief Inspector Andreas Kaldis is called by his boss, Greece's minister of public order, to investigate. However, he is immediately in a difficult situation. It is two weeks before his wedding and Lila, his fiancé, expects him to be involved in the planning. As the complex case goes on, Kaldis begins to worry if he will even be able to be there on the appointed day. Siger succinctly provides important information about the evolution of Greece's problems. Through Andreas' musings, we come to understand that there are two distinct groups of immigrants, "tsigani," or gypsies, and then just about everyone else—Romanians, Bulgarians, Albanians, Poles, people from Turkey, Iraq and other places, all simply referred to as "meanastes." They have come for a variety of reasons, but their presence has not always been welcome. Tinos is famous for the Church of Panagia Evangilistria, known as the Lourdes of Greece. Pilgrimages are made to this site each August at the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. Tisgani, who revere the Virgin Mary, camp nearby in large groups to celebrate. The dead men were both tisgani, and it at first seems like the crime might just be a clan killing involving only their groups—in which case the authorities would not try very hard to solve the case. But the threat implied by the note and the Greek flag give the crime wider significance. It soon becomes clear that the murders were part of some larger plot and the victims may have been silenced to prevent them from revealing what they knew. As the scope of investigation widens, it seems to reveal a murky conspiracy that may be targeting the priceless icons in the church. Kaldis wants to find who is behind the crimes, even though he is under increasing pressure to just close the case. His resolve is heightened when he and his family are personally threatened. An attack during his wedding ceremony seems possible and suspense builds around this event. Other scenes involving hostile meetings, fast-moving chases and sudden attacks are gripping as well. This is the fourth Siger procedural featuring Police Chief Inspector Andreas Kaldis, but it is not a problem to pick up the series with this book. Any background the reader might need is provided in a clear manner without too much time spent on going over what those familiar with the other books might already know. That said, Kaldis, his family and his colleagues, are a witty and engaging group, and one might want to go back and read their other adventures. Anne Corey is a writer, poet, teacher and botanical artist in New York's Hudson Valley.
Reviewed by Anne Corey, June 2012
[ Top ]
QUICK SEARCH:
Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)
[ About | Reviews | Search | Submit ]
[ Home ]
|
