Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, July 17, 1994 TAG: 9407100077
SECTION: HORIZON PAGE: E-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Reviewed by Anna Wentworth
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
By Valerie S. Malmont. Simon and Schuster. $20.
Author Malmont does a fine job of creating atmosphere in her first Tori Miracle novel. Tori is a New York City crime reporter turned mystery writer who leaves the hustle of the city to visit old friend Alice-Ann in Lickin Creek. The small town has a strong, almost obsessive concern with its history and traditions. One part of that is an odd yearly ceremony where roses are given to the decendent of the town's founder. This year it is Alice- Ann's social snob of a husband, Richard, who is to preside at the festival. Richard takes his role seriously - until he turns up dead. Richard made a lot of enemies in his shady business dealings, but the red rose found at the scene makes Tori suspect his death had more to do with the upcoming festival. Malmont's plot is both bizarre and predictable, but her creation of the confining hothouse atmosphere of the small town where everyone knows everyone's business is intriguing; and Tori makes a resourceful heroine. Tensleep.
By Sarah Andrews. Otto Pensler Books. $20.
The inside information about oil rigs and geology that Sarah Andrews brings to her first Em Hansen mystery serves her well. Andrews, like Em, was a geologist herself and often the only female in the male world of oil drilling.
The novel's setting is the bleakly beautiful Wyoming desert and the microscopic frontier town of Meeteetsie. Em Hansen struggles to keep a low profile in this male-dominated world; and especially to keep her distance from Ed Meyer, her obnoxious male chauvinist boss. When her good friend Bill Kretzmer dies in what looks like an auto accident, Em is suspicious. She knows Bill was a careful driver, and the accident also brings up memories of another accident from her childhood that she has tried to erase. When another death occurs and the eccentric sheriff doesn't seem to be looking in the right places, Em investigates. The stakes are high and it is difficult to know who she can trust, if anyone.
This is a rough world Andrews paints, raw and basic, where women will always be outsiders, in a way. Em is an interesting character; edgy, difficult, interesting but not always sympathetic. She is a woman with a lot of walls separating her from others. It is fun to watch Em trying to find herself.
Dead Center.
By Ruby Horansky. Scribners. $20.
Add to the roster of semi-tough female detectives the name of Nikki Trakos, of the N.Y.P.D., protagonist of Ruby Horansky's latest mystery novel, "Dead Center." Trakos is more believable than V.I. Warshawsky and a lot less angry; but she does have some of the requisite 1990's baggage. Her relationship with a fellow detective is in jeopardy due to her fear that marriage will doom her career; and she harbors a lot of guilt for leaving her motherless niece alone so much. Her latest case has put Nikki on the firing line as well. The murder of a prominent politician has the big wigs pushing her for a quick solution.
Author Horansky shows a detailed knowlege of police procedures that serves her well. "Dead Center" is an engrossing read with a believable, sensible heroine; well defined characters; an intriguing murder case and a satisfying conclusion. What more could you ask for?
"Dead Center" is the second Nikki Trakos mystery. The first is "Dead Ahead."
Anna Wentworth also reviews books and plays for WVTF-FM.
by CNB