Death Rides an Ill Wind
Written: Aug 27 '01
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Descriptions of the hurricane, main character
Cons: Flawed plotting, not much of a puzzle
The Bottom Line: Mixed feelings on this one. Interesting, but flawed mystery. Don't expect a good puzzle in Death Rides an Ill Wind.
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| tuggy's Full Review: Death Rides an Ill Wind Books |
After reading Kate Grilley's second mystery novel Death Rides an Ill Wind, I'm totally at a loss as to whether or not to recommend this book. I really enjoyed it, but it has major flaws in the plot.
Death Rides an Ill Wind is a quick read, and the pace is fast. Something interesting is always happening, and I had no urge to put it down. I read this book in one sitting.
This is the second in a series of books featuring Kelly Ryan. Kelly lives on St. Chris, a fictional island in the former Danish West Indies. She is the manager of the local radio station, and the detective of record in Death Rides an Ill Wind.
Kelly has a large group of good friends on the island, and we are introduced to them only in passing. I felt like I was attending a party where I didn't know anyone. A bit of background on these secondary characters would have been helpful. However, they are an interesting and active bunch. They throw many parties and we are tempted by exotic sounding foods and beach drinks.
At the beginning of Death Rides an Ill Wind, the island of St. Chris is expecting Gilda, a hurricane bearing down on them. Also, Leila Mae Turner, the woman who broke up Kelly's marriage has arrived back in town.
The preparations for the arrival of Gilda are fascinating. I learned a great deal about how to prepare a home for a major storm.
When Gilda arrives, the descriptions of the force and effect of the storm were breathtaking. This was the best part of the book. Kelly stays at the radio station to keep the citizens informed as long as she can, and what she experiences is unbelievable. The screaming of the storm, the sight and sound of buildings and trees being tossed about, and the reactions of her cat, Minx, are so realistic.
After the storm, St. Chris is a wreck, and the citizens start to repair the damage. Also, a body is found, and this bag ladie's death was not caused by the storm...she was murdered.
There are many details about Kelly's return to her own home, and what she has to do to make it livable. She sets up a portable generator for power, and rigs a way to heat her water with the power of the sun.
Kelly visits an old lady friend, and is drawn into the history of St. Chris, including a story about buried treasure. She determines that the murdered woman was also searching for the treasure, and had found a journal with information. That may have been the motive for the murder.
The plot breaks down about here. Kelly eventually solves the murder, after an amazing late night swim out of danger, but we are left without explanation of many details of the puzzle. There isn't much explanation about the villains, and they find justice in a particularly fitting way.
Kelly often takes her kayak out to the reef of the island, and then swims alone far from home. These passages were evocative, and almost like being there.
Kelly's boyfriend goes to a bigger island for medical treatment about half way through the book and is never mentioned again, even though he was a major part of the first half.
Death Rides an Ill Wind is cozy reading, light, humourous and easy to read. There isn't much blood, and the puzzle will not engage your imagination. However, there is much to like in this book. The story of the hurricane and the aftermath of the hurricane was well worth the $8.99 Canadian I paid for this pocketbook.
I'm going to read the first book in this series, Death Dances to a Reggae Beat, and perhaps that will help me understand and appreciate the background of both Kelly and the secondary characters.
In the meantime, I do recommend this book but only if the hurricane sounds interesting to you. If you mainly read mysteries for the puzzle, skip this one.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
tuggy
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Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Reviews written: 64
Trusted by: 64 members
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