WHISPERS BEYOND THE VEIL

 

WHISPERS BEYOND THE VEIL

By Jessica Estevao

Berkeley Prime Crime

338 pgs

 

Found this quaint mystery novel in a New Hampshire bookstore many years ago. On the back cover blurb, it reported the tale took place in 1898 in the seaside town of Old Orchard, Maine. Then we realized the cover depicted the book’s heroine, Ruby Proux standing on the beach gazing at the famous pier that jutted out into the Atlantic. Having spent many happy summer days in that town during our youth, purchasing the book was never a question. 

The book opens in Canada, with a young Ruby Proulx is traveling the carnival circuit with her father, a selfish snake-oil-salesman who, after her mother’s passing, brought her up to be his assistant in his many flim-flam schemes. When one of his outlandish plans results in the death of a carnival worker, the two have no recourse but to flee. Which leads to Ruby’s second shock. Her father directs her to take the train south into America and find succor at her aunt’s hotel in Old Orchard, Maine. Honoria Belden is her late mother’s older sister whom she has never met. In fact, Ruby knows absolutely nothing about her mother’s past, other than a few names uttered by her father over the years. 

Once in the quaint little seaside town, Ruby discovers a world of both charm and mystery. Honoria is a larger-than-life figure who immediately embraces her arrival, showering her with affection and kindness; qualities Ruby is totally unfamiliar with. She soon learns that her aunt’s hotel is a gathering place for spiritualists of all types. From card readers to gazers of crystal balls, their presence is the primary attraction of summer guests. When an expected medium fails to show up, Ruby offers to assume her duties, falling back on her confidence tricks taught to her by her father. 

At first all goes smoothy, but when a hotel guest, there to investigate the legitimacy of the various spiritualists is murdered, Ruby finds herself caught up in complicated mystery that not only threatens her beloved aunt, but also to expose her own criminal background. “Whispers Beyond the Veil,” is unlike most “cozy” mysteries due to a heroine who’s own character is not altogether decent and watching Ruby’s conscience evolve throughout is affair is captivating. Ruby Proulx is one heroine you will not soon forget.

A SASQUATCH, AN ALIEN, AND A DEMON WALK INTO A BAR

 

A SASQUATCH, AN ALIEN, AND A DEMON WALK INTO A BAR

Ghost Squad 2

By Darryle Purcell

Digital Parchment Press

193 pgs

 

In this second Ghost Squad adventure, unemployed Arizona newshound, Mike Scott, is once again plagued by his ability to see ghosts. In particular the ghosts of old Hollywood stars; all of them led by the original swashbuckler of the silent screen, Douglas Fairbank. Our story opens with Fairbanks appearing and announcing Mike, and his wife Betty, will soon be visited by a California Sasquatch named Bob who needs his their help urgently. 

When the eight-foot hairy Bob arrives, it is with a tale of alien invasion by ten-foot green worms in the mountains of California. Whereas Sasquatch can see and communicate with ghosts, the ethereal undead are of no help when it comes to fighting aliens. What they need are real live people to help confront and defeat the big bugs. Mike and his wife reluctantly agree to answer the call. Once in the high country, they soon recruit and old Vietnam Vet named Tom and a beautiful saloon owner named Red to their cause. Their initial plan is to locate the alien spaceship and proceed from there. Along the way, they discover a second threat in that of a giant alligator like demon traveling the woods devouring any unfortunate hiker in its path. Suddenly our heroes have two nightmarish threats to deal with. 

What we’ve always loved about Purcell’s tales is just how outlandish they are. Just when you think he couldn’t possibly come up with a more bizarre plot and characters, he does just that. And he does it with so much flair and humor, the reader is swept along for the ride enjoying every bloody minute of it. This latest book is no exception.

CAPTAIN NEMO - The Fantastid Adventures of a Dark Genius

 

CAPTAIN NEMO

The Fantastic Adventures of a Dark Genius

By Kevin J. Anderson

Titan Books

462 pages

 

We loved this book written in the style of the grand adventures of old. What Kevin Anderson has done is imagine that Jules Verne’s fictional character was in fact a real person named Andre Nemo. He and Jules grew up as boys in the village of Nantes France and were bosom buddies. Each dreamed of exploring the wide world when adults and having amazing adventures. Also involved in these fantasies is a local young miss named Caroline Arronax whom both boys love deeply.

 

Right from the start the boy Verne is a timid soul unlike Nemo, a reckless youth eager to plunge into whatever lies ahead. And so, fate conspires to separate them when Nemo becomes a cabin boy aboard a British ship and leaves both Verne and Caroline behind. From that point on, Nemo’s life becomes one series of fantastical adventures after another. From surviving a pirate attack, being stranded on a mysterious island and discovering a world beneath the earth’s crust. All the while back in France, Verne is failing miserably at becoming a successful author and meekly submitting to his father’s wishes to study law.

 

As the narrative moves along, years later Nemo returns and regales both Verne and Caroline with tales of his exploits. Still restless, he soon sets off again. Meanwhile, Verne is inspired to use Nemo’s stories as the plots for his fiction. It is these books that gain him success far beyond his own imaginations. Yet he remains unable to escape his fantasy prison. Meanwhile Nemo ends up in the middle of the Crimean War riding into battle with the famous Light Brigade and later encounters nurse Florence Nightingale. 

The genius of Anderson’s book is that he purposely lays the map Andre Nemo’s life against the backdrop of Jules Verne’s popular classics. He peppers supporting characters with names any reader will instantly recognize and mixes these fictional players with historical figures. Over the years, many, many writers have given us multiple versions of Captain Nemo in books, comics, and movies. Some nearly unrecognizable from Verne’s original. Whereas in this book, Anderson has given us one of the most endearing, complex and sensitive heroes to wear that name. 

“Captain Nemo – The Fantastic Adventures of a Dark Genius” is a pure delight and writing masterpiece.