John Cardinal returns in this superb sequel to 'Forty Words for Sorrow'.  While this book is not quite as gruesome or suspenseful as its predecessor, the writing, characterization and setting is so well done that it sets its own standard.  It is quite excellent.
Once again, Cardinal and Delorme form the foundation of the book, and it's great to see Cardinal's depressive wife, Catherine, behaving so warmly.  Cardinal's father, Stan, is also an excellent addition.  The relationship etched between John and his father is brilliant in its realism, although the ultimate ending though cautiously foreshadowed, still packs an emotional wallop.
It takes Cardinal and Delorme a long time to find outwho is responsible for the gruesome death of an American tourist.  They go through tons of interviews, all leading back to turbulent political times; the connection is there, you just have to wade through a lot of evidence to get to the conclusion.
The ending is a shocker, and it certainly necessitates book # 3 in this excellent series.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
John Cardinal returns in this superb sequel to 'Forty Words for Sorrow'. While this book is not quite as gruesome or suspenseful as its predecessor, the writing, characterization and setting is so well done that it sets its own standard. It is quite excellent. Once again, Cardinal and Delorme form the foundation of the book, and it's great to see Cardinal's depressive wife, Catherine, behaving so warmly. Cardinal's father, Stan, is also an excellent addition. The relationship etched between John and his father is brilliant in its realism, although the ultimate ending though cautiously foreshadowed, still packs an emotional wallop. It takes Cardinal and Delorme a long time to find outwho is responsible for the gruesome death of an American tourist. They go through tons of interviews, all leading back to turbulent political times; the connection is there, you just have to wade through a lot of evidence to get to the conclusion. The ending is a shocker, and it certainly necessitates book # 3 in this excellent series. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.