[bksvol-discuss] Reflections
- From: "Jim" <jim@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "Bksvol-Discuss@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <bksvol-discuss@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 29 Mar 2006 14:43:13 -0700
Hi List,
Just submitted Reflections by Jo Bannister.
From Publishers Weekly
Set in Northern Ireland, Bannister's third Brodie Farrell suspense novel (after
2002's True Witness) tells the emotionally draining tale of two sisters,
14-year-old Juanita and 11-year-old Emerald Daws, left alone in the world after
their father allegedly murdered their mother in revenge for her frequent
affairs with local teenagers. In the aftermath of the tragedy, the girls' uncle
hires Brodie, who runs the search business "Looking for Something?," to find a
missing relative to care for them. Brodie disappears for most of the story,
leaving Juanita and Emerald in the custody of her friend, out-of-work teacher
Daniel Hood, who soon becomes emotionally attached to his young charges,
despite their intense hostility toward anyone older than themselves. Wracked
with panic attacks from the misfortunes he suffered in True Witness, Daniel
proves ineffective as both an instructor and investigator and is nearly killed
several times before Brodie returns to help solve this sordid case. Suspense
builds gradually in the uncomplicated plot, which at times could use clearer
direction with fewer psychological digressions. Bannister's occasional use of
Irish slang and syntax may confuse some readers. A tense final scene redeems an
overly drawn-out resolution to a disturbing case of mayhem in the wilds of
Ulster.
Jim B
jim@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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