MYSTERY REVIEW

The Book of Stolen Tales
D.J. McIntosh
Penguin

My first impression after finishing The Book of Stolen Tales was, what an incredible amount of research, what a vivid imagination, and what a great writer! I enjoyed the mixture of history and adventure in her first book, The Witch of Babylon but this, her second in a trilogy, gripped me from the start. Might be partly because of the notion of ancient books and the quest to recover them. Whatever the reason, this is a book I couldn’t put down.

We meet New York art dealer John Madison, several months after his earlier adventure where he barely escaped with his life and tattered reputation. This time, he’s asked to travel to London to bid at an auction on a rare seventeenth century book of Italian fairy tales, on behalf of a mysterious purchaser. He’s successful but before delivering his purchase, he gives into temptation and opens the book. He’s been forewarned though about the book’s dark history and the dire consequences that might befall him. Foolish man!

It turns out the purchased book is not a series of five within one cover as stated, but only one.Next thing we know he's confronted by a mysterious, perhaps even a bit magical, dark stranger who manages to steal the book. From that point, Madison’s life is filled with fear and anger, as he pursues not only the stolen copy but the other four books also, in order. He travels to Naples, where the writer had lived, to meet the person who consigned the book to auction. Here we’re treated to wonderful historical images and tales of long ago.

He meets up with a mysterious woman who, it turns out, was the actual seller of the books. However, she had stolen them and her life is in danger. Her intermediary is murdered and, she and Madison are forced to evade several pursuers as they continue the chase together.

The Book of Stolen Tales is a weaving of fairy tales, examining the same tale as presented or re-told through the ages, becoming what we loved as children. It’s a tale of strange disease that leads to death and draws the U.S. army into the fray. There are dark and dangerous islands, moments of total terror for the two, and a breath-taking ending.

D.J. McIntosh, who lives in Toronto, is currently working on the third book in this trilogy of historical thrillers. The Globe & Mail asks if she's the next Dan Brown. She doesn't have to be. She's D.J. McIntosh. Write it down.

MAYHEM ON MONDAYS

And a good time was had by all!

I'll bet you're not surprised! Scene of the Crime 2012 is now passed and we're back to laundry and reality today. But what a great event it was!

I'd say each one of us in the Ladies' Killing Circle was just thrilled by the tributes, the care and feeding provided by the SOTC board and its amazing volunteers, the friendship of our fellow authors attending, and of course, the beautiful award.

Each year, a kaleidoscope is crafted by Wolfe Island stained glass artist Linda Sutherland and she's adept at creating an award that relates to the author. In our case, since our logo is six pen nibs, we each received a pen with nib and attached kaleidoscope. The carrying case was also made by Sutherland and has the award title, our own name and the LKC logo. Just beautiful, don't you think?

We truly do feel honoured.

It was also so great to meet the many attendees who love mysteries so much! And what fun to see colleagues in the audience. It also was a rare opportunity to spend time catching up with old friends and new ones, since all authors were in the same bed and breakfast, Dreamcatcher's. Yummy breakfasts and lovely rooms!

The other authors at the event -- those who had to do all the work with readings and panels -- were Thomas Rendell Curran (who can be seen these days swanning around Ottawa in 'Stride 1', his new car/toy with the license plate bearing his Newfoundland detective's name); Y.S. Lee, now known to us as Ying (who writes a killer Young Adult series set in Victorian England and a great read for adults, too); D.J. McIntosh or Dorothy as we like to call her (her first antiquities thriller, The Witch of Babylon, skyrocketed to acclaim); and, John Moss (author of the stylish Toronto police procedural series that was set on the Easter Islands last time out).

Did I mention we had fun?

So, thank you to everyone involved with Scene of the Crime -- Violette Malan and Vicki Delany in particular who, as president of the board and board member respectively, spear-headed such a fabulous event.

Now back to the laundry.....

Linda Wiken/Erika Chase

A KILLER READ
Berkley Prime Crime, now available
READ & BURIED, coming Dec., 2012
www.erikachase.com

MYSTERY REVIEW

THE WITCH OF BABYLON
by D.J. McIntosh
Penguin Group (Canada)


D.J. McIntosh has an amazing amount of knowledge about ancient societies, especially Mesopotamia, crammed into her brain. That's what makes this book, her first, such a delight to read.

She's crafted a thriller combining a deadly search for an Iraqi antiquity with all the ingredients to keep the reader turning pages. There's a good guy, who's deeply flawed and watching his world crumble. There's a dangerous gang of thieves who don't stop at murder in their quest for the prize. There's archaeology, alchemy, and a treasure that would stop Indiana Jones in his tracks! And it takes place at a breathless pace.

The action starts in New York where Turkish-American art dealer John Madison faces the loss of his older brother Samuel, just returned from Iraq with a looted priceless relic in his possession. Samuel is trying to save it from the vultures who see only dollar signs and blood rather than the national importance of these treasures. Then, a childhood friend is murdered but not before he involved John in the chase to recover this relic that's now been stolen once again.

The thieves are brutal and desperate, torturing John, who then escapes and tries to stay one step ahead of them, while finding the relic and rescuing a captive friend. The answer lies in Iraq, where more lives are lost, a spectacular treasure is unveiled and myth becomes reality. But the twist awaits him back in New York.

And don't forget the witch!

McIntosh is the winner of the 2008 Arthur Ellis Award from Crime Writers of Canada for Best Unpublished Crime Novel. The Witch of Babylon was also shortlisted for the Crime Writer's Association (U.K.) Debut Dagger Award. And now, the Penguin Group has published it and it's available at your local bookstore. Better yet, it's book one of a trilogy.

Dan Brown, watch out -- the Witch is on the prowl!

Be sure to check out D.J. McIntosh's website at http://www.babylontrilogy.com