South Florida Sun-Sentinel Palm Beach (Sunday)
A fishy cruise to Havana and a cold case
In the middle of her fourth novel, Teresa Dovalpage makes a huge leap that seals the appeal of her character Mercedes Spivey, as the author turns this seemingly shallow, self-centered young woman into a thoughtful sleuth.
In the beginning of “Death Under the Perseids,” the Havana-born Mercedes seems to be the type who uses men to get ahead. She may have married her much older husband, Nolan, so she could live in the United States. But now she despises their life in Gainesville. The better life she had envisioned seems out of reach since Nolan recently lost his job as a literature professor at a small private college and their only income is her part-time job as a pet groomer.
But Mercedes’ maturation as a multi-layered character begins when the couple return to Cuba, where the plot continues to elevate “Death Under the Perseids.” Nolan has received an invitation to be a guest speaker at the University of Havana, a stint that would help him land another job for which he is a candidate. But the university won’t pay for his expenses.
It seems like a miracle when Mercedes wins a free cruise for two to Havana, though she doesn’t remember entering any contest. Oh, if only she had watched a few episodes of “Law & Order,” she would know this is not a good sign. But neither she nor Nolan question that an ulterior motive could exist. Nolan believes he can now accept the lecture invitation that will jumpstart his career while Mercedes is happy that she will be able to visit her grandmother, and maybe get her marriage back on track.
But on the cruise, Mercedes sees two people from her past — both of whom disappear — and she can’t ignore the feeling that she is being stalked.
Dovalpage allows Mercedes a vivid, emotional tour of Havana as she explores the areas where she grew up and how the city still lives in her heart. Mercedes’ close relationship with her grandmother gives insight to her persona and the difficulties of daily life in Havana.
Starting with a lighthearted approach as it becomes a more solid story, “Death Under the Perseids” offers as many surprises as the meteor shower it is
named after.
Teresa Dovalpage will discuss “Death Under the Perseids” with author Alex Segura at 7 p.m. Dec. 8 via Crowdcast sponsored by Books & Books in Coral Gables. Visit booksandbooks.com/event/ for free registration.
Up from the ashes
The duties of a reporter and a private investigator often are separated by a thin line. Both ferret out clues to lead to a truth — which is why mysteries with newspaper protagonists are considered to be part of the private detective category. James Queally shows the link between these two professions in his strong second novel about journalist turned private detective Russell Avery.
Russ misses daily journalism and covering the police beat at the Newark, N.J., newspaper he worked at until he was laid off. He reinvented himself as a private detective, mainly working to uncover facts for police officers. And then that job blew up. Now he scrapes by as freelance reporter, occasionally picking up the odd p.i. job. But a job from his old adversary, police lieutenant Bill Henniman, means Russ might be able to pay his overdue rent and make a dent in his credit card payment.
In 1996, two sisters and their two male cousins — who became known as the Twilight Four — disappeared with no clue to what happened. The families insisted their children did not run away, but the teens were never seen again.
It wasn’t until 2012 that a police informant identified the killer as Abel Musa, who had dated the girls’ oldest sister. Working the disappearance as a cold case, Henniman tracked down Musa, who was convicted of murder despite the bodies never being found.
But now Henniman is having doubts, hiring Russ to reinvestigate the case now that Musa is dying of cancer. Russ sees this not only as a way to right a wrong but, if Musa truly is innocent, it would make a good story and maybe reinvigorate his journalism career.
Queally keeps his brisk plot churning with believable, complicated characters. A reporter swooping in to exonerate a wrongly convicted man is a timetested trope but Queally’s enthusiastic storytelling elevates “All These Ashes.” Queally skillfully weaves in Newark politics, Russ’ longing for his newspaper career and a stirring dynamic between Russ and Henniman.
“All These Ashes” is solid storytelling.