ISBN: 0-7887-0667-5 Order from: Recorded Books
A literate mystery with a colorful description of Philadelphia's Mummers and Italian subclultures suffers from slow pacing, weak protagonist and frequently meandering plot.
Reviewed by David on August 08, 2003
Genre: Mystery (Amateur Sleuth)
Synopsis: This is an unabridged recording of The Mummer's Curse.
Amanda Pepper is happily watching the Mummer's Parade—the New Year's tradition in Philadelphia, when she observes one of the participants' collapse.
The insuing confusion turns into shock when it's found the man—a mummer in an elaborate, traditional costume—was shot. Hustling away her young niece, Amanda starts a period of speculation which leads her to probing the murdered man's history. Far from an abstract puzzle, the victim's background touches closely upon Amanda's own circle of friends and acquaintances. The investigation inevitably touches Amanda, a teacher trying to write an article about the Mummer's clulture, and becomes a matter improtant to Amanda's professional life, not to mention her freedom and safety.
Full Review: While well-written, with several sympathetic characters, the novel suffers from a weak pace and a weaker protagonist. Amanda herself seems indecisive, and her investigation haphazard. While perhaps realistic, this makes for an uneasy anchor of reader's attention, as clues and a profusion of characters crowd the slow-moving book.
The resolution seems almost accidental, and while the reader may be sympathetic to the Amanda the amateur sleuth, her exasperated and exasperating police lover, and her family; there remains little satisfaction in the ultimate discovery of truth.
Overall: 4.5; Plot: 4.5; Characters: 5.5; Style: 5; World-building: 5.5; Originality: 5.5;
Copyright date 1996, Recorded Books, 1996, Audio cassette, 6 cassettes
ISBN: 0-7887-0667-5 Order from: Recorded Books