Ghosts in the Snow | |||||
Tamara Siler Jones | |||||
Bantam Spectra, 496 pages | |||||
A review by Hank Luttrell
Certainly this story had what it takes to tempt me to read
it. A forensic medieval fantasy murder mystery. With ghosts. Now,
why would I find that intriguing? I like forensic-centered murder
mysteries. There was a time when I would have insisted that I
preferred science fiction to fantasy, in fact I still say that,
but lately I've found a certain comfortable, familiar enjoyment
with those pseudo-medieval epics.
And ghosts? I try to act stable and remain sane, but I sort
of believe in ghosts. Family members and close friends, loved
ones, even pets -- when they pass away, they remain such a
strong, important part of your life. I constantly recall things
my grandparents told me, and it seems like they are still giving
me advice. I can still hear my lost friends making jokes and
criticizing my posture. What I'm trying to say is that ghosts
are a powerful metaphor or element in storytelling. In this book,
investigator Dubric Bryerly has been cursed with the ability to
perceive ghosts of those people who are murdered on his watch
until the killer is brought to justice. A great motivation for
him to find their killers!
Jones brings some other strong dynamics into Ghost in the Snow.
Magic of many sorts, not just ghosts, exists in this world. Most
magic has been banished or minimized during conflicts which take
place prior to the start of this story, but magical influences
still lurk and threaten, and can't be dismissed. Normally, the
scientific methodology of criminal forensic investigation would
routinely eliminate "the impossible," supernatural explanations,
but this investigator doesn't have this option.
This fantastic murder mystery is nonetheless a strictly
constructed who-done-it; it plays by the rules. There are
precious few clues, but all the information available to the
characters is also available to the reader. The serial killer is
revealed to be one of the characters upon whom suspicion should
fall. That the author is so successful in misleading and
surprising the reader is a major accomplishment.
My tolerance for gore in fiction is usually rather low.
I've been told I'm just squeamish, but I must recall that I
worked for many years in the emergency room of a large hospital,
so I know what real gore is, and I don't like it. So maybe it
should be surprising that I enjoy murder mysteries? What isn't
surprising is that I'm usually partial to detective stories
where the killings take place mostly off stage, and the story
focuses on characters, locales and the investigation. Ghost in the Snow is visceral, with detailed description of the many
gruesome murders and dismemberments. I did, in fact, find this
distressing. It wasn't gratuitous, however, as it contributes to
the book's compelling intensity.
Dubric Bryerly is an older guy, a veteran of the wars that
diminished the evil affect of magic on his world, and head of
security for his castle. His assistants range in age from very
young to gristled. The victims are from the laboring young women
of the castle's staff.
The diversity of this cast of characters is effective and
appealing. Too many fantasy novels focus on only young, noble
characters. Having an older, experienced hand in the mix is
credible, and the detailed depictions of the working class
commoners providing the day to day support for the castle's
nobles is gritty and realistic.
So I suggest you remember these names: Tamara Siler Jones,
and her character, psychic/forensic investigator Dubric Bryerly.
I think we will be looking forward to hearing a lot more from
both of them.
Hank Luttrell has reviewed science fiction for newspapers, magazines and web sites. He was nominated for the Best Fanzine Hugo Award and is currently a bookseller in Madison, Wisconsin. |
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