Book Review: Who Was Sylvia?

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Who Was Sylvia?     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Carol Cail
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Amateur Sleuth
Deadly Alibi, Jan 2000, $16.99, 180 pp.

Boulder, Colorado may seem like a typical small American city, but the residents get into the Halloween spirit like few places do. They wear costumes and act silly as they have a good time. Maxie Burnell, owner of the alternative newspaper, The Blatant Regard, is used to the festive feel of the area, but this year seems much weirder than previous seasons. It starts when she is asked to release for burial someone she never heard of, someone who turns out to be the neighborhood oddball named Packy. Additionally, a nearby fire killed someone who was smoking in an office supply store after hours.

Maxie decides to write an obituary for the two deceased people. Soon her house is broken into and items belonging to Packy are the only things stolen. A stalker attacks Maxie in her neighbor’s garage. Other interested parties are also angry with Maxie, who only wanted to do a nice deed for two recently departed individuals.

WHO WAS SYLVIA? is not bewildering or confusing. Instead, the story line is straightforward, but cleverly unpredictable. The return of Maxie after too long of an absence is a delight as she still retains her freshness and independence. Carol Cail provides the audience with a well designed, serious mystery that contains humorous elements due mostly to Maxie’s obstinate mindset. Readers will enjoy WHO WAS SYLVIA? and search for previous Maxie tales as well as impatiently wait for the heroine’s next appearance.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner