Book Review: Old Poison

Reviewed By: Shirley - RAM

Old Poison     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Joan Francis
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Woman Main Character

Diana Hunter has allowed herself to become involved in a shaky situation. Asked to research a futuristic fuel, she sets aside common sense to dodge danger, don various disguises and chase from California to Arizona to Costa Rico. She is helped by Yeabot, a robot designed by her friend Sam, and by Sam himself, a tech expert formerly with the Intelligence service. She also has a friend who is a makeup expert to help her with her disguises.

Power hungry men with no ethical qualms want to stop reports that a new fuel may cause worse pollution than present petroleum fuels. With interesting characters and authentic settings the story moves from desert to rain forest chasing the mystery of Red 19.

There is much to like in this first novel; still it didn¹t quite draw me in. Part of the problem might be that the author is a journalist and the story moved in a factual way and lacked the tension and atmospheric writing that can keep you glued to the edge off your seat. But I also found the Martian Diaries a distraction, not knowing if the author intended crackpots or true Martians. This seemed an unnecessary fantasy muddying a potentially good mystery. The author shows promise and I look forward to reading her again.

Shirley - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Shirley - RAM