Book Review: The Burning Of Her Sin

Reviewed By: Luke Croll - RAM

The Burning Of Her Sin     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Patty G. Henderson
Class/Genre:   Mystery
Barclay Books; 2002; 234pp
Classification: Adult fiction (Mystery)

Brenda Strange and her partner Tina move to Tampa, Florida, following a workplace shooting. They decide to buy the enormous and old Malfour House, but never expect it to have skeletons in the closet. Brenda, gifted with psychic abilities, finds herself caught up in a mystery over seventy years old, which she feels she has to solve.

'The Burning Of Her Sin' is an easy read, which lacks complications and any real depth. Henderson tries to bring Tampa alive, describing the places and indeed the cultural environment, pointing out the great profusion of Spanish-speakers in the community. She creates some interesting characters and the decision to centre the novel on lesbianism is a bold one, since this is still a subject that does not appear that often in mystery literature.

The plot is simple and the solution comes easily, although it seems as though it will have repercussions for any future novels starring the heroine. There were one or two plot strands that could have been allowed further development, and the occasional weak spot, but other than this, a reader will find an adequate first novel from an author who can only improve with future novels.

Luke Croll - RAM

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

Luke Croll - Conference interpreter and translator
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