Book Review: Sonnet of the Sphinx

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Sonnet of the Sphinx     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Diana Killian
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Woman Main Character   Amateur Sleuth   Cozy
Series: Poetic Death Mystery # 3
Pocket, Apr 2006, $6.99

At Rogue’s Gallery, American visitor Grace Hollister looks through papers delivered a couple of weeks ago from Mallow’s seventeenth century farmhouse in England’s Lake District when she locates an interesting gem. The Los Angeles English literature teacher and romantic poet scholar uncovers a World War II love letter that hints at the existence of a previously unknown Percy Byshe Shelley’s sonnet, “Sate the Sphinx.”; if true the excited Grace feels they will have hit mother lode.

Her lover retired jewel thief Peter Fox agrees to help her follow the “clue”. However, before they can get started, Peter’s enemy Kayaci, a Turk from his previous illegal profession, threatens Grace and him. Soon attempts on her life occur, but Grace is not quite as confident as Peter that the Turk is behind them; she wonders whether others, aware of at least one major weird hieroglyphic clue, interested in finding the Shelley sonnet might want to eliminate the competition.

The latest Poetic Death amateur sleuth tale is a delightful cozy that centers on whether an unknown Shelley sonnet existed fifty years ago and if so could it be found if it still survives. Grace is terrific as her enthusiasm for the romantric poets propel her accompanied by a doubting Peter to follow the clues. Several late twists add to a fun tale as the audience will wonder what the dynamic duo will find at the end of the journey; that is if they survive the quest.

Harriet Klausner

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