Book Review: Union Jack

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Union Jack     Amazon US PB Amazon UK PB Amazon Canada PB
Val McDermid
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Amateur Sleuth   Gay / Lesbian
Series: Lindsay Gordon # 4
variant title: Conferences are Murder
Spinsters Ink, Apr 1999, $12.00, 240 pp.

In 1984, Lindsay Gordon accompanies Ian Ross to the annual Journalist Union Conference in Blackpool, England. Both reporters are suffering from losses. Lindsay grieves the loss of her lover Frances Collier, who died from cancer six weeks ago. Ian just broke off with his long time, live-in lover Laura Craig. Laura takes the conference seriously unlike her peers and soon gets into a dispute with union official Tom "Union" Jack. However, her battle takes a back seat when Ian suddenly dies from an asthmatic attack.

For the past three years, Lindsay has worked in California as a journalist teacher. Now, nine years since Ian died, Lindsay, accompanied by her lover Sophie Harley, returns to England to attend a media conference. However, the police dedain Lindsay when Tom takes a spill out of her hotel window. Lindsay has an alibi, but knows she cannot return home to the states until after the murder is resolved. With the help of Sophie, Lindsay begins to investigate who killed Tom.

CONFERENCES ARE MURDER is the typical Lindsay amateur sleuth tale that leaves readers clamoring for more works. The story line is crisp as it provides more than just a well-designed who-done-it. Val McDermid gifts her audience with insight into Lindsay's personality as a young, idealistic reporter and as a California teacher researching her thesis. Sophie brings intelligence and stoicism to a very successful entry in what is a wonderful series.

Harriet Klausner

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