Book Review: Saint's Rest

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Saint's Rest     Amazon US HC Amazon Canada HC
Keith Miles
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Historical
Series: Merlin Richards
Walker, Jul 1999, $23.95, 312 pp.

In 1931, everyone seems to be desperately searching for work. Luckily for Welsh architect Merlin Richards, a student of Frank Lloyd Wright, he is firmly ensconced in the Chicago offices of Westlake and Davison. He finds the Second City is nothing as he expected as murders do not occur on every street corner.

However, Merlin’s stretch without seeing a corpse ends when he lands the commission to build a garish Hollywood-style mansion in Oak Park section of Chicago for the wealthy Hobart St. Johns, king of the stockyards. Merlin gives Claire, an attractive member of the St. John’s entourage, a tour of the wine cellar, only to find the a body hanging from a meat hook. Merlin figures on murder, but the police label it a suicide. Though someone warns Merlin to keep his mouth shut, he risks his life trying to bring a killer to justice.

Keith Miles writes a very good historical mystery that allows the reader to feel the panic and sheer desperation confronting people during the Great Depression. Besides the ambiance of the era, SAINT’S REST stars a unique character. Chicago awes and repulses Merlin based on the observations he makes. Merlin’s naiveté adds interesting relationships to an entertaining novel that will bring much acclaim to Mr. Miles.

Harriet Klausner

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