Book Review: The Beryllium Murder

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

The Beryllium Murder     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Camille Minichino
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Police Procedural   Woman Main Character   Amateur Sleuth   Scientific based
Series: Gloria Lamerino # 4
Morrow, Mar 2000, $24.00, 272 pp.

Physicist Gloria Lamerino retired from the BUL lab of California's Berkley University and moved to Revere, Massachusetts. Since living in New England, the fifty-six year old retiree has embarked on a second career as an amateur sleuth. When she learns that a former BUL associate, the ultra cautious Gary Larkin died from an overdose of the toxic beryllium, Gloria wonders what really happened.

While pondering the Larkin case, Gloria becomes involved with the disappearance of Manuel Martinez, a teenager who wrote a research paper on beryllium. Gloria begins to make inquires and quickly learns that the father of Manuel's girlfriend worked in the same lab as Gary. When Manuel is found as an obvious homicide victim, Gloria realizes that a link exists between the two investigations, but remains unknown. Knowing the cost could be her life, the fearless physicist continues to search for the truth.

THE BERYLLIUM MURDER is an electrifying tale that combines elements from a police procedural and an amateur sleuth into a stimulating academic mystery. The maturity of the physicist adds to her overall credibility. Her use of her scientific knowledge to augment the official investigation makes Gloria seem like a paid member of the police force. The myriad of viable suspects enhances the story line so elemental, my dear Watson that readers will demand more academic mysteries from Camille Minichino.

Harriet Klausner

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