Book Review: Falling Off Air

Reviewed By: Luke Croll - RAM

Falling Off Air     Amazon US TPB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada TPB Amazon Canada HC
Catherine Sampson
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Woman Main Character   Amateur Sleuth
Series: Robin Ballantyne # 1
2004, Mysterious Press, 320 pages

Robin Ballantyne is a single mother at home on maternity leave. One rainy night, she hears an argument from a house across the street and a body falls by her window. The body is identified as Paula Carmichael, an MP and important activist. Robin is a central part of the investigation, but after another death, she finds herself the chief suspect. Can she convince the police of her innocence?

Catherine Sampson is a new voice in mystery literature and it is clear that she is going to be loud and important. The novel is written in the first person and the present tense, which can be jarring, but Ballantyne's narrative is compelling. She is an intriguing heroine, since her behaviour can be hard to understand at times.

It appears that Americanisms have crept into Sampson's British narrative. She refers to 'strollers', when 'pushchairs' would be the word used in British English, just as Brits would use 'estate agents', rather than 'real estate agents'. It may be that Sampson had to change some words for the American market, but these occasional words sometimes pop up.

Catherine Sampson is definitely a talent to look out for. Her second novel is already on the way and the mystery world should be on the lookout for it. Recommended.

Luke Croll - RAM

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

Luke Croll - Conference interpreter and translator
http://lukecroll.translatorscafe.com