Book Review: Accustomed to the Dark

Reviewed By: Webspinner - RAM

Accustomed to the Dark     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Walter Satterthwait
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Private Investigator
Series: Joshua Croft # 5
UNM Press; (c) 1996; 2004 ;245pp

PI Joshua Croft transplanted himself several years ago to Santa Fe, New Mexico and went to work for Rita Mondragon and her husband. Since her husband's death, Rita and Joshua have worked together. When Rita is shot and hospitalized in a coma by a vicious psychopath, Joshua make it his mission to bring the Ernie Martinez to justice -- again.

While Rita lays in a hospital bed, Joshua begins calling in favors and trying the patience of law enforcement officials from Santa Fe to Denver and through the west and south.

This is PI writing at some of its best, and in my favorite sub-genre. The story begins with a rifle shot and, with a few pauses for reflection and to allow readers to catch their breath, continues racing to keep up with Joshua - the man with the mission. With flashbacks and mental conversations with the comatose Rita, Satterthwait fills in some of the related bits of Joshua's relationships and past history, just lightly enough to make a good backstory but not get in the way of the plot. The story is populated with odd-ball characters and hangers on, to provide fodder for future fare. How delightful that University of New Mexico Press has decided to reissue this series! Hopefully, there will be more forthcoming from Satterthwait!

Webspinner - RAM

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