Book Review: Crow In Stolen Colors

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Crow In Stolen Colors     Amazon US HC Amazon Canada HC
Marcia Simpson
Class/Genre:   Mystery
Series: Lisa Romero # 1
Poisoned Pen, May 2000, $24.95(hardcover), 264 pp.
Berkley, May 2000, $6.50,(paperback), 320ppp

Liza Romero is unable to deal with her grief caused when a junkie killed her beloved police officer spouse. Unwilling to live with the constant reminders of the life they shared, Liza accepts a librarian job in one of America's last frontiers, Wrangell, Alaska. Three years later, Liza still has not come to grips with her loss although she has made a life for herself. She has a surrogate father, many friends, and even a lover. Liza begins to return to living when she rescues eight-year old James, a Tlingit Indian, floating down the nearby bay.

A reticent James is reluctant to discuss what happened to him. Liza soon discovers the body of the murdered corpse of James' grandfather. She keeps up a vigil to keep the boy safe from kidnappers who want the location of a priceless Native American artifact. She turns ultra-protective of James, refusing to even allow the Child Welfare Services or the Sheriff to remove him from her presence. Her goal is to safely deliver the lad to his grandmother even if it means risking her own life in the process.

Readers who love the Kate Shugit mysteries will fully enjoy CROW IN STOLEN COLORS. The exciting novel describes the beauty and danger that is Alaska. Marcia Simpson is a colorful author who brings the isolation of the frontier into a potent literary vision, one that will leave the audience breathless. The protagonist is an individualist that will garner much empathy by new fans who will want her to make future appearances. Anyone who enjoys an atmospheric mystery will gain immense pleasure from this straight lined, but exciting work.

Harriet Klausner

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