Book Review: The Gripping Beast

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

The Gripping Beast     Amazon US HC Amazon Canada HC
Margot Wadley
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Amateur Sleuth
Dunne, Apr 2001, $21.95, 208 pp.

Isabel Garth grew up hearing her father's tales about his home on the Scottish Orkney Isles. When he died, Isabel decided to honor her beloved sire by traveling to his home to sketch drawings of the sites he described in his notebooks.

Isabel takes the ferry to reach her father's birthplace. Her first debarking step onto the land leads her to the witch Thora, who tells her to turn around because the isle is dangerous for her. Refusing to believe in witchcraft, Isabel insists on completing her odyssey, an homage to her father. Isabel merrily traces and sketches her father's home and listens to stories about legendary treasures. However, accidents begin to happen too frequently to Isabel and worse yet she finds Thora dead, an apparent homicide victim, leaving Isabel wondering if she is the next target.

Readers will quickly understand why THE GRIPPING BEAST is an award-winning novel. The story line is exciting, as Isabel inadvertently becomes an amateur sleuth. Still, what makes the plot so good is the secondary cast including the Orkney Isles that bring to life a place where the modern world and the Ancient legends comfortably exist together. Fans will want to accompany Isabel on this tour and any future excursion written by Margot Wadley.

Harriet Klausner

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