Book Review: To Die in Spring

Reviewed By: Webspinner - RAM

[4 stars]

To Die in Spring Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Sylvia Maultash Warsh
Class/Genre: Mystery Amateur Sleuth Ethnic
Series: Dr. Rebecca Temple # 1
Avocet Press; 2001; $14.95; 253pp

Rebecca Temple has just returned to her medical practice in Toronto after a leave of absence to deal with the death of her husband. Her biggest fear is that her mental state might endanger her patients. She still blames herself for not recognizing how ill her husband had become, and believes that she might have prevented his death. In her absence, other doctors covered her patient list, and her receptionist has moved their office to new surroundings.

Gradually, many of Rebecca's former patients return, especially those whose needs are for psychological help rather than medication. One of those patients is Golda Kochinsky. Rebecca has diagnosed her as paranoid, and tries to provide psychological help. When Goldie shows up at her office a day early, extremely agitated and declaring insisting that she had seen the man that was going to kill her. Rebecca calms Goldie, and tells her to return the next day for her regular appointment. Frustrated at not being able to make Rebecca understand, Goldie leaves. When Goldie misses her appointment the next day, Rebecca becomes worried and goes to her home to check on her . . . and finds her dead.

"To Die In Spring" revolves around plots hatched in WWII Poland, an Argentinian junta and its terror squads, and survivors of the Holocaust, but it is more than that. It's also study of a woman's attempt to deal with the loss of her husband and what she feels might be her own guilt. This is Ms. Walsh's first novel, and was nominated for an Arthur Ellis award. I can understand why. It grabbed my attention from the moment I picked it up, and even though the plot is a recurring theme in many books, Ms. Walsh's depiction of Rebecca is riveting.

Webspinner - RAM

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