Appetite for Murder

Rating:
Summary: Appetite for murder.....
Review: Appetite for murder........

Appetite for murder is a novel set in the harsh, unforgiving clime of Newfoundland. The story follows the exploits of sergeant Avalon (Lon) Shay and his team from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police as the body of a female is found dead, apparently shot in the head. The woman is unknown, untraceable and the tight-nit community on the Newfoundland coast seem reluctant to share any secrets.

Well that's how the book begins but as the plot unfolds, witnesses come forward and clues are found we begin to unravel the identity of the woman and a deeper layered story emerges full of political intrigue.

I'm not normally a reader of fiction, tending to stick to historical works but I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters were very realistic and I found myself empathising much with their feelings, thoughts and their actions towards each other. (...)

The description of Newfoundland was quite awe - inspiring. I've never been there (hope to one day!) yet the remote, desolate and ultimately beautiful picture that Toole conjures up is a real testament to the power of nature. I must also say that the book was read whilst staying at a haunted, fourteenth century castle in North Wales. Again, a harsh, unforgiving landscape that yields little but inspires greatly and coming back to the castle after a day of walking in the mountains of Snowdonia can only have enhanced the pleasure of reading this novel. I suffered a few visitations from 'the Hag' whilst staying at the castle - possibly the wine, possibly the ghostly disturbances at night but you'll have to read the book to know what on earth I'm talking about!

Congratulations Delors on a fine novel, how about another?

Rating:
Summary: A forceful and unforgiving tale
Review: Dolors Toole is an extremely knowledgeable writer, having attended the Presentation Convent School in Renews, Newfoundland, Memorial University of Newfoundland, U.C.L.A., and the University of Tulsa Law School. She has practiced law, taught Legal Writing and Research, taught English Lit, and has been a reporter, reviewer, and speech writer. Appetite for Murder is the first of a series.

Sgt. Lon Shay commands an outpost of the RCMP in Trix's Landing, which includes the Irish Loop of Newfoundland's coastal area. The population is closed-mouthed, loyal to family, and perhaps not so loyal to the RCMP and the greater national interests. Shay's group consists of a broken down, but still ambitious Desroches; Merrigan, a woman struggling to make a name for herself; and later on a smart-mouthed rookie just out of training. With this group, Lon Shay investigates the apparent murder of a mystery woman who may or may not have originally hailed from the area. If anyone knows what happened, they aren't talking. Shay's future hinges on his performance in this sinister murder:

"He flicked the intercom. 'Find Constable Merrigan and tell her to report to my office as soon as she completes patrol.' Then he turned back to Desroches. 'Before you bust a gut I'm going to give you the plan. You're right, we are on the same side, so, let's bloody well show it and collect all the information we have, put it in coherent sequence. When Trench shows up, we'll drown him with science. Right now, we have pieces that make no sense but look on the positive side, we have moved ahead. We have an I.D. on our victim."

Toole writes a mystery with deep psychological roots which examines the underpinnings of family dysfunction, political exploitation, and extreme poverty. Shay as the model RCMP represents civilization fighting against evil forces; as well as temptation on a personal level. This case represents perhaps the biggest challenge of his life, and at the end death symbolizes the loss of innocence. Toole makes us think about the many facets of temptation, and her levels of hell are probably not too terribly far from Dante's Inferno. The journey is the overriding device, and Shay does not escape unscathed. Appetite is a forceful and unforgiving tale.

Shelley Glodowski
Senior Reviewer


Rating:
Summary: Appetite for Murder
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. I found it very easy to get into and very hard to put down. I didn't figure out who the villain was until near the end. Well researched, I am familiar with the Southern Shore of Newfoundland, Reading the book is the next best thing to being on "The Shore." the characters seemed real, they could be nothing other than lrish loop stock. It's like I have met some of these people before. Loved the entire story, didn't want it to end. waiting for the next of the series.

p.s
Ms. Toole, Don't let Potluck die.

Rating:
Summary: Appetite for Murder
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. I found it very easy to get into and very hard to put down. I didn't figure out who the villain was until near the end. Well researched, I am familiar with the Southern Shore of Newfoundland, Reading the book is the next best thing to being on "The Shore." the characters seemed real, they could be nothing other than lrish loop stock. It's like I have met some of these people before. Loved the entire story, didn't want it to end. waiting for the next of the series.

p.s
Ms. Toole, Don't let Potluck die.

Rating:
Summary: Suspense on the Rock
Review: The murder of a well-dressed woman on the barrens leads you into a quirky and engaging tale set in Newfoundland, complete with separation politics, sexual intrigue, and vivid characters from different strata of society. The tale bumps along like an offroad journey, but the author maintains a lively tale and keeps an offbeat set of narrative threads moving forward. I found certain characters were more vivid than others, but overall, a fascinating story that can hold your interest to the end.