An Antidote for Avarice (Prime Crime Mysteries)

Rating:
Summary: An Antidote For Repetition
Review: Fans of historical mysteries have been well-served since Ellis Peters' "Brother Cadfael" novels made the sub-genre popular; now you can hardly avoid stumbling over medieval detectives in a bookstore mystery section.

Simon of Girona, as chronicled by the pseudonymous Caroline Roe, is a welcome arrival in these ranks. Roe's choice of setting is unique and well-conveyed -- few if any other writers have looked to Spain for mystery milieus, and Roe's portrayal of this blind Jewish physician and his family is agreeably light yet full of convincing detail.

This second entry in the series adds to the texture by broadening the geographic scope -- a long road trip occupies a sizeable portion of the novel, and Roe admirably documents the journey's hazards and adventures. Readers will quickly note that some characters are more than they appear, but the plotting is clever enough to keep all but the sharpest guessers on their toes until very late in the game.

AN ANTIDOTE FOR AVARICE proves that Caroline Roe isn't a one-book wonder; instead, she's among the more talented historical novelists in mystery fiction, and this series looks to be developing strongly. Readers who have had enough of the Wars of the Roses and medieval English politics should find these novels a refreshing diversion.

Rating:
Summary: Aaaaaaaarrrrrggggghhhhhh!!!!!!!
Review: Fans of historical mysteries have been well-served since Ellis Peters' "Brother Cadfael" novels made the sub-genre popular; now you can hardly avoid stumbling over medieval detectives in a bookstore mystery section.

Simon of Girona, as chronicled by the pseudonymous Caroline Roe, is a welcome arrival in these ranks. Roe's choice of setting is unique and well-conveyed -- few if any other writers have looked to Spain for mystery milieus, and Roe's portrayal of this blind Jewish physician and his family is agreeably light yet full of convincing detail.

This second entry in the series adds to the texture by broadening the geographic scope -- a long road trip occupies a sizeable portion of the novel, and Roe admirably documents the journey's hazards and adventures. Readers will quickly note that some characters are more than they appear, but the plotting is clever enough to keep all but the sharpest guessers on their toes until very late in the game.

AN ANTIDOTE FOR AVARICE proves that Caroline Roe isn't a one-book wonder; instead, she's among the more talented historical novelists in mystery fiction, and this series looks to be developing strongly. Readers who have had enough of the Wars of the Roses and medieval English politics should find these novels a refreshing diversion.

Rating:
Summary: Aaaaaaaarrrrrggggghhhhhh!!!!!!!
Review: Ms. Roe seems to like switching from character to character, setting to setting...so that a smooth, enjoyable read is impossible. This book was so slow to start, and so darned broken up, that I quit after 20 pages. And guess what...the main character is BORING!!!!!!!