Bandit Queen Boogie : A Novel

Rating:
Summary: Definitely a different novel for Hayter...
Review: With my reading of Sparkle Hayter's latest book, Bandit Queen Boogie, I'm now up to date on her writings. And I must say, this one is unusual... It's difficult to describe the plot, as there are several wacky subplots that seem unrelated but converge at the end...

Blackie and Chloe, two friends who appeared mismatched but understood each other, decide to head off to Europe to help Chloe forget a relationship. While over there, they find out that they have a knack for running cons that separate men on the prowl from their money. That's the main thread. In initially unrelated subplots, you have an Indian crime boss who's Ganesh god statue is stolen with something of value stashed inside. There's a rebellious heiress that skips out on court-ordered rehab and is trying to meet up with her boyfriend so they can run off together. A reporter who's apparently on the edge is over in Europe on a company-ordered "vacation" and is stripped of a story he's been working on. And believe it or not, all these things end up meshing at the end. The girls are thought to have killed the son-in-law of the crime boss after he stole the statue. They are being pursued unknowingly by his hired goons. The reporter is trying to come up with a blockbuster story, and he's going to try and uncover the story of the heiress. The heiress is on the run but her boyfriend has apparently dumped her and taken off with her money. Chloe is mistaken as the heiress traveling with a Canadian friend, so everyone wants to find her. Neither of the girls know much of what is transpiring. There's a few more subplots there, too... But any more would give things away, and it's just too confusing to try and explain anyway...

This is a strange novel. If you like crazy stories going off in different directions, and situations where peoples' lives intersect with each other in unusual ways, then you'll most likely enjoy this read. If you want a logical plot with believable story lines and rational scenarios, then this one will drive you up the wall. I think I enjoyed the writing more than the story, but your mileage may vary...