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Revenge of the Gypsy Queen |
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 Revenge of the Gypsy Queen byKris Neri Rainbow Books 272 pages, 1999 ISBN 1568250436 Reviewed by PJ Nunn Nominated for an Anthony Award for Best First Novel, May 2000. I’ve known this author from previous short stories and clips, but I was hardly prepared for Revenge of the Gypsy Queen . Kris Neri has cleverly managed to put together odd bedfellows such as a Mob kingpin, a scrappy con man and a former prima ballerina - and make us all believe it. Tracy Eaton, mystery writer and detective wannabe, makes her debut here and draws the reader in on the first few pages. Life inside Tracy's head is chaotic at best, but she's full of observations almost anyone can relate to. When she boards a plane for a harmless, long awaited vacation trip to New York for her sister-in-law's wedding, she's looking forward to pre-wedding shopping with Marisa and relaxing with husband Drew. Within twenty- four hours of their arrival, Marisa is kidnapped and Tracy Eaton finds herself investigating for real. Spurred into action by dubious in-laws, who care more about the family reputation than in rescuing poor Marisa, Tracy goes to work. Even when she's hauled into the police station for following an alleged con man (who just happens to be Drew and Marisa's black sheep uncle), she believes she's arrived as a private detective. Undaunted by a dearth of hard evidence, she enlists the aid of an adventurous taxi driver and forges ahead. Not even an attempted hit and run or a bullet through her purse will stop her now. Although Tracy's escapes border on the unbelievable, the reader becomes hooked. She wanders around dark alleys in New York, ends up in the trunk of a limousine owned by fugitive Mob boss, John Briachi, climbs trellises to gain entrance to his home - and comes out unharmed. The ending is ingenious and unpredictable. Revenge of the Gypsy Queen needs to be read in one sitting. Don’t miss it. |
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