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The Rhythm of Revenge |
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| The Rhythm of Revenge The First Inspector Terry Mystery by Christine Spindler Avid Press 285 pages, 1999 ISBN 1929613180 Reviewed by PJ Nunn Read another review by Susan McBride The Rhythm of Revenge is a departure from anything I’ve reviewed this year, an interesting feat. It begins on a rainy winter’s day in England, as dancer Jessica Warner escapes her less than happy home in favor of her beloved dance studio to find a few moments of peace. Jessica has an extremely troubled past that persistently crowds her present. Viewing her marriage as a convenience, Jessica’s emotional entanglements present a serious challenge to Inspector Terry when he’s called upon to determine the circumstances of her disappearance. The close-knit, artistic group she considers family have many secrets to hide. There’s Alan Widmark, the peacemaking director of the dance troupe and, incidentally, the true object of Jessica’s affections despite the fact that he’s admittedly gay. Then there’s David Powell. His wife Susan just learned that David had an affair with Jessica and that she aborted their child - a terrible blow to Susan who longs for a child of her own. Jessica also had an affair with Simon, but they parted as friends, and she carries with her the interminable guilt of believing her carelessness started the fire that left her friend Eileen disabled and disfigured. While Inspector Terry sorts through the issues that plague this little group in an attempt to determine who might have motive to take Jessica out of the picture, he has more than enough suspects to keep him occupied. He also has no corpse. Then one by one, the other members of the group begin to meet untimely and violent ends. Is Jessica the first victim? Or is she somehow involved in the mayhem that ensues? The Rhythm of Revenge is carefully choreographed. The atmosphere and setting are fine tuned for maximum effect. Spindler’s writing style literally transports readers to another place, with descriptions so vivid, it’s as though we all become part of the performing cast. I especially appreciated the realistic portrayals of both gay and disabled characters, written to focus on the individual with talents and flaws, thus minimizing stereotyping and generalizations. The book leans toward the harsh side of reality. It is definitely not a "happily ever after" tale, but it offers beguiling characters and a solid story line. Well worth reading. |
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