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Review
Midnight at the Camposanto
Midnight at the Camposanto by
Mari Ulmer
Poisoned Pen Press
258 pages, 2000.
ISBN 1890208302
Reviewed by PJ Nunn



Christina Garcia y Grant lives in a different world. Talpa, New Mexico is steeped in traditions of the past and life is slow. In fact, that's the reason Christy left her law practice and adopted the easy life of a bed and breakfast owner, surrounded by friends and relatives.

The annual, local celebration of the Holy Thursday and Good Friday were marred by the gruesome murder of Eusebio, a member of Los Hermanos - a group of men dedicated to their faith and set apart by choice. Without even hearing the details, Christy knows that one Hermano would never stab another as local officials claim. Giving her services to help right the injustice, Christy is drawn into a web of deceit that spans the area.

Strange doings at the Los Alamos lab seem to intricately connect Eusebio's murder with others, but officials refuse to believe it. As Christy and her friends continue their investigation in defense of the accused Hermano, the threats turn toward them. Is it possible that the cover-up extends to the government and that Christy will die before she can convince anyone?

Midnight at the Camposanto starts slow with many references that will be unfamiliar to anyone who is not of like background. It is effective, however, in immersing the reader in a different culture. As the story progresses, it becomes easier to imagine the environment in which Christy has to work. The characters are not as intricately drawn as the setting, but they are still engaging enough to keep the plot moving forward to a satisfying conclusion.



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