|
|
|
Feminist Mystery Reviews
THE BLUEST BLOOD
Gillian Roberts
Ballantine, Mar 1998, $22.00, 240 pp.
ISBN: 345-40326-6
Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Philly Prep is as elite of a school as there is in the country.
The Philadelphia school accepts students whose veins run so blue,
they seem to be a royal purple. English teacher Amanda Pepper is
a bit surprised that new money, Neddy and Tea Roederer, were able
to buy entrance to the school for their child since it would be
easier to hitch a ride on the shuttle than being admitted to the
school.
Outside the school, Reverend Harry Spiers (whose son also attends)
and his Moral Ecology group protest many books, including some considered
to be classics, that are contained in the library. He wants them
burned. Apparently the debate focuses between Neddy and Harry, who
threatens to expose his adversary's past. However, the dispute turns
even uglier when first Harry is murdered and then Neddy is killed
too. Amanda accompanied by Mackenzie, her law enforcement boy friend,
investigates the web of lies spun by both sides that has led to
these violent deaths.
No writer of books today peppers their works with more humorous
spins on words than the brilliant and witty Gilliam Roberts. THE
BLUEST BLOOD is the eighth entry in the "Pepper" who-done-its and
like the previous novels, is fast-paced, cleverly spiced with bon
mots that enhance the literary writing while moving the story line
forward. Amanda and Mackenzie continue to be refreshing, jocular,
and wonderful characters. This reviewer strongly recommends the
entire collection for readers who enjoy a humorous but well written
mystery.
|