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Critic's Corner
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Fugue Macabre: Ghost Dance The paranormal genre has a new star with the publishing of C. J. Parker's first volume of her trilogy, Fugue Macabre: Ghost Dance. Parker's deftly written tale begins with the discovery of a little girl's mutilated body in an ancient New Orléans cemetery. This child is the sixth such unsolved murder. Think of it? Six children dead at the hands of some demented fiend. Who could commit such heinous crimes and why? All the victims were blond, young girls, all their bodies desecrated in the same manner. The cryptic message left at each scene suggests a Voodoo cult could have been involved. True, or simply a bit of misdirection? Detective Derek Bainbridge, officer in charge, is to find the answers and solve these crimes. The governor has already put pressure on the New Orleans police chief to replace Bainbridge. The governor and others feel Bainbridge is burned-out, unable to perform due to the older, unsolved murder of his fiancé. A taunting message had also been left with Elizabeth's body -- "I couldn't let you have her." But that had been 20 years ago, just hours before Derek and Elizabeth were to be married. Surely there was no connection between her murder and the senseless killing of children. Far away from New Orleans, in a New York City hospital, the story shifts to Psychiatrist Tabatha Gray. Dr. Gray is a respected physician, but she is something more. Tabatha is also a Necromancer, an animator, one who can raise and talk to the dead. Only her friend Bobbie Luckman, a nurse attendant, has actually witnessed Gray's secret-self. Bobbie has her own secret life to protect . . . don't we all? Very soon we learn both Dr. Gray and Bobbie are from New Orleans. Both are planning to return back home. Dr. Gray to make amends with her estranged and ill mother. Bobbie to bury her brother who has died under mysterious circumstances. Oh yes, Bobbie's secret? She is a Shape Shifter. The last of her line now that her brother is dead. Her special ability is to become, as needs dictate, either a large cobra or a sleek, black panther. Of course Tabatha and Bobbie meet Detective Bainbridge in New Orleans, and as Sherlock Holmes might say, "The game is a foot." At Gray Manor, Tabatha's New Orleans home willed to her by her deceased Grandfather, we meet Nyssa Bouchard. Nyssa befriended Tabatha and protected her from her seemingly cold- hearted and unloving mother until the day the mother sent Tabatha up north to school. Nyssa also has her own secrets. She was in love with Grandfather Gray and expected to be his heir. She couldn't have been more wrong. Nevertheless, Nyssa stayed on as the grounds keeper and lives in a small cottage behind the great house. Bertha, a servant at Gray Manor, and also a dear friend to Tabatha doesn't trust Nyssa. Upon learning of Tabatha's return to New Orleans, Rhonda Meads, comes to Gray Manor seeking Tabatha's help. The two were not friends, but once knew each other as young girls. Rhonda's visit isn't a welcome one. All too well Tabatha remembers the red-haired woman's taunts and name calling. But now she dares to ask for "Witch" Tabatha's help? "You are going to help me," Rhonda screams at Tabatha. "I'm not taking no for an answer." Rhonda has quite a flaming personality. One might truthfully call her a Fire Starter! So, there you have the story's ingredients: "One reluctant Necromancer pursuing peace. One burnt out Homicide Detective hunting a serial killer. One Shape Shifter seeking forgiveness. One Fire Starter searching for truth." Oh my, I must not forget . . . "One paid assassin seeking their deaths." Now, add to that mix liberal amounts of family secrets, lies, and treachery. Stir constantly until boiling begins. Serve with murder, suspense, and a dash of romance on the side. Parker laces all the complex aspects of this strange, hypnotic story into a totally fascinating whole. Fugue Macabre: Ghost Dance has just the right flow and weave to cause readers to leave their disbelief behind and leap into this fantastic tale with wild abandon. Copyright 2008, Patricia Ann Jones Buy
Fugue Macabre: Ghost Dance Jones is a published writer and book reviewer for Tulsa World newspaper. To comment on this review you may email pattij777@aol.com |
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from Amazon.com
