Archive for January 9th, 2007
Grave Surprise by Charlaine Harris
ISBN 0-425-21203-3
Charlaine Harris has an amazing ability to write about an unusual subject as if it is the most ordinary thing in the world. She does this so well, that there is no suspension of disbelief required on the part of the reader - pretty impressive considering her topics of choice.
How does she do it? Well, the two main characters of Grave Surprise, step-siblings Harper Connelly and Tolliver Lang, have had nine years to adapt to the fact that Harper gained the ability to locate dead bodies after being struck by lightning. To them, this unusual ability isn’t supernatural, it is a fact of everyday life - and it is a way for them to make a living. We accept this situation right along with them and enjoy the reactions of the other characters to their interesting vocation.
Harper and Tolliver try to maintain their own little island of sanity in a vast sea of greiving relatives, skeptical law officers, and truly wacky believers in the weird as they rent Harper’s body-finding talent to people desperately seeking missing loved ones. Grave Surprise starts with Harper being tested by a college professor who is trying to discredit her. To everyone’s surprise, she finds a new body in a very old cemetary and becomes a suspect in the murder investigation.
Harris’ quality of writing is very good and her theme and characters are downright fascinating. Frankly, the mystery in this book is weak, but the other sterling attributes compensate for this shortcoming.
Favorite character? They are all good but I am forced to choose Manfred - gifted, charming, and wacky. Did I guess it? Yes. Will I read another? Absolutely!
Mystery Book Reviews by Liz at http://reviewedbyliz.com ©2007
Posted: January 9th, 2007 under Harris, Charlaine, Reviews by Author.
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