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The mighty Mississippi River is not a waterway to be taken lightly. It might look very peaceful from the shore but once you get out into it the River will show you how powerful it really is. In 1919 the captain of the riverboat Phantom learned all about the Mississippišs power when the ship went down. Many people drowned and several bodies were never found, including the Captainšs and the body of a rich New York heiress. Legend says a chest of diamonds was also aboard the ship, but that was never found either. Decades later a drought hits the small town of New Kassel, Missouri. As the waters of the Mississippi drop the wreckage of the steamship Phantom appears. With the shipšs sudden appearance the town starts to ask the same questions that were asked in 1919. Why did the ship sink? What happened to the captain? Why was the rich heiress on the boat? And the biggest question of all; Where are the diamonds? When missing diamonds are concerned there are bound to be people asking a lot of questions. Outsiders flock to New Kassel to see the ship and make inquiries, including newspaper and television reporters from all over. But no one asks as many questions as New Kasselšs resident history and genealogy expert, Torie OšShea. The team leader from a local college who claims that the captain of the doomed ship was a long lost relative of his comes to New Kassel to make a documentary about the Phantom. Before long he is found murdered, his body left on top of the ruins of the ship. Torie OšShea, who takes on the task of major sleuth of the town, finds the murdered man. This doesnšt sit well with Toriešs stepfather, Colin Brooke, who also happens to be New Kasselšs sheriff. Torie and Colin have never been the best of friends but Colin often ends up with Toriešs help in investigations. Between the two of them the mystery of why the Phantom sank and who the murderer is will be uncovered, but will Toriešs life be put at risk when she gets too close to finding the killer? BLOOD RELATIONS is author Rett MacPhersonšs sixth in the Torie OšShea mystery series. The usual cast of characters of New Kassel are here to help round out the storyincluding Toriešs husband Rudy, her mother, and Collette who is Toriešs bestfriend and a successful journalist. Išm not a real fan of Torie. Shešs stubborn, sarcastic, spoiled, and self-pitying. Because of that I never really feel sorry or connected to her. Torie wants things her way and she usually gets it by inserting herself in situations, being nosey, and forcing the issue. The book itself is a cute little cozy. I enjoyed reading about the Phantom and those onboard and finding out what made the shop sink and what happened to the people. Ms. MacPhearson ties in the past and present nicely, which wraps up the mystery in a satisfying way. The residents of New Kassel are nice enough, with its share of unusual and interesting characters and youšre given a pleasant taste of small town life, where everybody knows everybody elsešs business. BLOOD RELATIONS may not be the best cozy Išve come across, but reading it is an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon.
Reviewed by Sharon Katz, May 2003
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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)
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