Diana Killian Reviews

Added May 14, 2007

Sonnet of the Sphinx

A Poetic Death Mystery

Author: Diana Killian
Publisher: Pocket Books
Available At: Bookstores everywhere
Publishing Date: March 2006
Genre: Mystery
Format: Mass Market Paperback
Price: $6.99
ISBN-10: 0-7434-6680-2
ISBN-13: 9780743466806
Author Email/Website: http://www.girl-detective.net/
Reviewer: Joyce Handzo
Rating: 9 Gargoyles

Lyrical, yet with the perfect dash of lethal, Sonnet of the Sphinx is an engaging and well written mystery.

Grace Hollister and Peter Fox are back in the sequel to High Rhymes and Misdemeanors. This unlikely duo of a literary scholar and an ex-jewel thief brings a nice mix of romance and danger to the story. When they find an old letter that held clues to a lost Shelley sonnet, the couple's search for this poetic treasure uncovers more than just an interesting slice of history.

This cozy mystery stays true to the genre, offering readers a clever plot and interesting characters. The literary references and brief quotes from poems adds a delightful touch of class, while the love interest between Grace and Peter warms the pages with a pleasant tingle. Although a sequel, this story can stand alone, thanks to the background information that is smoothly slipped into the narrative.

The mystery is full of juicy clues and possible suspects. Peter's nefarious past and Grace's love of Romantic poetry provides a contrast that is as curious as it is compelling. The spotlight of suspicion wavers over several characters while the level of danger escalates with unerring accuracy. Arson, assault and the inevitable dead body await readers as the pages quickly turn. A few surprises and twists lead to a clever unraveling of this riddle.

The Sonnet of the Sphinx spills some spicy secrets with the right amount of tension and intrigue.

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