Mystery Book Discussion

October 11, 2010

Mystery - Who done it? Historical, International, Police Procedural . . .  What is your preference? Come join us at the Antioch Branch on October 25 at 7:00 for lively discussions. Refreshments served. For October, we are reading:

Prince of Fire by Daniel Silva. Not long after an explosion in Rome destroys the Israeli embassy compound, a file linked to the terrorists behind the bombing surfaces.  It contains a remarkably comprehensive account of the career of Gabriel Allon, including the date of his recruitment by the Israeli secret service. Living in Venice and about to embark upon the restoration of a priceless Rubens painting, Gabriel, a talented art restorer and a reluctant spy, must return to Israel. He is assigned the task of identifying the bombers, which eventually results in a face-to-face meeting with Yassar Arafat, the man responsible for the death of Gabriel's child and the maiming of his wife some 10 years earlier. He suspects that Arafat is deeply connected to the Rome bomber, whom Gabriel believes is a third generation terrorist who has been protected and schooled as a mastermind by Arafat himself. In a story that seems ripped from the headlines, the book delivers both chilling suspense and a thoughtful if grim history lesson.

The Silver Needle Murder by Laura Childs. Theodosia Browning and the staff of the Indigo Tea Shop are feeling the heat and not just because it's August. The Charleston Film Festival has brought them a busy week of catering jobs. First up is the opening night gala at the historic Belvedere Theatre. Tinseltown and local luminaries seem to be mingling happily in the glamorously renovated lobby, but Theo notices that the atmosphere backstage is tense. Then famous director Jordan Cole is shot on his way to the podium. Never has a festival started off with such a big bang. When two of the judges quit, festival organizer Timothy Neville asks Theodosia to stand in.  He also wants her to help him deflect suspicion from his granddaughter, who worked with Cole. Reluctantly, Theodosia agrees - only to get pulled into an investigation as perilous as any big-screen thriller.

James H.
- Antioch Branch