10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A twist on the traditional mystery, May 12, 2009
This review is from: Murder in the Raw (A Rex Graves Mystery) (Paperback)
When Scottish advocate Rex Graves arrives in St Martin at an all-expense paid invitation to investigate the disappearance of actress Sabine Durand, he receives two bits of disturbing news. First, his luggage has not arrived. Second, though, this shouldn't be a problem since the resort is "clothing optional." Not only does Rex have to interrogate the guests of the hotel - the men who all mourn Susanne's loss and the women who seem indifferent - he has to do so while avoiding looking down at the many bits and pieces.
The island police are content to write off Sabine's disappearance to sharks at the behest of the wealthy developer, a man who owns both the police and much of the island and who also has suspicious ties to Amsterdam sex clubs and their prostitutes who had a habit of getting murdered. Rex himself has his own distractions, namely the disappearance of his girlfriend in Iraq and whose humanitarian aid takes priority in her life.
At less than 200 pages, Murder in the Raw moves swiftly along and speeds to an ending with Challinor tossing in a few surprises. What is so enjoyable about this mystery are the diverse characters, from the Texas oilman and his inflated wife who hides an Ivy League education to Rex's roommate, a rich, dashing, adventurous millionaire. The one disappointment is that we aren't able to learn more about the guests who are all entertaining and likable but many in their number. Rex Graves himself is a stellar lead character who in the style of the traditional mystery questions each suspect yet unexpectedly has a daring confrontation with the killer. This is a highly entertaining, humorous, completely engaging mystery
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
BRAVO, April 14, 2009
This review is from: Murder in the Raw (A Rex Graves Mystery) (Paperback)
This mystery novel dares to be a little off the beaten track. An intriguing and entertaining mystery in a colorful Caribbean (French West Indies) nude setting. I enjoyed Rex's interraction with his straitlaced mother back in Scotland and his wayward son, and the international jetsetting cast. Good twists and clever British humor.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Rex Graves Series, July 28, 2009
This review is from: Murder in the Raw (A Rex Graves Mystery) (Paperback)
"In MURDER IN THE RAW, Scottish barrister Rex Graves must expose--and I do mean expose--the killer of Sabine Durand, a French actress who goes missing one evening from a nudist resort in the Caribbean...Set on an island, MURDER IN THE RAW is a clever variant on the locked room mystery, and Rex discovers that everyone in this self-contained locale has a secret when it comes to the intriguing Sabine. Who, though, would benefit from her disappearance or murder...? With a host of colorful characters, a dose of humor and a balmy locale, you will want to devour this well-plotted mystery. I won't spoil your pleasure by divulging the solution, but suffice it to say that Challinor provides a most compelling answer."--Lynne F. Maxwell, Mystery Scene Magazine
"It's a charming novel, especially since the violence occurs offstage. CHRISTMAS IS MURDER is full of people with interesting characters and clues...Ms. Challinor was educated in Scotland and England, which explains how she writes so convincingly of both her setting and her characters."
--Prudy Taylor Board, Florida Weekly
Review of MURDER IN THE RAW from KAW VALLEY SENIOR MONTHLY (KANSAS)
"Rex Graves, proper Scottish barrister, is called to the Caribbean island of St. Martin to investigate the disappearance of French actress Sabine Durand. He'd solved another case and a couple staying at the posh sun-and-sand resort hope he can resolve this one. Who wouldn't take a case in the land of sun, blue water, and delightful breeze, especially if your costs are being covered? There are lots of suspects, red herrings, and plot twists in this traditional mystery in a unique setting."
"It was a delight to introduce brilliant but prudish Rex to a new group of readers! The characters were so well portrayed (including the beach towel to which he became so attached), and the plot had so many twists and turns the startling ending sneaks up on one."--Margaret Baker, Glencoe Wordsmithing
"Challinor's depiction of Plage d'Azur as a public nude beach and private naturist resort will resonate authentically with anyone who has had the pleasure of soaking up some rays at Club O's Orient Beach. MURDER IN THE RAW is one of the more recent contributions to a growing library of mystery novels of interest to naturists, and naked readers will especially enjoy how Challinor 'gets it right.'"--"N" Magazine of Naturist Living
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