Customer Reviews

Overkill: An Emma Streat Mystery

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In Boston, Widow Emma Streat tries to start anew as she grieves the death of her husband Lewis, the destruction of their house, and the loss of her singing voice. The former Diva suddenly receives an SOS from Cathy Riordan in Venice, Italy to intervene before her opera singing niece Vanessa Metcalf makes a terrible miscue; Vanessa's assistant insists Emma's relative is risking her career to run away with a racing driving wealthy womanizer.

Mark Dykstra, Vanessa's accompanist, hangs himself to the shock and horror of the three women. Emma's lover British espionage agent Lord Rodale quietly investigates the death as he also arranges for the aunt and niece to fly to Massachusetts. As a second murder occurs, Vanessa becomes ill from what is apparently the avian flu.

The second Emma Streat amateur sleuth tale (see Without Warning) is an engaging cozy as the fortyish heroine connects the seemingly unlinked dots. The story line is fun to follow though somewhat passive as Mrs. Streat works the case from a distance. Fans of cerebral couch potatoes whodunits will enjoy the efforts of Mrs. Streat to identify who the killer is and why.

Harriet Klausner

An opera singer, race car driver, and an English lord--author Eugenia Lovett West creates a compelling stew with her upscale characters and locations. The action moves from Vienna to Boston, London, and Ireland as heroine Emma Streat tries to solve two murders--and stop an international ring of traffickers in deadly viruses. I found Emma Streat a compelling heroine: an elegant, resourceful mature woman with courage and wit. I found myself thinking of another Emma, Emma Peel of the original Avengers serial, who also broke stereotypes as she tracked criminals. I can't wait to read the next book in the Emma Streat series.

The story was mildly entertaining, and okay as a way to pass the time assuming you have nothing better to do. There were no juicy love scenes for those who enjoy that sort of thing. The ending was weak, and the climax anticlimactic. The dialogue was a little stilted, at least for the American characters. The main character spoke the way Americans think the English speak. It was a tad annoying.