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rdebner's review
3.0
The sequel to The Beggar's Opera. I'm curious whether this will turn into a series with the same inspector, or whether these two books are just going to stand alone.
nanajo's review
4.0
The mixture of mystery and knowledge sharing continues in this series by Peggy Blair. It is a true art to be able to combine intriguing fictitious murders with the realities of the shameful treatment and genocide of Canada's First Nations. The Cuban detective Ramirez is skillful and introduces the reader to the grim life of Cubans in the course of conversing with the dead and solving murders. This book is unique in the series as Ramirez has a job related trip to Canada in the winter. His perspective of my fine nation was interesting; the dog in its coat and booties, the similarities of water safety issues within Canada and Cuba, the horrendous waste of food in Canada and the overwhelming availability of everything. A central group of characters continue in this series and of them all, I have formed a close connection to Charlie Pike, a policeman who tenderly watches over the homeless 'old man'.
susiesharon's review
4.0
This is the second book of the series about inspector Ricardo Ramirez. And it picks up exactly where the first book ended. It actually continues with most of the same characters. And I loved it. It was well written, with lots of little turns and twists that were very interesting. And it also delves into the abuse of children by the Catholic Church. It was very powerful and sad. Good book.
canadianbookworm's review
4.0
This mystery novel's plot moves back and forth between Ottawa and Cuba, but the series is around Inspector Ramirez, a Cuban policeman. Definitely page-turning, I read this book in one sitting.
A Canadian woman whose has made a pivotal decision in her life falls fatally ill on the flight returning from her Cuban vacation. Her husband, a Canadian policeman, is held up in Cuba, and doesn't make it home until after her death.
Back in Cuba, a body is found that has Inspector Ramirez curious. Some of the circumstances seem to indicate a tie to Santeria, but it takes some time to identify the victim and lead the team in the right direction. Ramirez has the ability, or the misfortune, to see ghosts. Ever since he began working homicide, the ghosts of his victims follow him, giving clues to their fate until he uncovers the truth. One of his good friends is the plastic surgeon and pathologist Hector Apiro, a dwarf with insight and intellectual abilities that often help point Ramirez in the right direction on a case.
Now, Ramirez is pulled away from this case and given unprecedented permission to travel to Canada to bring back a priest who is suspected of ties to child sexual abuse. After he leaves, leaving the young detective Espinoza in charge of the case and headway is made. But also back in Cuba two more women die in suspicious circumstances and with one of them also being Canadian, the Canadian government is considering a travel advisory. Can Ramirez and his team bring enough information together to prevent this from happening?
There are lots of things going on in this mystery, from the larger issue of Catholic Church involvement in sanctioned pedophelia to domestic strife. We see the realities of life for ordinary Cuban people just trying to live in a simple healthy way, and the temptations of the underground economy and corruption. Ramirez is an interesting man, thoughtful and observant, ethical and yet also pragmatic. A man who cares about his family, his friends, and his country. I look forward to learning more about him.
A Canadian woman whose has made a pivotal decision in her life falls fatally ill on the flight returning from her Cuban vacation. Her husband, a Canadian policeman, is held up in Cuba, and doesn't make it home until after her death.
Back in Cuba, a body is found that has Inspector Ramirez curious. Some of the circumstances seem to indicate a tie to Santeria, but it takes some time to identify the victim and lead the team in the right direction. Ramirez has the ability, or the misfortune, to see ghosts. Ever since he began working homicide, the ghosts of his victims follow him, giving clues to their fate until he uncovers the truth. One of his good friends is the plastic surgeon and pathologist Hector Apiro, a dwarf with insight and intellectual abilities that often help point Ramirez in the right direction on a case.
Now, Ramirez is pulled away from this case and given unprecedented permission to travel to Canada to bring back a priest who is suspected of ties to child sexual abuse. After he leaves, leaving the young detective Espinoza in charge of the case and headway is made. But also back in Cuba two more women die in suspicious circumstances and with one of them also being Canadian, the Canadian government is considering a travel advisory. Can Ramirez and his team bring enough information together to prevent this from happening?
There are lots of things going on in this mystery, from the larger issue of Catholic Church involvement in sanctioned pedophelia to domestic strife. We see the realities of life for ordinary Cuban people just trying to live in a simple healthy way, and the temptations of the underground economy and corruption. Ramirez is an interesting man, thoughtful and observant, ethical and yet also pragmatic. A man who cares about his family, his friends, and his country. I look forward to learning more about him.
justalillost's review
4.0
This, and other reviews can be found on Just a Lil' Lost
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ (4.5/5 stars)
Mere days after Inspector Ricardo Ramirez solves the crime that Mike Ellis was arrested for, he is enjoying the new year with his wife when he gets called on an assignment of a sensitive nature. After some governmental strings were pulled, Ramirez is being sent to Canada to bring home a priest who has been found in possession of some illegal material involving young children. To make matters more dire, seemingly unrelated women start dropping dead from an unknown cause and Ramirez must race to bring home the accused priest before a travel advisory is released, thereby crippling Cuba’s income from tourism.
Many of the familiar characters from the first book are back in this exciting sequel. I felt this second installment of the Inspector Ramirez series was even better than the first. The flow of the storytelling felt more polished and the narrative kept the action moving. The first book often mentioned Ramirez’ unusual affliction, in that he can see the ghosts of the victims. While I found that to be an interesting component to the story, I also appreciated that it wasn’t as much in the forefront for this one. The Poisoned Pawn focused more on the characters and the several mysteries that were at play in any given time.
There was also less explanation in this book, which is the good thing that works for subsequent books in a series. The author doesn’t have to spend as much time explaining and setting the scene or characters, but just enough to have newcomers still know what’s going on. Right from the beginning, this book jumps right into it and doesn’t let up till the very end. Blair weaves a fantastic tale of corruption and mystery, with some fantastically shocking reveals. Being set in both Canada and Cuba, it’s a welcome mix of the familiar and exotic. The Poisoned Pawn is a definite must-read for fans of the mystery genre.
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ (4.5/5 stars)
Mere days after Inspector Ricardo Ramirez solves the crime that Mike Ellis was arrested for, he is enjoying the new year with his wife when he gets called on an assignment of a sensitive nature. After some governmental strings were pulled, Ramirez is being sent to Canada to bring home a priest who has been found in possession of some illegal material involving young children. To make matters more dire, seemingly unrelated women start dropping dead from an unknown cause and Ramirez must race to bring home the accused priest before a travel advisory is released, thereby crippling Cuba’s income from tourism.
Many of the familiar characters from the first book are back in this exciting sequel. I felt this second installment of the Inspector Ramirez series was even better than the first. The flow of the storytelling felt more polished and the narrative kept the action moving. The first book often mentioned Ramirez’ unusual affliction, in that he can see the ghosts of the victims. While I found that to be an interesting component to the story, I also appreciated that it wasn’t as much in the forefront for this one. The Poisoned Pawn focused more on the characters and the several mysteries that were at play in any given time.
There was also less explanation in this book, which is the good thing that works for subsequent books in a series. The author doesn’t have to spend as much time explaining and setting the scene or characters, but just enough to have newcomers still know what’s going on. Right from the beginning, this book jumps right into it and doesn’t let up till the very end. Blair weaves a fantastic tale of corruption and mystery, with some fantastically shocking reveals. Being set in both Canada and Cuba, it’s a welcome mix of the familiar and exotic. The Poisoned Pawn is a definite must-read for fans of the mystery genre.
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