The Calling by Inger Ash Wolfe

On Sunday for the Alphabet in Crime Fiction I posted "Who is Inger Ash Wolfe?" Today I post my review of the first book written by Wolfe.

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42. – 505.) The Calling by Inger Ash Wolfe – At 61, despite a bad back and a long term alcohol problem, Hazel Micallef’s life as an OPP inspector, in charge, but not officially designated chief, of the Port Dundas detachment north of Barrie is routine, perhaps even boring, to a big city resident. Everything changes with the murder of Delia Chandler. Hazel is living with her mother, Emily, who is hardly heartbroken as Delia was her late husband’s lover. At 87 Emily is the feisty former mayor of Port Dundas. While Delia has been mutilated the police are surprised to find the damage was done after death. Paralleling the investigation is the story of the killer, a mysterious figure, who was invited into Delia’s home to kill the terminally ill woman. He uses sedatives to send her to sleep and an organic poision to kill her. As the story progresses the police determine they are searching for a serial killer who is traveling across Canada killing terminally ill people who want his help to die. There is a strange religious overtone to the killings. Hazel engages in unorthodox strategies to pursue the killer. There is ambiguity in the chase as it is clear the killing is being done at the request of the deceased. The police struggle to understand the post-death mutiliations and rituals. As they unravel the mystery the pace accelerates to a wrenching powerful conclusion. I have never read in fiction or non-fiction about a serial killer who evoked considerable sympathy. It is a very clever thought provoking plot. The police investigation verges on the surreal at times. Hazel and Emily are powerful characters. The other police characters start off as stereotypes but become more interesting during the mystery. At 57 I can relate to a 61 year old heroine. The setting of Port Dundas was integral to the plot. I hope there will be more mysteries featuring Hazel. (Parts of the web says Russell Smith is the author. I was surprised it may be a man.) Excellent. (Oct. 18/09)