The newlyweds join
masses of Western Canadians in flying south to enjoy a warm weather respite
from the rigours of our harsh winters.
Their destination is
Puerto Vallarta, a lovely city for a winter vacation. My next post will compare
some of my experiences in the city with those of the fictional Randy.
Randy and Steve have a
wonderful relaxing honeymoon until ....
As they near the end of
their week in Mexico Steve is called to the police station. A University of
Alberta student, Kristen Perry has been murdered and her body left posed, on a
bit of beach area in downtown Puerto Vallarta. She was on the same flight as Randy
and Steve.
Randy realizes that she
had taken a photo of Kristen, her head under a hat, lying on a beach towel. Though
her motive in taking the photo was innocent she feels insensitive, even
intrusive, in photographing the deceased Kristen.
Mexican authorities are
anxious to establish the murder was not connected to Mexico. Interviews do not
suggest a Mexican suspect. The strongest reason for an Alberta killer is
Kristen had been in Mexico but a few days. I was glad no one was suggesting it
was some random act of violence. Whether real life or fiction it is an
implausible scenario.
With a touch of
reluctance and a mutual commitment to return again Randy and Steve fly home.
Because Kristen was an
art student and Randy has connections with the Art faculty members at the
University of Alberta Steve requests some help from Randy in exploring Perry’s
life as a student. Life is as complicated in personal relationships on campus
as off the university.
What makes the book
most intriguing is the posed tableau of the murder scene. The initial reaction
is the pose deflected attention delaying an immediate investigation. Observers,
as with Randy, thought she was sun tanning.
On her return to
Edmonton Randy reflects that the scene could actually be a morbid work of art.
Is the posed Perry actually a symbolic creation? Thoughts turn to the Dan Brown
books featuring symbologist, Robert Langdon. How significant is the biography
of Mexican painter, Frida Kahlo, that was in Perry’s beach bag? The positioning
of the body reminds Randy of Kahlo’s paintings. Is there a fiendishly clever
murderer showing off?
MacDonald is clever in
creating a murder acene with symbols, clues, that are obscure but not too
obscure for an intelligent sleuth using her skills to unravel them. I thought
it brilliant how MacDonald uses Randy’s talents as an academic researcher in
literature to study and research and reflect in the investigation.
Randy, as an informal academic expert to the police, has a plausible role in the investigation.
MacDonald further
weaves visual art into the book with Randy and Steve searching for artworks to
decorate Steve’s, now their condo. Her parents provided a wonderful wedding
present of $2,000 to be used for the purchase of art for their home. They
explore galleries and a street art festival for works by Edmonton and area
artists. The search gives them a chance to undertake an exploration, even
adventure, together as newlyweds. While they have been a couple for years they
are cherishing the intimacy of the commitment of marriage and sharing a home.
As they look for original
art Randy reflects on the inconsistency with which viewers consider art:
“I
wonder why it is I never mind seeing a new production of a Shakespeare play or
an opera, and yet I whine about Hollywood remaking European movies or even
redoing movies they’ve already done. There’s something about the movies that
seems set in stone, I guess.”
….
“You
can extrapolate to the visual arts, too. We get Van Gogh painting several
versions of his Sunflowers, and
instead of the art world saying, ‘well, here’s the best one,’ or even, well,
that’s just him churning out a still life to make some grocery money,’ we look
for distinctions between the one in the Netherlands and the one in the National
Gallery, even turning that into an art experience. And of course, what about
Monet and his endless water lilies?”
There is clearly a message
in how Kristen was posed and the items around her and in her bag but what is
the message and for whom was the message intended?
I thought the plot was
the strongest of the three books in the series I have read. I was not excited
about Randy making a foray into danger at the end but the conclusion fit very
well with the theme of the book.
The writing has a
lyrical quality reflecting Randy’s status as a happy, even contented, woman
appreciating a successful beginning to marriage and a good future ahead. The
words from the “Apache” (not actually from that indigenous culture) blessing
that now there will be no more loneliness captures her mood.
MacDonald, Janice - (2015) - Another Margaret and Q & A; (2017) - Hang Down Your Head and Shopping Perfection
MacDonald, Janice - (2015) - Another Margaret and Q & A; (2017) - Hang Down Your Head and Shopping Perfection
I am so glad you enjoyed this so well, Bill. I'm not surprised; it's a fine series, and I do like the Randy Craig character. You have a well-taken point, too, about MacDonald's writing style. I hope there'll be more to come.
ReplyDeleteMargot: Thanks for the comment. I think I can understand why you might like a mature bright academic teaching English at university who writes well and is in a stable loving personal relationship.
DeleteI must catch up with Janice MacDondald (whom you introduced me to) - this one sounds great.
ReplyDeleteMoira: Thanks for the comment. I look forward to your next post on a MacDonald book. I think The Eye of the Beholder is an excellent book for you especially for the symbolism involving clothes, especially with regard to the deceased when she was murdered.
Delete