Published by Austin Macauley Publishers,
November 2013.
ISBN: 978-1-8496-3329-1
The Dancer's Ghost is set in two
time periods, 1959 into the early 1960s and the present day. In both times,
loss and tragedy haunt two women. In 1959, young dancer Joyce Capelli's baby
was stolen from the hospital soon after her birth. Joyce's family has concealed
her pregnancy from journalists and the dancing world and she has nobody to turn
to. Her father values her fame and earning ability as a professional ballroom
dancer far more than he cares about her happiness and Joyce suspects that he is
behind her child's abduction. Her mother is completely subservient to her
father, and Michael, Joyce's lover and dancing partner, seems unwilling to risk
more pain by aiding her attempts to find their child. Although Joyce returns to
competition dancing and, with Michael as her partner, achieves great success,
she is determined that she will track down her child, whatever the cost to
herself.
In contemporary times,
Rebecca Houseman has suddenly become a widow after her husband collapsed and
died. Devastated by Craig's death, Rebecca is shocked when the police inform
her that Craig was poisoned and this is followed by several attempts upon her
own life. Bereaved, afraid, haunted by strange dreams and wondering what her
dying husband was trying to tell her, Rebecca is determined not to give up on
life. She joins a Samba class and makes new friends, including the attractive
and kind drum player, Paul. Rebecca discovers that she has a love and talent
for dance. She is supported by her loving family and befriended by the
unconventional DCI Allen, who is determined to discover the truth behind
Craig's death and the attacks on Rebecca.
This is a beautifully
crafted novel, with the threads that link Joyce Capelli and Rebecca Houseman
subtly interwoven. Both women are appealing characters and the story was
compelling, especially strong in the description of the very different
relationships the two women had with their families and the wonderfully vibrant
descriptions of dance. This is a page-turner and I would definitely recommend
it.
------
Reviewer: Carol
Westron
Jayne-Marie Baker writes mystery thrillers with a romantic twist,
and has an unlimited capacity to adore cold cases and double
time lines. She enjoys murder mysteries minus the blood and guts,
loves all things literary, cats, elephants and butterflies. As a creative
person, she enjoys reading as much as writing it, dancing, spending
time with her family and friends, and looks forward to the future with ambition
and hope.
Carol Westron is a successful short story writer and a Creative
Writing teacher. She is the moderator
for the cosy/historical crime panel, The Deadly Dames. Her crime novels are set both in contemporary
and Victorian times. The Terminal
Velocity of Cats is the first in her Scene of Crimes novels, was published
July 2013
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