Published by Troubador.co.uk,
28 August 2014.
ISBN: 978-1-78306-401-4
ISBN: 978-1-78306-401-4
Philippines, 1978. Resort manager
Robert Delsey is in love with his boss’s beautiful daughter, Elena – until she
announces that her father wants her to take over the management of the resort.
Then she’s found murdered ...
This
book warns you clearly on the cover: Book One of the ‘Nothing is what it seems’
series, and that’s exactly what it is: the first part of the story, ending with
the murders unsolved and a ‘To be Continued.’ The Philippines setting is
vividly evoked in the opening chapters, and we’re introduced to the characters:
Robert, who has a shady past, wilful Elena and her new flirt, Juan. The
third-person narration starts with Robert, but after the murder it moves to
follow Mr Sy, the genial detective from Manila who has been sent to solve the
crime, with the help of local police officer Daniel Arozo. Soon the story is
moving swiftly, with heroin trafficking, a criminal gang, interviews with
suspects, several murders and a high-octane shoot-out. The story is told in the
present tense throughout, and I found the prose a bit formal.
An
action novel in an interesting setting, so long as you don’t mind it being only
part of a story.
-----
Reviewer:
Marsali Taylor
Peter de Vos was born close to Rotterdam, Netherlands, Peter
graduated at the University of Groningen with a degree in History and
International Law. After having acquired a business degree, Peter started his
first job in telecommunications. Within this field, he covered various
positions within product management, marketing and sales in various countries
before he changed to consumer electronics. His last ‘normal’ job was as
managing director for a large optical company. After 18 years as an employee Peter decided to
turn one of his passions (writing being the other one) into his job and opened
his own dive resort in Asia. To stay in contact with friends and family Peter
wrote extensive mails with small stories he experienced in his new home
country. His audience became more and more interested in reading the local
stories and urged Peter to write it all down in a book. In 2014 he finally gave
in and published some of the stories in a novel - “Confusion”. Three additional
sequels of the quartet “Nothing is what it seems” will follow later. Peter is
married and has two grown-up children.
Marsali Taylor grew up near Edinburgh, and came to Shetland as a
newly-qualified teacher. She is currently a part-time teacher on Shetland's
scenic west side, living with her husband and two Shetland ponies. Marsali is a
qualified STGA tourist-guide who is fascinated by history, and has published
plays in Shetland's distinctive dialect, as well as a history of women's
suffrage in Shetland. She's also a keen sailor who enjoys exploring in her own
8m yacht, and an active member of her local drama group. Marsali also does a regular monthly column
for the Mystery People e-zine.
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