'Funeral of the Sardine : an Atticus Drake Mystery' by Tora Barry

Published by Castleforge Books
ISBN 978-09932939-4-8

The story begins as Atticus Drake joins his childhood friend, Salty, on Salty's boat in the Canaries.  They had not met for years, however, Atticus was glad to re-connect with a friend after rather distressing experiences related to his last trip which had been to Venice.  A further spur to Atticus is the chance to leave a grey cold English February for the sun. 

 The visitors from the UK on Atticus's plane are introduced as they arrive and turn out to be a motley lot ranging from uncontrollable families to a rugby team.  Atticus finds that there is an expatriate group of boat owners, tour group organisers and real estate representatives on the island with Saltyas a member.   Salty had asked Atticus to the Canaries because his girlfriend, Louise, was missing and he thought that Atticus would help him find her.  Meanwhile some assistance to the beleaguered holiday reps is needed and this does give cover for Atticus's rather hapless investigations.

Gradually the plot gets murkier and murkier with international criminals featuring in the picture.  In an exciting climax virtually all the known characters become embroiled in the action!  This is a thriller but the peripheral characters add to the amusement as the thrills develop!

------

Reviewer: Jennifer S. Palmer

This is the second adventure for Atticus and another is already in the pipeline.

Tora Barry is a professional journalist and writer, and has contributed to many journals, magazines and websites. In addition to this, she has always written fiction, and is now an independent publisher as well as the creator of several novels, including the Atticus Drake series. Tora lives near Bath in the UK, and when not writing, as well as when she should probably be writing, she enjoys cooking, sharing good wine with good friends, walking, painting and theatre.

  

Jennifer Palmer Throughout my reading life crime fiction has been a constant interest; I really enjoyed my 15 years as an expatriate in the Far East, the Netherlands & the USA but occasionally the solace of closing my door to the outside world and sitting reading was highly therapeutic. I now lecture to adults on historical topics including Famous Historical Mysteries.