The Mountains Bow Down

February 15, 2011

In her fourth adventure, Raleigh Harmon, a geologist-turned-FBI agent, is on a much-needed vacation, an Alaskan cruise, when a movie producer is found hanged from the ship's railing. Though the death is assumed a suicide, Raleigh suspects foul play. A call to her field office in Seattle brings in Agent Jack Stephanson, whose presence confuses her feelings for her fiance. VERDICT Giorello won the Christy Award for this series' debut (The Stones Cry Out). Each entry has proven better than the one before, and the latest installment is no exception. Crisp writing, fast-paced action, and beautiful descriptions of Alaskan landscapes make this an essential read for fans of Irene Hannon. [See Hannon's Fatal Judgment, reviewed below.--Ed.]

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Starred review from March 15, 2011
When newly engaged forensic geologist and FBI Special Agent Raleigh Harmon joins her mother, Nadine; aunt Charlotte, owner of a New Age boutique; and Charlottes bizarre friend, self-declared psychic Claire the Clairvoyant, for an Alaskan cruise, Raleigh knows it wont be smooth sailing, especially since her mothers mental illness seems to be getting worse. But what Raleigh doesnt expect is to be involved in a murder investigation during her vacation, or that her old nemesis, FBI Special Agent Jack Stephanson, would be flown in to help her find out who killed Judy, wife of movie star Milo Carpenter, whos filming a movie onboard ship. Against her will, Raleigh forms a bond with Jack as their investigation twists and turns through a maze of not-so-usual suspects. Giorello has won the Christy Award and has received two Pulitzer Prize nominations. When you read this book, youll see why. Libraries will want Giorellos latest, along with the others in the series, The Stones Cry Out (2007), The Rivers Run Dry (2009), and The Clouds Roll Away (2010).(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)