Twenty Blue Devils

Aaron Elkins spins a fine tale of murder, deceit, and forensic pathology as his protagonist, Gideon Oliver, is called upon to determine whether a death was accidental or planned. Although Tahiti seems an unlikely place for a crime, this tropical paradise has its dark side. John Michalski's delivery works well; he gives a vocal identity to each character and handles the French, native, and American accents with ease. During Oliver's investigation, however, many technical terms slow the pace of the novel. Nonetheless, this is an enjoyable book with a satisfactory solution to the mystery. D.M.W. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine

Starred review from December 30, 1996
Gideon Oliver, the shrewd, witty and self-deprecating forensic anthropologist, is at the top of his form in his ninth appearance (after Dead Men's Hearts, 1994). This tale, populated with a memorable and well-defined cast, finds Gideon traveling to Tahiti with friend and FBI agent John Lau to investigate what might have been the murder of Brian Scott, manager of the thriving, family-owned Paradise Coffee Plantation and common-law husband of the owner's daughter Therese. Amid rumors of Mafia retaliation for earlier, unfriendly testimony by plantation owner Nick Druett, Gideon runs into unexpected obstacles. Neither Nick nor Therese wants Brian's body exhumed; Nick's good friend, the pompous head of the local gendarmerie, agrees. Gideon, perceptive as always, notices something extraordinary in the official photographs of Brian and, as the ensuing investigation progresses, the seemingly close-knit family begins to unravel. Therese, who is docile and uncommunicative, her politically correct sister and other, more devious family members are all at odds over a lucrative offer to buy the plantation, a move Brian had opposed. Zipping along at a smooth and rapid clip, the story combines masterfully etched characters and suggestions of lingering aromas of frangipani and coconut palms with the consummate panache of its hero. Elkins rewards his readers with a riveting mystery even while altering forever the way they will view their trendy, upscale coffee. Mystery Guild featured alternate; author tour.