Wrapt in Crystal

ISBN: 0-441-00616-7 Order from: Amazon.com

A mildly entertaining romantic suspense novel, offering little in terms of originality despite its superficially futuristic setting, but offering real if conventional emotional warmth.

Reviewed by David on May 02, 1999

Genre: Science Fiction (Mystery, Romance, Religion)

Synopsis: A stubbornly old-fashioned planet invites an experienced investigator from the interstellar federation forces when a series of murders shocks the populace and baffles the local constabulary. While violent crime is not unheard of, the priestesses of the goddess Ava are widely revered, and the serial killer targeting them presents a challenge to the competent but lonely agent Cowen Drake. However, it is his emotional involvement with the two very different sects that will make his job so excruciatingly important.

Full Review: The goddess Ava is worshipped in two very different ways by the powerful and hedonistic Triumphantes and the ascetic Fideles. Surprisingly, despite the very different views of the goddess, the leadership of the two orders seem to get along fairly well. While ignorant of the local customs, Cowen Drake's blunt competence, combined with experience and persistent police work allow him to get closer to the murderer. His job is simplified when both orders of priestesses prove honest, helpful and worthy of admiration. However, with his respect for a pleasure-loving and generous Triumphante and a self-sacrificing and courageous Fidele growing into admiration and affection, his job of preventing further murders becomes personally vital.

This book is a romantic suspense novel with a thin cover of science-fictional terms. While there is interstellar travel, almost nothing would have changed if the exotic setting were exchanged for a Latin American country, the Moonchildren (Interfed's police) for the FBI, and so on. The poor barrios, the drug lords and the Spanish-Italian melange certainly do not seem patricularly different from today's poor cities. The mystery is decent, but not exceptional. The main plot device seemed to have been telegraphed very early in the book, and most of the tension is maintained by the growing romantic sub-plot.

The fragility and passion of the main characters seem genuine, and gives the novel its most significant sense of warmth and suspense. However, the veneer of the exotic setting seems largely artificial and, in fact, detracts from the enjoyment of the book.