Each Tuesday, Diane at Bibliophile By the Sea shares the first part of a book that she is reading or thinking about reading. This week I'm sharing the first few paragraphs of Devil-Devil by Graeme Kent. My mystery group is reading books set in Asia and the South Pacific for our August meeting. This book is the first in a mystery series set in the Solomon Islands of the 1960's. I've been planning on reading this series (which it seems only has 2 books) for a long time and it fits our upcoming theme perfectly. Let's see what you think:
Sister Conchita clung to the sides of the small dugout canoe as the waves pounded over the frail vessel, soaking its two occupants. In front of her the Malaitan scooped his paddle into the water, trying to keep the craft on an even balance. Sister Conchita could see the coastal village a hundred yards away. The beach was crowded with islanders. She wondered whether it had been worth the perilous sea journey just to see the shark-calling ceremony when all she wanted was a shower and a meal. Of course it was, she told herself severely. If she intended serving God in the Solomons then she had to get to know everything about the islands.
The half-naked islander in front of her suddenly gave a scream of terror. Turning he thrust the paddle into the sister's hands and dived over the side of the canoe, disappearing into the frothing white foam. Sister Conchita sat rigid with apprehension, the pitted wooden blade clutched loosely in her hands. Bereft of the islander's control, the canoe started pitching and swinging wildly.
Blurb:
It's not easy being Ben Kella. As a sergeant in the Solomon Islands Police Force, as well as an aofia, a hereditary spiritual peacekeeper of the Lau people, he is viewed with distrust by both the indigenous islanders and the British colonial authorities. In the past few days he has been cursed by a magic man, stumbled across evidence of a cargo cult uprising, and failed to find an American anthropologist who had been scouring the mountains for a priceless pornographic icon. Then, at a mission station, Kella discovers an independent and rebellious young American nun, Sister Conchita, secretly trying to bury a skeleton. The unlikely pair of Kella and Conchita are forced to team up to solve a series of murders that tie into all these other strange goings on. Set in the 60's in one of the most beautiful and dangerous areas of the South Pacific, Devil-Devil launches an exciting new series.
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Do you think you'd keep reading? Is this an area of the world that you think would make a good setting for a mystery?
What an interesting sounding choice for the book choice, it is great to read books set in different continents for a change. This sounds good. Here is my Tuesday post https://cleopatralovesbooks.wordpress.com/2015/07/21/first-chapter-first-paragraph-july-21/
ReplyDeleteI do like reading mysteries set in other parts of the world. I feel like I always learn something new and this is a new area to me.
DeleteInteresting, in terms of the premise and setting. Yes, I think I'd keep reading.
ReplyDeleteThat's what I thought, Melody.
DeleteThe first paragraph is okay, but the cover is pretty creepy. I doubt I could read this. I guess a kindle edition would be okay. On another subject, I love your headline photo. Is that some where in Utah?
ReplyDeleteYes, Margot, my copy is on my Kindle. I didn't even realize that the cover had skulls on it until I looked for the picture of it. LOL
DeleteThe header photo was taken in Colorado Springs at the Garden of the Gods. Last year's vacation.
I think I'd keep on reading. Love the setting and time period.
ReplyDeleteExactly my thought, Candace.
DeleteWell....it's got my attention! I don't know if it is for me or not, but I'd read enough to find out.
ReplyDeleteI've never read any of these, but at least five of them are on my list. I'd forgotten all about 'Back Channel'.
Today I'm featuring Orphan #8
I totally understand, Kim. That's my reaction to several of the little teasers that others give. It's nice to get a taste though, isn't it?
DeleteI think I'd continue reading, but part of the reason is what you included from the blurb. :) I like the setting and the idea of a "spiritual peacekeeper."
ReplyDeleteI was struck by that phrase too. And I have never read anything set in the Solomon Islands. Had to go look up exactly where they were. LOL
DeleteI like the idea of this setting, but the intro didn't really grab me.
ReplyDeleteSarah, I think I mostly wanted to know why the guide was scared and abandoned ship - so to speak. LOL
DeleteI like the setting. It sounds interesting. I wonder what he saw that caused him to jump overboard. And I like the idea of a spiritual peacekeeper. So, I would probably read more.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts exactly, Laura. Why did he hand her the oar and leave? Haven't started it yet, but hopeful to find out. :-)
DeleteMmmm, not for me. :-) But I'm sure many will enjoy this.
ReplyDeleteMyself, I am in one of those awful slumps... Where I keep reading and reading, and having to set aside book, after book. Not being able to get into them. Not wanting to waste time, plugging on. -pout-
So I carry on! In hopes the next book, will be "The One"... -sigh-
I'm sure this happens to everyone. But it is depressing, when it sets in, on myself.
Oh well, I can always re-read an old favorite!!!
I hate slumps, but we all have them. And I find that rereading an old favorite is often just the thing. Or watching a good movie. Good luck!
DeleteIt sounds promising, and I like the quirky characters.
ReplyDeleteYes, I'm thinking I want to know why Sister Conchita was secretly burying a skeleton. LOL
DeleteI am interested too. I will await your thoughts on it. If only I could read every book that someone else suggested! *sigh*
ReplyDeleteI know. Isn't that the truth? LOL
DeleteThis one is not my usual read, but the excerpt drew me in, and now I want to know more! Thanks for sharing...and for visiting my blog.
ReplyDeleteYes, I liked the setting first and then wanted to know what would happen next. Haven't begun it really yet, so I don't have the answer. LOL
DeleteI'm so glad you shared this one with us today, Kay. I enjoy mysteries set in other countries and I haven't read too many set in Asia and the South Pacific. This one sounds really interesting.
ReplyDeleteI like mysteries set in other parts of the world too. We try to do a location theme in the mystery group at least once a year. It's fun to hear about what others have selected.
DeleteWell, that opening really gets your attention, doesn't it? I'd have to read on to discover what the danger is and how she gets out of that situation.
ReplyDeleteIt does - or that was my thought. I haven't read further yet, but I will before long.
DeleteThis sounds really different! I like the beginning but I think I'll wait to see what you think of the book before it goes on my TBR.
ReplyDeleteHoping to make it one of next reads - after two or three others. LOL
DeleteI never read a book set in this location, so just for that alone I might try it. I enjoy finding new-to-me settings and series. Variety is the spice of life...
ReplyDeleteVariety is indeed the spice of life or spice of mystery reading! LOL
DeleteI definitely don't read enough books set in Asia, although my current read is from China! I love the way the beginning drops you into the middle of the action, which probably mirrors the way Sister Conchita feels quite well! Thanks for dropping by and I hope you have a great week!
ReplyDeleteJuli @ Universe in Words
I liked that too. I'm looking forward to finding out why the man jumped out of the canoe and left her holding the oar. LOL
DeleteInteresting setting and time period, and I like the opening, too. The cover creeps me out though!
ReplyDeleteWell, it helps that I have it on my Kindle. Don't have to look at the cover. :-)
DeleteHow interesting. I'd definitely read more.
ReplyDeleteDiane, that is my plan. :-)
DeleteHmm, I'm so curious about why he jumped in the water. Interesting!!
ReplyDeleteI agree. It sounds intriguing to me too. Nothing like grabbing your attention right away! I would read on...
ReplyDeleteI thought this fit well with the theme for this month for group.
DeleteThis sounds like a really interesting book.
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping so, Yvonne.
DeleteI enjoyed both books in the series, but I'm not surprised that there aren't more. Kent didn't write these until he was in his 80s. Very nice man who graciously consented to do an interview for me.
ReplyDeleteI just went over and read the interview, along with your reviews. I suspected that I had first heard of this book there. I think that's probably true. I laughed when I saw that I commented on the cover and how I loved it. At least at couple here have said that the cover was too creepy. Different strokes. Will definitely read both these books now.
DeleteThis has me on the edge of my seat! Hope you like it.
ReplyDeleteI'm hopeful, Paulita!
DeleteI like the blurb and the intro but the cover is a bit creepy! But I'd keep reading!
ReplyDeleteI kind of like it. It is a mystery after all. LOL
DeleteI admit most of my mystery reading is set in the US or UK. I love to branch out to other lands and hadn't heard of this but I don't think I've read anything with this setting. Can't wait to read your full review!
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping to read this one soon. But I'm also kind of ahead on blog posts, so it might be a bit before a review shows up. That's what happens when you take a blogging break.
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