Book blurb
A series of bizarre murders rocks the beautiful Carpathian town of Braşov. At first there's nothing obvious that links what look like random killings.
With the police still smarting from the scandal of having failed to act in a previous case of a serial kidnapper and killer, they bring in forensic pathologist Gigi Alexa to figure out if several murderers are at work – or if they have another serial killer on their hands.
Ambitious, tough, and not one to suffer fools gladly, Gigi fights to be taken seriously in a society that maintains old-fashioned attitudes to the roles of women.
She and the police team struggle to establish a pattern, especially when resources are diverted to investigating a possible terrorist plot. With the clock ticking, Gigi stumbles across what looks to be a far-fetched theory – just as she realises that she could be on the murderer's to-kill list.
My thoughts
The first of four novels, one for each season, which has been translated into English with forensic pathologist Gigi Alexa as the main character. Gigi works with the police in the central Romanian town of Brașov.
The book begins with a murder, we are reading the killer's point of view and similar chapters interweave those of the police investigation and Gigi's story as we get to know more about her. Chapters are clearly indicated so it's easy to know which is which.
Gigi is called in to help when a pair of seemingly random murders occur and with two different modus operandi (MO) they seem to have two different killers! Gigi is not so sure, she recalls a previous investigation and worries that if her intuition is right they might miss recognising a serial killer - again!
Superintendant Vlad Tomescu, the former Chief of Police in Brașov, is back in town on secondment. This makes Gigi determined to keep the relationship professional. They had had an affair but it ended badly when she felt his behaviour threatened violence towards her. She wants to make it clear she has no interest in rekindling any kind of personal relationship.
Another reason Gigi wants to make it clear to Vlad she isn't interested is that she's living with her boyfriend Radu. Radu is a vet, very needy and somewhat controlling. She seems to have pretty bad taste in men what with Radu and now Vlad who seems to be trying to start up their old affair. Vlad makes remarks that he then implies are lighthearted or misunderstood! Vlad's behaviour is old fashioned bordering on, if not crossing the line of, harassment. From what we read not only regarding Gigi but also of how Alina, the police PR liaison, is treated by some male colleagues seems that it may well still be acceptable in parts of Romanian culture. It takes you back decades in Britain - or perhaps not that far back! Thank goodness it wasn't the same with all the male characters. Other colleagues, like Emil and Matei, have a more modern attitude and are supportive.
The investigations are going nowhere when there's an explosion at an art gallery adding yet another crime to the list. Are these all linked?
However, the bombing is treated as a terrorist threat so it and the other crimes are treated separately - Vlad takes control of the bombing investigation whilst Matei and Gigi continue to investigate the death.
Chief Inspector Matei, who took over from Vlad, isn't happy about his return as he feels he will be undermined and Vlad heading up the terrorist angle doesn't help.
Gigi still feels everything is connected, something is forming in her mind and when she recalls Radu mentioning going to some stables that feeling starts to form a very tentative theory.
Are all the crimes linked? Can Gigi get the others to buy into her theory or will they think it's just too far fetched? Can they figure out what is happening and catch the perpetrator before something dreadful happens again?
Gigi herself is a terrific main character. She's fascinating, intelligent, ambitious and intuitive. She is actively involved in the cases and it is her ability to think creatively and push forward when answers are not forthcoming from the usual police or forensic processes. She's strong and a bit unconventional yet with an underlying vulnerability which seems to surface in personal relationships.
The action moves along at a great pace, Gigi is a terrific protagonist, who I really liked, hunting down a chilling killer and what an ending!This is a gripping story and was a pleasure to read. Tony Mott has created a terrific character in Gigi Alexa.
There is a wonderful sense of place in the story of Brașov and also of Romania's café culture which certainly spills into the investigation and definitely into Gigi's need for coffee!
I highly recommend this book. I look forward to reading more of Gigi and I hope the other books in this series will be translated and brought out in English. I will certainly be keeping a lookout for more from this author.
The translation by MarinaSophia is great bringing characters and places alive. It is a must to acknowledge her, indeed all translators, as without translation I and many others would not be able to read and enjoy this and many other foreign language books. Also, thanks to the publishers, Corylus Books, who bring these wonderful stories into our lives.
Thanks
Thanks to Corylus Books for an eBook for review purposes of Deadly Autumn Harvest by Tont Mott and to Ewa for her great organising of the BlogTour.
BlogTour
Like to read more about Deadly Autumn Harvest by Tony Mott? Then take a trip around these lovely blogs and check out what they say.
Information
Published: Corylus Books | 1st Aug |ISBN 978-1-7392989-1-3 | £9.99 | 225 pages
Buy: Amazon. Deadly Autumn Harvest by Tony Mott
Author
Tony Mott was born and bred in Braşov, which often forms the backdrop for her novels. She has worked internationally as a coach and HR professional, but her real passion remains writing. In 2022 she received the Romanian Mystery & Thriller Award. Deadly Autumn Harvest is the first novel in the Gigi Alexa series to be translated into English.
@tonymott_
Translator
Marina Sofia is a translator, reviewer, writer and blogger, as well as a third culture kid who grew up trilingual in Romanian, German and English. Her previous translations for Corylus Books are Sword by Bogdan Teodorescu and Resilience by Bogdan Hrib. She has spent most of her winters in Braşov skiing, so is delighted to translate a book set in her favourite Romanian town.
@MarinaSofia8
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