Eight stars
Joseph Flynn has a great things going with the John Tall Wolf series. An essential part of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), Tall Wolf finds himself on an interesting journey, when it accompanies his great-grandfather to France for a conference. This is not your typical conference, but it will open the eyes of many to the plight and the reconciliation needed amongst the world's indigenous population. While in Paris, Tall Wolf and his entourage come upon a few murders, which they help to resolve, though there are some larger forces at play here, which could significantly change the narrative. Yet another time with John Tall Wolf will have to lower his Ray-Bans and give the world a thorough looking over! Flynn does well to prepare the reader for another stellar adventure. A great addition to the series.
While the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) keeps him busy, John Tall Wolf is happy to take another adventure with family. After receiving the go-ahead to take his 105 year-old great-grandfather to France, Tall Wolf and his wife, Rebecca Bramley, jet off with Alan White River to the City of Love. White River, though considered elderly, is the keynote speaker at an international gathering of indigenous peoples who are seeking to reclaim their honour and a number of artifacts that were stolen from them during colonial times. Having made quite the name for himself during a past train caper, White River is a guest of honour, so much so that he is invited to see the President of France before attending the conference.
While in Paris, Tall Wolf cannot forget to check on his acquaintances at the Paris office of McGill Investigations International, where they share some news with him. A dying man seeks an audience with White River, a wish to meet someone of high calibre. Tall Wolf organises things, but also has more trouble on his hands when one of the auctioneers in charge of the many items to be reclaimed is murdered. Could Alan White River have played a role, in an oddly symbolic attempt to make a point?
With the case in full swing, others try to make their presence known, somewhat nefariously. John Tall Wolf will have to stave off those who have targeted him in the past, while protecting White River. There is some good news to come from all this, as he and Rebecca learn they will soon be adding to the family, but that will have to be shelved until the murder is solved and they can make it back to solid ground on the other side of the Atlantic. So much to do and so little time, though Paris is a wonderful place to be this time of year! A great addition to the series and the larger Joseph Flynn collection. I am eager to see what the last (to date) novel in the series has for me!
Joseph Flynn's writing keeps me thoroughly entertained and this series has not fallen short. His storytelling abilities not only create a great place for the reader, but connects with other series effectively and develops a larger 'as a whole' reading experience. There is a strong narrative that keeps developing with each novel, connecting with the McGill series quite seamlessly, though still standing on its own. The momentum gained within this series helps create an adventure for all who partake. Characters are an essential part of Flynn's series success, particularly when they pop up throughout the book and prove recognisable by fans. The reader is once more presented with a novel utilising the long chapters format with vignettes within each, a technique used in the McGill collection with some success. This allows multiple storylines to develop simultaneously and keeps the reader attentive to all the action, though it does take some getting used to, as things can easily jumble together.
Plot development is also key to Joseph Flynn's writing success.This series possesses twists and surprises at every turn to complement the strong story. With multiple plot lines in this novel, the action and surprises are plentiful, building off one another with ease throughout the story's development. I am eager to see how Flynn directs the next novel, which will be the most recently published. Lots of strings left dangling and so many questions to answer.
Kudos, Mr. Flynn, for a well-flavoured international thriller.
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