"cleverly written locked door historical mystery"
In 1835, free man of color Benjamin January accompanied by
his wife Rose leaves New Orleans for Mexico City to provide
mental support to his friend opium user, Hannibal Sefton,
being hanged for murder. Sefton was one
of twenty-four guests attending a dinner provided by Don
Prospero de Castellon. However, he is the chosen one
accused of poisoning the host's son, the loathed Fernando. Prospero anticipates Fernando's ghost returning home during
the Day of the Dead celebration and when his son's spirit
visits he will explain how Sefton killed him. Though the
day is soon here, the Guardia Civil Capitan wants to hang
Sefton today, but Generalissimo Santa Anna orders him to
wait. Seeking to insure that "all's well that ends well",
Benjamin and Rose investigate the numerous guests, workers,
and family members to ascertain motive and means in order
to prove that Sefton may quote Lady MacBeth but is not the
killer. Though a scorecard is needed to keep track of the suspects
that number more than two teams on a football field, DAYS
OF THE DEAD is a cleverly written locked door historical
mystery. Moving Benjamin to Mexico City provides the
audience a different fresh look to 1835 and to the now
married protagonist. The lead couple remains a pleasure to
follow as they serve as hosts to an intriguing era on the
North American continent within a fun to try to solve who-
done-it. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted June 3, 2003
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