Burying Ariel

For her creation, and maintenance, of a heroine who is not in the early years of her life, Gail Bowen deserves a lot of credit. Joanne Kilbourn, first introduced to us in "Deadly Appearances" has aged with grace and style by the time we get to "Burying Ariel," and this book shows no sign of her character declining.Mixing in Joanne's daily life with the sudden stabbing-murder of a loved teacher on campus with ehr usual deft touch, Bowen has definitely left the pattern of every murder being tied so someone in Joanne's past (something that was starting to get a little bit hard to swallow in some of her previous books). This murder is connected to her solely by the place Joanne works, the university, and a respect she had for the deceased.Tying in radical feminists, student protests, and angry pointed fingers at a man who may have confessed - or merely said the wrong thing at the wrong time - keep the plot humming in this Kilbourn mystery. And as always, it is the depth of character in both villains and hero(ine)s of the book that immerse you totally in what is going on. Big cheers for Gail Bowen, Canada's Lady of Mystery!'Nathan

In Regina, Canada, everyone associated with the university is stunned to learn that someone killed twenty-seven year old Professor Ariel Warren. The culprit stabbed the popular political science lecturer in the back.The police have several suspects from a professor previously accused of sexual harassment to Ariel's boy friend radio star Charlie D. The campus' militant women feel Ariel is the victim of a male animal and use her vigil to further their goals rather than as a memorial to the deceased. Realizing the campus is divided and turning ugly, Professor Joanne Kilbourn who has known Ariel for two decades begins to make her own inquiries not yet realizing where the danger really comes from.BURYING ARIEL is an exciting academic murder mystery that provides insight into extreme campus politics. Readers will take pleasure from the story line though they will wonder how the vigil turned ugly so quickly. The characters seem genuine especially Joanne, her family, and most of the political science department. Though the killer's motive seems stretched, the audience will find the latest Kilbourn Canadian who-done-it to be a delightful amateur sleuth tale.Harriet Klausner