The Stolen Blue

mystery/murder books have always been overlooked by me. plots and themes are too predictable.i ordered this from University of New Mexico Press. since i live in the Southwest, i was naturally 'drawn' to this book. the main setting is Albuquerque. i've lived there and will always love that city.five pages into the reading; i could not put it down. sure, i'm biased towards the Southwest.This particular book can appeal to anyone. (like Tony Hillerman appeals to just about anyone).i 'sailed' through it the first time. took a few days off reading other books. then, i found myself re-reading: THE STOLEN BLUE.i seldom,if ever, recommend a book. but this time, i WOULD recommend it to anyone....like Tony Hillerman's writings are popular EVEYWHERE, Judith Van Gieson has bestselling potential here.rarely do i find myself re-reading a book so soon. THE STOLEN BLUE was one of those books.'nuff said?

This is an intriguing biblio-mystery. When Claire's long-time friend Burke Lovell dies, leaving her library a collection of valuable books and placing Claire in charge of settling his estate, he also leaves this librarian a heap of trouble. Shortly after returning to the library with her acquisition of Burke's book collection, a particularly valuable box of books is stolen from Claire's truck. Upset, but determined to catch the thief, Claire reaches out to her contacts in the rare book world to help her solve the crime. She doesn't just want to recover the books - she wants the thief to pay for the crime. Claire eventually discovers that the motive for the crime may go deeper than suspected and there may be more to the books than their face value. As Claire unravels the thief's true motives, an engaging read for both book and mystery lovers comes to life.

I've heard Judith Van Gieson's previous mysteries described as hard-boiled, but this one's definitely a cozy. The sleuth is Claire Reynier, a librarian at the University of New Mexico's Center for Southwest Research, who practices tai chi, loves books, listens to Mozart, and has a cat named Nemesis. Her dying mentor, Burke Lovell, turns over his private collection of Southwest-related books to the university. While Claire is at his ranch, located in a remote region called "the Blue," to pick up the books, Burke commits suicide with the assistance of a newfound daughter. When Claire returns to the university, a box containing some especially valuable books (including two by Tony Hillerman) and a volume titled "History of the Blue" is stolen. This mystery is great fun for book lovers. It's replete with eccentric bibliophiles, various libraries, and antiquarian bookstores. Ms. Van Gieson's characterizations and descriptions are vivid and detailed. If you've ever been in New Mexico, this book will take you back there; if you haven't, you'll get a good idea of what it's like. Apparently the editors and proofreaders didn't quite make it to the end of the book. They did a fairly good job until the very last paragraph, where someone is referred to by the wrong name. That aside, this is a very entertaining read, and I look forward to more of Claire's adventures in the promised sequel.

With Claire Reynier's first appearance in The Stolen Blue I was hooked from the first lines on. Judith Van Gieson succeeds in bringing together full-fledged characters, right settings and innovative leads. A powerful storyteller, the author needs neither old tricks of the trade nor gore to embark the reader on a great tale. Her story provides just the right mix of past and present, joy and sorrow, right and wrong that makes it so real and so appealing. I found myself looking forward to going home to enjoy. Judith Van Gieson really gives the reader something that's increasingly hard to find today : a really good plot packed with insights, wit, finesse and new characters to believe in.

Librarian Claire Reynier heads up the Collection Department for Southwest research at the University of New Mexico. Her children are gown and left the nest and her divorce is final from her philandering spouse. Claire feels free not having to answer to anyone. Claire accepts an invitation from her former mentor Burke Lowell to come to his ranch alongside the Blue River to pick up his valuable collection that he is donating to the university. Claire witnesses Burke sign his will that leaves the ranch to Mariah Geraty, whom he recognizes as his long lost daughter. While Claire goes to sleep, an ailing Burke goes outside in the freezing weather to die. As the executor of Burke's will, Claire fights with his other children to defend what he wanted done. They feel Mariah coerced their father onto his action and refuse to believe that she is his child. Someone steals one of the books from Burke's collection. Claire soon realizes that book, 'The History of the Blue', has also been filched from every other known location in the area. Claire feels the will and the thefts connect so she begins investigating, not realizing the danger that will soon surface. STOLEN BLUE is a beguiling mystery filled with fascinating and likable characters. Judith Van Gieson has created an admirable protagonist who at the crossroads of her life thrives on her new independence. The audience will want to know what happens to Claire in future installments of this charming series. Readers will obtain a genuine feel for the Southwest, especially the beauty of the land and the strength of the people who live there. Ms. Van Gieson proves she is a powerful storyteller with this interesting mystery. Harriet Klausner