The Vanished Priestess: An Annie Szabo Mystery

As if it weren't enough for Annie to contend with her Gypsy (read culture-clash) mother-in-law, who cast spells and waylays wandering craftsmen, there's a circus next door, a wife-beating son-in-law, and, SURPRISE, a murder! Annie and m-in-l come closer to being friends, and there's a new cast of characters. Also nice sense-of-place of coastal Calif. She also plays fair with clues. Meredith, keep them coming!

I liked the first book and the third book in the series best - but this one is very good. The main character, Annie, rather than picking up where she left off in book one--moves dramatically ahead emotionally. Most of the favorite characters come back--Madame Mina especially and in this book, I got more attached to her. Instead of mother-in-law, this character is more developed and is truly enjoyable all by herself. The gypsy factor (Madame Mina) makes this book unique, gives it a quirk here and there and ads dimension. Worth a read.

Widowed after only a few years of marriage, Annie Szabo inherited her gypsy mother-in-law Mina, who was not pleased when her son married an outsider. Over time the two combating women found a way to co-exist at a distance with one another. Though they would never admit this to anyone even their maker, they respect one another. Annie is unhappy when Mina comes for an extended visit for a large dose of the woman will drive her crazy. However, Annie's concern over her failing mental health as there is no end state to Mina is diverted by someone shooting her neighbor Margo Spencer in the back; circus friends of the victim discovered the body. Margo owned and operated a new age circus that funded a shelter for battered and abused women. When Annie's daughter Abra arrived bruised, Margo brought her to the shelter and the Szabo women closed ranks against her abusing spouse Rory. At the same time that Margo was killed, her lover Lili disappears. To get her mind off of all the negativity that floods her soul, Annie investigates the homicide. An Annie Szabo mystery is always a special treat due to the eccentric Szabo clan that play powerful secondary roles especially driving the heroine nuts with their loyalty and other shtick that she reciprocates 100 percent. Meredith Blevins applies a wicked sense of humor, at times edgy, but never quite over the edge, as the conversations between characters especially the cross purpose discussions between Annie and Mina, are fabulous. Amateur sleuth fans will love THE VANISHED PRIESTESS. Harriet Klausner

Funny how book people can come to occupy a place like real friends. I fell in love with the Szabos in The Hummingbird Wizard, and it was so good to see them again. The circus thread introduced in the previous book is played up here, with more Gypsy magic and kick-ass multi-generational girl power. It's a lovely romp that dovetails nicely with the first novel. My only regret was that Margo wasn't around longer; I would love to have seen her in a book of her own. One of Blevins' great strengths is the believability of her characters. It's hard to imagine that these women aren't actually walking around out there somewhere. I can't wait for the next one.