Haitian Graves. (A Ray Robertson Mystery), (Rapid Reads). Vicki Delany. Victoria, BC: Raven Books/Orca, 2015. 148 pp., pbk., pdf., & epub), $9.95 (pbk.). ISBN 978-1-4598-0898-0 (pbk.), ISBN 978-1-4598-0899-7 (pdf), ISBN 978-1-4598-0900-0 (epub). Grades 9 and up / Ages 14 and up. Review by Christina Pike. **** /4

excerpt:

"Is this your daughter, Monsieur?" Pierre asked.

Hammond coughed. He replied in badly accented French, "My wife, Marie. I came home early today. I've been putting in a lot of extra hours." He switched to English. "I thought it would be nice to spend some time with the kids. I came in and found...Marie. She was in the pool. Face down. I pulled her out. I did CPR, but it was no use. I was a lifeguard back in school. A long time ago." He choked on a laugh. "It's like riding a bicycle, I guess."

"I see no bicycle." Pierre glanced around. Sometimes he didn't get English jokes.

Vicki Delany's Haitian Graves is her second book featuring RCMP Sergeant Ray Robertson, with the first having been Juba Good. In this novel, a young attractive mother of two and wife is found dead by her older husband in the family pool. Sergeant Ray Robertson is on loan to the UN as a mentor and advisor to the PNH, the national police in Haiti. An autopsy reveals that the death was not an accident. Almost immediately, the gardener is arrested, but the fast pace and evidence of the case do not sit well with Robertson.

      Delany has continued to represent the character of Sergeant Ray Robertson true to form. Robertson is a no-nonsense officer not easily swayed. In Haitian Graves, Delany also develops Robertson's character by filling in details about Robertson's private life making his character multidimensional.

      Haitian Graves is more than a murder mystery as Delany delves into the Haitian culture and people and examines the darkest aspects of human nature.

      A good read. A story not to be taken lightly.

Highly Recommended.

Christina Pike is the principal of St. Paul's Junior High in St. John's, NL.

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