“A genre-bender that continues the series theme while simultaneously expanding it, Cross My Path displays Simon’s powers of imaginative conception and adroit execution in full force.” So says Jay R. Strafford in the Fredericksburg Free-Lance Star and I couldn’t be more thrilled. In its entirety (or read it online here: https://www.fredericksburg.com/entertainment/july-mysteries-roundup-catch-up-with-your-favorite-investigator-or/article_045bea8f-20b2-50ca-9a85-8d037d186288.html?
EXPECTED THE UNEXPECTED
Three years ago, Clea Simon departed from the boundaries of her three previous series featuring rock journalist Theda Krakow, graduate student Dulcie Schwartz and pet whisperer Pru Marlowe; she published the first installment in her Blackie and Care stories, which eschewed conventional expectations in a novel way.
Carrie “Care” Wright is a teenage product of the streets who has taken over the investigative service formerly owned by her murdered mentor; Blackie is a cat in late middle age—and also the narrator.
Simon followed “The Ninth Life” with “As Dark as My Fur” and now offers “Cross My Path” (199 pages, Severn House, $28.99), which continues the series in an unnamed city in a dystopian world—and adds an unexpected aspect: reincarnation.
As the story opens, an old woman who gives her name as Augusta consults Care to discover what has happened to her brother. During the visit, Blackie feels a connection to the client, but one he doesn’t understand.
Little time passes before another potential client, dockworker Peter, engages Care’s services to locate a missing co-worker. As the plots converge, Care and Blackie are thrust into danger and deception.
A genre-bender that continues the series theme while simultaneously expanding it, “Cross My Path” displays Simon’s powers of imaginative conception and adroit execution in full force.
Jay Strafford is a retired Virginia journalist who now lives in Florida.