Sonnet of the Sphinx [Large Print] (Hardcover)

While sorting through some old books and papers at Rogue’s Gallery, Grace stumbles upon an old love letter written in 1943 by a man named John Mallow. The letter hints of an unknown sonnet by poet Percy Bysshe Shelley. Realizing the significance of this find, Grace attempts to share her enthusiasm with Peter, who only wishes to tease and poke fun. During some light hearted banter between the two, a ghost from Peter’s past enters the gallery and immediately the mood is changed. The mysterious stranger is Hayri Kayaci, a policeman from the Turkish prison where Peter had spent some time. He has come to claim something he feels Peter owes him and if he doesn’t get it, he’s going to extradite Peter back to Turkey. Grace fearing for Peter, tries to come up with a plan to help him but Peter assures her that it will be taken care of. A few days later, Kayaci turns up dead with Grace and Peter becoming the prime suspects. Thus begins this fast paced mystery, complete with shadowy figures in the night, some very amusing and colorful characters, death threats on Grace’s life, cover ups, a relentless detective determined to pin the murder of Kayaci on Peter, some surprising discoveries, a little romance and an ending that will shock you! Sonnet of the Sphinx is jam packed with heart pounding action and nail biting suspense! Hang onto your book and get ready for the ride of your life!

The dialog is witty and fun. The events may seem far-fetched and out of the ordinary but if the book was ordinary, it wouldn’t be worth reading. Ms. Killian is an accomplished story teller with a knack for wit and creativity when describing a feeling or situation. From the very first page of the prologue, Ms. Killian’s descriptive style starts working its magic. Describing the storm that will soon claim Shelley’s life, she writes, “The young man raked fingers through the golden hair that was perpetually in his eyes, then turned his attention once more to the book of Keats’s poetry. The boat creaked, the sails whispering to each other. The storm that whipped up off the black-glass ocean was like an enchanted thing, so sudden, so parlous. The pages in the book flapped like chattering paper teeth.” Explaining the thoughts running through Grace’s head regarding the possibility of discovering an unknown work by Shelley, she states, “Grace’s brain continued to spin sweet airy fantasy as though someone had left a cotton candy machine on overdrive.” While detailing Grace’s constant battle to fight the urge to pry into Peter’s mysterious past, she says, “Peter’s mysterious history acted upon her the way an unopened jigsaw tempted a puzzle addict.”

The writer’s descriptive style and imagination brings this book to life. It sparks our own imagination, inviting us into the story and encouraging us to experience it for ourselves. We become the unseen sidekick tagging along after Grace, helping to solve the mystery. We are sitting with her in the garden mulling over the events of the day before. Our senses come to life and we can smell the flower’s sweet fragrance, hear the buzzing of the bees and feel the warmth of the sunlight on our face. We are the fly on the wall, listening to every conversation and witnessing the intimate moments between Grace and Peter. Our heart beats frantically as we feel our way through the darkness with Grace and Peter, trying desperately to elude the dark figure trying to kill us. For a brief moment we are transformed from our dull everyday life to an exciting adventure of intrigue and mystery. Ms. Killian has given us a wonderful gift. It is the opportunity to live out our own fancy through her book. When the last page is turned and the book closes and we are again back in the real world, there is a sadness and a yearning for another wonderfully exciting adventure and book four.

Sonnet of the Sphinx is a book that can stand on its own merits but should you want the full experience, my suggestion is to start at the beginning with the first two books of the Series, High Rhymes and Misdemeanors and Verse of the Vampyre. All are equally enjoyable and fun to read!

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