WRAPT IN CRYSTAL

by Sharon Shinn ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 1, 1999

Science-fiction murder mystery from the author of Jovah's Angel (1997), etc. Desert planet Semay hosts two sects who revere the goddess Ava, the joyful and sensual Triumphantes and the austere, selfless Fideles. But now a serial killer stalks the priestesses, killing first a Triumphante, then a Fidele, at three-week intervals: altogether, five have died. Governor Ruiso calls in the interplanetary peacekeepers known as Moonchildren. Just as agent Cowen Drake arrives, a sixth priestess dies, under similar circumstances. According to the local police liaison, Benito, there are no clues, no motive, and no witnesses. Drake, attempting to understand both sects, meets Triumphante Jovieve and Fidele Laura. Priestesses, Drake learns, fearlessly give evidence in trials where they are witnesses, revealing a possible revenge motive. Five years previously, a certain Triumphante, Diadeloro, whose brother and boyfriend were murdered, subsequently vanished. Drake painstakingly attempts to trace her but the trail peters out. He tells the priestesses to go in pairs, teaches them self-defense, and finds he's falling in love with the emotionally damaged Laura. The next attack comes on schedule, but this time the pair of Triumphantes escape: Drake gets a description, learns that the killer has off-planet connections, and why he's so interested in the crystal pendants the priestesses wear. Intriguingly, only Diadeioro knew that the monks sign each crystal they prepare. Drake realizes that Laura is Diadeloro, and travels off-planet to gather information about the killer. When he returns, Laura has gone missing. Taut, realistic police work, an involving love story, and a fetching backdrop, if somewhat top-heavy with religious debate: well up to Shinn's previous high standards.

Pub Date: May 1, 1999

ISBN: 0-441-00616-7

Page Count: 336

Publisher: Ace/Berkley

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 1999

Categories: FICTION