Review
The Fifth Zodiac Mystery
Astrologer Julia Bonatti finds herself immersed in Maya culture and the circumstances surrounding the architectural dig her fiancé was on before his untimely death. When another member of the team is killed, Julia wonders once more if the hit and run that killed Michael was really an accident. And what's with the strange man that only she can see? Is the professor in charge of that ill fated dig responsible for the deaths? The more Julia uncovers, the more questions she raises...and the closer danger comes.
I love the Zodiac Mystery series and absolutely devoured this fifth entry. I was captivated, not only by the astrological information shared, but the cultural information about the Maya as well. It's fascinating to discover modern day practitioners of the Maya religion, though, like Julia, I didn't care for their ritual authenticity. I really enjoyed the appearance of the Hunhau even as it brought about Julia's concern for her own mental health, since only she can see him. The possibilities were intriguing.
I absolutely love Julia and am happy that she's slowly but surely moving on with her life. The subplot with Gloria and her neighbor is timely and moving...funny too. New characters make their mark and I hope we get to see more of Rafael and Manuela.
THE LIGHT BESIDE THE SEA is emotional, funny, thrilling, exciting, and intriguing. There's more than one mystery, romance, humor, and drama all captured in a compelling story. Everything, including events that happened before the series began, is tied together seamlessly, creating a wonderful new story as other issues are brought to an end.
Taut storytelling with just the right hint of the paranormal make THE LIGHT BESIDE THE SEA is a gripping mystery that held me spellbound.
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The Light Beside the Sea by Connie di Marco
About The Light Beside the Sea
Traditional Mystery 5th in Series
Setting - San Francisco, California
Publisher – CMA Literary (May 6, 2024)
Paperback: 341 pages
San Francisco astrologer Julia Bonatti has been haunted for years by the hit and run death of her fiancé, Michael Sefton. The driver of the vehicle was never apprehended. The lone witness to the accident spoke to no one and now is dead. Even the cold case detective assigned to the case died before any resolution was found. Every time Julia thought she might be getting close to an answer, each clue led only to a dead end.
Michael, a graduate student, had just returned from an archeological dig in Guatemala when he was killed. But why did he mail his journal to Julia for safekeeping before his return home? What was he afraid of? Why did another graduate student fall to his death on that trip? And now, another man connected with that journey has been murdered closer to home. And the murderer hasn’t finished.
When Julia finally finds the courage to delve into the journal Michael sent to her years before, she learns of the undercurrents, jealousies and anger between members of the group. She begins to understand the pressure and fear her fiancé was coping with and his suspicions of their University mentor who was most likely engaged in unethical and illegal behavior. But events soon take a darker turn when Julia finds a likeness of the Maya god Hunhau, god of death and the underworld, on her doorstep. A strange man covered with markings and tattoos keeps appearing to her but no one else seems to see him. With guidance from another professor she’s introduced to a world she never knew existed.
Is the man she sees human? And is he under the sway of the Maya god of death?
Will he unleash evil or is he here to right a wrong done to his people?
Julia must move quickly or her death will be the next.
About Connie di Marco
Connie di Marco is the author of the Zodiac Mysteries featuring San Francisco astrologer Julia Bonatti, a woman who never thought murder would be part of her practice. The fifth book in this series, The Light Beside the Sea, has just been released.
Writing as Connie Archer, she is also the author of the national bestselling Soup Lover’s Mysteries from Berkley Prime Crime. You can find her excerpts and recipes in The Cozy Cookbook and The Mystery Writers of America Cookbook. Connie is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Crime Writers Association, International Thriller Writers and Sisters in Crime.
Author Links:
Blog: http://conniedimarco.com/blog
FB: https://www.facebook.com/connie.di.marco.author
Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/askzodia
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/connie_di_marco/
GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14751339.Connie_di_Marco
Purchase Links - Amazon -
Kathy ~ thanks so much for the wonderful review and for hosting The Light Beside the Sea! I’m really thrilled you enjoyed Julia’s latest adventure!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by!
DeleteSounds like a book I will like.
ReplyDeleteIt was great!
DeleteHi Rita, thanks for visiting today! Hope you’ll soon be reading The Light Beside the Sea!
DeleteAbsolutely fabulous review! This sounds like a fun book!
ReplyDelete