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July 25, 2006
High life & low life in New York
One of the perks when you write about books and get to know authors is that sometimes you receive an advance galley of their latest work.
Over the past decade, Easton novelist Jessica Speart has become one of my favorite mystery writers for her series of thrillers about the adventures of the federal Fish and Wildlife agent Rachel Porter.
The series began with “Gator Aide� and the tenth book — “Unsafe Harbor� — will be released by Avon Books on Sept. 26. I read an advance copy of the novel over the weekend and I am very happy to report that this may be the best Rachel Porter mystery yet.
Like Speart, Rachel is a former actress and in the new book she returns to her hometown of New York for a case that involves illegal trading in shahtoosh scarves (made from the wool of an endangered species that can’t be sheered but must be killed for its pelt).
The previous Porter books have taken readers all over the country as Rachel’s investigations have resulted in her constant reassignment. The agent has a way of bugging her superiors and rattling criminals of all sorts who make their living from various environmental raping and pillaging.
Speart extensively researches each of her books, so all of the stuff about shahtoosh scarves is true including the fact that Manhattan socialites are willing to shell out $20,000 for one of these incredibly soft but warm (and illegal) accessories.
“Unsafe Harbor� brings the down-to-earth Porter into contact with icy East Side matrons such as Muffy Carson Ellsworth and off-the-wall designers such as Giancarlo Giamonte.
Speart uses the case to take the reader on a tour of ever-changing and ever-gentrifying Manhattan from Chinatown to Park Avenue and from the Lower East Side to the shockingly transformed Meatpacking District (where just a few years back, trannie hookers and S&M parlors dominated a neighborhood that is now chicer than chic).
The book captures that odd Manhattan intersection of high life and low life in the more fashionable areas of the city.
You’re in for a treat when “Unsafe Harbor� comes out in two months. And if you haven’t read any of the Rachel Porter mysteries, you’ve got nine juicy back titles to enjoy, too.
Posted by Joe on July 25, 2006 5:15 PM
