Crow in Stolen Colors: A Liza Romero Mystery

By Marcia Simpson

Book Overview

What's not to like? Wrangell, Alaska, rich in scenery, laden with native lore. A child who's not cute but sturdily self reliant. No victim, although needing shelter, James has been prepared by his grandfather for the weight of tribal responsibility. He knows where all the Tlingit bodies are buried. A great, half breed dog who neither talks nor detects. Sam's just a dog. A woman who's wounded but walking, struggling to make sense of her life. She's stubborn and somewhat rash, but you can forgive her as you warm to her prickly personality and watch her pilot her freighter/floating library. And a cop who's no SNAG (that's Sensitive New Age Guy) but working on his attitude. Toss in some Tlingit totems and you get a winning and colorful debut mystery which also has a winning concept: hardcover publication by us (April 30), mass market publication by its originating publisher, Berkley Prime Crime (May 8, $5.99). Crow in Stolen Colors ($24.95) is reviewed in the April issue of Firsts, The Magazine for Book Collectors. While fairly citing some flaws, Kathryn Smiley sums up: ""Liza has lived several lives: daughter of a native American mother who left Liza and her Anglo father; wife of a policeman shot to death by a crazed druggie; skipper of a coastal freighter. Now Liza unwillingly takes on another incarnation, as protector of a seven-year-old Tlingit boy who himself is the guardian of a very big secret.... This is an entertaining debut with a vivid setting and a brisk pace. Simpson is obviously at home in a boat on the tricky waters of the Alaskan coast; after a session with Crow in Stolen Colors, you feel a need to wash the salt spray off your face....[it] provides readers a passage alongwaterways few of us have visited and a thoughtful look at the true value of cultural heritage.""

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1890208361
• ISBN13: 9781890208363
• Release Date: April 2000
• Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press
• Length: 264 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.8" x 8.8"

Customer Reviews

An Unbeatable Debut

This is a splendid book, and for a first novel, equally marvelous. It's distinguished first of all by its setting, the mysterious Alaska Panhandle. The protagonist, Liza Romero, has found refuge from her past in Wrangell, a rough and ready town, which survives, as do all in the area, by fishing or logging. A Tlingit boy named James washes up from a rocky shoal and finds safety in her boat, bringing with him dangers that begin to threaten her life. The author portrays only too realistically the perils of sailing in those frigid waters. The heart of the novel is a fight for an endangered culture, which builds to a fearful fight at a mountain top. Along with the other eccentric characters in the tiny town, Liza must ask herself questions which define her new life...if she dares to answer.

Really a 10+

This book was beyond fantastic. From the first page I could not put it down - I could not turn the pages fast enough! I am so glad that I purchased this one and the author's second book of the series at the same time. I can't wait to open Sound Tracks which I'm going to do as soon as I sign off. This was a wonderful book with the history, description of life in Alaska and the personalities of the people in Wrangall - you will be missing a fantastic journey if you pass this one up.

A beautiful and intriguing story.

I don't read a lot of mysteries set in Alaska because most of the writers tend to focus heavily on (not to mention exaggerate) the 'wildness' and the 'rugged frontier' aspects of the state. Ms. Simpson, however, works the setting into the story as just another part of the overall whole, weaving sea and costal rainforest into important elements of the plot without resorting to hyperbole. She has also created believable, sympathetic characters in Liza, James, Crow, Paul, Mink and her husband, and (of course!) Sam. I'm eagerly awaiting the chance to get my hands on Sound Tracks.

Excellent Debut

A fascinating study of Alaskan wilderness with plenty of mystery and suspense, first-rate characters that definitely intrigued me throughout. Even the setting becomes an integral part of the story, matching Liza Romero and her quirky book-mo-boat profession perfectly. Excellent debut novel, highly recommend.

First rate read!

Murder and mayhem flow in the fresh, crisp waters of Alaska. CROW IN STOLEN COLORS is filled with noteworthy characters, Alaskan atmosphere and native life. The author generously included a map of the islands and waterways.Liza, a widow, has moved to Alaska to forget her painful past. She runs her own freight and book service to road less villages and has a new man in her life. When Liza finds James, a young boy, in the middle of a river she becomes protective of him. When she realizes James is a witness to a murder, Liza seeks out Lieutenant Howard. Together they try to solve the mystery and keep James out of the murders hands; what a job it turns out to be!Whew, there is enough suspense and close calls to turn a person blue. Marcia Simpson keeps her readers on their toes with this on the move mystery. The clues are passed out sufficiently then solved one by one; definitely a first-rate read.Brenda @ MyShelf.Com