On Midsummer's Eve the bodies of two young gypsies are found in a solitary spot near a beach in Málaga. It looks like the couple committed suicide—a lovers' pact to end it all—and the police are quick to close the case. But Jacaranda Dunne, a private investigator who used to work for the Met, thinks otherwise.
When the cousin of the dead girl asks JD to investigate, he tells her that the man was gay and the girl was pregnant—both reasons to despair when you are a gypsy, but not to commit suicide.
The investigation turns out to be more difficult than usual. Their work is impeded by the culture and customs of the gypsy community, who close ranks against any outside interference, and by a recalcitrant Guardia Civil commander. JD can expect little help from either of them so she and her team devise alternative ways of gathering the evidence.
At first there seems to be no motive for killing these two young people, but gradually as JD investigates further into the worlds in which they had lived, some unpleasant truths begin to emerge.
Strawberry Moon is the third book in the Jacaranda Dunne mysteries by award winning author Joan Fallon. If you like detectives who bend the rules you will love JD.
Genre: FICTION / Mystery & Detective / Women SleuthsPROLOGUE
Quietly, Florica swung her legs out of bed and sat up. She waited, listening for the slightest sound that could tell her if anyone else was awake but all she could hear was the incessant droning of the cicadas. Their house was not small but it was overcrowded; all her life she had shared a room with one or other of her siblings. She could see her two younger sisters clearly by the rays of the moon that shone through the open window. They lay curled up together in the bed next to her. Lala, the baby of the family, slept with her mouth open, and her tiny rhythmic snores floated gently into the humid air. There was no movement from either of them. Gingerly she got out of bed and went to the bathroom where she had hidden her clothes in the laundry basket.
It took her only a moment to dress, and carrying her shoes in her hand she crept down the stairs and out onto the back patio. She and Hanzi had discussed their plans earlier; he did not want to leave anything to chance. He had told her to pack a bag and leave it outside in the shed ready for when she left. Now all she had to do was collect it from its hiding place and leave. Roki, their dog, was sleeping on a pile of sacks by the shed. She prayed that he would not bark when he saw her, but all he did was wag his tail in greeting. 'Good boy, Roki,' she whispered, bending down and rubbing his ears.
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Portuguese
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Already translated.
Translated by Mariana Magalhães
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Author review: Mariana is a meticulous translator. |
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Spanish
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Already translated.
Translated by Eva Romero Lozano
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Author review: Eva's usual high standard |
