The Red Queen returns, and she's better than
ever. Red Solaris is one of three candidates for the
permanent position, Dean of Journalism. She worries about
competing with the two male candidates, who seem to be
favored by the hiring committee. Her partner, Detective
Joe Morgan, is reluctant to take the next step and move
in with her. And on top of it all, one of her students
has disappeared. As she assists with the investigation,
Red's feelings will be stretched to the limit. When the
student's life hangs in the balance, can Red solve the
crime on her own or will she find herself in over her
head?
I absolutely love THE RISE OF THE RED QUEEN.
Bourne Morris has once again used her own experience to
create a unique mystery novel with complex characters.
Red is just as delightful and relatable as before. She's
the aunt we've all always wanted: caring, intelligent,
and a real action hero. I really felt everything she was
going through, especially when the problems started with
Joe. The wonderful voice in which Red speaks to her
reader is probably my favorite part of the novel. The
characterization is wonderful: the victim speaks to us in
her own unique voice, Joe Morgan is so real I feel him
standing next to me, and even the criminal has his
good elements as well as his clear evil.
Another thing which really makes this character
work is the struggles as a teacher and as an
applicant actually seem real. When a disagreement between
teachers turns violent, it is handled exactly as a real
school might handle it. The characters are never overly
dramatic out of context. Everything is very nicely
balanced and polished. At no point in this novel did I
feel like I was being taken out of the action. It is a
non-stop thrill ride with cleverness in every step.
THE RISE OF THE RED QUEEN is a fun novel that
brings a new light to the plight of journalism professors
who moonlight as detectives. If you're very interested in
detective novels where the hero is active and thoughtful,
give Red Solaris a try. The realism in this novel is
intense, and so is the action. Suspension of disbelief is
not a great requirement for this book. If you are a
critical reader, reading just for fun, or really need
something to inspire your own actions, THE RISE OF THE
RED QUEEN could be exactly what you need.
A beautiful student is missing. Did she leave on impulse, or
was it something more sinister? When the young woman’s
grandfather pleads for help, journalism dean Meredith “Red”
Solaris agrees to help search for the student, but doesn’t
know she may have to risk everything to find her.
Worse yet, without solid evidence, Red and Detective Joe
Morgan have little basis for investigation. Murky university
politics—and Red’s own struggle to keep her job—thwart
efforts to find a girl held captive by a man willing to
steal what he cannot win.