By
Margaret S. Hamilton
After publication of the
first two books in the Sophie Medina mystery series, Multiple Exposure
(2013) and Ghost Image (2015), Ellen Crosby recently released the third
in the series, Blow Up.
Her main character, Sophie
Medina, is a favorite of mine, an intrepid photojournalist with well-connected
friends and family in the Washington, D.C. political and social scene. In Blow
Up, Sophie is a recent widow, struggling to create a new life without her
husband. She relies on the support of her high school friends, Jack O’Hara, a
Jesuit priest, and Grace Lowe, a journalist.
Sophie and Jack are jogging
together when they discover the body of a Supreme Court Justice in an alley
behind his home. Sophie dives into the murky circumstances of the Justice’s
death, particularly after her informant, a young, homeless, man, is killed.
Sophie is convinced the
young man told her the truth. When she searches her collection of photographs
of the D.C. homeless population seeking to identify a person of interest known
as “the Professor,” she is targeted in a drive-by street shooting.
Add to the mix a Russian
oligarch and a woman making claims on Sophie’s grandfather’s estate, and Sophie
finds herself fending off attacks on all sides. With Sophie’s determination and
a few favors from her friends, justice prevails. But at what cost to her valued
friendships?
Blow Up is a fast-paced read about money, power, and
influence in Washington, D.C. Crosby uses local settings—the DuPont Circle and
Georgetown neighborhoods, and several well-known restaurants—to enhance the
narrative. I can’t wait to read the next in the series.
Readers and writers, do you
prefer learning about a new location or the comfort of a location you know
well?
Photos: When the book opens,
Sophie is busy photographing the golden ginkgo trees in the area. They are
truly magical and when I’m in DC on my annual Thanksgiving visit, I, too,
photograph them on Capitol Hill and the neighborhoods in Northwest D.C.
I can see why you like Ellen Crosby's stories. Adding this to my TBR list.
ReplyDeleteI do love books that place me solidly in their locations, whether I a familiar with the location or not (although I have to admit being more critical if it's a familiar location--"You can't make a left turn at that intersection!")
ReplyDeleteDC is a great place to set a mystery, and this sounds like a great one.
Ooooh, this sounds so good!
ReplyDeleteI personally like to use fictional towns, though they're based on real places. More freedom to throw in a bakery or bookstore where I need it!
So much for that TBR budget. This sounds fascinating.
ReplyDeleteI do like to learn about new locations through the eyes of characters. Often, even in locations I know well, I'll find something I didn't realize.
Jim, the Sophie Medina books fit comfortably between traditional mysteries and thrillers. Sophie is an appealing main character, one we're rooting for throughout the book.
ReplyDeleteKathleen, the Sophie Medina books are fun DC mysteries with lots of interesting facts about little-known places in the District.
Lori, Crosby knows DC intimately, and it adds to the complexity of the setting. I base my own books in a fictional small Ohio town.
Kait, Crosby throws in lots of hidden details about DC which enhance her setting.
Hi, Margaret (and everyone)--Thank you so much for a lovely review. I always enjoy the photographs that accompany them! And I'm especially glad you enjoyed BLOW UP. Look for DODGE & BURN next year, which is about looted art and museums.--Ellen
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