Murder in Mykonos-Jeffrey M. Siger

Murder in Mykonos
Jeffrey M. Siger
Poisoned Pen, Jan 2009, $24.00
ISBN 9781590585818

On Mykonos, Greece, the first corpse was found in a long abandoned church; the victim was a tied up female. Soon after that body is found several more dead bound women are uncovered; each turns out is a lost traveler with some over twenty years gone. The police did lip service letting the cases turn cold as no pressure form the outside occurred and tourism rules.

Newly arrived police chief Andreas Kaldis is horrified by the official apathy having come from Athens where there would be a major search for a missing female visitor. He knows a serial kidnapper-killer is loose. With veteran homicide cop Tassos Stamatos at his side they investigate the homicides but obtain no official sanction to do so; in fact the brass wants them to stop their inquiries in case it frightens away tourists. As the number of suspects remains high, they learn of a new kidnapping; in a frenzy to rescue the victim, the case turns shockingly personal for Kaldis.

MURDER IN MYKONOS is an engaging Greek police procedural due to the locale and the lead detective. Armchair travelers will gain a taste of the island while also appreciating Kaldis’ inquiry and his look back to what brought him to Mykonos. The brass, ignoring missing tourists for economic reasons, comes out of Jaws while the rounding up of the usual suspects is fun to follow as the police teammates have to be extra careful since their inquiry is unsanctioned. Fans will enjoy this superb whodunit.

Harriet Klausner