Reviewed by Wendy Hawkin
As do all of Cathy Ace’s cozy Cait Morgan mysteries, number thirteen springs from the setting; in this case, Tahiti, French Polynesia. And, like one of the more annoying characters in this cast, we see only the wealth and superficial beauty of the island at first glance. “Our over-water bungalow was protected from the ocean’s gentle swell by a coral reef, which enclosed a crystalline lagoon, and the air was full of the scent of the fragrant tiaré shrubs …”
This reader was even a little jealous of Cait and Bud’s luxurious stay in paradise, until she confesses that they could never afford The Legrand Resort on their own. In fact, Professor Morgan’s still teaching crime psychology courses for Vancouver University via a cheaply purchased laptop. They’re only in Tahiti because Bud suffered ill health in Australia during a family visit. Doctors advised against him flying home to Vancouver, so they’re cruising and currently in between ships. As luck (or plotting) would have it, Bud’s old RCMP mate, Henri, is now owner of this boutique luxury resort, and made them an offer they can’t refuse—to be “test guests” ahead of the grand opening.
It’s just another day in paradise until someone bumps into Cait while she’s taking an early morning dip in the turquoise sea. A dead someone. And so begins the mystery of The Corpse with the Pearly Smile. Vaiarii Teriimana is a handsome model, local celebrity, and experienced pearl diver. He grew up on the island and is close to his mother. According to the aforementioned annoying character—the wealthy and irritating influencer CeeCee Ducasse—she and Vaiarii are engaged. Questions abound as to his cause of death. Accident? Suicide? Murder? How could an experienced deep sea pearl diver drown in a shallow lagoon? And why this lagoon by this resort just when it’s about to open? Cait and Bud settle on “suspicious death” and leap into their investigative roles—Bud as a retired detective and Cait as a criminal psychologist with an eidetic (photographic) memory.
As are many cozies, Pearly Smile is a “foodie” book and there’s plenty of eating and drinking as the resort staff, including Cait and Bud, work to sort things out. We drool over buttery pastries, fresh sorbet, and French Polynesian delicacies like fresh fish in spicy coconut milk. But this book is more than ambience and fluff.
Ace likes to dig out the truth and expose it to the light and, in many ways, this is a story of psychological trauma and exploitation. There’s mention of the artist, Paul Gauguin, whose paintings decorate the hotel, as a syphilitic womanizer who was sleeping with several Polynesian girls while living in this paradise. It seems that because of the beauty of their land, the Indigenous people have been exploited and erased in many ways over time. Not a pretty story, nor a new one.
Although Pearly Smile is a clever, keenly plotted book, it’s more of a heartfelt tale than others in the series. I won’t give away the why of it, but Ace mentions the inspiration for it in her afterword. During one of her trips to Tahiti—okay now I’m jealous of this world traveller—Ace mentions overhearing a group of women talking to each other in a fabric store. The subject is death. I’ll say no more, but you should know that Ace doesn’t shy away from the tough stuff and putting blame where blame is due, and this story delves into a tragedy everyone can relate to. Dive below the surface to see the hidden black pearls at its depths.
Since Ace announced that Welsh actress, Eve Myles (Torchwood, Keeping Faith) will portray Cait Morgan in the upcoming Free@Last TV adaptations, I’ve been envisioning her as Cait. Ace confesses that Cait is modelled after herself—a “short, plus-sized Welsh woman who’s quite bossy.” Though Ace claims Cait has “skills and talents” she doesn’t possess, a character can only be as intelligent as their creator, and in this case, intellect abounds. Precisely plotted and masterfully crafted, The Corpse with the Pearly Smile will not disappoint. I’m curious what will be better: the television adaptation or the original books. We’ll have to wait and see.
The Corpse with the Pearly Smile is published by Four Tails Publishing.
Commentaires