DEATH IN THE AEGEAN

A young woman vacations in the Greek isles, hoping for rest and relaxation; she finds mystery and murder instead.

In this first of Monnin’s Intrepid Traveler mysteries, 35-year-old American Stefanie Adams becomes lost walking in Fira, the capital of Santorini, a Greek island in the Aegean. Thomas Burkhardt, a handsome, 40-ish German, comes to her rescue when a pair of tipsy men harasses her. After sharing a drink, the two part without exchanging numbers and “before he could make an offer she didn’t want to refuse.” The next day, she sees him at a museum exhibition where she admires the legendary Snake Goddess of Akrotiri, a small, exquisite gold statue. When the museum is evacuated due to a burst pipe, someone steals the artifact. Emma Keller, a newlywed at the exhibition with her husband, Jason, suggests Stefanie might be involved in the theft. Emma knows Stefanie’s father was connected to the robbery of a similar Greek statue 40 years earlier. Stefanie’s anger at Emma’s inference turns to shock the next day when she finds her murdered in the VIP section of a ferry headed to Crete. Two crimes—the statue theft and Emma’s homicide—link to Stefanie. “Coincidences require more scrutiny,” says a policeman, noting how often Stefanie’s path crossed with Emma’s in the days before she died. Stefanie vows to find the killer. It must be someone in the VIP section—the suspects include a bearded backpacker, a sun-tanned Brit, a glamorous redhead, her male companion, newlywed Jason, and Thomas. Stefanie turns out to be an intriguing protagonist. In addition to Thomas’ looks and charisma, she is drawn to his love of antiquities. She studied to be an archaeologist but then, in a seemingly unusual career move, became a private banker. Along with the striking hero, murder, and thievery, the adventure of foreign travel is a hallmark of Monnin’s engaging book. The story’s sense of place is enriched by the author’s personal familiarity with the Greek isles’ rocky shores, volcanic sand beaches, and brilliant blue sky. Images are strong, such as a yellow gauze shawl draped on bare shoulders and a meal of soutzoukakia and dolmades ending with rich Greek coffee.  

A captivating mystery that oozes charm, danger, and romance.