Kerry Greenwood, Earthly Delights

Earthly Delights

Kerry Greenwood

Poisoned Pen, Press, June 200, $24.95, 246 pp.

ISBN 1590583930

In Flinders Lane in Melbourne, Australia, there is an architecturally, interesting building based on the Roman design named Insular. It is home to Corinna Chapman, a Junoesque woman who owns a bakery called Earthly Delights on the ground level. Each apartment has a Roman name and their inhabitants are an ecclectic and quirky bunch that includes techno geeks, a dominatrix and a female witch. It is a peaceful place until the flyers start coming to the tenants claiming it is home to a temptress, whore or witch. The person goes from sending flyers to painting graffiti to attempted arson.

While Corinna is very concerned about this, she is dealing with other troubles. She saved the life of a heroin addict who almost died near her door. She meets Daniel, a man of mystery, who is concerned that people are dying from heroin because they are given it in its purest form. She meets Jason, a recovering addict who attaches himself to her, helps her with her baking and is the key to finding the clue that will let them discover who is behind the junkies'deaths. Corinna also is thrilled to realize that the handsome Daniel is in love with her even though she is not a size five.

The Corinna Chapman mysteries are nothing like the Phryne Fisher tales because the women are different as the latter is comfortable in all settings while the former struggles when somewhat outside her norm. The heroine of EARTHLY DELIGHTS is a determined woman who chooses her own path and takes risks on people that most individuals will avoid. Although there is very little action, this tale is a pleasurable and interesting reading experience with mysteries great and small.

Harriet Klausner