"The Corpse with the Opal Fingers" By Cathy Ace: Review/Giveaway

Review by Cynthia Chow

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of the book and a link to purchase it.

Criminal psychologist Cait Morgan and her former RCMP and not-a-Canadian-Security-Intelligence-Service agent husband Bud Anderson are finally visiting her sister and brother-in-law in their home country of Australia. Cait and Bud had combined a work conference with a chance to vacation with Siân and her husband Todd Anderson (no relation to Bud but a fun coincidence), and the couples end up encountering a rowdy group of Aussies working for mining companies. One of them later makes the disturbing choice to run into the ocean in a spiral of despair, an action that would make him part of an alarmingly high statistic of suicides plaguing Australia. Their successful rescue of the man nicknamed Ditch is only temporary though, as he and two of his coworkers tragically die not long afterwards in a house fire.

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Before their deaths, the men known as the Mob spent a rowdy evening discussing the 30-year-old murder of Lowanna Swan, whose murderer was found and convicted 15 years ago. The discovery of the murder weapon had led to the arrest of Philip Myers, who just happened to have once been Todd’s supervisor. Todd was never entirely sure of Philip’s guilt, and Philip’s own recent death on top of the others only raises additional concerns. Todd asks for Cait’s and Bud’s help in figuring out the truth, and they are later joined by one of Bud’s former coworkers, a flirtatious former RCMP and current CSIS agent. Together they delve deep into Australia’s overwhelming mining business and the often dismissive treatment of crimes against Aboriginal women.

This 13th in the series continues to expand upon Bud and Cait’s enviable and supportive relationship, although here they only occasionally adorably refer to one another as “husband” and “wife.” Their affectionate teasing is contrasted with the marriage between Siân and Todd, who are challenged by Siân’s chronic health concerns and his involvement in the mining business. Lowanna was known as the Girl with the Opal Fingers as a result of her reputation for being able to inexplicably locate valuable opals, a gift that made her a sought-after commodity by mine owners. 

Cait’s specialization in profiling victims as well as criminals has her sympathetic to the murdered woman whose case is no longer a priority for the police. This globe-trotting mystery series takes readers on a fascinating adventure through Australia and even incorporates its often incomprehensible local “Strine” phrases into a crucial element of the plot. Compelling characters, a unique mystery, and the evolving relationships between Cait, her husband, and her sister guarantees that this is a satisfying and very rewarding read.

To enter to win a copy of The Corpse with the Opal Fingers, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line "corpse,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen February 10, 2024. US & Canadian residents only and you must be 18 or older to enter. If entering via email please include your mailing address in case you win. If entering via comment please include your email address so we can contact you. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section in Kings River Life and in our mystery category here on KRL News & Reviews. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. And check out our new mystery podcast which features mystery short stories and first chapters read by local actors! 

You can click here to purchase this book.

Cynthia Chow is the branch manager of Kaneohe Public Library on the island of Oahu. She balances a librarian lifestyle of cardigans and hair buns with a passion for motorcycle riding and regrettable tattoos (sorry, Mom).

 Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.