Book Review - 'The Mountains Bow Down' by Sibella Giorello

An FBI agent on vacation on an Alaska cruise sounds fairly ordinary. Until you realize that this is a working vacation and special agent Raleigh Harmon is riding herd as "consultant" to a movie crew filming a story about an FBI agent. When a female American passenger goes missing somewhere in the Inside Passage and later turns up dead, her working vacation turns into serious work, indeed.

Harmon must overcome the doubts of the ship's head of security, who would rather call the death a suicide than face the negative publicity of a murder on board. The dead woman was the wife of the star of the movie; Harmon's objectivity will be strained to the limits as she deals with an investigation where she may not even have jurisdiction. With an international crew and a mixed bag of passengers, Raleigh has her hands full.

"The Mountains Bow Down" is the fourth novel by Sibella Giorello to feature FBI forensic geologist Raleigh Harmon. It finds Harmon newly engaged, but uncertain of the rightness of the match. She is traveling with her mother, an aunt and the aunt's New Age friend. Her clashes with the friend may color her investigation, as may her disappointment at being denied her planned shore tours. Can she overcome the security head's reluctance to face a possible murder and solve the case before the cruise ends and the potential suspects scatter to the winds? Will she be able to keep from doing severe bodily harm to the annoying agent who flies in to assist her on the investigation?

Giorello is a native Alaskan whose love of the area shines through in rich descriptions and colorful characters. She studied geology before turning to writing, and her knowledge of the subject creates a strongly three-dimensional protagonist who uses geology as a crime-solving tool along with excellent investigative skills and instincts. But Raleigh has her share of human failings. Her fascinating complexity makes "Mountains" a delightful book

Mystery lovers will appreciate the colorful cast of suspects and the way Harmon uses geology to solve crimes. The complex plot will keep the reader's attention. Drama fans will find a lot to enjoy in the relationships and personalities. There is a romantic element to please those readers. With crisp dialogue and a smooth flow, Giorello's book is sure to please. Anyone with an interest in or curiosity about geology will find the way the science plays into the plot an intriguing bonus.

"The Mountains Bow Down" comes from Christian publishing house Thomas Nelson. The book doesn't preach, but the spirit shows through in the absence of vulgar language and gratuitous violence. Share this book with your parent, your significant other or your child - there's no need to worry about embarrassing yourself or them. And that's something that can't always be said for a murder mystery.

"The Mountains Bow Down" by Sibella Giorello
Published by Thomas Nelson
ISBN 978-1-59554-535-0
Published 3/1/2011

References:

Sibella Giorello website: http://sibellagiorello.com/