A newly founded private investigator mystery with a political element.
Unfortunately just wasn't for me, Sorry

5 stars

A current political issue is highlighted in this gripping private investigator novel.

This is the first of Bharti Kirchner’s - Maya Mallick series and obviously then this is one of the first investigations of newly self-appointed private investigator Maya. Hopefully there will be more to come in the near future.

Her investigation of self-immolation takes the reader into the heart of issues where Tibet is facing Chinese oppression. But, political issues - needing to be highlighted - only take the right amount of valuable space in the story.

Maya finds herself investigating the cause of the self immolation by her own friend, Sylvie, with another person, ostensibly to highlight the issues of Tibet to the world. The investigation takes her into the heart of complex relationships in her community living in Seattle. Not only into the heart of relationships, but into the cutting edge of science and chemistry to discover a vaccine for malaria, worldwide.

While Maya looks under the microscope of her investigation, she discovers unexpected links between the two. Her ever closer microscopic view of the self immolations takes the reader from confusion to an astounding conclusion including greed and power.

BonnieK

Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.

Wow! Season of Sacrifice is an incredible mystery. It knocked me off my feet and left me considering the questions it poses long after I finished. I will definitely be the first in line for the next Maya Mallick mystery.


A trip to the bakery ends in tragedy when Maya witnesses a gathering where two women shrouded in white set themselves aflame - one a good friend of Maya’s. At first it looks like a suicide in protest of the Chinese occupation of Tibet, but Maya is suspicious. Sylvie, an accomplished malaria researcher was never politically involved. Neither was the other young woman, a maker of traditional Indian sweets. The police are disdainful, but Maya feels it is important to look deeper, particularly when Ivan, Maya’s boyfriend, a fellow researcher, seems little affected. What is the connection between Sylvie’s work, the successful vaccine trial and her death? In digging deeper into the conspiracy, Maya swiftly puts herself in deadly peril.


Season of Sacrifice is a fascinating mystery with an intelligent and capable lead. It possesses a unique Anglo-Asian flavor and provides a different cultural perspective. I absolutely loved this mystery and highly recommend it.


5 / 5


I received a copy of Season of Sacrifice from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.


--Crittermom

Excellent book. Great storyline and characters. A real page turner. I would recommend this book.

This was an interesting mystery! It delved into some relevant political context as background for motives, which drew in the reader. Looking forward to more of PI Maya Mallick!