“For mystery fans who need a break from both our winter weather and the proliferation of Nordic crime tales, here’s a first-time novelist introducing Inspector Ricardo Ramirez of the Major Crimes Unit of the Cuban National Police. Havana is as much a character as the people in Canadian author Blair’s fast-paced story.” New York Post
“Decaying but beautiful Havana provides the atmospheric backdrop for Blair’s absorbing debut.” Publishers Weekly
“Each of the three major characters could hold up a crime novel on his or her own, and Blair interweaves their stories beautifully; she also invests Havana geography (with its decaying buildings and rusting American cars) with new vigor by focusing not only on photo-worthy street scenes but also on the complex lives of the people who live inside the broken buildings. A fine novel and the launch of what looks to be a superb series.” Booklist, starred Review
“Peggy Blair is definitely a talented writer and her debut is impressive in many aspects: Many twists and turns, characters who, out of necessity and norms of the society, might only think about their own interests and the corruption in the system. These are some interesting aspects of a story which seems to be a great promising debut for Inspector Ramirez series.We highly recommend this book to the readers who love mysteries in exotic locales.” Mystery Tribune (US)
“Readers will find themselves gripped by this smart novel as Blair combines a surprise-filled plot with well-drawn characters and lush details of Cuban life. A heady mix of deprivation and depravity, The Beggar’s Opera marks a promising start to a projected series.” Richmond Times Dispatch (Virginia)
“… a compelling mystery with flawed, haunted characters that reach beyond stereotypes. Poignant, carefully crafted, and hopeful, Peggy Blair has created a new series that is worth reading.” Fresh Fiction, Texas
“The Beggar’s Opera sets the tone for a style that includes rapid plot developments and unexpected twists, with a dollop of social conscience thrown in for good measure… a commendable introduction to mystery in an exotic land, and leaves the reader primed for a follow-up.” Chronicle-Journal
“World-building is crucial to The Beggar’s Opera, the impressive debut novel from Peggy Blair. The book itself unfolds with an artless ease: the investigation and its developments are both compelling and convincing, a genuinely mysterious mystery that manages to both surprise and maintain its internal integrity.” The National Post
“An impressive police procedural, one that is as much about a detective facing his own dementia-induced demons as a country in the midst of political turmoil. The Beggar’s Opera was shortlisted for the Crime Writers Association’s Debut Dagger Award, and it’s easy to see why.” Quill & Quire
“The Beggar’s Opera does not disappoint. It’s fast-paced, atmospheric, has unusual characters and delivers surprises right to the final pages.” The Ottawa Citizen
“Old school or new, the essential test for any mystery novel is that it read downhill, forcing us to keep turning the pages faster as we come to the end. The Beggar’s Opera does this, and adds quirky leads, an exotic setting, and not one, not two, but at least three twists at the end (saving the best for last). It’s a great start for the series.” The Toronto Star
“The Beggar’s Opera pays loving and detailed homage to the unique beauty of the island nation, and creates, at last, a popular Cuban hero. Ricardo Ramirez, head of the major crimes unit of the Cuban National Revolutionary Police, could easily invade and captivate international crime television…. There are enough strong characters, dazzling locations and subplots in Blair’s book to sustain more than one season of thrillers.” The Winnipeg Free Press
“Canadian author Peggy Blair has written a fast-paced, well-plotted mystery set in Havana, a city falling apart mainly because of United States economic sanctions but still seductive. One can only hope Blair, a lawyer for 30 years and former member of the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal, continues her career as a crime writer as well as she has begun.” The Vancouver Sun
“Full of atmosphere. The Beggar’s Opera is a debut novel with a twisted climax, revealing dialogue and astute social observation on how far apart we are from Cuba and yet how close.” The Hamilton Spectator
“A nuanced account of the struggles of two men to comprehend the sudden and unexpected turns in their complex lives. Blair nicely strings the reader along, casting doubt on what’s real and what’s imaginary, while serving up a tale that combines a penetrating commentary on Cuban life with a whodunit full of twists and turns … readers can look forward to following the further exploits of the enigmatic Cuban police detective.” The Sherbrooke Record
“Blair, an Ottawa lawyer and former member of the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal, makes a splendid fictional debut with the first in the Ramirez series…. Blair’s riveting, gritty tale is so realistic, it may give readers nightmares about landing in legal trouble while in another country.” The Chronicle Herald
“A gritty, absorbing read. Looking back, you can see how skilfully the author has crafted her story, even to the last surprise. Peggy Blair has a future ahead of her as a mystery writer but topping this book will be a challenge.” The Millstone
Longtime lawyer, first time mystery author, Peggy Blair introduces Havana police Inspector Ricardo Ramirez in THE BEGGAR’S OPERA (ISBN 978-0143186427, trade paperback, $16.00). The story is set in Havana, Cuba between Christmas and New Year’s Eve, 2007.
Ramirez heads the Major Crimes Unit in a beautiful but crumbling tropical city. He is afraid he that he is dying of dementia because his beloved Grandmother died from that disease and he thinks he has the early symptoms. Ghosts of murder victims, mostly benevolent, who disappear when their cases are solved, haunt him. He assisted by Dr. Hector Apiro, medical examiner and pathologist, who was formerly a top-notch plastic surgeon. Another associate and close friend is Detective Rodriguez Sanchez. Together they are asked to solve the murder and rape of an 8-year-old boy. In Cuba that crime carries an automatic death sentence if convicted.
The only suspect is Canadian police Detective Mike Ellis who with his wife is on vacation in Havana. Ellis’ partner had recently been killed in a confrontation with a man with a knife. He died in Mike’s arms after Mike had killed the knife-wielder. Ellis’ wife had also recently miscarried their first child. Their marriage was on shaky grounds and Ellis thought this trip to Havana would help start a renewal of their marriage but after an argument, she leaves Havana ahead of schedule. After Ellis is arrested due to overwhelming evidence, the authorities have 72 hours to charge him or release him. Enter Celia Jones a police department lawyer from Ottawa sent by Ellis’ boss to see if she can extricate Mike from this nightmare.
In the last 50 or so pages, bombshell revelation after bombshell revelation, leaves the reader breathless and surprised. I can’t wait to see more from this talented newcomer.
Go! Buy! Read!
Thanks, Jim! Have posted this one as a separate blog post!
Hello, Peggy,
After nearly 40 years in the book business, I feel that I should help authors any way I can. Especially if they write good books. Keep up the good work. My only caveat is “So many books, so little time.”
Jim Harris
retired book sales rep
Well, we certainly appreciate it! Glad you enjoyed it!