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"Ramirez is an appealing character who uses his Canadian connections to augment his sleuthing..."
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"Crisply written, the characters are real ... Blair enters the world of the thriller."
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"Peggy Blair’s Inspector Ramirez series gets better with every book. An Ottawa lawyer, Blair has a real knack for using her Havana setting, with its eccentricities born of necessity, as both a charming backdrop and a real guide to plot lines.
"This time out, Ramirez begins with a confrontation with Mama Loa. The witch doctor says people in the sky are going to die. Ramirez isn’t convinced. There hasn’t been a murder in Havana in weeks and who cares about clouds in the sky?
"When the prophecy kicks in (expertly done) there’s not just one, but several connected killings and yes, the sky is there, too. But this is no local curse or a shot of voodoo. This is plain old-fashioned KGB-CIA hit man-style killing. That makes it political, not personal, and Ramirez knows he’s on borrowed time."
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"Marvellously accomplished ... Cuba is a small triumph of evocation.
"Blair manipulates the new characters in the book with the finesse of a card dealer dealing a hand from the bottom of the deck."
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"Blair's mastery of intricate plotlines means that I didn't even guess at the extent of the machinations until the very end.
"And yet it all seemed to make sense once it was explained -- the very different storylines all connected in a great ending -- which was very cinematic in scope, and again, quite spy thrillerish.
"All in all, you'll find warmth, friendship, terror, clandestine plots, violence, explosions, and true love in this story. The perfect summer read."
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"An exciting procedural."
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"Blair's thriller never disappoints ...This series, with its study of seemingly disparate cultures that actually have a lot in common, continues to be a delight."
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"A charming and funny, but also poignant, series. "
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"Blair's plotting is meticulous, inventive and oh so well played ... an excellent addition to a wonderful series. Absolutely recommended."
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"Heavy on atmosphere and style, the two places Blair shines." Margaret Cannon
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"Top-notch mystery ... A new level of sophistication. Hungry Ghosts is one of the best mysteries to come out of Ottawa this or any year. "
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"Terrific cop characters Ricardo Ramirez and Charlie Pike -- intrepid, quietly anti-authoritarian investigators relentlessly sleuthing in their isolated corners of the world--and locations in non-touristy Cuba and the impoverished Canadian Shield make for a cracking good read."
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"Blair grows more assured with each novel ... she shapes all the elements in each of the three plots into coherent and related whodunits.
"As a bonus, Blair rewards readers with enlightenment about the perils of ordinary life both in Cuba and on Canadian aboriginal reserves."
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"The Beggar's Opera is a well-crafted procedural with a detective who is haunted by the victims in his homicide cases. Inspector Ricardo Ramirez of the Cuban National Revolutionary Police returns in The Poisoned Pawn.
Ramirez is a wonderful guide — hiding nothing but hoping we’ll look past the poverty, hardship and political corruption to see the beauty and humanity of his battered city."
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"I am a bit of a sucker for the weird and unusual and a taste of the exotic, so when I saw this script I sat up and took notice.
"Set in contemporary Havana, we are introduced to the major crime unit of the Cuban National Revolutionary Police led by an inspector who sees the ghosts of unsolved murder victims who in turn is assisted by a dwarf pathologist who needs a stepladder to be able to conduct his autopsies.
"Although handicapped by a creaking bureaucracy, intermittent internet and a lack of pencils, the policemen’s resourcefulness, dark subversive wit and profound intelligence more than compensate for these shortcomings.
"A compelling mystery with brilliant characters and a fantastic setting this is a spellbinding whodunnit. But above all a book of immense humanity."
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“All the ingredients of the best detective novels."
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“A thrilling and engrossing mystery that uses the intrigue of a communist Cuba setting to add not only an interesting backdrop but real jeopardy to the investigation. A fantastic start to what I hope will be a long series.”
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"A poignant yet pacy mystery. The major, and the minor characters, leave the reader wanting more - in the best possible way."
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"Canadian author Peggy Blair's debut novel (originally published in Canada under the title The Beggars Opera) is a treat. It's a fast-moving, original and atmospheric mystery."
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“A fine novel and the launch of what looks to be a superb series.”
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“Decaying but beautiful Havana provides the atmospheric backdrop for Blair’s absorbing debut.”
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“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.”
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“We highly recommend this book to the readers who love mysteries in exotic locales.”
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“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.”
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“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.”
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“Compelling and convincing, a genuinely mysterious mystery that manages to both surprise and maintain its internal integrity.”
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“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.”
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“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.”
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“There are enough strong characters, dazzling locations and subplots in Blair’s book to sustain more than one season of thrillers.”
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“A fast-paced, well-plotted mystery set in Havana... 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.”
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“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.”
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“The Beggar’s Opera does not disappoint. It’s fast-paced, atmospheric, has unusual characters and delivers surprises right to the final pages.”
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“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.”
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“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.”
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“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.”
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“The story treads dark and nasty territory, but Blair sidesteps the impulse to wallow in graphic violence by sticking to her characters’ actions and motivations… The Poisoned Pawn shows there is a way to hold onto decency and humanity in the face of the worst criminality.”
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“If you, like me, somehow managed to miss Peggy Blair’s debut novel, The Beggar’s Opera, then you should read this second book and then run to get the first. Let’s hope there’s a third in the works.”
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“The plot comes together nicely in a Hollywood-style ending, which extends from ordinary people with murderous intent to international conspiracies at the highest level.”
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“Blair’s experience in First Nations law comes shining through in this novel. But it’s the Cuban story that really makes it sing.”
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“Two crime novels. Two resounding successes. Canadian writer and lawyer Peggy Blair proves her debut novel, The Beggar’s Opera, acclaimed by readers and critics alike, was much, much more than beginner’s luck. Blair’s prose is evocative, nary a word amiss.”
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“An affecting series … Even if impoverished and politically oppressed Havana presents unique burdens, Ramirez is not without a sense of humour as he goes about his clever sleuthing.”
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“The plot is intricate, intriguing and surprising. There is plenty of death – innocent, inadvertent, coolly calculated, retributive – and there is plenty of subtle strategizing as the stakes mount for both countries. We haven’t seen the last of Ramirez.”
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“Blair has found a winner in crumbling old Havana with Ramirez, a man haunted both by his country and unsolved crimes."
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Peggy Blair, Sales Representative
Royal LePage Team Realty
200, 1335 Carling Avenue
Ottawa, Ontario K1Z 8N8
613 725-1171
peggyblair@royallepage.ca
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Peggy Blair - Getting Published 
So true, Peggy. I got a one star that was very similar – it was obvious the person had never read my book. I assume a sociopath is at work; someone who gets a kick out of slinging arrows.
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Hi Peggy,
Thanks for the heads-up. I’m one of the people who did get an advance copy, and I will be reviewing it soon — and very favourably! Keep heart.
Best,
Jim
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Jim Napier
Mystery and Crime Fiction Reviewer, The Sherbrooke Record
Creator of the prize-winning website, deadlydiversions.com
“She plunged into a sea of platitudes, and with the powerful breast stroke of a channel swimmer made her confident way toward the white cliffs of the obvious.”
—W. Somerset Maugham
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Thanks so much, Jim — much appreciated!
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You know you’ve made it as an author when someone says, “I threw the book across the room,” and this was because of some ideosyncrasy. If you go to the heavy hitters, the big guy and gal authors, even with 500 reviews, there will be someone who gives it a 1. Read a few, and you’ll start feeling sorry for these millionaire writers. Well, not THAT sorry. Now you know what I do in my spare time. ;-))
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No book is for everyone, and no book is perfect. But going on a website to post a crappy rating of a book you’ve never read is just mean.
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Thanks for a great article, Peggy!
I gave it 5 Stars.
Donna Carrick
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Thanks Donna – much appreciated!
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“There are cowards and bullies in cyberspace just as there are on playgrounds everywhere. These ones just happen to target books.”
I’m so sorry this has happened to you, Peggy. It happens a lot, especially when you’re successful or high profile. In a few instances, these trolls have been outed. Sadly, they turned out to be other writers or friends/fans of other writers. Check out:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1266860/I-blame-wife-Top-historian-accused-rubbishing-rivals-Amazon-reviews–wife-says-SHE-did-it.html
Wishing you and yours all the best for the festive season.
Cheers
Vicki
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Very interesting story, Vicki, and thanks.
I’ve heard from a few authors who belong to the same small writing community as I do who have experienced similar attacks. Instead of deleting these comments (as I did with the one that showed up here), from now on I’ll post them up and see if we can find out if we have a serial slammer.
All the best to you for the holiday season as well!
Cheers, Peggy
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It’s a shame people behave like that. I think it’s the same mentality that makes some drivers so nasty–people feel frustrated and powerless, and they lash out when they think they can be anonymous. You’re also “living the dream” of many people, and that can attract jealousy.
That said, the overall rating for your book is very high, and all the other reviews are very positive. I’d suggest focussing on that and ignoring the spammer (even if it’s hard). Your energy will be much better spent on the kindred spirits who love–and will love–your book.
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Thanks RP. I have a pretty thick skin after all the rejections I got enroute to publication, so I’m not concerned about bad reviews; it’s the bogus ones that offend me. I’m offended in the way I’m offended by the calls to Irwin Cotler’s constituents implying he was going to resign. Interesting how many PMs I got from other Canadian authors who’ve had the same thing happen — one star reviews on Goodreads and Amazon from someone who rates no other books. Very interesting link from my pal Vikki below on the UK author whose book got scathing reviews — which turned out to have been posted by a colleague. Anyway, as always, your kind words are appreciated. All the best for Christmas!
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I was sent a review copy of the ladys killing circle by donna carrick who did the formatting and I quite rightly found zero errors. Theres some real a*holes out there who are just out to hurt people I guess.
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I think so. Thanks for commenting (and confirming that the format was just fine). Merry Christmas!
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Dear Peggy,
This is so true! I left Goodreads because I have found that the moderators do not enforce any kind of reviewer ethics. My experience on the site with bullies was so horrible, I documented on my blog. Sorry, I don’t usually put links to my blog on others’ blogs but I wanted to share this with you:
http://melissadouthit.com/2012/02/03/spread-love-not-hate-speak-out-against-bullying/
If you’re a Goodreads author, beware. There are cowards and bullies like you say and all they want to do is hurt people. It’s crazy.
Melissa
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Thanks for this, much appreciated!
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I have had the same thing happen to me–I have been been called a schizophrenic with a low IQ on Goodreads on a so-called book review of an award winning book. Sales dropped off even though this book is recognized on Girls Voices in Literature Database, is fifth on the AU Pukeke reading list, etc. Now why a middle aged woman was even reading a book meant for teens is beyond me, I complained, but how anyone can consider name-calling a valid review is beyond me. The review is so scathing t not only hurts me, but my entire family as it reaches out to supposed opinions I personally have about an alleged fictional family which the reviewer supposes is my own–and then goes onto rampage about a discussion between two characters the reviewer attributes to me stating the book is a personal diary intended to hurt all the people I know–The book has been honored for the exact opposite reasons–for its positive outlook and portrayal of good qualities in a teen girl—No book is perfect, but what is said by this reviewer is libelous. Goodreads seems to think this is what a review is. Obviously, people who do this, have nothing else to do but try to destroy the lives and dreams of others– Hopefully, everyone will soon see through this and ignore these uncivil human beings.
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