Revenant (MIRA Books, 2007)
Review by G.L. Giles
Author: Carolyn Haines
This mystery/thriller novel of 362 pages is a definite keeper due to the excellent character depictions. For starters, there’s the protagonist Carson Lynch, a female investigative journalist, who responsibly covers the deaths of five young ladies killed about a quarter of a century ago---left buried with their ring fingers cut off and wearing bridal veils. Carson has a soft-spot for these victims and their families as her own daughter was tragically killed as well. So, rather than sensationalize any of the details to perhaps help her career out, Carson always takes the high road in reporting her news. But she’s not without her own personal challenges. Namely her bout with alcoholism and past loves that have resurfaced in her life: her dead daughter’s father (Daniel) and Michael (her childhood sweetheart). Carson is a well-drawn and very complex character. Plus, the modern-day (2005) setting of Biloxi, Mississippi is almost personified itself at times as parts of it are described in such detail that its pulse is palpable. Frequently reading books with a more supernatural bent, I saw the title of this novel and thought it would probably be the supernatural story of primarily ghosts and/or vampires. It was clear early on that the kind of revenant described in this story is primarily the sort who has returned after a lengthy absence and/or one who returns after death. And, it’s of note that the title could really refer to more than one individual. It certainly alludes to the Bridal Veil Killer by the book’s end, but it also can refer to the victims themselves who’ve been unearthed after some twenty plus years. Add to that, what’s probably the ghost of Carson’s daughter, Annabelle, does appear at one point, but that’s about as supernatural as it gets. By contrast, for the most part this novel has a very gritty, real feel to it, which can sometimes be even more horrifying than the supernatural. Besides being a major multiple-murders mystery, this book is really about Carson’s personal journey from the paltry, and temporary, cure of alcohol which she used excessively to drown her sorrows over losing her daughter (and her ex-husband as a result) to the forgiving of herself for her past wrongs by sobering up and facing her demons. Other characters were also wonderfully depicted. Including her supposedly perfect homemaker sister, Dorry, along with Dorry’s egotistical and philandering husband (a doctor named Tommy Prichard), the D.A. Mitch Rayburn, etc. Plus, Carson’s cats and her parents’ horses are also well-portrayed characters that add to the cozy-family feel of the storyline at times, which works well to offset the horrors of the murders. I can’t say that I was satisfied with the ending, however. Who the killer was made sense, but the motive for the killings really didn’t seem all that believable to me. More to the point, I wasn’t really convinced of the “why” (the murders were committed) as it seems to me that older male victims would have been a more logical choice. The killer’s reasoning is explained, and I realize that psychopathic killers aren’t often logical, but I found myself losing my willing suspension of disbelief somehow. Other than that, it’s really an excellent read. I give it an 8 out of 10.