The last time I was so excited about a first-time mystery writer, I was reading Jonathon King's The Blue Edge of Midnight, which went on to win the Edgar Award for best first novel.Forcing Amaryllis by Louise Ure is a powerful novel, with a fascinating protagonist.Calla Gentry is a trail consultant in Tucson, a woman who only served as a consultant on civil cases because she was afraid to deal with criminal cases.Seven years earlier, Gentry had been a strong woman who worked in advertising.But, that was before her sister's brutal rape at knife point.Calla lost her sister, Amaryllis, when her failed suicide attempt put her in a coma.Calla also lost her own confidence and sense of security.Amaryllis' rape incapacitated Calla so much that their aunt told Calla she needed to take her life back.She told her, "Just like Amy.It's a life of suspended animation."
When Calla's boss forces her to take on a rape/murder case, she is struck by the similarities between that case and her own sister's.Together with two friends and a private investigator, Calla attempts to link other rapes with Amaryllis'.The descriptions of the rapes, although not graphic, are not easy to read.The jury selection process in the book, and the trial itself are fascinating.But, it is the change in Calla's character, as she forces herself to move out of her safe surroundings, that is the most fascinating.
Give Calla a chance.In my opinion, Forcing Amaryllis by Louise Ure deserves to be nominated for this year's Edgar for best first mystery.
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