"Excellent Bex Levy figure skating cozy"
In 1977 Moscow, fourteen years old Russian figure skating
superstar Igor Marchenko defects to America. A few years
later, he wins the only American gold figure skating medal
at the 1982 Winter Olympics. After he retired Igor became
a coach, but never returned to his homeland until now at
forty-two years old, as coach of the 2005 U.S. Ladies'
Silver Medalist, Jordan Ares competing in the "U.S. vs.
Russia: A Figure Skating Challenge" event. On the first day of practice in Moscow Igor collapses and
dies in the Natzionalnaya Arena. 24/7 Sports Network
researcher Rebecca "Bex" Levy agrees with officials MURDER
ON ICE occurred. The evidence points towards Igor's long
time American rival Gary Gold, coach of Jordan's prime
U.S. challenger Lian Reilly. However, Bex thinks that is
hometown judging so she makes inquiries of the Russian
skating team and the facility management and staff. As
Bex skates closer to the truth, she finds herself ON THIN
ICE from an unknown assailant. The third Bex Levy figure skating cozy is a terrific tale
that highlights the changes since the late 1970s between
Russian and American relations subtly displayed by two New
York Times headlines (in the novel that is):
1977's "Defection" and 2005's "Murder". The first
showcases the glee and despair of the Cold War adversaries
while the second represents the western media's present
ability to investigate what happened to Igor. As the
evidence piles up making Gary the golden suspect, only Bex
has doubts as she looks at who else would have motive;
anyone in the facility had means and opportunity. Fans
will score Alina Adams with 9s and 10s for her superb
figure skating murder mystery. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted January 16, 2006
SummaryWhen a Russian figure skating coach collapses during a
practice and is pronounced dead, reporter Bex Levy has a
hunch it's cold-blooded murder—on ice.
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