Thriller set in DELPHI

18th May 2021

Oracle by Julie Anderson, thriller set in Delphi.

This is the second outing for Cassandra Fortune and in the first book in the series –  Plague – she very nearly lost her life; the action in Plague took place on a couple of months previously. References to events in the first book do occur in Oracle and so if you do get the chance to read these books in order, it might enhance your reading experience. Having said that, this novel works just as well as a standalone. (In fact you have the opportunity to read both if you enter our GIVEAWAY running until 29 May 2021)!

Cassandra – Cassie – is attending a conference in Delphi and presenting a paper on tax issues on behalf of the British PM. Her mission is to secure a reciprocal visit by the Greek Finance Minister to London. The delegates let their hair down at a convened dinner in a local restaurant and it seems almost as if Dionysus – the Greek god of wine and more –  was presiding over the proceedings (they are after all in Delphi). On the way back to the guest house where she is staying, she is clearly being followed. The next morning a body turns up, a young woman has been brutally murdered and then one of the delegates is found dead. Pretty much against her will, Cassie is inveigled into helping out with the investigations. A stark and very personal warning is sent to her and it is clearly from someone who knows her.

This novel is once again set over a period of a few days which heightens the pathos. The writing is crisp and clean and in this book it is interesting how the author reflects on the political and historical machinations in ancient Greece and how nothing much has changed in contemporary society. Protesters besiege the conference centre, and politicians and local dignitaries each have agendas. There is also plenty of history and mythology sewn into the narrative which adds an extra piquancy.

Setting is very much a character in the book and is evocatively and colourfully drawn, even though it is November (and most people think of Greece as a summer destination, for obvious reasons). As the weather comes in, the cloying sense of drama ratchets up considerably. The historical mythology is part of the fabric of the area, the ruins still hold their secrets and are never far from the delegates’ minds. Stuck atop a mountain the murderer surely is within their midst and no-one can leave..

The book has a very striking cover (and you will note that orange is the “complimentary colour” of blue and when complimentary colours are used together, they always look stunning!). Inside there is a map of Delphi and as each day dawns, there is a very good pen/ink drawing to herald the day.

Tina for the TripFiction Team

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HERE Julie talks about the location of DELPHI

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