Corsican Justice

Hardy is visiting Corsica for the first time to explore the possibility of arranging a hiking tour for segments of Corsica's infamous hiking trail, the GR20. He also seeks some closure for the fact that his father was killed in a highway accident on the island several years earlier. When Hardy learns his father was actually murdered, his world is shaken; he seeks the truth amid arms smuggling, Russian mobsters, and judicial corruption. Corsican Justice encompasses justice on several levels, with an understanding of the Corsican vendetta as the core of the island's justice system that goes back centuries.

*May Contain Spoilers*

Mortal danger, mobsters, and machine guns can really put a damper on a vacation. Though, Hardy Durkin tries to keep a smile on his face in Corsican Justice by Bluette Matthey. Researching a hiking trail for his senior-focused trail blazing business, Hardy travels to Corsica in hopes of finding a new trail and closure with his dad's death, but his hopes may be too high. 

Hardy is an American who, if I understood it correctly, was born and raised in Germany because of his father's military career. He's a former military member himself and now runs his own business. As a character, Hardy is brave, spontaneous, loyal, and instinctual. Readers who enjoy the outdoors will be able to connect with Hardy on that point. Other readers will be able to understand his need for closure with his dad's death, which turns out to be a murder and not an accident like the police reported. Mystery lovers will enjoy that opening plot twist and let that lead their interest. 

The plot is intense, to say the least. Hardy gets way more than he bargained for when first stepping foot in Corsica. He's immediately the almost-victim of a murder, cursed, and mortally threatened within the first half of the book. After Hardy discovers that his father was in fact murdered, he follows the lead, which pulls him into a mob fight between Corsicans and Russians. There are lots of murders, lots of things blowing up, and lots of detail. Some is a bit extreme. Readers with queasy stomachs may want to skim those sections. 

The writing style is factual and a bit dry at times. In some chapters, I thought I was reading a travel book, while others thickly recounted Corsican history. And, not being a history buff, I feel like I zoned out during those parts. The plot line is interesting however, and I put up with the history and the travel info to finish Hardy's story. He's a relatable, likeable character who stumbles into a complete sh*t storm, for lack of a better term. I would most definitely recommend this novel for anyone who likes mystery, mob-musings, or adventure. 

Rating: 3/5 Cups