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

WWW Wednesday (167)

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading?

• What did you recently finish reading?

• What do you think you’ll read next?

          

01. Currently Reading:
Corsican Justice by Bluette Matthey. After arriving in Corsica to check out the hiking trails, Hardy stumbles upon the truth that his father was murdered there five years earlier.

02. Recently Finished:
I Truly Lament by Mathias Freese. Short story collection focusing on the Holocaust. Powerful subject matter and writing style.

03. Reading Next:
Asylum by Madeleine Roux. Dan wasn't expecting his college dorm room to have a history as an asylum for the criminally insane.

Teaser Tuesday (174)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of A Daily Rhythm. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers



Corsican Justice (p.68)
   - Bluette Matthey

Hardy knew immediately that his room had been searched. His possessions weren't strewn about the room, but there were signs that his things had been rummaged about.

WWW Wednesday (166)

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading?

• What did you recently finish reading?

• What do you think you’ll read next?

          

01. Currently Reading:
I Truly Lament by Mathias Freese. Collection of short stories working through different aspects of the Holocaust.

02. Recently Finished:
Mortal Heart by Robin LaFevers. Final book in the assassin nun trilogy. I'm going to miss their adventurous nature but if I can continue to read LaFevers, I'll survive.

03. Reading Next:
Corsican Justice by Bluette Matthey. Travel mystery! A man goes on a trip to find closure after his father's death when it's revealed that his father was actually murdered.