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In "Blinded by the Light" Tess Camillo and her pregnant Albuquerque friend, Beth, decide to visit the Lightning Field -- 400 lightning poles in a special configuration that form an exotic earthworks art piece by Walter De Maria in New Mexico's western desert. Tess enjoys the fascinatingly beautiful sunset effect on the poles. And when lightning strikes, she finds the experience electrifying. But Tess never anticipated finding a dead body in the field the next morning. At first the victim appears to have been struck by lightning, but since the body's bare feet are not caked with mud from the rain, Tess soon realizes she has walked into yet another case of murder. Morgan Hunt wanted an original setting for this latest Tess Camillo mystery, while also enticing the reader with the eerie majesty of the Lightning Field.
Blinded by the Light: A Tess Camillo Mystery
Morgan Hunt
Alyson Books (2008)
ISBN 9781593500856
Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (8/08)
Amateur sleuth and breast cancer survivor Tess Camillo is off on her third adventure when she investigates a murder that happens while she is visiting the Lightning Field with a friend in New Mexico. The victim is made to appear like she was hit by lightning; however, it is quite obvious to the authorities that she was not. Tess’s pregnant friend is one of the prime suspects. Concern for her friend's welfare puts Tess into overdrive on the case. While all the investigating is going on, Tess is also following matters of the heart. She has met a woman online she immediately feels drawn to. This makes Tess vulnerable.
I really enjoyed reading “Blinded by the Light.” The author, Morgan Hunt, does such an excellent job of developing her characters and describing her scenes in such vivid detail, my imagination did not have to do much work. Instead I was able to sit back and enjoy the story. There is a ton of humor in her writing; however, she does not go overboard with it because the main character Tess also has depth, especially in regards to matters of the heart. At her core, Tess wants to be in a loving, complete relationship. The crazy stuff that happens around her, especially with some of the eccentric suspects, makes for a really interesting story.
I am in awe of Morgan Hunt’s creativity in writing. The method of murder and the motives behind it were totally unique. She also has the character encounter interesting people with unique jobs. I like that she incorporated an unusual place that really exists into the story. I enjoyed googling Lightning Field on the Internet to learn more about it. Hunt’s journey takes her to several unique, interesting places within the southwest area. “Blinded by the Light” ranks high on my recommendation list, especially for my friends who enjoy bizarre, humorous murder mysteries.
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