Four years after the tragic suicide of Alice Delgado, eldest daughter of Albuquerque's top racing driver, her younger sister, Lily, is reported missing and two of her peers are found dead. Detective Temeke's investigation leads him to a private boarding school on the Rio Grande where the discovery of occult practices and an ancient book ignite a chain reaction of heartbreaking truths and demonic attacks.
What madness connects these girls to a ruthless killer? Against a background of simmering police tension and mounting victims, detectives Temeke and Santiago are in a desperate race to learn the truth before it's too late.
Past Rites is a spine chilling thriller with a killer twist that reveals the truth about our hidden demons.
Spread thick with winter chill, Stibbe delivers a richly textured, breathtaking novel that gives us an insight into the dark places of the psyche. Some secrets can never be buried. Litouture Café.
Excellent third novel. Fans of psychological fiction will enjoy Claire Stibbe's original and unnerving portrayal of the darker side of human nature. Dr. Marco Storey, PhD in Narrative Theory & Criticism.
Vividly and believably drawn characters that are the series hallmark. It should be put at the top of every "to be read" pile! Paul Henderson, Crime Fiction New Mexico.
Watch out for more from Detective Temeke and Malin Santiago
Professional Reviews
starsIntense and Brilliantly Written Detective Story
Past Rites is the third book in Claire Stibbe’s Detective Temeke’s Crime Series and like the first two it packs a wallop. This is a deeply psychological examination of bullies and the cliques that engage in those behaviors. Beyond that Stibbe tackles the subject of child abuse and the subsequent psychological damage it does.
When Temeke is removed from Homicide he is assigned the laborious task of reviewing cold cases. Suddenly one of those cold cases becomes current with the disappearance of nineteen year old Lily Delgado. Lily’s older sister Alice had committed suicide years earlier. After seeing Temeke’s name in the newspaper in reference to a recently closed case, Mrs. Delgado specifically requests his assistance in locating the missing Lily. What happens from that point on is a tension building nightmare.
Suddenly girls are disappearing and being murdered. They all have something in common with Alice and Lily Delgado; they all attended Los Poblanos Academy, a pricey private school. As Temeke and his partner Malin Santiago investigate the disappearance of Lily and attempt to discover the connection between that and the girls from the school a dark secret comes to the surface. The girls were involved in an occult practice revolving around a mysterious book.
Meanwhile the killer is a young man named Gabriel Mann who also seemed to be a target of the bullying. As he takes his revenge on the girl he also searches for the book. Guided by a voice in his head he calls “Demon” he disposes of his victims in a very specific manner.
As all this is occurring there is the familiar political police tension within the police force. Bets are taken on whether Temeke will be able to solve this bizarre crime.
With twists and turns in both the investigation and the private lives of Temeke and Malin the story moves along smoothly. Stibbe weaves her tale with an expert hand, describing police procedures realistically. Set in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Stibbe uses her knowledge of the area effectively. Dark and moody, the city seems to be on a low boil that suddenly erupts into a volcano of bizarre and violent crimes.
I hope this is not the last of the Detective Temeke series as I see the relationships between the characters evolving and would love to see where things go. I highly recommend this book and the entire series to anyone who enjoys a good old fashioned detective story with a twist.
This does not disappoint. Another classic from an author who's destined to ...
I am an avid reader and indefatigable fan of the Detective Temeke series. This does not disappoint. Another classic from an author who's destined to become a leader in her genre. Startling stuff!
Absolutely Fabulous. My favourite read of 2016!
I’m completely sold on the Detective Temeke series, so much so that I’m already waiting with anticipation for book 4. They really are addictive. Past Rites is no exception. Not only are we treated to another exceptionally well crafted thriller, the relationship between the two, very different, main characters and the developing back story adds real depth to the read. I’m sure there’s a lot more to learn about their past and I can’t wait to find out!
In Past Rites Temeke and Santiago are tasked to investigate the disappearance of a young socialite and in doing so uncover a web of secrets and dangerous occult practises. I loved the whole Wicca/demon premise and the undercurrent of unease that underpins the investigation. As usual the author’s prose is delicious, switching mood effortlessly between subtle dark suspense and frantic edge of the seat action. One scene at a craft market was so well written I felt I was there dodging behind stalls with Temeke and Santiago. It would make such a good movie!
If you’re a fan of John Connolly’s Charlie Parker series, then I’m confident you’ll enjoy this.
Book 2 of The Commander and the Chief series finds the Chief "on the warpath" and "counting coup" with her enemies on both sides of the ocean. Meanwhile, she fights an indictment and risks losing her latest love, the Commander, as well as unleashing
