Forensic pathologist, Dr Regina Alexa, may not have the best track record when it comes to romantic relationships, but her aptitude for behavioural profiling makes her an essential member of Braşov’s recently established Police Unit for Behavioural Analysis. Gigi gets the job done, even if she needs to crack a few eggs to make the omelette.
Recently, Braşov’s police force has made headlines for their ineptitude after mishandling a crucial case. When an actress, Andrada Vasiliu, is murdered Chief Inspector Matei Valean knows they need to use all available resources to avoid being in the line of fire again. This includes enlisting the help of Gigi, whom he feels protective of. Matei’s girlfriend, Alina, who also works for the police, has mixed feelings about the idea. There’s also the matter of the uncanny resemblance between Gigi and the murder victim. They both have the same “curly blonde mane”. Was it a coincidence, or was the murderer trying to send a message?
Gigi is interested in psychology and victimology and hopes to pursue a PhD in the field in the Netherlands. Dr Lemnaru, the controversial, recently appointed director of County Service for Forensic Medicine, disagrees, claiming that it would be a waste of time given how rarely such specialised knowledge is needed in the cases she works with the police. Fortunately for her (less so for the victims), Andrada’s murder is only the first of what appears to be a serial killer’s doing.
When Irina Opera, a hairdresser and salon owner, is murdered it’s clear to Gigi that the murders are linked, even though the police aren’t convinced. Yet, Gigi and her colleagues are unable to find a motivation for murders or a connection between the victims. Furthermore, the killer’s modus operandi varies, whether it’s the way he arranges their bodies or his murder weapon of choice. Were the victims chosen because of what they represented to the killer, or did he have a personal relationship with them? As the bodies pile up, Gigi and the police are no closer to tracking down the killer.
Also summoned to assist with the investigation is Vlad Tomescu, the Chief of Police based in Bucharest and the married man Gigi had an affair with. Their breakup was not amicable; in fact, when she attempted to end it, he stalked her and she feared for her life. The experience left her emotionally scarred, but now Vlad’s back and wants to pick up where they left off. Gigi has a persistent feeling that someone is watching her, but she brushes it off as unfounded paranoia brought on by Vlad’s intrusive presence. We feel Gigi’s anxiety and unease.
After her traumatic experience with Vlad Gigi rushed into a relationship with Radu, something she now regrets. She finds him to be smothering, and he believes she is incapable of dealing with her emotions. But Gigi aware of her flaws. She briefly wonders if she might be a psychopath herself because it seems either she “misses some basic human feelings or they were just severely delayed”. However, when faced with other people’s emotions, particularly the families of victims, she feels empathy. Death is an inevitable part of her life, but she observes that most people had “that brief moment of being confronted with the transcience of life, but they generally tried to avoid dealing with the fact that humans were in fact such a fragile species”.
Deadly Autumn Harvest has two fascinating drawing cards: Gigi and Braşov. Tony Mott transports us to Romania and this picturesque tourist city, creating an atmospheric and convincing sense of place. But Gigi outshines even the city. How could we not warm to this tough, yet vulnerable woman, who often feels like an outsider in a relentlessly, male-dominated environment while also dealing her own emotional baggage?
The good news is that Deadly Autumn Harvest is one of a quartet, and if Marina Sofia provides us with yet another flawless translation, we may get to spend some more time with Gigi.
About the author:
Tony Mott was born and bred in Braşov, which often forms the backdrop for her novels. She has worked internationally as a coach and HR professional, but her real passion remains writing. In 2022 she received the Romanian Mystery & Thriller Award. Deadly Autumn Harvest is the first novel in the Gigi Alexa series to be translated into English.
About the translator:
Marina Sofia is a translator, reviewer, writer and blogger, as well as a third culture kid who grew up trilingual in Romanian, German and English. Her previous translations for Corylus Books are Sword by Bogdan Teodorescu and Resilience by Bogdan Hrib. She has spent most of her winters in Braşov skiing, so is delighted to translate a book set in her favourite Romanian town.
Deadly Autumn Harvest is published by Corylus Books and the Deadly Autumn Harvest blogtour was organised by Ewa Sherman. The tour runs until the end of August, so do follow along for other reviewers’ insights.
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