Review of Elena in Exile
Posted: 13 Apr 2023, 15:50
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Elena in Exile" by Gavin Boyter.]
Gavin Boyter's Elena in Exile follows Elena Balan and her daughter, Ana, as they arrive in London to start a new life. A horrendous incident compels Elena to flee Bucharest. Except for her paramour, Frances da Costa, nobody knows the full circumstances behind her departure. Not even Ana. Elena entrusts her life's savings with Frances in the hopes that she would help them gain roots in London. To her utter shock, Frances ghosts Elena and Ana as soon as they land in England. This does not daunt the Romanian women. Fate brings Robin Yarmouth into their path. The police officer finds himself inexorably entwined in the Balan women's lives. It is Robin who arranges free accommodation for them for a while as Elena finds her foot in the strange city. Elena gets a job and Ana befriends Chris. Things finally start looking up for Elena and Ana. However, everything goes for a toss when Elena's next-door neighbor is found dead. At first, the police officers deem the young Somali sex worker's death to be a suicide. Having met Qamar Liibaan, Elena suspects foul play. With the help of Robin, she sets out to uncover the mystery of Qamar's death.
Will Elena ever find out what happened to Qamar or will she endanger herself and Ana in the process of unraveling the mystery? What prompted Elena to leave Romania? Will the past remain in the past or will it haunt her forever? Most importantly, will Elena and Ana be able to live a happy life in London?
London is a melting pot of cultures. People from all over the world call the old metropolitan city their home. Gavin Boyter does a wonderful job of portraying London's multiculturalism. From Asians and East Europeans to native Britishers, characters of all ethnicities feature in Boyter's novel. I love how he enlivens the boisterous yet dark streets of Soho. It is evident that Boyter did thorough research for the benefit of his book. He effectively portrays the undercurrent of racism and corruption prevalent in schools and the police department. I like how he showcases the police procedures in minute detail. This made me feel like a detective of Scotland Yard.
Gavin Boyter is an amazing mystery writer. He keeps us on our toes as we wait for the killer to be unmasked. Believe me, you will not be able to guess the culprit for a long time. Elena's past is also an intriguing mystery. All this keeps us glued to the book till the end.
Elena in Exile has a great host of characters. Elena is one strong protagonist. No matter what life throws at her, she stands up and fights back. She takes her responsibility as a mother seriously. Her bond with Ana is adorable. I like how she is friends with her daughter. Also, I like how Boyter showcases her vulnerability in romantic matters. She had been burned in love one too many times. Understandably, it takes her time to truly open up to Robin. Robin, for his part, is incredibly supportive and understanding. I like the way he is always there for Elena and Ana. Ana is a vivacious teenager. She is sensible yet headstrong. This combination makes her my favorite character. I loved how she stood up to Chris when it was necessary.
The only area of opportunity in Gavin Boyter's Elena in Exile is its editing. I found quite a number of errors. Moreover, there are some glaring plot holes. For example, at one point we are told that Robin's father lives at a sheltered accommodation in a seaside village. Later, we are informed that his father was killed in an accident on one of the North Sea rigs when he was eight. Another instance is Carver's secretary being called Janine at times and Janice at other times. All this might baffle some readers.
Keeping in mind the pros and cons, I rate Gavin Boyter's Elena in Exile 4 out of 5 stars. I have taken off one star due to the editing issues already discussed. Keeping aside the editing, Elena in Exile is one fine book that keeps you engaged till the end. Hence, I have given it 4 stars.
I recommend this thrilling book to fans of murder mysteries, detective fiction, and multicultural novels.
******
Elena in Exile
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Gavin Boyter's Elena in Exile follows Elena Balan and her daughter, Ana, as they arrive in London to start a new life. A horrendous incident compels Elena to flee Bucharest. Except for her paramour, Frances da Costa, nobody knows the full circumstances behind her departure. Not even Ana. Elena entrusts her life's savings with Frances in the hopes that she would help them gain roots in London. To her utter shock, Frances ghosts Elena and Ana as soon as they land in England. This does not daunt the Romanian women. Fate brings Robin Yarmouth into their path. The police officer finds himself inexorably entwined in the Balan women's lives. It is Robin who arranges free accommodation for them for a while as Elena finds her foot in the strange city. Elena gets a job and Ana befriends Chris. Things finally start looking up for Elena and Ana. However, everything goes for a toss when Elena's next-door neighbor is found dead. At first, the police officers deem the young Somali sex worker's death to be a suicide. Having met Qamar Liibaan, Elena suspects foul play. With the help of Robin, she sets out to uncover the mystery of Qamar's death.
Will Elena ever find out what happened to Qamar or will she endanger herself and Ana in the process of unraveling the mystery? What prompted Elena to leave Romania? Will the past remain in the past or will it haunt her forever? Most importantly, will Elena and Ana be able to live a happy life in London?
London is a melting pot of cultures. People from all over the world call the old metropolitan city their home. Gavin Boyter does a wonderful job of portraying London's multiculturalism. From Asians and East Europeans to native Britishers, characters of all ethnicities feature in Boyter's novel. I love how he enlivens the boisterous yet dark streets of Soho. It is evident that Boyter did thorough research for the benefit of his book. He effectively portrays the undercurrent of racism and corruption prevalent in schools and the police department. I like how he showcases the police procedures in minute detail. This made me feel like a detective of Scotland Yard.
Gavin Boyter is an amazing mystery writer. He keeps us on our toes as we wait for the killer to be unmasked. Believe me, you will not be able to guess the culprit for a long time. Elena's past is also an intriguing mystery. All this keeps us glued to the book till the end.
Elena in Exile has a great host of characters. Elena is one strong protagonist. No matter what life throws at her, she stands up and fights back. She takes her responsibility as a mother seriously. Her bond with Ana is adorable. I like how she is friends with her daughter. Also, I like how Boyter showcases her vulnerability in romantic matters. She had been burned in love one too many times. Understandably, it takes her time to truly open up to Robin. Robin, for his part, is incredibly supportive and understanding. I like the way he is always there for Elena and Ana. Ana is a vivacious teenager. She is sensible yet headstrong. This combination makes her my favorite character. I loved how she stood up to Chris when it was necessary.
The only area of opportunity in Gavin Boyter's Elena in Exile is its editing. I found quite a number of errors. Moreover, there are some glaring plot holes. For example, at one point we are told that Robin's father lives at a sheltered accommodation in a seaside village. Later, we are informed that his father was killed in an accident on one of the North Sea rigs when he was eight. Another instance is Carver's secretary being called Janine at times and Janice at other times. All this might baffle some readers.
Keeping in mind the pros and cons, I rate Gavin Boyter's Elena in Exile 4 out of 5 stars. I have taken off one star due to the editing issues already discussed. Keeping aside the editing, Elena in Exile is one fine book that keeps you engaged till the end. Hence, I have given it 4 stars.
I recommend this thrilling book to fans of murder mysteries, detective fiction, and multicultural novels.
******
Elena in Exile
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon