Blue

Blue by Abigail Padgett is a feminist mystery novel and there is nothing quite like it. It’s a reissue from 1998 which explains the lack of cell phones, internet, and the use of “archaic” technology such as answering machines. Despite the setting being over twenty years ago, I actually didn’t notice that this was a 90s book until almost halfway through, and that was mostly because of issues associated with answering machines that became relevant to the story. But I’m getting ahead of myself, here’s a quick plot—

Blue McCarron is a social psychologist living it up in the dessert with her canine companion, Bronte, while nursing a broken heart. Dan Crandall manages to track Blue down with the intent on hiring her to help figure out what’s going on with his older sister. Muffin Crandall has been accused of murder after a dead body was found in her freezer unit. Blue agrees to analyze the convicted Muffin and what unfolds next is so curious that Blue needs her friends, forensic psychiatrist, Roxy and former ex-felon, BB the Punk, to help keep her safe and figure out what actually happened.

To say this book is strange would be a disservice, but I’m just not sure what language to use. Perhaps quirky? Don’t let my lacking vocabulary dissuade you. Blue is, without a doubt, an interesting read. With so much detail relating to sociology I was very captivated by the narrative. The thoughts expressed through Blue are deep and intelligent, but also, at times, comical. This book left me pondering many of the subjects and unspoken questions it encompassed, which is exactly what I like my fiction to do.

Near the end I had some idea towards the mystery, but I don’t think Blue was necessarily supposed to surprise you. There’s a theme of connectedness that comes up repeatedly. Blue calls it “the grid.” By the end, I think the reader sort of expects everything to come together in an all-around-way and part of that is because of the reoccurring mention of the grid, of everything in her life connecting. I didn’t hate this, but without the grid, I would have found it all a little too convenient, especially given the geographical distance between all the characters involved. And yet, it’s a small world.

For me, there’s no better time to read a book set in the dessert of California than in December. With writing this descriptive, I certainly had no trouble imagining the heat. If you’re looking for a captivating mystery with feminist ideals that will leave you questioning our innate primate behaviors, then Blue could be for you!