Galileo is, hands down, my new favorite Ann McMan book. Not only is the writing brilliant and the characters distinct, but the theme tackled some heavy, controversial issues. Though this book is second in the Evan Reed Mystery series, I understood it as a stand-alone just fine (though I am greatly anticipating reading Dust).
Here’s the Premise-
When Evan Reed is tasked with uncovering dirt belonging to a judge nominated to the Supreme Court, she finds answers a little too close to home. With no time to spare, Evan needs to put the pieces together before the nominee can be rushed through confirmation. While her case unfolds, long-time best friend and pastor, Tim Donovan, is battling his own demons from the past. Through the dark and troubling secrets slowly revealed, Evan enjoys time with her quick-witted daughter, Stevie, and her girlfriend, Julia Donne as her family struggles to remain composed when the truth surrounding them shatters.
This novel is ripe with themes relevant to our own political climate. The strongest one relating to the constant protection of the Catholic Church among child sexual abuse accusations. McMan confronts issues with honesty and poise as her characters rise above the corruption that has seeped in around them. It was hard to put this book down. The subject matter is engaging but the writing is also insightful, compelling, and even humorous. We enjoy moments of banter as characters partake in light hearted pokes and jabs at one another. Though the world can feel like this deep, dark place, no one is ever alone when surrounded by loving and supportive friends/family.
Evan Reed is a brilliant character- tough, smart, and just gray enough to make her interesting without compromising her moral fortitude. By that I largely mean she has a mouth that isn’t ashamed to spout obscenities, but more so, she has this tell-it-how-it-is attitude; a woman who’s strong enough to confront unpleasant realities and also sensitive enough to act as a trusted confidant. Evan shined while uncovering the case, but also as a mother and partner. Giving her kid a private school education and allowing a few glasses of high-brow wine now and again- sounds like Stevie hit the parent lottery. Not that it all isn’t well deserved, as far as teenagers go, Evan has also seemed to have struck gold. Stevie is responsible, witty, and has taken on a lot of her mother’s attributes. She was an enjoyable character, but all of the side characters are. Ping, an elderly, black, woman who cooks mouth-watering southern dishes and doubles as a genius computer hacker, is one who stuck out as being wholly original. I also really enjoyed Maya Jindal, who seemed like some private agent for-hire, capable of digging up dirt but also putting a bullet through your head. I’m guessing she had a bigger role in Dust (another reason I’m looking forward to reading this book), but her role in Galileo was not inconsequential.
If you’re looking for a dark mystery with moments of light-heartedness, witty dialogue, and a plot that covers subjects of controversy then Galileo will exceed your expectations. https://www.amazon.com/Galileo
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