Title: Calypso Blue
Author: Brian Silverman
Publisher: Down & Out Books
ISBN: 978-1643963945
Pages: 290
Genre: Mystery/Crime Fiction
Reviewer: Liz Konkel

Read Book Review

Step into the beauty of a Caribbean island with Calypso Blue, by author Brian Silverman, which blends mystery and action for a fast-paced journey that explores the past and the choices we make.

Len has traded in city life for the lap of paradise on a quaint Caribbean island, leaving behind his family and heroic status back home. His peaceful existence is threatened when Lord Ram, a famous Calypso performer dies, and he’s dragged into the middle of the investigation. He thought his job consisted of squashing rumors involving the circumstances of the man’s death until he discovered there may be more going on. As if this weren’t enough to deal with, Len is forced to confront the past when the arrival of a former friend brings a storm of trouble onto the small island. As he helps solve his friend’s problems, he works to uncover the truth behind Lord Ram’s death and quickly learns that even in paradise, sooner or later, the past catches up with you.

The story has a fun twist on the concept of disrupting paradise through murder, former friends, and confronting the past. These elements create obstacles and situations for Len to face, providing the landscape for twists to occur. The island represents escapism, where he has found a place for himself in the community and with the bar. The place has allowed him to reinvent himself, though the beginning quickly sets up how much the past still haunts him. These feelings are often explored in nightmares, which resurface the past for him to relive, and it is a clever way to show his guilt. This creates a layered character with flaws and regrets, which makes him more relatable and gives you an easy way to understand him. This sets the stage for intriguing interactions between him and other characters, effectively building a mystery that keeps you turning the page.

His former friend Maurizio arrives, bringing a mess to Len’s front door and effectively serving two purposes in the story. Foremost, this gives a mirror for Len’s guilt and past, as both men have left behind families. The incorporation of the old friend is a clever way to push the character to open his eyes to his own past mistakes and choices. Maurizio’s appearance also delivers action, which drives the plot forward while carefully pulling back layers of Len’s character. This puts him in perilous circumstances and lends the mystery an edge that’s used to explore what he has left behind in the past. The action blends nicely into the story and the world, with moments that are easy to believe would take a more dangerous turn and provide a balance to the mystery. The inclusion of Maurizio helps keep the plot moving by creating a fast pace and providing quick action. These moments make you eager to learn what happens next and entice you to read the next chapter so you can see how Len gets out of the problem.

The mystery revolves around Lord Ram’s death, which creates a domino effect throughout the community. Len is quickly drawn into the middle of the investigation, where he handles all the necessary mystery beats, such as questioning people and searching for clues. He encounters various characters who each have their own opinions while exploring the world of Calypso music and shedding light on the genre’s beauty.

Calypso Blue is a sultry, slow-burn thriller where every note hides a secret, and every wave crashes closer to the truth. A smart, engaging read that blends classic detective work with an irresistible island setting. This gives a fun energy to the mystery that is maintained from beginning to end, with plenty of twists and turns along the way. Calypso Blue is a great summer read to take on your next venture – even if it is to your favorite chair in the living room.