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Blown Red

by Susan Philpott

Signy Shepherd is a headstrong, impulsive employee of the Line, a kind of underground railroad that helps women in danger. And while her reckless personality may cause some trouble in her secretive profession, she serves as a perfect catalyst for this dramatic thriller.

blown-red-9781476765297_lgSigny is tasked with her first solo case: shuttling young Elena Morozov from Alberta to Ontario. The mission initially seems straightforward, but soon the two women are racing across the country, desperately trying to evade a relentless tracker in the employ of shady Russian businessman Leonid Volkov.

Signy carries the story, driving it forward and giving the reader a strong, well-drawn character to root for. She has just enough flaws mixed in with her fierce loyalty and kind heart to make her both likable and believable. Signy’s connection with Elena is quick and intense, though her ability to bolster the young woman’s spirits becomes increasingly strained as they learn more about Volkov’s dangerous past. Philpott’s guiding hand is sure, and the tension radiates throughout the cross-country trip.

Some of the book’s subplots feel much less developed, however, and it’s clear that Philpott is saving details about Signy’s life for subsequent books. Unfortunately, some of this underexplored material, including Signy’s relationship with her bad boy ex-boyfriend, Zef, ends up falling flat due to lack of resolution or depth. Other characters, such as

Signy’s boss, Grace, are disappointingly underused. Grace is not only Signy’s most fervent supporter, she’s also smart and funny, and her bond with Signy is dynamic. Philpott definitely has a knack for creating compelling relationships, but she needs to allow herself more time to fully explore them.

 

Reviewer: Suzanne Gardner

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Canada

DETAILS

Price: $20

Page Count: 480 pp

Format: Paper

ISBN: 978-1-47676-529-7

Released: Jan.

Issue Date: March 2015

Categories: Fiction: Novels