The Medusa Murders


Fiction - Mystery - Murder
319 Pages
Reviewed on 01/24/2024
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    Book Review

Reviewed by Luwi Nyakansaila for Readers' Favorite

The Medusa Murders by Joy Ann Ribar is a murder mystery investigation drama that follows Professor Bay Browning, an English Literature instructor. Her life is turned upside down when detectives arrive at her door to search for evidence related to a murder case involving a serial killer called Medusa. To complicate matters further, her sister returns home from jail, claiming she has changed and wants to live with Bay while she sorts herself out. Due to her knowledge of art, mythology, and history, Bay joins the investigation and works with Detective Bryce Downing and her sister to catch the killer, who soon targets them. Will they solve the case before the killer gets to them?

The Medusa Murders is an intriguing and captivating story that will take you on a wild journey. Joy Ann Ribar beautifully combines mystery, mythology, and psychic elements to present a thrilling serial murder drama. In addition to the murder plot, there is also a family secret storyline and some romantic vibes between Bay and Detective Downing. Everything fits perfectly into the plot, making it entertaining and unique. The story is memorable because of its outstanding cast of characters. The dynamics between Bay and her family, colleagues, and Downing were interesting and built the core of the story. This is one of those murder mysteries that will have you on the edge of your seat because you can sense that the murderer is close by, but you have no clue who it is, making everyone seem suspicious. I enjoyed reading this book and recommend it to anyone who loves murder mysteries with a dose of mythology and family drama.

J. Ivanel Johnson

I love a mystery wrapped in the academic world with a tiny smattering of police procedural, a hint of possible romance for the future, and with lots of wordplay - clever business names, anagram-type clues, nicknames that have double meanings, etc. Joy Ann Ribar's introduction of her newest protagonist, Bay Browning, satisfies all those desires for me. In addition, there's the usual family dysfunction we all experience - and secrets our families would rather keep hidden.
I loved the smooth descriptions of some of the art pieces that are relevant to the plot, as well as an eased-in reminder of some mythological tales I'd studied long ago - some of which can be taken both literally and symbolically if the reader is so inclined. All in all, The Medusa Murders is a little Midsomer Murders in its surprising m.o.s and murderous settings, while the overall pairing with the intellectuals at a small college campus reminds us of all we've loved about Inspector Morse, or many of the Golden Age authors of crime (Sayers, Tey, even Christie) to Reg Hill's Dalziel and Pascoe right through to newer Charlot King. Ribar joins them in this new Bay Browning series with the same skill and first-hand knowledge of the politics of academia and a panache for plotting.
- J. Ivanel Johnson, award-winning author of the JUST (e)STATE mysteries