5 stars for Paloma (Retrieval Artist book 5) by Kristine Kathryn Rusch.
When I start off with book 1 The Disappeared some time ago in mid-July, I am aware that the Retrieval Artist series is comprised of 7 instalments. However, I have only a vague impression of book title 5 which means pretty much nothing to me at that time. It is towards the last couple of chapters in book 1 that it dawns on me that the name Paloma is no light-weight but one of significance and importance. With this realisation in mind, I slowly inch my way towards book 5 - a book named and dedicated solely for a retired Retrieval Artist - Paloma.
Who exactly is Paloma? Not much is known about this lady - who goes strictly by a first name with no last; not even on records - besides the fact that she used to be a Retrieval Artist before selling her business to Miles Flint and retires for good. This book is where the author reveals it all. Ingeniously.
Book 5 starts the ball rolling - where book 4 Buried Deep leaves off - with the return of Miles Flint from his vacation, one which he uses as an excuse to get away from everyone and anyone so as to be alone by himself with nothing to think about and yet all the time to re-examine everything about himself and his string of careers from computer specialist to Space Traffic patrol officer to City of Armstrong detective to Retrieval Artist.
I love it that the author sets aside this particular story to reveal a part of Flint where she has kept hidden in the earlier books. Here, Flint is caught up in a maelstrom of emotions including but not limited to confusion, anger, betrayal, grief, respect and - most of all, a feeling he himself is not even aware that he is capable of - love. Paloma is after all, the one out of his two contacts, other than Noelle DeRicci, that he ever let himself be close to; his friend if he ever has one and a mentor as well, not just a retired someone whom he buys the business from.
As I read along, the story slowly turns into a civil case involving the most powerful attorney – one that makes its appearance in one of Flint’s early cases - from the Moon's largest law firm located in Armstrong and one of the most notorious Retrieval Artists of all time.
Once again, the author does a remarkable job of writing and spinning a splendid plot where it does not seem deliberate even when the paths of the same few characters - Miles Flint, Noelle DeRicci, Bartholomew Nyquist and Ki Bowles - cross to make headlines.
Best of all, this is a book where I get to enjoy to my heart's content, the third person narratives on most if not all, the characters that I adore.
Publisher: WMG Publishing
Publication date: 23 Sep 2011
*** Favourite quote 1 ***
The police didn't like Retrieval Artists, anyway; that Flint — a former detective, considered one of the city's best — had gone to that barely legal world made them angry.
*** Favourite quote 2 ***
"You suspect me?" Flint asked. "We don't have enough information to suspect anyone right now," Nyquist said. Flint smiled coldly. "You mean, you suspect everyone right now." Nyquist nodded. "That's the other way to put it," he said.
~ Paloma
Kristine Kathryn Rusch
@}--->>--->>-----
Retrieval Artist Miles Flint gets an urgent message from his mentor, Paloma. But by the time he arrives at her apartment, she’s dead, the victim of a terrible murder. The police, already on the scene, think Flint’s connected to the death.
Effectively frozen out of the investigation, he starts one of his own, and discovers secrets that Paloma kept, secrets that make Flint question everything he knew about her, everything she taught him about honor, ethics, and being a Retrieval Artist.
*Blurb from author's website*
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