Calling A Dead Man Gillian Cross

Cross opens the novel dramatically with the death of John Cox, a demolition worker who was so badly burnt that he was identified by his medical records. He was considered an expert so it is hard for his girlfriend, Annie and his sister, Hayley to accept that he would not take the necessary precautions and so they travel to Siberia to discover the ugly truth.

His mother, Chris is in such a state that she burns his personal possessions and almost demolished his furniture in his bedroom. She can't bring herself to talk about him; she is so distraught.

Hayley has constant visions of him; wherever she goes she sees his face. Uncanny. Is she suffering from delusions? What does it mean?

The plot thickens quickly with an amnesia victim suffering from tickfever who stumbles upon a peasant family in Siberia, filthy and smelly with badly soiled clothes and five ticks embedded in his swollen flesh. It is Frosya who finds him and nurses him back to health. Before she burns his clothes, she rummages through the pockets and hides her "loot,"clues as to the identity of this person.
Annie, in spite of being wheelchair bound is determined to unravel the plot which involves a Mafia organisation and petty jealousies of leadership between Viktor and Leonid. Was John mixed up with the Mafia? Will Annie and Hayley discover how John died or why he died? More importantly, when they are faced with danger will they be able to return home alive and unscathed?
It's an exciting thriller with strong characterisation seeking answers to awkward questions and putting lives at risk. Will they unravel the bitter truth and if so, at what cost?

This is Gillian Cross at her best. What happened to John? How did he die?

You'll just have to read it to find out why, won't you? As always, enjoy!

Publishers: O.U.P. ISBN: 9-7801-983-26311


COPYRIGHT 2012. PERMISSION MUST BE OBTAINED FROM THE AUTHOR BEFORE USING THIS ARTICLE.

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