Mazurka

I am not one to give a synopsis when I leave a review. That’s sufficiently done by the author. Instead, I prefer to give a vivid picture of the style, characters, storyline, and whatever intrigues me — or not — about the author’s work. In this story, Aaron Paul Lazar wove an action-packed thriller, taking the reader on a rollercoaster ride through Europe in MAZURKA: A Gus LeGarde Mystery. I’ve come to love this author. He has plenty of books to choose from, but I haven’t had the opportunity to read other books in this series. Fortunately, that wasn’t a problem as Mazurka absolutely stands on its own. Lazar’s gift for storytelling keeps me wanting to read more. One of my favorite things about this author is his description and writing style. I’m very visual and can literally see the characters come to life in my mind as I read Lazar’s work. I held my breath with the newlyweds—Gus LeGarde and Camille, his new bride and second wife— when their flight dropped in altitude and they prepared for a crash… and as they fought for their lives, lost in tunnels underneath a landmark. I fell in love with Siegfried, Gus’s first wife’s brother, and a gentle giant. I rooted for him through his entanglement with the neo-Nazis and felt the emotion after the incident in Germany. The thrills never stopped, except to give the reader a sigh of relief and a quick breath before moving onto the next tense situation. The author’s authenticity from music to scenery added to his historical knowledge of World War II and understanding of Neo-Nazis gives his tale a realistic storyline and setting. As each chapter unfolds, new twists and turns abound with nail-biting suspense and passionate moments. But it wasn’t until the very end that I actually understood why the author chose the title Mazurka. I highly recommend this enthralling story. One thing is for sure… You’ll want more.

What made this book so memorable for me was not just a great plot and touching characters, but also the author’s ability to combine some fine, descriptive, and literary language along with power-packed action scenes and a sense of danger lurking throughout. A danger that kept me wondering––and dreading. And turning pages. Opening with a detailed and harrowing depiction of a tremendously rocky airplane flight heading toward Paris, we meet newlyweds, Gus LeGarde and Camille, his new wife, who are accompanied by Siegfried, Gus’ German childhood companion, mentally disabled by an accident years before. On the plane, the three of them notice a skinhead with a Swastika tattoo. Disgusted, as soon as they land––safe after all––they think nothing more about him and move on. Imagine their surprise when they run into the same Neo Nazi and his cronies on a boat ride. Soon, these same young men are staging a New World Delegates demonstration, honoring their leader, Kirk Müller, and all with an eager CNN team nearby, filming everything. Then things go horribly wrong. While Camille is off shopping, Müller and the half Jewish Siegfried get into a fight and Müller is accidentally killed by his own men’s friendly fire. But CNN states it all wrong and now Siegfried is a major target. And so starts the nonstop, frightening, cat-and-mouse journey of these three main characters being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Terrific read!

The thrills start from the first page. Love Lazar\’s ability to show and not just tell. This author\’s gift places the reader right in the midst of the plot and not just a eavesdropper. I have read previous books from this series but other than insight into the characters, it is not absolutely necessary. I will say that when you read just one, you will want to return to read all the others in his LeGarde series as well as Sam Moore mysteries and the Tall Pines Mysteries. The descriptions of the sites, sounds, smells and flavors of their trip is magnificent as well as history and the secrets it keeps. I did miss the hometown feel of this book but just like when you take a vacation, you miss those that did not come with you and you look forward to coming home. This is an author that those who have not read his writings are truly missing out on wonderful stories. This book is just as good and many times better than ones that I have paid 4 times as much. Thank you again Mr. Lazar. I hope you are blessed in turn from the blessings you have shared with us readers of your magical writings.

Gus and Camille are on their honeymoon, taking Sigfried with them, and get involved in more than they bargained for. You will need to stretch your imagination a bit to believe what they learn about a favorite composer\’s past, but it provides an intriguing sub-plot to the all-too-believable encounter with some young neo-Nazis. I always find it interesting when an author takes a character out of his or her home setting. How will that person act? How much is the hero\’s personality tied into the normal surroundings? Perhaps the biggest surprise in this book is delivered by Sigfried!

Filled with drama and suspense this book is a little different from the other Gus LeGarde writings in that the majority takes place in Europe. I feel as though I\’ve had a mini vacation to a place I\’ll probably never get to visit. I\’ve seen a glimpse of paintings by Monet, Degas and heard interludes of Chopin and other Masters. I visited museums and the Eiffel Tower and saw the road on which Princess Diana died. And woven throughout are scenes that are literally nail-biting, heartbreaking and heartwarming!! Take a trip and get away with this one!!

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