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Season of Sacrifice
Introducing feisty Asian-American private investigator Maya Mallick in the first of an intriguing new mystery series.
During a morning stroll in Seattle’s Green Lake district, Maya Mallick is horrified to see two young women, shrouded in white, set themselves ablaze in front of the temporary residence of the visiting Chinese foreign minister. She’s even more shocked to recognize one of Sylvie Burton, a brilliant Tibetan-American biomedical scientist, who is the adopted sister of Maya’s best friend.
An onlooker informs her that the two women are martyrs, protesting the Chinese occupation of Tibet. Yet Maya has a nagging suspicion that all is not as it seems. With so much to live for, why would Sylvie wish to end her life in this horrific way?
As Maya gets closer to the shocking truth, she finds her own life on the line.
During a morning stroll in Seattle’s Green Lake district, Maya Mallick is horrified to see two young women, shrouded in white, set themselves ablaze in front of the temporary residence of the visiting Chinese foreign minister. She’s even more shocked to recognize one of Sylvie Burton, a brilliant Tibetan-American biomedical scientist, who is the adopted sister of Maya’s best friend.
An onlooker informs her that the two women are martyrs, protesting the Chinese occupation of Tibet. Yet Maya has a nagging suspicion that all is not as it seems. With so much to live for, why would Sylvie wish to end her life in this horrific way?
As Maya gets closer to the shocking truth, she finds her own life on the line.
- GenresMystery
224 pages, Hardcover
Published September 1, 2017
About the author
Bharti Kirchner
22 books41 followersBharti Kirchner is the author of eleven books—seven critically acclaimed novels and four cookbooks and hundreds of short pieces for magazines and newspapers. A recent novel, Goddess of Fire, was shortlisted for the Nancy Pearl Award.
Her earlier novels include Tulip Season, Pastries: A Novel of Desserts and Discoveries, Darjeeling, Sharmila’s Book, and Shiva Dancing.
Bharti has written for Food & Wine, Vegetarian Times, Writer’s Digest, The Writer, Fitness Plus, Northwest Travel, and The Seattle Times. Her essays have appeared in eleven anthologies.
Bharti has won a VCCA (Virginia Center for Creative Arts) Fellowship, a City Artist’s Project award, two Seattle Arts Commission literature grants, two Artist Trust literature grants, two 4Culture grants and has twice been a Fellow of Jack Straw Productions. She has been honored as a Living Pioneer Asian American Author. She is a popular speaker at writer’s conferences nationwide.
Her earlier novels include Tulip Season, Pastries: A Novel of Desserts and Discoveries, Darjeeling, Sharmila’s Book, and Shiva Dancing.
Bharti has written for Food & Wine, Vegetarian Times, Writer’s Digest, The Writer, Fitness Plus, Northwest Travel, and The Seattle Times. Her essays have appeared in eleven anthologies.
Bharti has won a VCCA (Virginia Center for Creative Arts) Fellowship, a City Artist’s Project award, two Seattle Arts Commission literature grants, two Artist Trust literature grants, two 4Culture grants and has twice been a Fellow of Jack Straw Productions. She has been honored as a Living Pioneer Asian American Author. She is a popular speaker at writer’s conferences nationwide.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
April 19, 2018
I have been a book professional since 1974. In the course of my career, I have met many authors. Some have become friends. Bharti Kirchner is one. I try not to let friendship get in the way of honest reviews. Ms Kirchner has written several books in the fields of cooking and fiction.
SEASON OF SACRIFICE is the first I have read. I am sorry it took so long for me to reach this point. This is the first book of a projected series of mysteries featuring private investigator Maya Mallick, born in Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) India. Maya is living in Seattle as the saga opens and her mother, Uma, is visiting from India.
Maya is out for a little bit of exercise in the Green Lake District of north Seattle when she witnesses two Tibetan women she knows pour gasoline (petrol) on themselves and then set themselves afire to die a horrible death. The crowd around them does nothing to stop them. She sees a man in sunglasses closest to them apparently egging them on. On the surface, it looks like the women sacrificed themselves in support of Tibetan independence. But Maya suspects other reasons.
One of the women, Sylvie, was a researcher in a company trying to develop a vaccine for malaria. Her latest attempt had gone into clinical trials with one success. Anna, the other woman, was the successful trial. Maya with the help of her mother, Maya's P.I. assistant Hank and a couple of friends unravel the mystery.
The story and its execution are wonderful. Not quite a five star recommendation but close enough for fans of mysteries. Along the way, the reader gets a peek into the culture of India and the lives of Indian immigrants living the Pacific Northwest of the United States. Time well spent is my verdict.
GO! BUY! READ!
SEASON OF SACRIFICE is the first I have read. I am sorry it took so long for me to reach this point. This is the first book of a projected series of mysteries featuring private investigator Maya Mallick, born in Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) India. Maya is living in Seattle as the saga opens and her mother, Uma, is visiting from India.
Maya is out for a little bit of exercise in the Green Lake District of north Seattle when she witnesses two Tibetan women she knows pour gasoline (petrol) on themselves and then set themselves afire to die a horrible death. The crowd around them does nothing to stop them. She sees a man in sunglasses closest to them apparently egging them on. On the surface, it looks like the women sacrificed themselves in support of Tibetan independence. But Maya suspects other reasons.
One of the women, Sylvie, was a researcher in a company trying to develop a vaccine for malaria. Her latest attempt had gone into clinical trials with one success. Anna, the other woman, was the successful trial. Maya with the help of her mother, Maya's P.I. assistant Hank and a couple of friends unravel the mystery.
The story and its execution are wonderful. Not quite a five star recommendation but close enough for fans of mysteries. Along the way, the reader gets a peek into the culture of India and the lives of Indian immigrants living the Pacific Northwest of the United States. Time well spent is my verdict.
GO! BUY! READ!
June 13, 2017
Wow! Season of Sacrifice is an incredible mystery. It knocked me off my feet and left me considering the questions it poses long after I finished. I will definitely be the first in line for the next Maya Mallick mystery.
A trip to the bakery ends in tragedy when Maya witnesses a gathering where two women shrouded in white set themselves aflame - one a good friend of Maya’s. At first it looks like a suicide in protest of the Chinese occupation of Tibet, but Maya is suspicious. Sylvie, an accomplished malaria researcher was never politically involved. Neither was the other young woman, a maker of traditional Indian sweets. The police are disdainful, but Maya feels it is important to look deeper, particularly when Ivan, Maya’s boyfriend, a fellow researcher, seems little affected. What is the connection between Sylvie’s work, the successful vaccine trial and her death? In digging deeper into the conspiracy, Maya swiftly puts herself in deadly peril.
Season of Sacrifice is a fascinating mystery with an intelligent and capable lead. It possesses a unique Anglo-Asian flavor and provides a different cultural perspective. I absolutely loved this mystery and highly recommend it.
5 / 5
I received a copy of Season of Sacrifice from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
--Crittermom
August 7, 2017
A current political issue is highlighted in this gripping private investigator novel.
This is the first of Bharti Kirchner’s - Maya Mallick series and obviously, then this is one of the first investigations of newly self-appointed private investigator Maya. Hopefully, there will be more to come in the near future.
Her investigation of self-immolation takes the reader into the heart of issues where Tibet is facing Chinese oppression. But, political issues - needs to be highlighted - only take the right amount of valuable space in the story.
Maya finds herself investigating the cause of the self-immolation by her own friend, Sylvie, with another person, ostensibly to highlight the issues of Tibet to the world. The investigation takes her into the heart of complex relationships in her community living in Seattle. Not only into the heart of relationships but into the cutting edge of science and chemistry to discover a vaccine for malaria, worldwide.
While Maya looks under the microscope of her investigation, she discovers unexpected links between the two. Her ever closer microscopic view of the self-immolations takes the reader from confusion to an astounding conclusion including greed and power.
BonnieK
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.
This is the first of Bharti Kirchner’s - Maya Mallick series and obviously, then this is one of the first investigations of newly self-appointed private investigator Maya. Hopefully, there will be more to come in the near future.
Her investigation of self-immolation takes the reader into the heart of issues where Tibet is facing Chinese oppression. But, political issues - needs to be highlighted - only take the right amount of valuable space in the story.
Maya finds herself investigating the cause of the self-immolation by her own friend, Sylvie, with another person, ostensibly to highlight the issues of Tibet to the world. The investigation takes her into the heart of complex relationships in her community living in Seattle. Not only into the heart of relationships but into the cutting edge of science and chemistry to discover a vaccine for malaria, worldwide.
While Maya looks under the microscope of her investigation, she discovers unexpected links between the two. Her ever closer microscopic view of the self-immolations takes the reader from confusion to an astounding conclusion including greed and power.
BonnieK
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.
February 14, 2019
Set in Seattle, as Kirchner books often are, this introduces Maya Mallick. Maya has recently transitioned from being a nutritionist to a private investigator, from an India firm owned and run by women.
Maya's first case evolves from her witnessing two women who have committed suicide by fire, possibly as a statement regarding their cultural origination from Tibet.
Was it suicide or were they somehow under some sort of spell that led them to suicide by suggestion? How does Maya's friend's fiery death relate to her research on a cost-effecfive viable cure for malaria? What do all these Russian guys have to do with it?
Maya's first case evolves from her witnessing two women who have committed suicide by fire, possibly as a statement regarding their cultural origination from Tibet.
Was it suicide or were they somehow under some sort of spell that led them to suicide by suggestion? How does Maya's friend's fiery death relate to her research on a cost-effecfive viable cure for malaria? What do all these Russian guys have to do with it?
October 9, 2017
I picked up this novel following a recommendation that I read somewhere. I ordered it from the library and it took awhile to come. I enjoyed the first third of the novel and then I began to be bogged down in the plot and, finally, put it aside after reading the second third of the pages. I skipped to the end to see how it ended. I found the mystery just went in every direction at once and, frankly, got bored with the strands and disinterested in the characters. It may have been my mood at the time, but it just wasn't my cup of tea.
November 15, 2018
I wish I could say this was a better book. But I'm afraid it is not. Not well written. Plot doesn't make that much sense. There's some potential with the characters, and perhaps, if indeed there is a seies, it will improve. One can hope.
January 30, 2021
Potentially interesting, but in need of some basic editing regarding the characters and their expressions, in addition to plot points and descriptive language.
August 1, 2018
Maya Mallick is the Private Investigator of the Detectives Unlimited of Kolkata, Seattle branch. She is energetic, smart, tough and feisty as she solves mysteries. Unlike the classic PI stories where the investigator is mostly a loner seeming to have no interest other than in his cases, this contemporary PI enjoys interesting friends and is enamored with nature, gardening, health foods, and a certain police detective when she’s not busy tracking down leads on her cases. But then, this story is action packed and doesn’t leave a lot of extra time for added qualities of life.
During a morning stroll near Greenlake, Maya is shocked when in front of a gathered crowd two young women shrouded in white set themselves on fire. Just before the blaze ignites she’s horrified to recognize one of the women, and she is a friend of hers. One of the bystanders, who says he is also a friend of the victims, hires Maya to uncover the shocking truth. Neither of them realizes then that they have put in motion factors that will soon risk Maya’s life as well. Maya’s investigation takes her to intriguing corners of the city and across cultural bounds. Secrets are an integral component of mysteries. As the mysterious guru advises Maya about the people she talks to – they believe that their “Secrets are like jewels. You must protect them.” But Maya is determined to reveal them and catch a killer.
Bharti Kirchner is the author of eleven books, seven novels, four cookbooks, and countless short pieces published in magazines and newspapers. Her talent and skill in cooking is scattered through her mystery novel and adds precious luster to the story. Also the culture of India is such a charming dimension to the book. Much of this cultural reference is through the delightful character Uma who is Maya’s mother. The writing is truly engaging.
Besides her mystery novel Season of Sacrifice Bharti Kirchner also published her Promised Tulips short story in Seattle Noir which is an anthology of mystery short stories. She’s won numerous awards and honors associated with her writing and her cooking. Before becoming an author, Bharti worked as a systems engineer for IBM and as a systems manager for Bank of America in San Francisco. She’s also worked as a computer systems consultant in Europe and other
continents. She’s also a frequent speaker at writers’ conferences, book festivals, and universities.
And if you want to hear more from the author listen on YouTube to Kendall & Cooper Talk Mysteries with Bharti Kirchner
During a morning stroll near Greenlake, Maya is shocked when in front of a gathered crowd two young women shrouded in white set themselves on fire. Just before the blaze ignites she’s horrified to recognize one of the women, and she is a friend of hers. One of the bystanders, who says he is also a friend of the victims, hires Maya to uncover the shocking truth. Neither of them realizes then that they have put in motion factors that will soon risk Maya’s life as well. Maya’s investigation takes her to intriguing corners of the city and across cultural bounds. Secrets are an integral component of mysteries. As the mysterious guru advises Maya about the people she talks to – they believe that their “Secrets are like jewels. You must protect them.” But Maya is determined to reveal them and catch a killer.
Bharti Kirchner is the author of eleven books, seven novels, four cookbooks, and countless short pieces published in magazines and newspapers. Her talent and skill in cooking is scattered through her mystery novel and adds precious luster to the story. Also the culture of India is such a charming dimension to the book. Much of this cultural reference is through the delightful character Uma who is Maya’s mother. The writing is truly engaging.
Besides her mystery novel Season of Sacrifice Bharti Kirchner also published her Promised Tulips short story in Seattle Noir which is an anthology of mystery short stories. She’s won numerous awards and honors associated with her writing and her cooking. Before becoming an author, Bharti worked as a systems engineer for IBM and as a systems manager for Bank of America in San Francisco. She’s also worked as a computer systems consultant in Europe and other
continents. She’s also a frequent speaker at writers’ conferences, book festivals, and universities.
And if you want to hear more from the author listen on YouTube to Kendall & Cooper Talk Mysteries with Bharti Kirchner
June 14, 2017
This was an interesting mystery! It delved into some relevant political context as background for motives, which drew in the reader. Looking forward to more of PI Maya Mallick!
March 13, 2018
I really wanted to like this book, with the local setting and female, Indian-American detective. And at times I enjoyed it a bit (for the setting, and the character of the detective's mother), but overall it just felt stiff and clunky to me. From the very start, it felt forced: the soon-to-be detective just happens to walk by a bizarre sacrificial killing that just happens to include a close friend of hers?
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews