A marble sphinx and other mysteries
Thirty Feet Under
by William Wodhams
Toronto: ECW Press, 2026
$24.95 / 9781770418547
Reviewed by Valerie Green
*
Thirty Feet Under is a fast-paced mystery that will be enjoyed by art lovers and those who appreciate the mysteries of archaeology. The twists and turns along the way will hold readers’ attention to the last page.
In his novel, Vancouver-based William Wodhams (Declan Tucker’s Grand Debut) has cleverly combined two parallel stories—those of Kate Taylor, who works for the FBI’s art crimes team in New York, and Paul Klugman, a New York art dealer who, as the story begins, fears his career is all but over.
Wodhams captures her characters at turning points. Kate, for instance, has become tired of routine office work and updating files at the FBI. She longs for something more exciting, so when her boss, Camilla, assigns her a case to work with the Italian Carabinieri art crime squad, she is thrilled to accept. An Italian museum has been robbed and a guard murdered and Kate is asked to help search for the thieves.
Luca, the Carabinieri agent who becomes her contact via Zoom meetings, is also very attractive and Kate enjoys talking with him. She longs to meet him in person to see if he really is as charming and attractive as he appears. Kate also has her mother to worry about who lives in a town some miles away. Her mother seems bored and lonely and constantly complains about Kate not visiting her. She is also worried that Kate will never find a husband and settle down. To keep her mother from continuing that subject, Kate tells her on a visit, “I have met one man. His name is Luca. But it’s early so I’d rather not say anything if you don’t mind?” Kate feels guilty about the relieved smile on her mother’s face; but Luca cannot be classified as an actual boyfriend—yet!
Meanwhile, Paul Klugman’s career in New York has stalled and he is almost broke. As a last resort, he is forced to approach his father for a loan, something he does not want to do. Paul’s father is a brash but very wealthy owner of a chain of dollar stores and has always made fun of his son who he claims is living in a dream world as a ‘fancy’ art dealer. He does, however, agree to loan him money on one condition. Paul must agree to work for him in one of his stores for a month. This, to Paul, is humiliating but he agrees as he needs the money.
But Paul’s life changes radically when he meets a charming English art dealer named Harry at an art museum in Philadelphia. Harry later calls Paul and gives him the lifeline he needs to get back into “the dealing art game” and quit working at the dollar store. As time goes by, the somewhat eccentric Harry appears to take Paul under his wing, becoming a father figure to him. He invites him to London and introduces him to the life’s finer things, all at his own expense. Before long, Paul is living the dream of being a wealthy art dealer with Harry’s help. But, at what cost? He will soon discover how high a price he must pay.
In Italy, Kate is becoming increasingly embroiled in her own mysteries. Only a small marble sphinx was stolen from the museum, so she begins to wonder why the Carabinieri would even care to involve the FBI. She gradually realizes there is much more to the request for assistance, and it involves the mysteries of archaeology and a legendary king’s lost tomb. With Kate not knowing who she can trust—her boss, Camilla, or even Luca himself—she decides she must solve the mystery herself.
Woodhams paints both Kate and Paul’s stories with vivid descriptions of antiques, long-lost treasures, murders, a sparkling necklace, and both good and bad guys. The research is impeccable. The characters are strong. But perhaps the most astute part of Thirty Feet Under is how the author joins the two parallel stories of Kate and Paul together.
Their stories are finally linked in Italy at a place called Torrento where the truth is revealed and the mysteries unraveled. Readers will not be disappointed when all the dots are connected in this delightful, lighthearted mystery.
Plus, with sentences like—“Paul pulled the dagger out of his belt. Kate’s eyes opened wide. The dagger was about two feet long, with a curved blade and carved handle. Did he really think he could stop these men with an old antique?” and “You know the old saying. Never bring a three-thousand-year-old knife to a gunfight”—you know there will also be a great deal of exciting action in this mystery with some “hold-your-breath” moments.
Thirty Feet Under is Wodhams’ second novel. I hope it is not his last.
*
Valerie Green was born and educated in England, where she studied journalism and law. Her passion was always for writing from the moment she first held a pen. After working at the world-famous Foyles Books in London (followed by a stint with MI5 and legal firms), she moved to Canada and embarked on a long career as a freelance writer, columnist, and author of over twenty nonfiction historical and true-crime books. Valerie’s latest book From Primitive Shack to Premier’s Wife was reviewed by Vanessa Winn. [Editor’s note: Valerie has reviewed recent books by The Pen Pals Writers’ Collective, Evelyn Kahn with Hodie Kahn, John D’Eathe, Tara Moss, Gerald Richardson Brown, Bill Koch, and Julie Wise for BCR.]
*
The British Columbia Review
Interim Editors: Trevor Marc Hughes (nonfiction), Brett Josef Grubisic (fiction and poetry)
Publisher: Richard Mackie
Formerly The Ormsby Review, The British Columbia Review is an on-line book review and journal service for BC writers and readers. The Advisory Board now consists of Jean Barman, Wade Davis, Robin Fisher, Barry Gough, Hugh Johnston, Kathy Mezei, Patricia Roy, and Graeme Wynn. Provincial Government Patron (since September 2018): Creative BC. Honorary Patron: Yosef Wosk. Scholarly Patron: SFU Graduate Liberal Studies. The British Columbia Review was founded in 2016 by Richard Mackie and Alan Twigg.
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