Where Have You Gone Without Me?

A news story falls into the lap of reporter Eddie Sabella – parishioners of a New York church are convinced a four-foot statue of St Joseph cried real tears. Father Keller, the pastor, dismisses the ‘miracle’, claiming the tears were caused by a leak. That would seem to end the matter, but then the statue, fashioned out of wood and of no monetary value, is stolen. It had been brought from Italy many years ago by Nick Arena, a Sicilian restauranteur with possible gangster connections, whose daughter just happens to be Eddie’s long-lost love, Phyllis. Eddie, sensing a deeper story, follows up, his questioning bringing him into contact with characters as diverse as a sweet old lady with cancer and a mafia boss responsible for some exceedingly gruesome murders. The tale romps along, propelled by sharp dialogue, mouth-watering descriptions of Italian cuisine, the seemingly forever-uncertain Eddie-Phyllis romance, and the efforts of one inquisitive reporter to fathom the history behind the missing statue. After a pacey ride, Where have You Gone Without Me draws to a tame close. There is still enough here to please mystery fans, but a stronger ending would have turned an enjoyable read into a rousing one.