A Vine in the Blood by Leighton Gage

I don't usually like to read books in a series out of order, but when Leighton Gage left a comment on my review of his first Mario Silva book and offered to send me his latest .... well, I couldn't resist!  I told him I had already completed my South American requirement for the Global Reading Challenge, but he said that was fine and he'd send me the file for my Kindle anyway. 

Football, or soccer as it's known in the US, is big business worldwide, but especially in Brazil.  As A Vine in the Blood begins, the mother of Brazil's most famous player, Tico "The Artist" Santos, has been kidnapped and held for ransom on the eve of the next World Cup.  Was the motive really money or was it just an attempt to throw the national hero off his game, thereby diminishing Brazil's chances at winning the Cup?  Everyone wants to help with the investigation, even the shadier elements of society. 

As in Blood of the Wicked, I was quite drawn to Inspector Mario Silva.  His likable personality meshes well with his co-workers and is a good counter to those in the novel who are meant to be disliked.  (and oh, how I despised The Artist's girlfriend!!)  The story was fast-paced and exciting, yet not nearly as violent as Gage's first novel.  A winner all around!

Although A Vine in the Blood is the fifth book in the Silva series, it can easily be enjoyed as a stand-alone.  I still plan to read the books that I've skipped since I enjoy the series so much. 

A Vine in the Blood is already available in Australia and will be released in the US at the end of December.