I really should have talked about Jeffrey Siger’s Chief Inspector Andreas Kaldis mysteries when Kristopher Zgorski, Dru Ann Love and I did the Triple Threat, but we could only pick five series. Maybe next time we do something similar I’ll be able to add this series. Siger’s seventh book, Devil of Delphi, may be one of my favorites.

What do you do when you’re one of Greece’s top assassins, and would like to just lead a quiet life in the agricultural area of Delphi? What do you do when a powerful international criminal would like to utilize your skills? How do you refuse without ending up dead? It isn’t long before Kharon is caught up in a lucrative counterfeiting scheme. All over Greece, bomba, counterfeit liquors and wine, are making their way into restaurants, bars and clubs. It’s a criminal’s dream, until a few underlings need to be taught a lesson. Then, Kharon is offered an opportunity that’s impossible to refuse.

What do you do when you’re Chief Inspector Andreas Kaldis, Head of the Greek Police’s Special Crimes Division, and his wife’s friend, a wine merchant, complains about counterfeit booze destroying his business? Kaldis and his exclusive team of trusted officers and friends investigate a few bars. When Detective Yianni Kouros witnesses an assassination, their investigation leads to some of Greece’s most powerful families. And, the investigation brings up the name of a mastermind that scares even Kaldis.

Jeffrey Siger always manages to tie in crime and the current state of the Greek government. However, he also has humor in this intricate plots, humor involving Kaldis and his wife, Lila, or Kaldis and some of the people he’s closest to; his secretary, Maggie, Kourous, Tassos. The plot is wonderful in this book, but, oh, the characters! I don’t know when I’ve cheered for an assassin before. Even Siger’s assassin is a sympathetic character. And, Kaldis and a few other characters are so manipulative. In this case, it’s enjoyable to watch because those characters come alive on the page.

Riveting plotting, wonderful characters, an attractive setting. Jeffrey Siger’s Devil of Delphi has it all.

Jeffrey Siger’s website is www.jeffreysiger.com

Devil of Delphi by Jeffrey Siger. Poisoned Pen Press. 2015. ISBN 9781464204302 (hardcover), 276p.

*****
FTC Full Disclosure – The publicist sent me a copy of the book when I asked for it.