John's Friend Comments

I'm recommending A Vine in the Blood: A Chief Inspector Mario Silva Investigation to you, John. This witty novel begins with the poisoning of a batch of bougainvillea plants. Although the owner of the flowers has just been kidnapped, her gardener’s concern is saving himself from her vindictive fury when she discovers that the red bougainvilleas she wanted are, in fact, pale mauve. Hell hath no fury like Juraci Santos, mother of Brazil’s greatest soccer star, Tico Santos. Tico is essential for Brazil to win the World Cup and someone has snatched Juraci, planning to force her son to throw the game.