My friend Patti recomended this book to me. She always makes the best recommendations. I purchashed this book along with several others last year from one of my favorite indie bookstores Politics & Prose in Washington DC.

Very interesting book with interesting, quirky and some very disturbing characters. Unlikely people thrown together, each with an obsession.

I'd like to categorize this book as a mystery, and it is also an adventure. Fast paced, a page turner. The writing made me feel the heat, the mosquitos, eels, cyclones etc. , the atmosphere of the country (New Caledonia) and the tension between the characters, the scenes both beautiful and those not so nice. Enid is a seemingly ditzy character, U can't help but admire her optimism & gumption. Marge is a pragmatic plodding along in life with dreams left unfulfilled until the unlikely employment of Enid to help her on an expedition to find a beetle , a beetle that Marge, Miss Benson, is obcessed with even though no one is even is sure exits. Even pragmatic people have their passions. Many plot twists and turns

Taking this book to our BCinDC March meet-up at Potbelly Sandwich Shop to loan to 6of8 for a book challenge we R particpating in. 6 when U R done reading this I'd like the book back so I can release it to another friend. Thanks 🐿

Zippy and I are both trying to complete the 666 challenge this year. She agreed to lend me this book because it is partially set in New Caledonia, which would be one more in Oceania. That continent is the most challenging because one you cross off Australia and New Zealand, the other islands are much smaller and less likely to appear in a book.

I will be giving this book back to Zippy when I am done with it.