Sergeant Ray Robertson of the RCMP has been posted to Haiti, a Canadian transplant in a colourful land whose ethical ways rub up against and sometimes clash with island ways. Robertson and the police that he is helping to train are called to the scene of a death. The homeowner, an American, wants to officers to believe that his wife’s death is an accident but Robertson is not so sure. Even though he just in Haiti as an advisor, he can’t let the death go – something seems off to him.

“Haitian Graves” was a rapid read, so there wasn’t much depth to the story. It was a quick mystery that brought in some of the vibrancy of a tropical locale.

Ray Robertson, sergeant in the RCMP has relocated from South Sudan to Haiti, but he is still working as a UN volunteer helping in the development of a modern police force.

An American business man returns home from work to find his young Haitian wife dead in the swimming pool. Robertson accompanies agent Pierre Lamothe and three officers in training to the house. After a quick glance the Haitians conclude that the woman fell, hit her head, and rolled into the pool. Robertson actually examines the body – imagine that – and argues that the victim had been hit on the head and dumped into the pool. A subsequent autopsy conducted in Miami supports that conclusion.

Faced with evidence that the victim was murdered, the case is assigned to a local investigator. He quickly identifies a suspect, makes an arrest, and closes the case. Robertson is unwilling to accept that facile conclusion.

As in “Juba Good,” the first novel in this series, the plot relies on a racist subplot. With the exception of Lamothe, the Haitian officers, all men of color, are lazy, cynical, and bereft of any sense of service to the community. It is only through the efforts of the White Canadian man that the murderer is identified, and the innocent man freed.

This book is an improvement over Juba Good,” and slightly more enjoyable. Delany’s depiction of the Haitian police officers is more sympathetic, due largely to the more positive qualities assigned to Lamothe. Nevertheless, readers interested in a rapid reads series of murder mysteries featuring Canadian police officers will find John Lawrence Reynolds’ series featuring Police Chief Maxine Benson to be superior. ( )

This book is one of the Rapid Reads titles put out by Orca Books. I read the first book by Vicki Delany in the Rapid Reads catalogue, Juba Good, and enjoyed it very much.

Ray Robertson is an RCMP officer who is working with the UN training police in third world countries. After the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti in 2010 it wasn't only physical damage that had to be repaired and replaced. The Haiti National Police (PNH) were mentored by experienced police like Ray. On one shift Ray and his crew were called to the home of a wealthy American because his wife, Marie, had been found floating dead in the pool. From the beginning Ray thought this death was something more than a terrible accident and when the coroner's report found that Marie had been dead before she hit the water he was sure of it. He didn't believe that the gardener was responsible even though there was some circumstantial evidence. So Ray started nosing around on his own time and found the real culprit.

Delany hooks the reader in from the first paragraph:
Haiti is all about colour. Colour and contrast. Masses of red, peach and white flowers twisted around barbed wire. Brightly painted houses in the crowded slums spilling down the hillside. Cheerful ribbons wound through girls' hair as they walk through piles of garbage. The painted minibus taxis called tap-taps. Some of the tap-taps looking as though paint and rust are all that's holding them together. ( )

Haitian Graves was a rapid read, more an extended short story. That said, it was a satisfying read with well developed characters. But, I read mysteries during extended plane flights. I would have enjoyed the story more if it were more drawn out. ( )

I enjoyed this compelling mystery - and it was a fast read! Ray Robertson is working in Haiti as a representative of the UN / RCMP, helping restore order to Port-au-Prince, and to train local police officers. When a dead body is discovered at the home of an American ex-pat, Robertson is relentless in his pursuit of the truth, despite several false starts and red herrings. Although the novel is slim, Robertson is a well-drawn character; we learn much about his motivation and family situation, and what drives him to work in war zones.
This is the second in the Robertson series (the first is set in Sudan), and is part of Orca’s series of Rapid Read novellas. Strong on plot and readability, this novel will appeal to adult readers who enjoy shorter books. ( )