Book Review: Murder at Manito

Murder at Manito: A Rex Begonia Mystery by Chris Bieker

Review by Susan Mulvihill

I love a good mystery. First, someone stumbles across a dead body. Then you get to observe the thought processes of sharp detectives as they try to solve the murder. And if it all takes place in a familiar setting, so much the better.

That’s exactly the case with Murder at Manito which is author Chris Bieker’s first book. Set in Spokane, the scene of the crime is none other than the Gaiser Conservatory in our beloved Manito Park. Spokanites will smile while reading about a garden tour (everyone in Spokane loves a great garden tour, right?) and experiencing events surrounding our annual Lilac Festival.

One aspect of the book that I wasn’t expecting – but got many chuckles from – was the author’s use of botanical names or terms for many of the characters. For example, the chief detective is Rex Begonia and the city’s parks director is Sandy Loamiss.

I recently chatted with Chris about Murder at Manito to find out how it all came about.

“My good friend, Tonie Fitzgerald (former Extension agent and State Program Leader for the Washington State Master Gardener program), and I took walks together while she still lived in Spokane,” she told me. “We started taking regular walks to Manito Park and wandered through the Conservatory. While looking at the plant names, I saw one that said ‘Rex Begonia’ and thought that sounded like a great detective name. I’ve always loved word plays and I love names that reflect people’s occupations.”

I don’t want to give away any secrets about “whodunit” but let me just say Murder at Manito was an enjoyable read with a well-woven story line. Whenever I watch a mystery on TV, I find it’s easy to get confused by all of the characters’ names. Fortunately, Chris does a great job of helping readers remember who’s who throughout the book. She is also a gardener which explains the garden-themed mystery.

“I don’t profess to be a terrific gardener but I do plant lots of flowers,” she admitted. “Our yard is gradually losing grass in favor of flowers and vegetables.”

Will this book be the first in a series of mysteries?

“I think so. A lot depends on what the response is to the story,” she replied. “So far, response has been great. People are asking me what happens next and say they love how it takes place in Spokane. I hadn’t intended to make Spokane the setting but the city does a great job of putting on large events.”

Even those who don’t live in the Spokane area will still enjoy Murder at Manito. And just to clarify, Manito is pronounced “MAN-ih-toe” rather than rhyming with “Benito.” We Spokanites are rather particular about that! It means “spirit of nature” in the native Salish language, in case you’re curious.

Wouldn’t this book make a fun Christmas gift for the gardeners and mystery-lovers on your list? Murder at Manito is available in downtown Spokane at Auntie’s Bookstore and The Wishing Tree Books within the Perry District. The author encourages people to support their local bookstores. For those out of the area, the book is available on Amazon.

You can contact Chris Bieker via email at biekerspokane@gmail.com.