The Tenth Witness (Henri Poincare Mystery)
*Starred Review* This prequel to the acclaimed All Cry Chaos (2011) goes back in time to show how Henri Poincaré became an Interpol agent. It’s 1978, and Poincaré is a brilliant mechanical engineer who has devised a way for divers to hunt for deeply buried treasure at sea. Two centuries ago Lloyd’s of London insured a ship that sank off the Dutch coast, and now the company hires Poincaré and his partner to try to recoup their loss. While researching the area, Poincaré falls in love with Liesel, who works with her brother for a huge Munich steel company founded by their father, Otto Kraus. Meanwhile, after his favorite uncle passes away, Poincaré is driven to learn more about his uncle’s Holocaust experience and is shocked to discover that his uncle worked as slave labor at a Nazi steel factory run by Kraus—a revelation that prompts Poincaré to dig into his girlfriend’s family history. The Kraus family is protective of its past, however, and does not take kindly to Poincaré’s interference—though Interpol expresses interest in his research. This is a complex, dark, and disturbing story, beautifully told and based in part on history. Poincaré’s character is deeply developed, as Rosen combines a probing Holocaust story with elements of an action thrilller. A fine novel and further indication that Rosen is a writer of immense talent. --Stacy Alesi