I have devoured many books over the years and, up until recently; mystery novels have not been a part of my diet. Hammer Spade and the Ring of Fire, by E. B. Alston, was my first voyage into the crime solving world and it was not disappointing. The characters, history and locations kept me intrigued, as well as the twists and turns in the plot. The group of characters, which the reader is introduced to throughout the novel, is well rounded and intriguing with personalities that compliment each other and the mission. Through the dialogue that is exchanged among them the reader develops a clear view of each character. All of the main characters are interesting studies but the most surprising character is Rachel, a housewife who takes on a completely different personality once the mission is underway. Rachel steals the spotlight. The history behind the ring is fascinating and whether the rings mysterious power works or not is also discovered, which satisfied my curiosity as a reader. Also, the history surrounding the many places the team must travel, and the historical figures who had visited before adds to the air of believability and made me feel as though I had stepped back in time with Hammer and his group. The journey that takes place to locate a seemingly simple ring will keep any reader riveted, wanting to continue the journey and see it to its end. It has given me a new appreciation for a genre I had not encountered before but will continue to discover for many years.Rina Hutchinson