Kelly breaks out of the mystery mold with an early view of heroine Claire Breslinsky in this middling prequel to Foxglove
, The Cordelia Squad
and the other Breslinsky novels. Barely 20 and short on cash, Claire finds modeling work in Germany in 1972 after disappointing stints in Paris and Milan. She makes friends with Isolde, a lovably wicked older model who introduces Claire to European eccentrics and socialites. One evening's tipsy dinner party conversation inspires an ambitious overland expedition to India. Among the travelers are the charming Dr. Blacky von Osterwald and Tupelo Honig, the glamorous actress who vies with Claire for Blacky's affection as the caravan drives through Germany, Turkey, Iran and Afghanistan and meets with the danger and beauty of the Middle East before arriving in India. Kelly paints a vivid portrait of 1970s India, but overripe prose ("And what had taught me to be so expert at an art of which I knew nothing?"), clunky dialogue and a listless plot limit potential. (Dec.)
