Gone Away by Hazel Holt

 

Reviewed by Jeanne

Mrs. Sheila Malory is a literary scholar specializing in 19^th century authors who lives in the English village of Taviscombe.  She’s also a widow with a son at college and a myriad number of community tasks from taking pensioners to appointments to baking cakes for fundraisers.  When an old friend who has been living in America shows up with a stylish new fiancée, Sheila tries to withhold judgment but everyone else is firmly of the opinion that Lee Montgomery is only marrying Charles for his money.

Mrs. Malory’s resolution to keep out of it is tested when a frantic Charles calls from America, saying that he’s unable to reach Lee in England.  He wants Mrs. Malory to find her and let him know that she’s all right.  But Sheila is unable to locate Lee, and soon begins to wonder if there’s been foul play.

This is the first of the Mrs. Malory books, but it’s so well written and the characters so familiar that it doesn’t seem like a first in series book.  I consider it a fair play mystery, and I loved the English setting, the bits about books (I now want to read something by Charlotte Yonge), and having a sensible, down to earth, middle aged sleuth who doesn’t jump to conclusions or cause scenes.

I’ve read several other books in the series and enjoyed them all.  While some things do change for the characters, this isn’t a series that has to be read in order. Also, while these were written from 1998-2014, they don’t feel particularly dated, except that people don’t carry mobile phones or constantly check computers. I find it a pleasant change.

If you are a fan of the classic British mysteries, such as Agatha Christie or Josephine Tey, by all means give Hazel Holt a try.  I will certainly be reading the rest in the series.

Note:  The book also appeared under the title Mrs. Malory Investigates.

Murder is Easy by Agatha Christie

 

Reviewed by Jeanne

Luke Fitzwilliam is happy to be back in England after working as a policeman in the Mayang Straits, and happier still to be on a train to London… that is, until the elderly lady in his carriage decides to strike up a conversation.  Having several elderly aunts, Luke expected this to happen but he did not expect to hear that she was on her way to Scotland Yard to report a series of murders. He tries to humor the old dear, listening to her rambling on about who has died and that she expects the doctor to be next.

Luke hopes that the man on duty at the Yard will let her down gently, even though she is definitely a bubble off plumb.

It’s a bit of a shock when he reads in paper that the old lady was run over by a motor car and killed before she even reached the Yard. 

It’s even more of a shock a few days later when Luke reads that the doctor she mentioned as the next victim dies suddenly.

Is it possible that the old lady was right and there’s a murderer running amok in a quaint little English village?

Luke enlists the aid of an old friend in order to go undercover and investigate.

I read quite a lot of Agatha Christie’s books in high school, but back then I was really only interested in the series titles with Hercule Poirot or (my favorite) Miss Marple so this one was new to me.  Christie wrote a number of standalone books like this one, which came out in 1939.  While it definitely reflects the era in which it was written, the strong plot and good characterizations had me turning pages quickly to find the solution.  As with most of Christie’s books, there’s a possible romance—unless, of course, the lovely young woman who has caught Luke’s eye is the murderer in question.  Luke himself is a likeable young man, but it must be said he doesn’t have Hercule’s “little grey cells.”  In fact, another character catches on more quickly that he does.  Nonetheless, he does solve it out in the end—and just in time, too.

As usual, I had some things figured out but not others.  There’s a reason Agatha Christie’s work is still read, and I certainly enjoyed this one.

Note:  The book was also published under the title Easy to Kill.

Death of a Bookseller by Bernard Farmer

 

Reviewed by Jeanne

First published in the 1950s, this reissue of a “British Crime Classic” may not be everyone’s cup of tea.  Sgt. Jack Wigan becomes friends with Michael Fisk, who buys, sells, and collects rare books.  He encourages Wigan to take up the hobby, which he does. To his surprise, he finds it an intriguing hobby.  Then he is called to Fisk’s house in an official capacity:  his friend has been murdered. To make matters worse, it appears that Fisk was attempting to summon a demon at the time of his death, which is repugnant to the religious Wigan.  Still, he is determined to find out who—or what—murdered his friend.

I am a sucker for a classic British mystery and I wasn’t familiar with the author, so I decided to give this one a try.  The preface warns that there are some attitudes and sentiments that modern audiences might find offensive, but that the editor chose to leave such things as they were to more accurately reflect the times.  I agree with that sentiment as I like to see how things really were, not a modern sanitized version.

I was fascinated by the descriptions of the book trade among the poorer elements: mostly men whose find of a valuable book might feed them for more than a day or two or get shelter for the night. These were people who had to be able to determine at a glance if a book would bring a shilling or a penny, and might have to scrap to get it before someone else snatched it up. They not only have to know condition and edition, but what genres are selling. At this time, it seemed buyers were mostly Americans who were snapping up titles left and right, sometimes to the dismay of the British.

The book does a wonderful job of conveying a sense of time and place, as well as the excitement of book collecting.  Some reviewers found the book a bit slow but I liked the pacing because I enjoyed the setting. 

Interestingly enough, Farmer was a book collector himself and liked to use books and bookselling in his novels. This has made them particularly collectible among those who like books about books, which I think fitting.

Eight Faces at Three by Craig Rice

 

Reviewed by Jeanne

As the story opens, Holly Inglehart awakens, confused.  She’s had an odd and unsettling dream about being hanged.  Thankfully, a clock had awakened her—but why had a clock gone off in the middle of the night?  Her own clock has stopped at 3 a.m. but it seems later than that, so she checks another—only to find it had also stopped at 3 a.m.  Every clock in the house seems to have stopped at that time. Then she hears the alarm again, coming from her Aunt Alex’s room.  Aunt Alex is there—but she is very cold and very dead.

How’s that for an opening scenario? I was immediately hooked by the oddness of it all and anxious to figure out the mystery.  What I didn’t expect was how delightful the company was going to be along the way.

Craig Rice was an acclaimed mystery writer in her day, making the cover of Time magazine. And yes, that was her real name, though there was a Georgiana in front that she dropped. Her books were mysteries married to screwball romantic comedies, full of clever phrases and witty repartee, and were a lot of fun.

This is a reprint of her first novel and introduced her series character John J. Malone, a rumpled lawyer who can play a jury like a master violinist.  I love Rice’s description of his attire, which included the observations that his suits were appeared to have been slept in, probably in the floor of a taxi cab and that his “ties and collars never really became close friends, often not even acquaintances.”

I have to say, though, that a couple of the supporting characters stole the show as far as I’m concerned. Former journalist Jake is a promoter and manager for Dick Dayton-- a band leader and newly minted husband of Holly—who is a suspected in the murder of Aunt Alex.  At the Inglehart mansion, Jake encounters Helene Brand, an heiress who knows how to make an entrance. One look at her, stepping out of the wintry Chicago night wearing blue pajamas, a fur coat, and galoshes, while barging into the scene of a murder, and Jake is smitten.

Given that the book came out in 1939, there are a few things that will give a modern reader pause, such as certain turns of phrase. There is also a lot of drinking, and I do mean a LOT. Quite a bit of spilling too, especially when Helene decides to learn how to slide beer the length of a bar and into a customer’s hand. 

As for the plot, there were some things I would have questioned if I hadn’t been so entertained.  Some very good twists and turns were introduced.

Mostly, I’m still trying to cast the movie version in my head.  I’m thinking Lauren Bacall for Helene but I could be persuaded to go for Bette Davis.  Maybe Bogart for Malone?

Anyway, I think Craig Rice’s reputation in mystery circles is well deserved and I recommend you give her a try.

The Unkindness of Ravens by M.E. Hilliard

 

Reviewed by Jeanne

 

Librarian Greer Hogan has moved to the town of Raven Hill to make a fresh start after the violent death of her husband.  Unfortunately, there's another corpse in her future: that of the president of the Friends of the Library who is found bludgeoned in the library.  As a mystery aficionado, Greer knows how to search for clues-- and, she hopes, keep out of a killer's sights.

Although this is a first in series book, Hilliard makes seamless introductions while keeping the story moving.  The plot is interesting, and there is a backstory involving Greer’s murdered husband.  Although a man was convicted, she is beginning to have her doubts as to whether or not the man was guilty.  The author doesn’t let this detract from the book, but uses Greer’s experience and regrets to help fuel the action in this book. The characters are well drawn. The Raven Hill Public Library is housed in a former mansion, with all sorts of rooms for the comfort of a family, not designed to meet the demands of a public library, but that does give it a certain charm.  Fans of the old Bristol library on Anderson Street would heartily agree, I think.

Although the description makes it sound a bit like a run of the mill cozy, this book has several things going for it as far as I’m concerned.

First, Greer is a librarian who does real library work.  Also, she knows what sources are available and how to use them—for example, that not all newspapers from all time are available online and searchable.  There are a lot of stories in which the librarian sort of works but spends more time sleuthing than my library would allow.  I'm expected to show up for work no matter if I have a suspect in my sights or not! Er. . . not that I do, you understand.

There are good references to books for readers of all ages.  The book opens with a discussion of the differences between fictional amateur sleuths Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden.  Other bookish mentions follow, and all are appropriate and well done-- I never had the feeling that the author was showing off. It was more like a little nod to authors.  For example, when someone asks what the many rooms of Raven Hill Manor are used for, Greer replies, “The archives, public rooms, supply closets, staff areas, wardrobes that lead to Narnia, who knows?”  Other literary bits and pieces abound, but with no sense that the author is name-dropping to show off, just a natural flow of conversation, of the sort that would take place with readers who know their authors and books.  

Maybe the most important factor for me is that this book reads more like a classic mystery than a cozy. There's more focus on the crime and motive and less on eating/recipes, craft tips, etc. I'm not saying these are bad things, but I tend to read cozies despite these features rather than because of them. 

I’m excited about this series and looking forward to the next one.  I’m also going to give this book as a gift to librarian friends.

The Chocolate Cobweb by Charlotte Armstrong

Reviewed by Jeanne

Amanda “Mandy” Garth is a charming young woman with artistic talent, something she apparently didn’t inherit from either of her parents.  While admiring one of famous artist Tobias Garrison’s paintings, Cousin Edna blurts out that Amanda was nearly given to Garrison as a newborn.  She was born at the same hospital and at about the same time as Garrison’s son, and a nurse confused the two infants.  Of course, there is really no question that that Mandy is her parents’ child, but she sees it as a chance to introduce herself to the artist. Her tactics work, and she soon finds herself at the Garrison canyon home where she is welcomed by Tobias.  His wife seems gracious, but his son Thone is definitely cool to her. 

And then Mandy sees something that makes her believe someone in the house may be about to commit a murder.  The problem will be getting anyone to believe her long enough to stop the murderer from succeeding.  The fact that she uses the tenuous excuse of being an exchanged child certainly doesn’t earn her any points from most those concerned; she comes off to them as someone who is angling for something.

First published in 1948, The Chocolate Cobweb doesn’t seem to be particularly dated, except for the lack of cell phones.  It’s also not as darkly written as the current domestic noirs (think Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn or The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins) but there is real danger here.  Mandy is one of those heroines who is determined to see a thing through, no matter how much she is dissuaded.  She knows that she is hurting people around her, but she just can’t bear to stand by and do nothing.  The lightness of the writing makes the dark deeds seem all the more surprising.

Much of the story revolves around color, and I think that’s why I enjoyed it so much.  As a would-be artist, Mandy is aware of the emotional connections color makes.  There are descriptions of Tobias’ portraits and Mandy’s own compositions that made me wish to see a photo, but alas they are just part of the author’s imagination.

Which is why I have to say the cover of this recently republished edition is a bit disappointing.  I’m probably the only one who would think that and I only thought it after I read the book; before, I thought the cover was fine.  (Also in Goodreads I saw the cover of an earlier edition which was awash with color.) It’s not a bad cover and probably more appealing to a modern audience but I really liked the other for its relationship to the content.

The murderer is quickly identified to the reader, but I still will refrain from revealing it in this review.  Suffice it to say that the person is cunning and ruthless, more so than Mandy realizes—and that is where the danger lies.

If you like the classic mysteries of the mid-twentieth century, give The Chocolate Cobweb a try.

Murder for Christmas by Francis Duncan

Reviewed by Jeanne

Mordecai Tremaine, retired tobacco seller and amateur criminologist, has arrived at an English country house for a good, old fashioned Christmas, courtesy of an invitation from Benedict Grame, a man he knows only slightly.  It’s the post script from Grame’s assistant Nicholas Blaise that intrigues him, an ending that reads, “But I can tell there’s something wrong, and frankly, I’m getting scared.”

Once he arrives, Tremaine meets an interesting assortment of characters, all of whom seem to have secrets. He’s particularly taken with two young lovers, kept apart by an apparent whim of the girl’s guardian, but then Mordecai is a romantic at heart. He even reads romance magazines.

 Before the sleuth can quite sort out all the relationships between the guests, Father Christmas is murdered—or rather, a member of the party in full Father Christmas robes.  The police are called, but in the best classic amateur sleuth tradition, it’s Mordecai Tremaine who will figure out the who, why, and how of the crime.

This is actually the second in the series by the pseudonymous Duncan, a reprint of the 1949 edition.  It’s in the mold of the classic mysteries of the sort done by Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh, and Marjorie Allingham.  I’m a fan of novels of that era, and often find modern takes on the themes to be somehow lacking, as if the author is trying too hard to replicate a style. This one flows very well and it feels fresh, not any sort of imitation.   Not only does it set up a fascinating puzzle (or, rather, set of puzzles) but the characters are deftly sketched.  There were a number of surprises along the way for me,  but in retrospect the groundwork had been fairly laid. Most of all, I was charmed by Mr. Tremaine.  He is interesting without being too quirky.  He’s genuinely interested in other people, keenly observing them, but without being coldly analytical.  Being a gentleman, he has a certain reserve but he comes off as being pleasant and good-natured. He's quietly confident, not egotistical.

If you like the classic cozy mystery style, by all means give this series a try. I intend to read all five.

As for the author, the mystery of his identity was solved when one of his children saw the reprinted books in a shop.  The author was one William Underhill of Bristol, England, who served in World War II and spent the rest of his working life as a teacher, supplementing the family income with his writing.  Besides the five Tremaine mysteries, he wrote over a dozen standalone novels between 1937 and 1959.  He died in 1988, at the age of 80.

Lethal Treasure by Jane K. Cleland

Reviewed by Jeanne

Antiques dealer Josie Prescott is attending an auction of storage units with new friend Henri, who has opened a decoration and design firm with his wife Leigh Ann.  Customers are given a quick look at a unit’s contents, but aren’t allowed to open any boxes or otherwise examine contents before they bid. Henri is in a rather contentious bidding war with another would be buyer, but emerges victorious while Josie picks up a couple of units.  The interesting part is examining the contents for value.  This time around, there’s a pile of costume jewelry, along with one piece that may not be imitation.  Henri has also come across some theatre posters, which are potentially valuable if Josie can identify the artist.

Then Josie gets a frantic call from Leigh Ann:  Henri has not come home. It turns out that Henri may never have left the auction site—and someone wants to cast suspicion on Josie.

Somehow I’m always surprised at how very good these books are. Each book imparts some fascinating tidbits of information about antiques and collectibles but it never feels forced; sometimes knowing about the antiques may provide some information about the crime, as well.  I’ve often found myself as intrigued about the antiques as I am about the murder.  I had no idea that some early theatres commissioned posters from local artists to promote the films, nor did I realize that in the case of jewelry, some artists’ drawings for pieces can be kept on file for decades. Yet the author never lets this aspect bog the story down, but keeps things moving.

Cleland is old school in her mysteries, skillfully planting clues so that an attentive reader does have a chance to figure it out.  Josie is an appealing character, friendly and knowledgeable without coming across as all-knowing.  Her involvement with crime is also done in a more organic way than in some mysteries.   I also appreciate the way that Cleland avoids so many cozy clichés.  Her heroine is a businesswoman with a good head on her shoulders, dealing in merchandise worth tens of thousands of dollars. She’s sensible, independent, but a good friend. She’s in a stable relationship with Ty Alverez, a Homeland Security officer. She’s also not foolhardy; you won’t see her slipping around in a diaphanous gown to investigate the screams in a basement. A scene that particularly delighted me was that when the police bring Josie in for questioning.  Even though the interrogator is a long time friend, Josie asks to speak to her lawyer.  Yes!  That’s exactly what one should do.  I know this because I read Nancy W.’s review of Behind Bars:  Surviving Prison.  (You can read it here—and it’s definitely worth the read!) As a long-time admirer of Rex Stout’s Nero Wolfe, I also love the little Wolfian tidbits she drops into the books.

As I said in an earlier review, the Josie Prescott series is Antiques Roadshow meets Agatha Christie—and I mean Christie specifically for the way clues tend to be delivered, buried somewhere in casual conversation.  In short, this is a well-written, entertaining classic mystery with solid characters, good plots and oh, yes, a cat.  However, the presence of Hank the Maine Coon did not influence this favorable review—at least, not much.

Murder of the Bride by C.S. Challinor

Reviewed by Jeanne

Rex Graves, a Scottish barrister, is attending a wedding at the behest of his fiancée, Helen. The dreary day doesn’t seem auspicious for a wedding, but even so one wouldn’t have expected a poisoned wedding cake.  Rex recognizes the symptoms as arsenic, and soon becomes involved in an investigation in which the how is easier to determine than who was the intended victim or victims or if the murders were a diversion to draw attention away from another crime.

This is the fifth book in the Rex Graves series, but the first one I’ve read.  The action moved along nicely and I enjoyed the puzzle.  There were a number of twists and turns, some good misdirection, and surprises awaited until almost the last page.  I didn’t get overly fond of any of the characters, though, and there were a few expressions that made me pause.  According to the author biography, Ms. Challinor received a degree from the University of Kent, so she is much more familiar with things British than I am, but some of the phrasing seemed American to me.  The solution was very clever, but I won’t say more for fear of spoiling someone else’s enjoyment.

From this book, I don't think it's a series that needs to be read in order.  There were a couple of references to past cases but nothing that made me feel I was missing something important if I hadn't read those books.  Another plus:  the author didn't give away the solution to the previous case, so I could still read that book without spoilers.

The Booklist starred review of the first book in the series, Christmas is Murder, described it as a game of Clue or an updating of a classic locked room novel, in which suspects are paraded in one by one and clever questioning reveals motives and murderer.  I would concur with that description.  Will I read others in the series?  Quite possibly, when I’m in the mood for a straight puzzle; but if I want to read about engaging characters, I’ll choose something else.