dustwrapper

Meyers, Maan. The Dutchman. 1992

2012-02-19T21:17:00.000-05:00

This mystery is set in New Amsterdam as it goes from the Dutch to the English and becomes New York. The historical detail is very good and the characters seem authentic. The mystery is basically unsolvable and concludes at the end by a bit of sleight of hand. The primary character is a Dutch sheriff whose love interest is a Jewish widow.

Allen, Robin. If You Can't Stand the Heat. 2011

2012-01-29T19:18:00.000-05:00

In this book, a cook turned health inspector (yes, that is what I said) is involved in a murder at her father's restaurant. The writing about food and art in Austin, Texas is interesting, but the mystery itself is rather boring and the solution is very weak. I have a horror of conspiracies!

Cross, Amanda. In the Last Analysis. 1964

2012-01-29T19:15:00.000-05:00

This is a lovely little mystery with a female academic protagonist and a cast of all-star bright young things. The plot involves a murder on a psychiatrist couch, the background of characters we meet along the way and a solution out of a grade B movie. The language is very nice and the mystery puzzling, but I found the sudden solution rather off-putting.

Caudwell, Sarah. Thus Was Adonis Murdered. 1981

2012-01-24T20:07:00.003-05:00

This is one of a very short series of mysteries about the worlds of law and history primarily notable for the wonderful and light use of language. In this one, a young female lawyer flees the burdens of the income tax to find herself suspected of the murder of a beautiful young man. Nicely plotted, but as I said most worth reading for the language.

Lawrence, Margaret. Hearts and Bones. 1996

2011-12-29T10:22:00.003-05:00

colonial Maine, midwife Hannah Trevor protagonist
A young woman is raped and murdered while her husband is away in the wilderness. The midwife solves the crime to save her lover and restore order to her small town. Very good historical detail!

Adams, Riley. Delicious and Suspicious. 2010

2011-12-14T16:13:00.000-05:00

barbeque restaurant in Memphis, Tennessee with elderly owner
really very silly; perhaps at the level of a comedy television show

Carlisle, Kate. Homocide in Hardcover. 2009

2011-12-12T10:54:00.000-05:00

rare book binder working in library discovers fraud and murder
Cute, a little too much bodice ripper, but much on book restoration

Bevill, C. L. Bayou Moon. 2002.

2011-12-12T10:52:00.000-05:00

successful artist returns to underprivileged home in rural Louisiana
Good, more of a thriller than a cozy mystery; truly badly crafted sex scenes

Borthwick. J. S. The Student Body. 1986

2011-12-12T10:50:00.000-05:00

small town New England college - graduate teaching fellow protagonist
pretty good; a little weak on academic trivia; nice look at literature folks

Hamilton, Barbara. The Ninth Daughter. 2009

2011-12-12T10:49:00.000-05:00

1773 Boston with Abigail Adams as protagonist
Too many societal evils covered; too much goodness lingering, but nice historical view