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Monday, May 31, 2010

Book Snapshots: "The Black Cat" by Martha Grimes.

Is there any wonder or real surprise in The Black Cat, Martha Grimes' 22nd mystery featuring Superintendent Richard Jury?  Well, not really.  New Scotland Yard Superintendent Jury undertakes to solve a number of murders with the assistance of his Sergeant, Wiggins, and his friend Melrose Plant.  The initial murder occurs at a pub called The Black Cat.  The victim is a woman leading a double life:  Employed by a London escort service on weekends and as a librarian in the local village library during the week.  In addition to murder, there is a missing cat.  Yes, a black cat.

The Black Cat starts a bit slowly, but having read all of the previous Jury novels, I was committed to slogging on.  As the book continued, the plot picked-up and finally hooked my attention.  Ultimately, Ms. Grimes comes up with a clever ending to the work.

This mystery series from Martha Grimes was at its zenith in the 1980s.  From 1981 to 1989, she published 10 books featuring Richard Jury which were very enjoyable.  Although not on par with the best of the series, The Black Cat is a perfectly adequate cozy mystery.



      

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