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nikkimf's review against another edition
5.0
I can’t remember when or how I picked up Edwin of the Iron Shoes, but it was probably in the late 1970s, when I could first afford to buy books. I had grand ideas about my life then. I’d join the NSA and figure out who was up to what. Or I could become a PI like Sharon McCone and catch bad guys. Sharon seemed impossibly old and wise.
I was never going to be Sharon. Somewhere along the way, our paths diverged so much that I stopped buying Ms. Muller’s books. Recently I came across an interview with Ms. Muller, arguably the first writer in the female hard-boiled mystery genre, and decided to give Sharon (and Marcia Muller) another chance. The writing is crisp, with that hard-boiled PI feel at its core, but without the edginess I dislike. I truly enjoyed rereading Edwin of the Iron Shoes.
(Add 10 years to the ages of the shop owners on Salem Street, BTW. I certainly don’t feel old now that I’m in my 60s. But I probably thought that was old in the 1970s.)
I was never going to be Sharon. Somewhere along the way, our paths diverged so much that I stopped buying Ms. Muller’s books. Recently I came across an interview with Ms. Muller, arguably the first writer in the female hard-boiled mystery genre, and decided to give Sharon (and Marcia Muller) another chance. The writing is crisp, with that hard-boiled PI feel at its core, but without the edginess I dislike. I truly enjoyed rereading Edwin of the Iron Shoes.
(Add 10 years to the ages of the shop owners on Salem Street, BTW. I certainly don’t feel old now that I’m in my 60s. But I probably thought that was old in the 1970s.)
posies23's review against another edition
4.0
An entertaining, if slightly pedestrian mystery. Notable for being a forerunner of the "tough girl" PI novels that are so popular today, it shows real promise for a first novel. (It was written in 1977.)
bonstrosity's review against another edition
4.0
Dated in just a couple ways. Otherwise pretty damn solid.
littletaiko's review against another edition
3.0
Read this book since Marcia Muller is going to be a guest of honor at the Left Coast Crime convention that I'm attending in March and I've never read any of her books. Billed a one of the first hard-boiled female detective series it lived up to expectations. I enjoyed the character and the story even if it is a bit dated. Look forward to reading more by her going forward.
cbsundance's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
monkiecat2's review against another edition
3.0
What a weird little book... This felt more like the abridged version of a longer book than a complete work in itself. There were odd gaps in the action, and unexplained changes in people's points of view, relationships, and attitudes that seemed to come out of nowhere. The mystery part of it was fun, but the solution was too obvious. Knowing the answer is satisfying, but I prefer the ones I can't solve. It made the detectives seem stupid. Also, the MC's love interest called her "papoose." As a pet name. And she told him off for using a racial slur, but then hooked up with him anyway... why would she want to be with someone who disrespected her? But she's otherwise pretty strong... I just don't get it. Whatever, like I said, it's an odd book.
govmarley's review against another edition
3.0
I've never read any Sharon McCone, but I liked her. She's a little wacky, and the book is pretty dated (it was the 70's, y'all) but she's smart and clever, and keeping the setting in mind, I'll continue sleuthing with her. I can't decide if I want to punch Greg Marcus or not, since this was written in 1977 and it's hard to decide with my 2022 eyes and brain. He's an idiot, for sure, but Sharon seems to like him anyway.
Barely 3 stars but I'll give book 2 a chance.
Barely 3 stars but I'll give book 2 a chance.
ilovebakedgoods's review against another edition
4.0
Nice cozy mystery that I finished in about a day.