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3.0
DEATH OF AN OLD SINNER (Mrs Norris: #1)
Written By Dorothy Salisbury Davis
1958; 176 Pages (Open Road Media)
Genre: mystery, detective, cozy,
Rating: ★★1/2
It's that time again...Mystery Monday! A review for the greatest genre of books, movies and television (and even old time radio). This week's mystery review is for Death of an Old Sinner written by Dorothy Salisbury Davis.
This is the first novel in the Mrs. Norris trilogy. Mrs. Norris is the housekeeper for General Ransom Jarvis and his son Jimmie Jarvis. There is no love lost between Mrs. Norris and the General and it is only the maternal affection for the younger Jarvis that keeps her employed. While the General is writing his memoirs he stumbles upon a scandal from an ancestor. And, Jimmie has decided to run for Governor of New York while having a fling with sculptor. When the General is found dead this leads both Jimmie and Mrs. Norris into a mystery that uncovers deceit, fraud and maybe more possible victims.
This novel was written in 1958 and yet I only know that because I looked up the novel. As I read I could not pinpoint any time for the setting. The characters and language did not heed any clues - at least for me. I love reading "cozy-ish" mysteries by Patricia Wentworth - also set post-WWII - but this one did not seem like a standard mystery. There was too much build up of characters and death and lagged on with the mystery without any suspense. I don't think I will continue with the other two novels but may try a standalone novel! Did anyone feel different about this novel? Or in agreement with me?
My Novelesque Blog
Written By Dorothy Salisbury Davis
1958; 176 Pages (Open Road Media)
Genre: mystery, detective, cozy,
Rating: ★★1/2
It's that time again...Mystery Monday! A review for the greatest genre of books, movies and television (and even old time radio). This week's mystery review is for Death of an Old Sinner written by Dorothy Salisbury Davis.
This is the first novel in the Mrs. Norris trilogy. Mrs. Norris is the housekeeper for General Ransom Jarvis and his son Jimmie Jarvis. There is no love lost between Mrs. Norris and the General and it is only the maternal affection for the younger Jarvis that keeps her employed. While the General is writing his memoirs he stumbles upon a scandal from an ancestor. And, Jimmie has decided to run for Governor of New York while having a fling with sculptor. When the General is found dead this leads both Jimmie and Mrs. Norris into a mystery that uncovers deceit, fraud and maybe more possible victims.
This novel was written in 1958 and yet I only know that because I looked up the novel. As I read I could not pinpoint any time for the setting. The characters and language did not heed any clues - at least for me. I love reading "cozy-ish" mysteries by Patricia Wentworth - also set post-WWII - but this one did not seem like a standard mystery. There was too much build up of characters and death and lagged on with the mystery without any suspense. I don't think I will continue with the other two novels but may try a standalone novel! Did anyone feel different about this novel? Or in agreement with me?
My Novelesque Blog
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