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izzatiidrus's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Put a schoolteacher with a fondness for funky hats with her students in a public aquarium where a thief was making a run, and a discovery of a corpse in a penguin pool and you have the start of this book. Also the beginning of the adventures of the curious no-nonsense Hildegrade Withers in this witty mystery series.
I enjoyed this one quite a lot, except the broker part (just a personal taste). I thought it was cheeky, fun and exciting. It reminded me of Miss Marple, if she was a younger woman (younger and not young because in this book a 39 year old was described as middle aged!).
Initially, I was rather apprehensive about the author's ability to not sound like a chauvinist while using a woman as his main protagonist. I thought he represented the characters pretty well. I look forward to reading more in the series.
I enjoyed this one quite a lot, except the broker part (just a personal taste). I thought it was cheeky, fun and exciting. It reminded me of Miss Marple, if she was a younger woman (younger and not young because in this book a 39 year old was described as middle aged!).
Initially, I was rather apprehensive about the author's ability to not sound like a chauvinist while using a woman as his main protagonist. I thought he represented the characters pretty well. I look forward to reading more in the series.
sandin954's review against another edition
3.0
First book in the series featuring school teacher Hildegarde Withers and published in 1931, this was fairly enjoyable though a bit dated in spots.
billd's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.0
I took a chance on this book; The Penguin Pool Murder by Stuart Palmer, the first Hildegarde Withers #1 book. My wife and I had seen the movie based on the book (well, we watched the 1st half... that should have told me something).
Hildegarde Withers is a school teacher in New York. We meet her as she is escorting a class of 3rd graders through an aquarium. A pickpocket is discovered and Miss Withers trips him up with her faithful umbrella. She then discovers that she's lost her hat pin and sends the children scurrying about trying to find it. What they find instead is a body floating in the penguin pool.
This begins a fluffy, somewhat silly cozy mystery. Police investigator Piper takes Miss Withers under his wing for some reason as he investigates the murder of Wall Street broker Gerald Lester. It seems that Miss Withers hat pin had something to do with the murder. There are 4 suspects; Lester's wife, her onetime beau David Seymour; a lawyer who seems to have instigated himself into the scene, Mr. Costello; and the director of the aquarium, Mr. Hemingway.
There is an investigation of sorts; in the great tradition of Eliot Stabler of Law & Order: SVU, every person is immediately guilty and locked up in the Tombs. Great leaps of logic, clues ignored, yada yada... The best part is the court case itself, which is short and sweet. The series was very popular in its day as were the movies. I may eventually try to find a copy of the 2nd book, but I won't rush to it. (2.0 stars)
Hildegarde Withers is a school teacher in New York. We meet her as she is escorting a class of 3rd graders through an aquarium. A pickpocket is discovered and Miss Withers trips him up with her faithful umbrella. She then discovers that she's lost her hat pin and sends the children scurrying about trying to find it. What they find instead is a body floating in the penguin pool.
This begins a fluffy, somewhat silly cozy mystery. Police investigator Piper takes Miss Withers under his wing for some reason as he investigates the murder of Wall Street broker Gerald Lester. It seems that Miss Withers hat pin had something to do with the murder. There are 4 suspects; Lester's wife, her onetime beau David Seymour; a lawyer who seems to have instigated himself into the scene, Mr. Costello; and the director of the aquarium, Mr. Hemingway.
There is an investigation of sorts; in the great tradition of Eliot Stabler of Law & Order: SVU, every person is immediately guilty and locked up in the Tombs. Great leaps of logic, clues ignored, yada yada... The best part is the court case itself, which is short and sweet. The series was very popular in its day as were the movies. I may eventually try to find a copy of the 2nd book, but I won't rush to it. (2.0 stars)
shallowgal00's review against another edition
4.0
Light & bright mystery, but I must admit - I liked the movie better!
quietjenn's review against another edition
4.0
Although I sussed out both the murderer and motive pretty easily, I still really enjoyed this entry. It's the first in the series and I liked the main characters - a spinster school teacher and a very indulgent cop - quite a bit. Will definitely read more in the series.
ssejig's review against another edition
3.0
TW: Casual racism
I enjoyed some of the later Hildegarde Withers books and though I might as well start at the beginning. While she is sort of scattershot in figuring out who the killer is, Ms. Withers does eventually win out in the end. And the final solve is also a little convoluted but it was an okay book to listen to while I drove to and from town.
Miss Withers is a teacher who has moved from Iowa to New York City. She has her class on a trip to the aquarium when a man is killed. With her hat pin, no less. For a spinster teacher, this is more than a little excitement. The police are quick to arrest the man's wife's lover. The wife remains free but is under heavy suspicion. Miss Withers is determined to find the murderer and the inspector on the case is surprisingly willing to let her.
librarianelizabeth's review
1.0
There’s a lot about this that didn’t age well at all. Casual racism and sexism. Broadly drawn, stereotype characters. I can say that I didn’t see the solution coming, and I am pleased there was a lady sleuth but.... meh
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