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tessyoung's review against another edition
2.0
The memory seems to be an unreliable tool. Having returned to Cross' Kate Fansler series with anticipation, I fear I remember it as better than I now find it. I'm not sure the series has aged well and the character of Fansler is somewhat annoying, an intolerant snob whose actions do not seem to me consistent with the admiration and affection she, we are told, generates in others. Supposedly a feminist protagonist, she is very much of her time and her feminism appears to be related simply to her choice of career over family, which we hear about time and again, while overt sexism and gender stereotype abound unchallenged. For example, Kate's admirer gives as one of his reasons for wanting to marry her, that whilst assault is illegal, assaulting one's wife is less illegal, unfortunately while there may still be some truth in this, the presentation of such an idea as a witticism grates on this reader. I'm not sure how avidly, or if at all, I'll pursue this series after all.
In addition to the above, the literary references in this one were not so well integrated into the story and the ending is rather Christie, the big reveal at the end with little continuity from the main narrative...
In addition to the above, the literary references in this one were not so well integrated into the story and the ending is rather Christie, the big reveal at the end with little continuity from the main narrative...
yetilibrary's review against another edition
5.0
An early Kate Fansler mystery and, thus far in my estimation (I've only read four), one of the best. It's a solid (cozy) mystery, yes--there's even a brief shout-out to Ngaio Marsh!--but it's so much more than that. It's wickedly funny and wryly observed and, in Amanda Cross's usual way, so smoothly written that by the end you wonder if you have ever in your life been so thoroughly entertained in a mere 200 pages.
As to James Joyce, let me say this: I have enjoyed exactly one of his stories, and the rest of his works have left me only with the desire to punch him, repeatedly, in the kidneys. Joyce suffuses this book in a way that I won't spoil for you, but I still found it utterly charming. If you, in contrast, are a fan of Joyce, you will be so delighted that your heart goes "pop." (Inside joke.)
If you've ever been in academia, or in publishing, there's a lot in here for you to enjoy as well. I won't say more.
As to problems with the book: it was published in 1967. Homosexuality comes up a couple of times and, while the text doesn't get exactly homophobic, I'm not going to give it stars for LGBTQ pride, either. The central characters don't seem particularly judgmental but they also don't seem to Have Gay Friends or anything and I don't know that I can trust them. (And I don't recall any Gay Friends from later Fansler mysteries; further bulletins as events warrant, I guess.) I like these characters, and I want them to not be homophobes, but I can't tell one way or the other yet.
Overall? An entertaining story, with many enjoyable literary allusions, and well-drawn characters. The James Joyce Murder blessedly does not make you read James Joyce but it will make you wonder about what makes a good person; what makes a good job; what makes for a satisfying relationship; and whether anyone could have stopped the terrible things that happen. It IS definitely set in 1967, as I mention above and because everyone has to call or write letters and no one can even send a godforsaken FAX. But overall it's remarkable how contemporary it feels.
(And there's an Agatha Christie joke in there that SLAYED me.)
As to James Joyce, let me say this: I have enjoyed exactly one of his stories, and the rest of his works have left me only with the desire to punch him, repeatedly, in the kidneys. Joyce suffuses this book in a way that I won't spoil for you, but I still found it utterly charming. If you, in contrast, are a fan of Joyce, you will be so delighted that your heart goes "pop." (Inside joke.)
If you've ever been in academia, or in publishing, there's a lot in here for you to enjoy as well. I won't say more.
As to problems with the book: it was published in 1967. Homosexuality comes up a couple of times and, while the text doesn't get exactly homophobic, I'm not going to give it stars for LGBTQ pride, either. The central characters don't seem particularly judgmental but they also don't seem to Have Gay Friends or anything and I don't know that I can trust them. (And I don't recall any Gay Friends from later Fansler mysteries; further bulletins as events warrant, I guess.) I like these characters, and I want them to not be homophobes, but I can't tell one way or the other yet.
Overall? An entertaining story, with many enjoyable literary allusions, and well-drawn characters. The James Joyce Murder blessedly does not make you read James Joyce but it will make you wonder about what makes a good person; what makes a good job; what makes for a satisfying relationship; and whether anyone could have stopped the terrible things that happen. It IS definitely set in 1967, as I mention above and because everyone has to call or write letters and no one can even send a godforsaken FAX. But overall it's remarkable how contemporary it feels.
(And there's an Agatha Christie joke in there that SLAYED me.)
judyward's review against another edition
4.0
How uncomfortable to be quietly vacationing in the Berkshires when your next-door neighbor is found murdered and all of your friends staying with you are the prime suspects? Yep, better figure out who did it before this vacation goes south.
sheeprustler's review against another edition
4.0
Excellent and amusing detective story, very funny in places. Lovely in-joke that only readers familiar with Joyce's The Dubliners will get - it adds nothing to the story except a small smug gleam in the reader's eye.
samirakatherine's review against another edition
3.0
I do love an Amanda Cross. She is smart, snobbish, and terribly literary. I kind of enjoy reading about a heroine who would proably not give me the time of day, even though it makes me feel dreadfully inferior.
writerlibrarian's review against another edition
3.0
I read this novel years ago in French. I had no memories of the plot but remembered the style, the wit, the finesse of the author. Amanda Cross is as sharp as I remembered. Kate Fansler still interesting and fun in a upper class, intello way. The nice things : the quotes from others detectives series like Lord Peter Wimsley, mentioned twice at least, and since it's James Joyce lots of Ulysses and Dubliners. In this novel, Kate ends up in the country for the summer with her precocious nephew Leo, his tutor William a grad student hired by Kate, Emmet, another grad student also hired by Kate to go thru the letters of the American publisher of Joyce, Kate's boyfriend, Reed and two of her professors friends: one a young woman starting her career in academia and one on her sunset and not liking it one bit. This eclectic crew draws gossips and trouble as you might guess. Although written in the mid 60's, (you get some sense of the times, Kate drives a Bug), it's still vibrant with life and you don't feel out of sync at all. Amanda Cross aka Carolyn Gold Heilbrun was a highly renown academic, she committed suicide in 2003 according to her son she was not ill but felt she has completed her life.
krikketgirl's review against another edition
1.0
Ugh. Bloated, self-important language that neither elevated the mind nor moved the plot forward. Unpleasant people being unpleasant to one another, and unable to talk of anything but sex, which appeared as a concept every other page. I may try another Cross mystery, but this one is going in the rubbish bin with no regrets.
sg911911's review
5.0
After finishing all of the works of Agatha Christie and Rex Stout I despaired of finding a mystery writer that could compare. Amanda Cross fits the bill! This was better than the first in the series and I can't wait to read the next.
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