You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
Inspector Jury – Novel 1
While enjoying his forthieth-birthday present to himself – the lecture of a precious edition of Rimbaud - at the inn “Jack and Hammer”, Melrose Plant also gets presented with the body of Rufus Ainsley who had spent the night at the inn until his untimely death. Just the day before, the body of equally non-local William Small had been found at “The [namegiving] Man with a Load of Mischief”.
This brings in Inspector Jury from Scotland Yard to investigate. Were the visitors perfect strangers to Long Piddleton, its inns and inhabitants? Richard Jury is talented in questioning in a way that makes people drop their veils, AND decidedly has managed to have kept his “inner child” alive which helps him along when questioning children; lovers of the more topical-oriented “The Mentalist” – TV series should enjoy him.
The inspector begins his tour around the villagers who had all been dining at the respective inns on the evenings of the murders. He is just busy talking with Melrose Plant and enjoying the latter’s keen wits when he is informed about a third murder at a third inn. Might all of this really just be a case of window-dressing? And if so, for what? When Jury, normally melancholic, falls in love at first sight with Long Pidd’s Vivian Rivington, he not only rather loses his reins as far as she is concerned – the whole case more and more becomes a personal issue. But he still will have to face the killing to continue - and stories from the past to come to light.
Martha Grimes’ writing has something old fashioned about it, some tune quite close to Agatha Christie which indulges in descriptions of a Great Britain that has been gone for some time – I can really relish this setup, cuddled up, feeling like Melrose Plant in his Northamptonshire hometown Long Piddleton’s inn Jack and Hammer with, of course, an Old Peculiar, investigating along in my imagination, but without being challenged by some harsh description of the actual procedure of the killing itself (as the more topical type of writing seems to be needing). The author goes at great lengths to create that style, using outdated vocabulary (such as dip rather than pickpocket, char for a cleaning woman) and populating her novel with the indispensable earl, vicar, village drunkard, elderly lady and so forth, despite of a setup after World War II and a begin of publishing in 1981.
As a general, I love the series as “in between” crime stories – a pleasant read, nothing to be upset upon, they kind of “ring a tune”. I would rather not read a number of them in quick succession as the general storyline would wear off. Implausibilities? I ever wonder why nobody kills “Lady” Agatha – or at least tells her off, once and forever. And how police matters may be openly discussed with a civilian (Plant) remains a secret, but that goes in line with the genre. No offence taken.
You meet up with the villagers who reappear in the sequels – yes, they are somewhat archetypical for the genre, but this IS the specific charm – like walking through a small village and meeting up with the locals. So this particular book is pretty insightful to understand any other sequel, apart from its topical story.
I will add a list of the Inspector Jury - personnel as a comment, to be read in separate if needed.
While enjoying his forthieth-birthday present to himself – the lecture of a precious edition of Rimbaud - at the inn “Jack and Hammer”, Melrose Plant also gets presented with the body of Rufus Ainsley who had spent the night at the inn until his untimely death. Just the day before, the body of equally non-local William Small had been found at “The [namegiving] Man with a Load of Mischief”.
This brings in Inspector Jury from Scotland Yard to investigate. Were the visitors perfect strangers to Long Piddleton, its inns and inhabitants? Richard Jury is talented in questioning in a way that makes people drop their veils, AND decidedly has managed to have kept his “inner child” alive which helps him along when questioning children; lovers of the more topical-oriented “The Mentalist” – TV series should enjoy him.
The inspector begins his tour around the villagers who had all been dining at the respective inns on the evenings of the murders. He is just busy talking with Melrose Plant and enjoying the latter’s keen wits when he is informed about a third murder at a third inn. Might all of this really just be a case of window-dressing? And if so, for what? When Jury, normally melancholic, falls in love at first sight with Long Pidd’s Vivian Rivington, he not only rather loses his reins as far as she is concerned – the whole case more and more becomes a personal issue. But he still will have to face the killing to continue - and stories from the past to come to light.
Martha Grimes’ writing has something old fashioned about it, some tune quite close to Agatha Christie which indulges in descriptions of a Great Britain that has been gone for some time – I can really relish this setup, cuddled up, feeling like Melrose Plant in his Northamptonshire hometown Long Piddleton’s inn Jack and Hammer with, of course, an Old Peculiar, investigating along in my imagination, but without being challenged by some harsh description of the actual procedure of the killing itself (as the more topical type of writing seems to be needing). The author goes at great lengths to create that style, using outdated vocabulary (such as dip rather than pickpocket, char for a cleaning woman) and populating her novel with the indispensable earl, vicar, village drunkard, elderly lady and so forth, despite of a setup after World War II and a begin of publishing in 1981.
As a general, I love the series as “in between” crime stories – a pleasant read, nothing to be upset upon, they kind of “ring a tune”. I would rather not read a number of them in quick succession as the general storyline would wear off. Implausibilities? I ever wonder why nobody kills “Lady” Agatha – or at least tells her off, once and forever. And how police matters may be openly discussed with a civilian (Plant) remains a secret, but that goes in line with the genre. No offence taken.
You meet up with the villagers who reappear in the sequels – yes, they are somewhat archetypical for the genre, but this IS the specific charm – like walking through a small village and meeting up with the locals. So this particular book is pretty insightful to understand any other sequel, apart from its topical story.
I will add a list of the Inspector Jury - personnel as a comment, to be read in separate if needed.
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I loved this! Couldn't put it down. Not sure if I am ready to read more than 20 additional books in the series, but a few couldn't hurt. The one thing that stood out to me was all of the smoking by the characters, however, this was written in the early 80's. It will be interesting to see how the series changes over time.
Definitely want the next book in the Richard Jury series.
Great cozy mystery with really likeable detective and interesting characters. And Xmas-y.
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Yikes this book is sexist. I wasn't expecting a lot from a free Kindle book but this one was hard to get through. The dialogue drags and every single female character is completely one dimensional: Aunt Agatha is Annoying, Shiela and Ruby are Sluts, Daphne is Dumb, and Vivian is apparently so amazing that all men fall in love the instant they see her! About the third time I read the phrase "silly girl" in reference to Ruby I wanted to throw my Kindle across the room.
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
slow-paced
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
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:
Complicated
A fun, funny yet dark classic whodunit from Martha Grimes. I love her detective Richard Jury's sense of humor and personality, and ex-Lord Melrose Plant complements him well! The story has a fantastic cast of bizarre, vibrant characters, which makes it even more entertaining. A great choice for someone looking for a solid classic murder mystery.