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marcirenee1974's review against another edition
2.0
This book was not my jam and I can tell you it was a me problem and not a book/author problem. This was my 1st book by W. Bolingbroke Johnson but I will certainly give them another read!
evau's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
4.0
A classic mystery that I have never read before. The audiobook version narrated by Todd Menesses who brought the characters to life in a way where they all felt easy to distinguish who was speaking because of the quality of the narration. As for the book itself, it is a story that people who enjoy reading murder mysteries are likely to enjoy and the setting of a library was not one that I have read before and it turned out to be a very interesting aspect of the story for me.
Audiobook provided by NetGalley for review purposes.
Audiobook provided by NetGalley for review purposes.
librarybelle's review against another edition
4.0
**I received an advanced listening copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
Johnson's mystery set in an academic library has layers of humor and intrigue, which makes this an overall enjoyable book. Gilda's character was delightful - parts stereotypical librarian but yet parts struggling to break away from the confines of 1940s mores - and I would have loved to read further books featuring Gilda as the amateur sleuth. The quirks of the professors and other library staff were amusing, and the mystery itself held my interest. A great example of a classic mystery novel, and I can see why Penzler Publishers selected this as part of the American Mystery Classics series.
As for the voice narration, it took me some time to adapt to the various voices and characterizations. Admittedly, it is not often I listen to a male reader - it just seems the books I listen to tend to be voiced by a female - so it takes me some time to adapt to the narration. However, once I did, I thought it was well done.
Johnson's mystery set in an academic library has layers of humor and intrigue, which makes this an overall enjoyable book. Gilda's character was delightful - parts stereotypical librarian but yet parts struggling to break away from the confines of 1940s mores - and I would have loved to read further books featuring Gilda as the amateur sleuth. The quirks of the professors and other library staff were amusing, and the mystery itself held my interest. A great example of a classic mystery novel, and I can see why Penzler Publishers selected this as part of the American Mystery Classics series.
As for the voice narration, it took me some time to adapt to the various voices and characterizations. Admittedly, it is not often I listen to a male reader - it just seems the books I listen to tend to be voiced by a female - so it takes me some time to adapt to the narration. However, once I did, I thought it was well done.
tjonesnp09's review against another edition
4.0
A delightful mystery. Set about in the 1940's (first published), occurring at the University library.
Several professors, Prof Parry, full of limericks, Prof Casti specializing in phonetics, the Chief Library cataloguer and my favorite, Miss Gilda Gorham.
Two murders, one rare manuscript, a silly Lieutenant, and snappy, inquisitive, bold Miss Gorham, all make for a comedic, but intriguing pager turner. Everyone in this book had something to hide!!
Miss Gorham's energy throughout this book is so savvy. Her calm and witty approach in getting to the bottom of these two murders and willingness to be strangled.....
The janitor Cameron, also has his share of information as well.
Did Miss Gorham crack the case? How did she put it all together? Did she pick up an admirer too?
Who took the rare manuscript and why?
If you want to find out, and enjoy the ride this read takes you on, then grab the 'Widening Stain'.
Several professors, Prof Parry, full of limericks, Prof Casti specializing in phonetics, the Chief Library cataloguer and my favorite, Miss Gilda Gorham.
Two murders, one rare manuscript, a silly Lieutenant, and snappy, inquisitive, bold Miss Gorham, all make for a comedic, but intriguing pager turner. Everyone in this book had something to hide!!
Miss Gorham's energy throughout this book is so savvy. Her calm and witty approach in getting to the bottom of these two murders and willingness to be strangled.....
The janitor Cameron, also has his share of information as well.
Did Miss Gorham crack the case? How did she put it all together? Did she pick up an admirer too?
Who took the rare manuscript and why?
If you want to find out, and enjoy the ride this read takes you on, then grab the 'Widening Stain'.
debjazzergal's review against another edition
4.0
A well-written tongue in cheek mystery. I really enjoyed this being set at a stodgy ivy league college. Well worth the time as the language is very enjoyable.
jeathhp's review against another edition
4.0
Apologies for this herky-jerky babble. First coffee of the day. Just finished this novel this morning as I couldn't quite do it last night. Had to know how it ended.
W. Bolingbroke Johnson of Rabbit Hash, Kentucky was really Morris Bishop, scholar, historian, essayist and translator. This is the only mystery he wrote, more's the pity. Yes, it's a bit dated (1942) perhaps that's part of why I liked it. You know, this could easily be a period play along the lines of "Good News". It would be a stretch to work in the jitterbug in lieu of the Varsity Drag as the story hardly leaves the library. Hmm. Maybe some clever playwright could make it into a murder mystery musical. Singing in the stacks like prisoners in Jailhouse Rock? I can see it. It sure feels like a play.
The story takes place in a university library (presumably Cornell; Bishop was the university historian). The central character is a plucky librarian, Gilda Gorham. Gilda is a keen observer, clever, and gutsy. Despite some undertones of sexism (the assumption at the end is she must marry a professor--it seems inevitable and almost arbitrary, as though she could just pull a name from a jar and be satisfied with the result) Two professors are found dead and a cherished manuscript is stolen. Gilda is no wilting hothouse flower. She solves the murders and confronts the killer with an admirable level of confidence.
The mystery withholds much information, so it's unlikely that one could unravel the whodunnit or at least the underlying motive before it is revealed. The motive is a bit of a surprise; can't say I've run across this explanation before. It's a good one. Would it hold up in modern times? I wonder.
One of the satellite professors in Gilda's world is a limerick fancier, so the book is dusted with clever limericks-- a perk if you like them and these are playful, not overly bawdy.
Conclusion: This would appeal to mystery lovers who enjoy an academic setting. I didn't know "bibliomystery" was a sub-genre. This is a fun one.
Bravo Otto Penzler for bringing it back for new audiences.
W. Bolingbroke Johnson of Rabbit Hash, Kentucky was really Morris Bishop, scholar, historian, essayist and translator. This is the only mystery he wrote, more's the pity. Yes, it's a bit dated (1942) perhaps that's part of why I liked it. You know, this could easily be a period play along the lines of "Good News". It would be a stretch to work in the jitterbug in lieu of the Varsity Drag as the story hardly leaves the library. Hmm. Maybe some clever playwright could make it into a murder mystery musical. Singing in the stacks like prisoners in Jailhouse Rock? I can see it. It sure feels like a play.
The story takes place in a university library (presumably Cornell; Bishop was the university historian). The central character is a plucky librarian, Gilda Gorham. Gilda is a keen observer, clever, and gutsy. Despite some undertones of sexism (the assumption at the end is she must marry a professor--it seems inevitable and almost arbitrary, as though she could just pull a name from a jar and be satisfied with the result) Two professors are found dead and a cherished manuscript is stolen. Gilda is no wilting hothouse flower. She solves the murders and confronts the killer with an admirable level of confidence.
The mystery withholds much information, so it's unlikely that one could unravel the whodunnit or at least the underlying motive before it is revealed. The motive is a bit of a surprise; can't say I've run across this explanation before. It's a good one. Would it hold up in modern times? I wonder.
One of the satellite professors in Gilda's world is a limerick fancier, so the book is dusted with clever limericks-- a perk if you like them and these are playful, not overly bawdy.
Conclusion: This would appeal to mystery lovers who enjoy an academic setting. I didn't know "bibliomystery" was a sub-genre. This is a fun one.
Bravo Otto Penzler for bringing it back for new audiences.
arisbookcorner's review
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
I have discovered I really enjoy bibliomysteries and this was recommended as a classic of the genre. It didn't disappoint, the list of suspects was sizable enough to keep me guessing but not overwhelming with possibilities and most of the secondary characters were satisfactorily developed with the exception of Sandys. The book is very clearly of its time which led to me approaching it also as a historical fiction mystery and I enjoyed learning more about academia and libraries in the 1940s. Although much of the book pokes fun at the quirks of university academia and those who chose to pursue it as a profession rather than focusing on educating the reader about the ins and outs. Which was completely fine by me. What was less fun was the internalized sexism present in Gilda which was annoying, most of it present in how she views her female underlings. It was disappointing to read but shouldn't have been unexpected. And of course the mystery is very white. But if you're prepared for all that going in this is still a diverting read that concludes with the discovery of a murderer with a fascinating motivation. I'm not sure if it would hold up today but it also didn't seem implausible.
Gilda was a well developed main character although the introduction of her potential love interest was not handled well and made me glad this didn't continue as a series because I would have been extremely skeptical at the authenticity of the relationship. I was surprised by the somewhat risqué limericks and innuendos dropped in casual conversation, having been led to believe everyone was prudish and stuffy at the workplace during this time. Discovering this was not the case was amusing and added some additional gusto to the mystery. There's also an incompetent police force to contend with which was hilariously portrayed.
THE WIDENING STAIN is an inventive, sardonic and entertaining 1940s bibliomystery that stars an enterprising Chief Cataloguer who turns into an amateur sleuth and investigates an eccentric suspect list. Occasionally the narration switches which was initially confusing and while I eventually got used to it I think it could have been written more smoothly. And aside from the whiteness and sexism of the novel I did want Gilda to have a woman confidant in her life but that wasn't the case. The ending was a true surprise and I particularly relished the celebration post reveal because it was unexpectedly charming and sweet. The grand reveal itself was also engaging and felt authentic to Gilda. This was the ideal covid read, a book that allowed me to think but also to be wholly swept away to a different time and appreciate the journey and historical detail.
Gilda was a well developed main character although the introduction of her potential love interest was not handled well and made me glad this didn't continue as a series because I would have been extremely skeptical at the authenticity of the relationship. I was surprised by the somewhat risqué limericks and innuendos dropped in casual conversation, having been led to believe everyone was prudish and stuffy at the workplace during this time. Discovering this was not the case was amusing and added some additional gusto to the mystery. There's also an incompetent police force to contend with which was hilariously portrayed.
THE WIDENING STAIN is an inventive, sardonic and entertaining 1940s bibliomystery that stars an enterprising Chief Cataloguer who turns into an amateur sleuth and investigates an eccentric suspect list. Occasionally the narration switches which was initially confusing and while I eventually got used to it I think it could have been written more smoothly. And aside from the whiteness and sexism of the novel I did want Gilda to have a woman confidant in her life but that wasn't the case. The ending was a true surprise and I particularly relished the celebration post reveal because it was unexpectedly charming and sweet. The grand reveal itself was also engaging and felt authentic to Gilda. This was the ideal covid read, a book that allowed me to think but also to be wholly swept away to a different time and appreciate the journey and historical detail.
susiem02's review
slow-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Good story, but ending was lack-luster and old fashioned.