Seeing this book as a bargain reminded me of what a wonderful series the Kathy Kolla and David Brock series is. The Marx Sisters was the first book.
As I read this when it first came out, I am borrowing information from the author’s website to tell you more. See below.
First published : 1994 Hamish Hamilton/Penguin, UK; 1999 Arcade, USA
Jerusalem Lane is a little piece of Dickensian London untouched by development, its inhabitants mainly refugees from pre-war central Europe. But could elderly Meredith Winterbottom really have been killed for the politics of another age?
As DS Kolla and DCI Brock delve into the Lane’s eccentric melting pot, past and present interlink in unexpected ways. What connects Mrs Rosenfeldt and Adam Kowalski to a smooth property developer and an American academic? And what is Meredith’s son Terry up to? Not to mention the dottily Marxist sisters. Could this be a recipe for murder?
Shortlisted for the CWA John Creasey Award for the best first crime novel of 1994.
One of the most intelligent, intriguing and well thought-out debut crime novels I have read for a long time. (The Times, UK)
The Marx Sisters is a well-wrought, well-paced, original and elegant crime mystery. (Australian Book Review)
There are at least ten novels in the series so if you like one, keep going. My favorite was the Malcontenta. See below from the author’s website.
For DS Kathy Kolla the chance to investigate the unnatural death of a physio at the exclusive Stanhope House Clinic seems the ideal opportunity to leave behind more mundane police duties. Especially when what at first seemed suicide or accidental death is clearly more complicated. A cover-up to shield the clinic’s illustrious clients, or murder?
So Kolla is not at all pleased when she is abruptly taken off the case, and turns to DCI Brock for help. But their unofficial inquiries flounder in the mire of corruption as the violence behind the clinic’s respectable face escalates out of control.
Joint winner of the inaugural Ned Kelly Award for the best Australian crime novel of 1995.
I look forward to Buzz Books Monthly and am never disappointed. This is a great resource for learning about what to read as the new books for the month are released. This time read excerpts from good fiction, including the new novel by Allison Pearson. She wrote I Don’t Know How She Does It and will now examine midlife issues for her characters. There are also listings of fiction, non-fiction and debuts for June. Take a look and savor your next read.
Lisa Scottoline has written many books. This is where she began. I read this many years ago and went on to read other books in the series. The book was originally published in 1993 so I will borrow the blurb, rather than trying to remember the plot.
Deborah Crombie is, like Elizabeth George and Martha Grimes, an American author who sets her novels in Britain. I adore this series which I have read ever since the first in the series, A Share in Death, was written.
Clare O’Donohue has written several mystery series. I was familiar with her quilting mysteries which I enjoyed. I was excited to see that the author had written something in a new series and that it was set in Ireland. The descriptions of places in the Emerald Isle did not disappoint. I also enjoyed watching the relationship between Finn and Hollis evolve, each has a distinct approach to life at the start of the novel. Anyone who has been married or in a relationship will be able to relate. The mystery itself was a bit too based on chases for me. In that way, I think that perhaps the book could have been more tightly written. Nonetheless, a good read.
Dorothy Gilman’s books are lighthearted spy stories. These tales are not at all like the plot of The Americans. Mrs. Pollifax is a woman of a certain age who wants to help her country and experience adventure. These are fun reads that were first published in the mid-60s. If you crave an easy read, the series is worth considering.
The Mr. and Mrs. North books are set in New York. They remind me of nothing so much as the Thin Man movies. The books were originally published in the 1940s and 1950s. I think that they were out of print for awhile. Mr. and Mrs. North solve their cases pretty much between martinis. As is true for Mrs P above, the series is a light, relaxing one.
This is a perfect book for questioners and young city planners! In this engaging, short read, with wonderful illustrations, Ms. Hughes tells the story of Jane Jacobs. Jane was an “outside the box” thinker from her earliest childhood when she rebelled by refusing to promise to brush her teeth every day. When Jane moved to New York City as a young woman, she began to think about how people live together and the ways in which cities should work for their residents, not the builders or those who wanted to build highways. Her clashes with Robert Moses and her love of where she lived and what she did shine through.
Grandad Mandela is a picture book that teaches young, through elementary grade, students about Nelson Mandela, African politics and how Mandela fought (without weapons) for his beliefs. The schema of the book is that Mandela’s great grandchildren ask questions and their grandmother tells the story. Concepts such as apartheid are simply and clearly explained. This book is a good starting point for children who want to learn about Mandela, social justice and what they, themselves, can do to further Mandela’s legacy . Of note is that this book is written by members of the Mandela family.
Readers of this blog know that I recently wrote about Love and Ruin by Paula McLain. I gave this novel a very positive review and highly recommended it. See below re: Bookreporter.com and resources for this book.
This is a charming book.
