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Jo Durbin Mysteries #1
Yesterday's Body
Jo Durbin wasn't under 40 or anorexic slim. Her face wouldn't launch a thousand ships, or even a rowboat. So how did she get the job?
She wonders, will the police find her fingerprints on the murder weapon? And did one of those beautiful people she worked with kill Francine? Or will they point to Jo - posing as a homeless bag lady?
She wonders, will the police find her fingerprints on the murder weapon? And did one of those beautiful people she worked with kill Francine? Or will they point to Jo - posing as a homeless bag lady?
- GenresCozy MysteryMystery
294 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2009
7 people are currently reading
336 people want to read
About the author
Norma Huss
11 books60 followersNorma threw herself into a passion for writing cozy mysteries. She was a member of Penn Writers, Sisters in Crime, and the Willow Valley Communities’ Writer’s Group. She expanded into blog writing for her own website where she adopted the nickname, “The Grandma Moses of Mystery.” The original Grandma Moses was about 80 years old when she had the first big showing of her folk art. Similarly, Norma’s first mystery, “Yesterday’s Body,” was published just before she turned 80. By age 90 she had published several more mysteries and a book of ten short stories. She also wrote a non-fiction retelling of her father’s true-life adventures in 1920’s Alaska.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 11, 2015
Not bad for a first novel, self-published. The writing is good & I noticed very few typos or grammatical errors.
I found the main character, Jo Durbin, was a bit unclear to me -- she kept referring to herself as an old lady but she didn't act or talk like someone old. I couldn't get a handle on what her age was supposed to be. Her research for a book about homeless people was interesting but the bit about her imaginary cat was overdone -- I assume she isn't actually supposed to be mentally ill!
The mystery itself was OK -- the solution seemed obvious after about halfway through, although the red herrings were convoluted enough that I was willing to think I was mistaken.
I found the main character, Jo Durbin, was a bit unclear to me -- she kept referring to herself as an old lady but she didn't act or talk like someone old. I couldn't get a handle on what her age was supposed to be. Her research for a book about homeless people was interesting but the bit about her imaginary cat was overdone -- I assume she isn't actually supposed to be mentally ill!
The mystery itself was OK -- the solution seemed obvious after about halfway through, although the red herrings were convoluted enough that I was willing to think I was mistaken.
May 3, 2015
When I read any story, the side characters are as important as the main ones. Can I visualize them? Do I remember them from chapter to chapter--especially when those chapters are far apart? Norma Huss creates those people. Her homeless cast of characters are so stuck in my mind that if she wrote another mystery involving them I'd remember who's who.
Jo Durbin, our hero, portrays a homeless lady who becomes a murder suspect and detective after finding a body. Oh yes, the body happened to be in a home Jo decided to call her own for a night. There were lots of twists and I went from this bad guy to that trying to figure out who the baddest of them all was. The plot moves along at a fast pace and keeps you interested. You also get to meet Clyde the cat, who makes an appearance in the sequel: Forgotten Body. If you want a well-written, well-edited cozy for your nightstand, I suggest trying this one.
Jo Durbin, our hero, portrays a homeless lady who becomes a murder suspect and detective after finding a body. Oh yes, the body happened to be in a home Jo decided to call her own for a night. There were lots of twists and I went from this bad guy to that trying to figure out who the baddest of them all was. The plot moves along at a fast pace and keeps you interested. You also get to meet Clyde the cat, who makes an appearance in the sequel: Forgotten Body. If you want a well-written, well-edited cozy for your nightstand, I suggest trying this one.
August 16, 2011
A very good mystery from a very different kind of protagonist. Deserved the Epie nomination.
May 14, 2018
My review of Yesterday’s Body
What an interesting read. The end was a great twist, did not guess the killer til the end. I’m glad Clyde is ok, the cat was amazing. This is a must read series.
What an interesting read. The end was a great twist, did not guess the killer til the end. I’m glad Clyde is ok, the cat was amazing. This is a must read series.
March 9, 2016
This was a lot of fun! I enjoyed the characters very much. Jo is a delight as a protagonist.
My only quibble: there's a character whose "Caribbean accent" seems to disqualify him from "being from New York"—that is, he says he's from New York but because of his accent, the protagonist assumes that's not possible. I am pretty sure there's a large Caribbean community in New York!
But like I said, minor quibble.
My only quibble: there's a character whose "Caribbean accent" seems to disqualify him from "being from New York"—that is, he says he's from New York but because of his accent, the protagonist assumes that's not possible. I am pretty sure there's a large Caribbean community in New York!
But like I said, minor quibble.
Want to read
August 16, 2017Can't wait to receive it! Looking forward to reading it. Will update and post a honest review when I receive and am able to read it.
April 22, 2017
Excellent story, so very well written. Loved the main character, Jo, a writer posing as a bag lady to gather research for her book. This unique take on the amateur sleuth was written so compellingly she popped right off the pages and into my heart and mind. I'm thinking she's going to be there for a while, she was that compelling. None of the characters were forgettable; they're real people you worry about, root for and maybe even scream at from time to time. Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews