Publish & Perish

Ben Reese #1

by Sally Wright

It was two in the morning in Oxfordshire, England when the call came through from America - the call that would foreshadow one man's death and place Ben Reese's life on the line. As an expert in rare books, coins, paintings and ancient documents, he works in the heart of mystery. As a former intelligence agent, he lives in the heart of danger. In Publish and Perish, Ben unfolds a story of professional jealousy and irrational enmity that point to murder.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Historical Mystery, Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Academia

300 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Sally Sluhan Wright was born in Hartford, Connecticut on January 31, 1947 to Clyde A. and Marian (Elliott) Sluhan. She graduated from Northwestern University in 1969 with a degree in Oral Interpretation of English Literature.

She authored the Ben Reese and Jo Grant series. Her first book and the first installment in the Ben Reese series, Publish & Perish, came out in 1997.

In 2001, she was nominated (finalist) for the Edgar Allan Poe Award for Pursuit & Persuasion, the third Ben Reese book.

She died on June 15, 2018 at her home in Bowling Green. She was 71.

Reviews

[LJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

First Sentence: It was two in the morning in Oxfordshire, England, when the call came through from America that woke Clarence Watson, the porter at Deniston Hall.

WWII Army commando and intelligence officer veteran, Ben Reese is a widower and archivist at a small public college in Ohio. While visiting England, his friend, Richard West, head of the English Department, does of a heart attack. Or did he? After a second death, a robbery and an attempt on his own life, Ben needs to find out who has a secret worth killing for.

Ms. Wright’s first book includes a cast of characters, which I liked, and a small portent, not so much. Her writing is filled with wonderful descriptions which both provide the larger sense of place and the small details provide information on the role of an archivist and glimpses into the personalities of the characters. Her observation as to how idiosyncratic habits provide an insight and details of a person’s character leads to interesting introspection for the reader.

It is refreshing to have a mystery with an academic setting where the protagonist is actually qualified to investigate a murder. Wright is very good at providing the backstory and complexity for each character, such as the contrast between the face the victim presents to most of the world yet how he really felt and was inside. On the downside is that Ben occasionally seems arrogant and the sheriff, Chester, whom I like as he is described as someone to whom the truth and facts are important, appears stereotypically less educated than the academics.

There is a wonderful quality to Ms. Wright’s writing. It is layered, includes passages which caused me to stop and think, and includes wonderful, subtle humor through both the author’s voice and in the actual dialogue. She does get just a bit, subtly preachy at times, but not in an annoying way and the occasions are brief.

There was a bit of a problem for me with the plot in that a set up to a major scene was too obvious and the final scene was too long and felt as though it had lost its way. However, taken against the strengths of the book, the strengths win and I’m anxious to read another in this series.

PUBLISH & PERISH (Acad/Trad Mys-Ben Reese-Ohio-Cont) – Good
Wright, Sally S. – 1st in series
Multnomah, ©1997, US Trade, ISBN: 1576730670

[Text Addict · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really interesting book, set in 1960 and so "historical" (at least to me, since it predates me), with a set of strong characters and a difficult mystery. The academic setting is an attraction, of course, and the fact that the main character is an archivist and a former military intelligence officer is even better. First of a series of 6 that seems to be over (the last one was released in 2008), so there's more to read, too.

American in 1960 was a strange place, with massive cultural change in progress and the older generations watching with a variety of responses, many of them not positive. (Ben Reese, the protagonist, seems less opinionated about things overall than his friend Richard West, the murder victim.) This is mystery as character study, buttressed with various actual evidence as the story goes along. It was great.

Apparently the first four of this series have been reprinted by a Christian publisher, which is weird, since this one isn't a preachy preach McPreacherson story by any stretch of the imagination. I guess this publisher figured that any book that isn't filled with hot sex and actually mentions God once or twice is Christian enough. I dunno.

[Bev · Rating 3 out of 5]

Publish & Perish (1997) is the first book in Sally Wright's series starring Ben Reese. Reese is a World War II veteran, former intelligence officer, and currently works as an archivist at a small private Ohio college. The time period is 1960. We first meet Reese at two o'clock in the morning. He is on a research trip in England when his friend Richard West, current chair of the English Department, calls him and is quite upset. He tells Reese that he has "uncovered an act of treachery which demands some form of retribution." Before he can explain further, someone comes to his office door and he says, "The culprit has just put in an appearance and I'll have to call you tomorrow." Culprit would seem to be prophetic, for the next message Reese gets from the States is a telegram informing him that West has died from an apparent heart attack.

Reese, who is West's executor, heads home for his friend's funeral and to take care of the estate. He also can't resist asking questions about his friend's final hours. He soon finds that West's conservative views and adherence to old-fashioned values (like honesty...) pitted him against someone who would do anything to prevent the secret lies of the past from being exposed in the present. Professional jealousy and academic integrity lie at the heart of the matter and Ben's life will be in danger as well once he discovers the reasons why West had to die.

A decent academic mystery and a fair start to a new series--and, from what I can tell, a fair debut novel of any sort. Ben Reese is an interesting character with a background that would be worth fleshing out. The mystery was fairly obvious (suspects aren't exactly thick on the ground), so hopefully future installments in the series will make improvements in this area. [Side-note, I was disappointed to find that future installments are not necessarily academically-tied.] A quick and entertaining read for those who like their mysteries with an academic flavor (as do I).

First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting. Thanks.

[Caroline Norris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really happy to find a good (new to me) mystery writer! I’m always on the hunt for authors whose writing bears any resemblance to Dorothy Sayers, and at least from this first novel, she seems to be in the same camp. She even has a quick nod to Lord Peter Wimsey, along with a reference to Perelandra! Looking forward to reading more of this series.

[Penelope · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars for PUBLISH AND PERISH, #1 in Sally Wright’s character-driven Ben Reese Mystery series published 1997. This was my 3rd read of this 6 book series, one I’ve enjoyed over the years with it’s interesting historical and Inspirational perspective. This is a book which causes me to stop and consider ~ while I read. It’s a Mystery, yet more.

MY RATING GUIDE:
1= dnf/What was that?; 2= Nope, not for me; 3= This was okay/cute; 3.5= I enjoyed it; 4= I LIKED IT A LOT; 5= I Loved it, it was great!! (I seldom give 5 Stars).

This is a book series that I will read again and again. The main character is a reserved, thoughtful, intelligent and very capable man whose backstory unveils over the course of the series. I Highly Recommend PUBLISH AND PERISH to readers of Historical Mysteries (particularly WWII period), character driven novels, those who enjoy intelligent mysteries and readers of various genres (as am I). Note that PUBLISH AND PERISH is not an action-packed type adventure (which I also enjoy on occasion). PUBLISH AND PERISH can be read as a standalone title but I believe reading the 6book series in order enriches the overall experience. PUBLISH AND PERISH is book #1.

Flashbacks ~ WWII
Ben Reese/MMC, 19yrs, enlists and serves as a WWII Army Calvary Scout. His missions in military intelligence and in reconnaissance take him into Normandy, the Battle of the Bulge, among the first to discover the Malme’dy Massacre, always deep into enemy territory. A large caliber weapon finally takes him down during a mission in Trier. After many hours and several modes of transportation, Ben’s unconscious body arrives in Paris for surgery, very nearly dead. No one expects him to survive.

Present Day ~ Autumn 1960
Ben Reese/MMC, 36, and a healing widower, by night relives frequent nightmares and flashbacks of the war and of his much beloved wife. By day, he is a History professor and archivist at a small, private Ohio college. Ben is tall and rangy built, intelligent, observant, both a solitary and a reserved man with a few close friends.

Ben has been in England for 3short weeks on a much anticipated sabbatical research trip when he receives a telegram advising him that his good friend and professor colleague has suddenly died of a heart attack. Ben quickly makes plans to return home while considering the last unfinished words his friend spoke to him. Could those mysterious words and half expressed thoughts relate to his friend’s sudden death? How?


What I Liked ~
1) PUBLISH AND PERISH is very well written. The characters are well described. I found myself responding to them as if they were real people - whether distancing myself, distrusting, respecting, or feeling sorry for them.
2) The story kept my interest, the weaving of Ben’s back story into the present. I kept flipping the pages to see what would happen next.
3) Ben, the main character, is a man I would love to know. He seems to be a man of integrity yet without judgement or a sanctimonious attitude. He’s a thinker with a depth within him - ideas, questions, thoughts.
4) It is Ben’ perspective in this series that makes it work for me. I need to like and respect the main characters as well as the writing, itself, for me to enjoy the book. In PUBLISH AND PERISH, I find both.
5) Wright interweaves questions about integrity, humanity, destiny and purpose in the final pages. Each time I read this series, I am challenged to not only enjoy the mystery but to ponder more.
6) My husband had an uncle who served in the same battles and arenas as the Ben Reese character, behind enemy lines. He was a quiet, gentle, reserved, intelligent, loving and humble family man. He never talked about his time in the military. I often think about him as I read this series. And wonder.

What I Liked Less ~
Nothing.

Other Comments -
1) WATCHES also provides a sampling of the type of projects and consignments an esteemed archivist who is also an artifact expert, restorer might accept. I found this interesting.
2) Another interesting fact is that Ms Wright created the Ben Reese character after a real person who actually served as an Army Scout Ranger during WWII and was present in the battles mentioned in this series. As civilians, the debt we owe these men and women is immeasurable. (Author notes in closing comments).

Quotes ~
> “The gratifications of food are so immediate; that’s the crux of the problem. Slimness, on the other hand, has to be planned for and worked at like an army maneuver.”

READER CAUTIONS - IMO, this series is suitable for readers 17+, those who enjoys history, mysteries, thrillers and thought provoking fiction.
VIOLENCE - PUBLISH AND PERISH is a historical mystery/thriller, so people die (off scene); deaths are not described in a graphic or dark manner.
PROFANITY - None.
SEXUAL SITUATIONS - None.

[Joen Wolfrom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sally Wright's first book in the Benjamin Reeves Series was more than a breezy mystery. The first chapter or two began awkwardly for me. I almost stopped reading the book, which is unusual for me. I decided to stick with it to see if it would life up to my expectations. I'm glad that I did.

The story takes place on a college campus where the featured character Ben Reeves is an archivist; hence a "detail" man. Ben, a very likeable main character, believes that his friend and colleague has been murdered. Everyone else assumes it to be a death brought on by natural causes. To prove murder leads to very interesting sleuthing. Lots of twists led to a very compelling story. Using an archivist as an informal detective creates an unusual point of view, which I enjoyed. I enjoyed the story enough to purchase the author's next book, which begins so much more smoothly than her first book. If you're a mystery fan and like a bit more depth and detail in your stories, consider this new series. (I gave it 3 stars because of the slow beginning, but I suspect the next book will be 4 stars.)

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting and promising as the start of a series should be. I look forward to reading more and getting to know the main character Ben Reese and a few others.

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid characters, solid mystery A great start to the series. I look forward to the next Ben Reese mystery.

[Laurel Bradshaw · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was one of my random reads from drawing slips at the beginning of the year. I drew three slips from my "new series" pile. This was on my TBR because later titles in the series were take-offs on Jane Austen titles, an old "theme" that still gets my attention. And the main character has a Welsh last name - Ben Reese - so that got my attention too, and the next book in the series takes place in Scotland, and he is an archivist interested in rare books, coins, paintings, and ancient documents so that all appealed to me.

It's an old series, published in 1997, but set in 1960. Reviews have compared the author to Dorothy Sayers. I think that's a stretch but it does have something of that flavor revolving around academia. It started a bit slow, but it grew on me. I've already started the second book Pride & Predator. Although marketed as "Christian" fiction, I didn't find anything off-putting here. He talks about God, and ponders some theological/existential questions but there is nothing pushing his views (or the author's views) on anyone else. Nothing incompatible with my own decidedly liberal views.

The set up for a series is okay - we get to know the main character, but there is not much in the way of character development for anyone else. The plot moves quite slowly and is mostly introspective until the very end. More thoughtful than action, with some subtle humor. Still, I liked Ben Reese enough to want to read more and find out more about him and what makes him tick.


Book description: Publish And Perish, the first Ben Reese novel, begins in 1960 at an academic research institute near Oxford, England, though the story grows out of tangled relationships at the small Ohio university where Ben Reese is an archivist - an expert in antiquities, in coins and paintings and the dating of ancient texts. He's also a thirty-seven year old veteran of WWII; a behind-the-lines reconnaissance expert who captured German command posts across France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany until he was stopped by a Tiger Tank.

His war experiences aren't something he talks about easily. He's a quiet man, who lives close to the country, and rides his horse, and enjoys the accomplishments of long dead craftsmen, while he tries to get over the death of his wife. It isn't until his closest friend dies, minutes after phoning Ben in England, that Ben has to rely again on the characteristics that kept him alive from Omaha Beach to the Saarbrucken Forest. Ben looks under a lot of academic rocks at the politics, prejudice and ambition that had to be navigated even then by those with unpopular opinions. That leads the killer to come after Ben with a calculated brutality that takes Ben back to the war, and makes the question of his own survival more than a matter of academic interest.

[Chazzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ben Reese is a university archivist at Alderton University, a small Ohio private school. When one of his old friends is found murdered, he then finds himself in the role of detective.

Ben is in England on sabbatical and working on a research project. A middle of the night phone call from Alderton is the preamble to the mystery. The next morning Ben receives a telegram telling him Richard West is dead from a heart attack. Richard was Ben’s middle-of-the-night phone caller who had to shorten his call due to an interruption.

Ben is designated executor of Richard’s estate and finds some papers that make him wonder if it was a heart attack or murder.

Being an archivist, Ben is well versed in research and applies it to finding the truth about Richard’s death and another death that occurs.

This is the first book in the series. I’ve enjoyed it and have picked up three more in the series.

Ben is a character that not only looks and sees, but also thinks. The plot moves along and the characters are interesting.

[Vicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had never heard of this author or series before. I picked it up randomly and decided to try it because I like mysteries and I thought I’d try a new author. It was an enjoyable read.
Professor Ben Reese gets to England to begin his sabbatical, researching old coinage and authors. He get a 2 am call from his dear friend, head of the English Department, Richard West. He begins to give Ben a strange message, when the call is disconnected. Ben receives a telegram from his assistant that Professor West had died, apparently of a heart attack. Ben returns to Ohio for the funeral. Within a couple days time, an alcoholic professor is found dead, of an apparent overdose of sleeping pills and alcohol, a suicide attempt. Ben realizes they have been murdered when his own life is in danger. Ben decides he must find out who and why.

[Liz V. · Rating 3 out of 5]

A transatlantic phone call from a mentor and colleague alerts Reese to unspecified nefarious doings, so the seemingly natural death of the colleague that same night arouses Reese's suspicion. Upon returning to the US, he applies his WWII experience as a scout in advance of the US Army and postwar training as an archivist to catch a murderer.

The plot is interesting, although the culprit seemed glaringly obvious even to me, when I typically follow every red herring. As well, I would have enjoyed greater emphasis on the archivist. And while it fits that a combat scout would act independently, the situation almost tips into the too-stupid-to-live category.

However, already marked second in series to-read.

[Janelle Zimmerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

When pride and greed and desperation invade academic propriety, murder may result. And when the importance of truth and justice and something of the love of God steady the soul of a soldier turned academic, he may pursue the murderer against all odds.

If you're a fan of British detective fiction, you'll enjoy this (although it's only tangentially British, and the main character is a historian, not a gumshoe.)

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. Points for having an archivist as the detective. Loses points for the really abrupt shifts from third to first person and back.

[Kenneth Funk · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is some of the absolutely worst writing that I have encountered in a long time. I had a hard time trying to figure whether this was an exercise in stringing together as many big words as possible, or an exercise in stereotyping academia. I made a mistake of listening to this in audio format. The narrator certainly did not make the poor writing anymore palatable.

[meheadhurts · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the PBS show Endeavor, so when I read the blurb on the back of this book, and saw Oxford, and murder mystery, I knew I had to give it a go! I normally don't mind a changing POV, but it was distracting in this book. But, I might consider reading the next book in the series.

[Lara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was gifted the first three of this series by a good friend, so recommended by a source I trust. Was not let down.

This is a bit slower paced, especially at the beginning as things get going. Definitely on the wordier side, but it fits with the academic setting. A bit of a more conservative feel to it - again, works with the private academic setting (and apparently it's marketed by a Christian publishing company, though it's not particularly in-your-face about religion, at least not in my view).

For an amateur detective, at least it felt like Ben Reese had the intelligence and background to make it work. He was an archivist by trade - detail conscious and methodical - and had a background in intelligence during WWII (still only 15ish years previous to the 1960 setting). Pulled off the amateur investigation better than some other ones I've read. Not perfect, but not ridiculous either. Even better, he's a likable character, not one just charging in bullheaded and opinionated into the investigation.

And as for the period, I've watched more historic mysteries in the 1960s than read them. Made for an interesting shift from the contemporary or 1920s-40s mysteries I usually read.

Some downsides - not as complex a mystery, but not glaringly evident either. I did have a fair idea, but it wasn't to the point where I was shaking my head impatiently waiting for the characters to catch up to the obvious. Also, not a fan of the 1st person/3rd person POV shifts. Yes, it can be done effectively, but doesn't make it any more enjoyable for me. Much prefer one style, stuck with through the book.

Overall, has a Golden Age sort of feel to it. Rather introspective, but not too dark and not violent - more about the mystery. If you like Dorothy L. Sayers or Ngaio Marsh, it'd be worth at least giving this series a try.

[ladydusk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Own.

When is a death of natural causes a murder? Why does the death of Ben's friend Richard not seem as "natural" as it should?

These are the questions Ben Reese is determined to find answers to.

Not the most mysterious mystery ever, the four stars are for the writing, themes, and characterizations. None of the characters go to church during the story, but it is decidedly Christian as it discusses themes of purpose and meaning. One character is staunchly Republican, which causes some trouble.

I appreciated that this is a traditional murder mystery with none of modern spectacle of blood and suspense, rather the reader pieces together the clues and can figure out the whodunit. You get to like Ben Reese as a person (although he might be almost too perfect), hope for good for him, and sorrow for his past. Ben is horrified at the thought that the murderer sat there and watched as his victims died. He has nightmares about WWII, where he was an advance scout and reconnaissance officer.

I also realized last night, that the book could be set either in the town I grew up in, or the town I now live in (more likely) with their Methodist colleges and distance from Columbus. That's kind of fun.

Some quotes, I particularly enjoyed:

"Because as Ben had become immersed in history and American studies, he stopped even asking what he might want to be, while he studied what he wanted to know."

"Logic is the fruit of reason; meaning is the child of imagination."


Not a difficult or particularly challenging read, but I enjoyed it. Happy to see that the books are also available on Kindle. I read this book and the second years ago, and didn't remember anything other than enjoying them. My SIL got me Book 3 for Christmas, so I'm rereading - so glad because I certainly got more out of it this time than last. I'm excited to read Book 2, Pride and Predator.

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not sure how I missed Sally Wright, but when I put down Publish and Perish, I was astonished at the intelligence behind the plot and characters. The book takes place in 1960/61, just after Kennedy was elected president. The protagonist, Ben Reese is an archivist at a small Midwestern college - wounded war veteran of the intelligence department, widower and researcher. While in England on a research sabbatical, he hears of the death of his dear friend, Richard West, curmudgeon and Chair of the English Department of their University. Ben flies home as executor and is quickly persuaded that Richard was murdered. Another professor dies mysteriously and when Ben himself is left for dead in an accident during a blizzard, he becomes convinced of the murderer's identity.
Now he just has to prove it.
This was an entertaining, erudite and gripping mystery. I've already downloaded the next in the series.

[Joyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice mystery. Worth the price I paid for it. Again I think it would have been better served being a mystery than a "christian" mystery because the Christian part feels forced and doesn't flow. At times it seemed like a character of his time. At other times it seemed like "okay, now we're going to invoke God because this is a Christian book." and it felt forced and odd. Let the characters be who they are and stop worrying about it. The story will carry things along.

The plot was a little slow and the bad guy was only my guess due to the process of elimination rather than anything else. I think I've reached a point where I don't enjoy most mysteries any more. Perhaps my tastes have changed. I've found there are other types of books I don't like. As an example of what I do like I really like Louise Penny.

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

#1 in the Ben Reese series. This 1997 debut introduces a unique mystery series lead. Ben Reese is an archivist at a small Ohio university. He was a much injured, behind the lines soldier in Europe during WWII. This series entry takes place in 1960. There is a lot of backstory and a plethora of characters; this makes the story slow to get fully into. Tenacity is rewarded with an excellent novel. I anticipate enjoying the next in the series even more because the learning curve will be shortened.

Ben Reese series - The death of a wise professor and good friend to Ben Reese in a small college town puzzles Reese. He digs until his own life in threatened before finding the truth.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A promising start to a series. The author seems to have a good understanding of people- her characters came alive on the page. I enjoyed reading about people who are obviously Christians, without the author getting all preachy and ruining the story (by being too heavy-handed and sermonizing). Rather, she portrayed them living the life: trying to love others and do justice, failing sometimes and having to seek forgiveness, doing hard things and speaking the truth even though it might hurt them at the time.

The editing was a little funny (characters' thoughts are usually italicized, and weren't in this- weird, and hard to track).

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I chose to try this series because the fourth book takes place on Cumberland Island, a place to which I am very drawn. I was also intrigued by Ben Reese, the series' protagonist, a scholar with a shadowy past as an intelligence agent in World War II, and the college campus setting with deception and intrigue among the faculty members. One element of the author's style that I found off-putting, however -- she switches from third-person narration to first-person unspoken thoughts with no warning or changes in punctuation. The mystery was not as complex as some, but the story drew me in, and I will go on to the second book, Pride and Predator.

[Leslie Angel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Recommended by Dorothy L which I trust. But this was written by a conservative--snide remards about Kennedy, Roosevelt, pro-death penalty, religious, really strange to me, because I don't think I've read any other mysteries like this; either you know the author's politics and they agree more or less with yours, or you don't know at all. What was interesting to me was the overlap: liking Dorothy Sayers and C.S. Lewis, horses, sympathy for animals,for example. Food for thought. Aside from that, the book was readable, except for disorienting shifts in pov and person.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I stumbled on to Sally Wright's mysteries and am thoroughly enjoying them. While honoring the golden age of mystery-Ben Reese is an unusual and compelling protagonist-intellectual and athletic. In this the first of the series Ben receives a call while on sabbatical in England from his friend Richard and fellow professor regarding a wrong that needs to be righted and as they are speaking the perpetrator walks in. Richard seemingly dies from a heart attack and we are off and running on an academic adventure.

[Kristy McRae · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a hard time getting into this one at first. Very erudite characters--I felt a bit out of my depth a couple of times, even though I consider myself well-read. Once I got into the meat of the story, I ended up liking it. It just took some time to get to know the main characters and get a feel for their world. I may venture into the second book of the series, to see how the characters develop.

[Jane · Rating 2 out of 5]

The plot was good. The main character is an archivist/rare books specialist which is why I chose the book. But that didn't really come into the mystery part at all, although a not-so-old book did figure prominently in the plot. I was a bit put off by the narration being rather didactic and religious, but apparently that was its target market. I also was thrown by periodic shifts between third person and first person narration that I couldn't figure the reason for.

[Anastacia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Downloaded this to my kindle on a whim as it was only 99 cents... loved it. Great characters... as an academic, I related very much to the setting. And the author has been influenced by one of my favorites. Just downloaded the second in the series (for $2.99). We will see, but I think I've discovered a new favorite.

[Karen (Living Unabridged) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wanted to like it more than I did. WW2 Combat veteran, academia, trips to England - should have been right up my alley. It kept me interested enough to finish it but that's about it. I'm going to try at least one more by this author before I bail on the series. I'm hoping the writing style and POV jumping improve in future books.

[Lucy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first in a series about an archivist-sleuth. More serious than a lot of recent gratuitous mysteries, which is rather gratifying (Ms. Wright seems to respect the reader--strange thought though it is).