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The Death of an Ambitious Woman
Acting Police Chief Ruth Murphy of New Derby, a suburb of Boston, investigates the death of prominent businesswoman Tracey Kendall and finds not only a multitude of suspects but a danger to her chance at becoming Chief.
236 pages, Hardcover
First published August 18, 2010
About the author
Barbara Ross
39 books1,150 followersBarbara Ross is the author of twelve Maine Clambake Mystery novellas and six novellas. Her books have been nominated for multiple Agatha Awards for Best Contemporary Novel and have won the Maine Literary Award for Crime Fiction. Barbara and her husband live in Portland, Maine. Readers can visit her website at Maine Clambake Mysteries.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
July 17, 2018
The car crash that killed Tracey Kendall was looking suspicious from the start. She was driving way too fast and didn’t break at all for example. Then the mechanic who serviced her car vanishes, which definitely makes acting police chief Ruth Murphy suspect there is more going on than a simple accident. Unfortunately, this comes at the worst possible time with her permanent promotion to police chief about to go through. Can she navigate internal politics and still uncover the truth?
I was thrilled to finally make it back to Barbara Ross’s debut mystery. The mystery is strong, and the internal politics adds a nice layer to an already complex mystery. Ruth and her fellow police officers are strong characters, and I also felt the main suspects were well developed. Some of the supporting players got a little lost, but that is my only complaint about the book. This is a step away from the author’s normal cozy mysteries, with a few four letter words and a touch more description of the aftermath of violence. Still, most of her readers will do just fine with this soft-boiled or traditional tale. Anyone who enjoys a good mystery should pick up this book.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
I was thrilled to finally make it back to Barbara Ross’s debut mystery. The mystery is strong, and the internal politics adds a nice layer to an already complex mystery. Ruth and her fellow police officers are strong characters, and I also felt the main suspects were well developed. Some of the supporting players got a little lost, but that is my only complaint about the book. This is a step away from the author’s normal cozy mysteries, with a few four letter words and a touch more description of the aftermath of violence. Still, most of her readers will do just fine with this soft-boiled or traditional tale. Anyone who enjoys a good mystery should pick up this book.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
June 21, 2012
It’s been a long time since I’ve enjoyed a book as much as “The Death of an Ambitious Woman,” the debut mystery by Barbara Ross. It could be termed a police procedural, but with a twist. The opening scene in chapter one grabs the reader instantly, and Ross doesn’t let up until the very last scene in the book. In the process, she takes us on a hair-raising ride (both literally and figuratively).
Acting Police Chief Ruth Murphy is a shoe-in to be named the permanent chief in the small Massachusetts town of New Derby, even though she’s had her ups and downs with the local district attorney. Until she’s called upon to investigate the death of Tracey Kendall, a prominent businesswoman who inexplicably slammed her luxury SUV into a stone wall while talking on her cell phone to her four-year-old son’s nanny. A tragic accident? Ruth doesn’t believe it.
Then, the handsome mechanic who recently worked on Tracey’s car disappears. And Ross tosses in a few more suspects to keep the reader guessing: an unfaithful artist husband, a greedy business partner, a jealous best friend, and the husband’s desperate art dealer. The prominence of the suspect list inflames the strained relationship between Ruth and the district attorney, who urges her to term the death an accident or else he’ll do everything he can to stop her promotion.
Excellent writing, believable characters, and terrific plotting make “The Death of an Ambitious Woman” a must-read for all lovers of good mysteries.
Reviewed by Susan Santangelo, author “Moving Can Be Murder” for Suspense Magazine
Acting Police Chief Ruth Murphy is a shoe-in to be named the permanent chief in the small Massachusetts town of New Derby, even though she’s had her ups and downs with the local district attorney. Until she’s called upon to investigate the death of Tracey Kendall, a prominent businesswoman who inexplicably slammed her luxury SUV into a stone wall while talking on her cell phone to her four-year-old son’s nanny. A tragic accident? Ruth doesn’t believe it.
Then, the handsome mechanic who recently worked on Tracey’s car disappears. And Ross tosses in a few more suspects to keep the reader guessing: an unfaithful artist husband, a greedy business partner, a jealous best friend, and the husband’s desperate art dealer. The prominence of the suspect list inflames the strained relationship between Ruth and the district attorney, who urges her to term the death an accident or else he’ll do everything he can to stop her promotion.
Excellent writing, believable characters, and terrific plotting make “The Death of an Ambitious Woman” a must-read for all lovers of good mysteries.
Reviewed by Susan Santangelo, author “Moving Can Be Murder” for Suspense Magazine
August 5, 2013
I don't normally read mysteries or crime stories but I really enjoyed this. Chief Ruth is a fabulous character--love reading about tough, smart women.
Local businesswoman Tracey Kendall dies in a car crash, and Chief Ruth Murphy is immediately suspicious. At the same time, a local car mechanic who regularly serviced her car disappears from town. Putting two and two together, Chief Ruth launches a full-scale investigation even though others would prefer she move on. But Ruth is drawn to the deceased because she realizes that the two are both strong, ambitious women, so she just can't let the case go and write it off as an accident. She suspects murder.
She's also still just the acting chief of police, and the mayor worries that her "meddling" in the case will prevent her from officially becoming chief. Her ongoing antagonistic relationship with District Attorney Baines also stands in the way of her appointment. So there was a lot going on to impede Ruth from carrying out her investigation, yet she persisted.
I would have loved to see a little bit more about Ruth's personal life--we learn little about her family--as well as seeing more interactions between her and the officious DA Baines, because who doesn't love watching two characters who antagonize each other face off? But overall it was highly enjoyable and kept me turning the pages quickly. I'm looking forward to seeing more mysteries starring Chief Ruth Murphy.
Local businesswoman Tracey Kendall dies in a car crash, and Chief Ruth Murphy is immediately suspicious. At the same time, a local car mechanic who regularly serviced her car disappears from town. Putting two and two together, Chief Ruth launches a full-scale investigation even though others would prefer she move on. But Ruth is drawn to the deceased because she realizes that the two are both strong, ambitious women, so she just can't let the case go and write it off as an accident. She suspects murder.
She's also still just the acting chief of police, and the mayor worries that her "meddling" in the case will prevent her from officially becoming chief. Her ongoing antagonistic relationship with District Attorney Baines also stands in the way of her appointment. So there was a lot going on to impede Ruth from carrying out her investigation, yet she persisted.
I would have loved to see a little bit more about Ruth's personal life--we learn little about her family--as well as seeing more interactions between her and the officious DA Baines, because who doesn't love watching two characters who antagonize each other face off? But overall it was highly enjoyable and kept me turning the pages quickly. I'm looking forward to seeing more mysteries starring Chief Ruth Murphy.
July 19, 2014
Smooth, well-woven police story--and instead of the bull-headed police boss, there is an antagonistic ego-driven fool of a DA as the thorn in Chief Ruth's saddle--a woman becoming Chief of Police in a town outside Boston--sounds trite, but is not at all--it's fascinating. The tell-all at the end could have been a bit more polished, a bit leaner--there are aspects I still don't clearly get, but it is satisfying and the book is a really good read--seems a first in a series, but does not read like a first novel--the red herrings are well done and not over the top, and the real culprit is a surprise and believable. How Chief Ruth gets to the truth got a bit murky, but the pieces of the puzzle fit well and the whole thing leaves me wishing for more Chief Ruth Murphy mysteries!
September 16, 2022
The book is fine for a short murder mystery. The murder is solved in about the last 8 pages. I finished it in a day because it was short, not because it was a page turner I couldn’t put down. The characters are developed which is appreciated.
June 29, 2021
"The Death Of An Ambitious Woman" by Barbara Ross
Acting Police Chief Ruth Murphy of New Derby, a suburb of Boston, investigates the death of prominent businesswoman Tracey Kendall and finds not only a multitude of suspects but a danger to her chance at becoming Chief.
Ms Ross weaves a complex story from what at first glance appears to be an accident to a search to expose a duplicitous and dangerous killer. The suspects all had something to hide and various reasons for wanting her gone but which one did it? Admittedly, I strongly suspected who the guilty party was long before the end but had no idea how they had pulled it off. That did not take away from my enjoyment of the book though as I was carried along with the investigators in solving this case! I'd love to see more books in this series! Well done Barbara!
Acting Police Chief Ruth Murphy of New Derby, a suburb of Boston, investigates the death of prominent businesswoman Tracey Kendall and finds not only a multitude of suspects but a danger to her chance at becoming Chief.
Ms Ross weaves a complex story from what at first glance appears to be an accident to a search to expose a duplicitous and dangerous killer. The suspects all had something to hide and various reasons for wanting her gone but which one did it? Admittedly, I strongly suspected who the guilty party was long before the end but had no idea how they had pulled it off. That did not take away from my enjoyment of the book though as I was carried along with the investigators in solving this case! I'd love to see more books in this series! Well done Barbara!
November 2, 2020
Great read!
I have read Barbara Ross’s Clambake series, and am looking forward to the second Mrs Darrowfield book. I was delighted to find this hidden gem; read it in one sitting. It’s sad that there weren’t any subsequent books - one can only imagine the scrapes the newly ordained police chief could find herself in.
I have read Barbara Ross’s Clambake series, and am looking forward to the second Mrs Darrowfield book. I was delighted to find this hidden gem; read it in one sitting. It’s sad that there weren’t any subsequent books - one can only imagine the scrapes the newly ordained police chief could find herself in.
April 25, 2025
The first of a chief Ruth Murphy mystery series set in the Boston suburb of New Derby, features Acting Police Chief Ruth Murphy. She's made the final cut for the permanent position despite her troubled relationship with her district attorney. Prominent businesswoman Tracey Kendall dies in a suspicious traffic accident and Ruth's future is at stake during a contentious investigation. It's a police procedural, not my favorite, but with enough going on including backstory, plot twists, and red herrings, to keep it interesting.
May 4, 2019
Probably 3.5 stars. Police procedural. When Tracy Kendall dies in an automobile accident, it seems everyone just wants the case closed. It was an accident. End of story. But Acting Chief Ruth Murphy isn't so sure, and decides to investigate, despite warnings that she may be risking her promotion in doing so. The characters are well drawn, the relationships believable, and the plot intriguing. Recommended.
October 13, 2020
This reissue of her first book by Barbara Ross is so good, I wish the publishers would make it into a series. Acting Chief of Police Ruth Murphy, a well defined, lovingly realistic character deserves other mysteries to solve. It is obvious that Ruth is a character the author tucked up under her heart and most successfully brought to life on the page. This is a book that I did not want to end. I highly recommend you read it if you are a fan of John Grisham or Agatha herself, it is that good!
October 3, 2024
Double sadness...I recently finished Torn Asunder (Maine Clambake Mystery) only to find it was the end of the series. I then picked up Death of an Ambitious Woman because I couldn't get enough of Barbara Ross, only to find it was a one off, and there would be no more Ruth Murphy mysteries. So much sadness...
January 30, 2026
WOW! I Did Not See That Coming!
A real whodunit with a cast of outwardly successful people who behave very badly. Cue the woman in charge, Chief Ruth Murphy, who must quell her self doubts and trust her instincts. The best characters are those who believe in her, and the worst characters are those who underestimate her.
A real whodunit with a cast of outwardly successful people who behave very badly. Cue the woman in charge, Chief Ruth Murphy, who must quell her self doubts and trust her instincts. The best characters are those who believe in her, and the worst characters are those who underestimate her.
September 15, 2021
I loved this book. I have read all of Barbara Ross’s book and enjoyed them all
I highly recommend this book. The characters are very interesting. I hope that
Ms Ross writes another Chief Murphy book.
I highly recommend this book. The characters are very interesting. I hope that
Ms Ross writes another Chief Murphy book.
March 4, 2023
A mystery featuring a female acting chief of police who has to solve a case where a wealthy woman is killed in a car accident. It is murder but proving it seems a long shot. The book was an easy read.
January 21, 2019
This is a decent police procedural.
August 26, 2019
Loved this debut novel and the main characters. I would love to read more in this line.
July 30, 2020
4.5 stars. Loved it
Read
May 24, 2021Nicely paced narrative. Some of the revelations take a leap to understand, but otherwise a satisfying read. Hope there's another book soon.
April 20, 2011
Good mystery book firmly in the "who-done-it" genre.
The protagonist is forty-ish police chief Ruth Murphy. He works in a small New England town.
A woman dies in a car crash. The crash looks suspicious. The victim was an ambitious woman, rising star in an investment firm.
As the procedural rolls, we find out more about the victim and a bunch of suspects appear. The writing moves us along; nothing cute or philosophical, no asides. It's a straight, cleanly told mystery.
I enjoyed it. I recommend it for the procedural fan. Someone who likes the puzzle' aspects of mystery stories. If terror, atmosphere, thrills or literary mystery (assuming there is such a thing) are your thing, this probably isn't for you.
The protagonist is forty-ish police chief Ruth Murphy. He works in a small New England town.
A woman dies in a car crash. The crash looks suspicious. The victim was an ambitious woman, rising star in an investment firm.
As the procedural rolls, we find out more about the victim and a bunch of suspects appear. The writing moves us along; nothing cute or philosophical, no asides. It's a straight, cleanly told mystery.
I enjoyed it. I recommend it for the procedural fan. Someone who likes the puzzle' aspects of mystery stories. If terror, atmosphere, thrills or literary mystery (assuming there is such a thing) are your thing, this probably isn't for you.
December 13, 2010
I think this was a very good effort for a first book (she has written short stories that were published). The only problem I had was tying in two characters together. Maybe I missed it when I was reading it, but I won't go on and have it be a spoiler, maybe next time the author will tie up the loose ends. I would read another book by this author.
March 2, 2011
This was a short book, but it still took me some time to read it. The story could be greatly improved by explaining the characters a little more in depth and it would add length to the book. I would have loved to hear more about the bakc stories of Ruth, McGrath, and Moscone.
I can't wait to read more in the series, I just hope that the characters are better explained in the future.
I can't wait to read more in the series, I just hope that the characters are better explained in the future.
March 19, 2014
I really enjoyed this novel - it had the authenticity of a police procedural but also a female protagonist who is tough but vulnerable to self-doubt and contending with the politics of a small town. The puzzle aspects were excellent - the characters were rounded enough to make the reader interested, but Ross never lost her focus on the case, the puzzle, and the unraveling of the clues.
October 2, 2010
I loved getting to know Acting Chief Ruth Murphy in this book - I'm looking forward to knowing her better in many future books! Great supporting characters, an interesting and sometimes confounding plot, and a comfortably brisk pace made this novel a fabulous read!
January 19, 2011
Loved This Book! I hated D.A. Baines-but that's a sign of a well written book-cuz I REALLY hated that man. I Loved all the twists and turns and Ruth is a fabulous protagonist. Can't wait to read more in this series.
December 19, 2010
A very quick and engaging read, so I was tempted to give it four stars, but the mystery wasn't really all that hard to solve, so if we had the options of half stars, I'd rate it 3.5.
October 3, 2022
Book by a new author. Very quick read about a female chief of police solving a murder mystery.
January 2, 2013
I couldn't keep the characters straight, but on the plus side, I didn't figure out what happened before I read it.
January 9, 2014
Great storyline with a twist.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews