July 24: So Pretty a Problem by Francis Duncan (Mordecai Tremaine #5) (1950)

[Susan]

Welcome to our July 24 group read of So Pretty a Problem The fifth book in the Mordecai Tremaine series was first published in 1950.

Adrian Carthallow, a dramatic and talented artist, is no stranger to controversy. But this time it's not his paintings that have provoked a blaze of publicity — it's the fact that his career has been suddenly terminated by a bullet to the head. Not only that, but his wife has confessed to firing the fatal shot.

Inspector Penross of the town constabulary is less than convinced by Helen Carthallow's story, but has no other explanation for the incident that occurred when the couple were alone in their clifftop house. Luckily for the Inspector, amateur criminologist Mordecai Tremaine has an uncanny habit of being in the near neighborhood whenever sudden death makes its appearance. As he mounts his investigation, Tremaine is quick to realize that however perfect a couple the Carthallows may have seemed, beneath the surface of their perfect life lay something much more sinister...

Please do not post spoilers in this thread. Thank you.

[Susan]

As it's the weekend, I have opened these threads a little early. I am really enjoying this and am currently about halfway through, so I will avoid the spoiler thread for now.

[Sandy]

I finished this only minutes ago. I really like Mordecai Tremaine as the amateur detective.

[Susan]

Good to hear, Sandy. Me too. This is a great series and I am keen to read more.

[Judy]

I've finished this too - I enjoyed it but had one or two problems which I'll post about in the spoiler thread. Good to hear you both like it too, Sandy and Susan. I've now read all five books republished in this series - I wonder if any more will be republished?

Who is reading this one? The spoiler thread is linked below:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Susan in NC]

I read and enjoyed it, but as usual with these GA amateur detectives, I was amazed at access allowed by officials. I keep imagining today, suspects would be suing left and right!

But other than that, I enjoyed Mordechai, and would like to read more. I want to read earlier cases, and learn how this former tobacconist ended up a sleuth! I find him very likable, and his interest in romantic stories a unique character trait.

[Susan]

Yes, he is so easily upset, isn't he. I was interested in the way he gradually realised all was not well with the victim's marriage and how despondent he felt about it, to the point of avoiding Helen.

[Susan]

I am on the last section of the book now where, as you say Susan, he is invited to take a role to avoid the local police having to bring in Scotland Yard! Unlikely, as you suggest.

[Susan in NC]

But fun and entertaining- and typical of the era! And with his rather sentimental nature, he gives an interesting insight into all the characters. More the layman’s view - which I think makes him relatable to readers!
.

[Susan]

I also like him as a character, he is quite sweet and well-meaning.

[Susan in NC]

Yes, he is affected if a marriage isn’t as happy as it appears. Sentimental, but optimistic and trying to see the best in people.

[Susan]

Although the constant references to his love of romantic stories gets a little wearing!

[Susan in NC]

It does, and I’m not sure if the author was trying to remind readers how quirky and unusual he was, or what…

[Susan]

I have finished this now. I had better go to the spoiler thread.

[Judy]

Susan wrote: "Although the constant references to his love of romantic stories gets a little wearing!"

This is slightly what I feel about Tremaine in general, that he's a likeable character but the same characteristics keep being repeated without any depth being added - he loves Romantic Stories magazine, his legs are thin, he used to be a tobacconist, etc. I don't think we ever get any reminiscences about his days as a tobacconist which actually help with the cases, as with Miss Marple's memories.

I remember in a previous book I was irritated by his pince-nez falling down a lot, but I think in this one it happens less, and also the author mentions that it's a nervous habit, so that didn't bother me much.