The Man With a Load of Mischief
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Superb series
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K (that's my name)
(last edited Jul 19, 2008 09:46PM)
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rated it 4 stars
Jul 19, 2008 09:45PM
The entire series is excellent. The patrons of the Jack and Hammer are some of the most endearing and fully alive that I have come across. Although I do enjoy the series, and buy the books through Mystery Guild as soon as they come out, I am getting tired of the main character (Richard Jury)'s psychosis with his mother's death 50 (+/-) years ago, and his supposed part in it (which may, or may not have actually existed). Get some help, come to terms with it, get on with a somewhat happy existence; or let Melrose take over. He is much more multi-dimensional and interesting anyway. (Sour grapes from one reader.)
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Jury is kind of depressing sometimes, but I do love this series. For me, Plant and Trueblood balance out Jury's angst and I think the character development in general is excellent and make these books fun.
I am in love with Richard Jury. If only he would let me, I could heal him and make him happy. : ) I also adore Melrose, I just don't want to date him.
Kerry, that's so funny. I felt the same way about Jury and Melrose. Great series.
Hi Julie - you can't have my Jury, lol. He's MINE. : )
Kerry wrote: "Hi Julie - you can't have my Jury, lol. He's MINE. : )"I'm afraid we have to share him with quite a few people. LOL
I have been reading this series for years, and I love it. That said, I am getting a little weary of Jury's lack of a love life! Let's resolve the conflict there - it's been too long!!
The latest Jury mysteries have been a bit disappointing. Can't put my finger on why. Elizabeth George is the same, but in her case the latest books just seem bloated. With Martha Grimes, I feel I am surrounded by friends and it takes some real skill to have you laughing your a__ off while reading about a murder! She is a gem with a wicked sharp edge.
I am about 1/3 of the way through The Man with a Load of Mischief and I find it old fashioned in many ways, like something written before WWII. I am not against books written by Americans set in the UK. But I prefer something a bit more realistic. I love Deborah Crombie but I have given up on Elizabeth George (even though she was probably at the same California university when I was there).
Funny you should mention George. I've given up, too. Her latest is something in excess of 700 pages. Huh? I know her and she's a lovely lady, but still. Let me warn you: Martha Grimes is addictive. I don't know Deborah Crombie.
Thanks for the tip! The first installment in my own mystery series, set in Cornwall, will be published late April, early May. It's title is "Harm None." It's my eighteenth book but first mystery. For updates, check www.willnorthonline.com. Eliz George is actually going to review it!
Have you done research on location?
I'm actually also the author of a three book series called "The Best of Britain's Countryside." I know that country intimately. And yes, I spend a lot of time on location because accuracy is critical to me. I also have a team of expert advisors in Cornwall.
I love Deborah Crombie also. I enjoy Elizabeth George as well, but sometimes her books are inconsistent.
That's good. I will plan to read it when it comes out.
Yes, they are. I prefer her earlier ones. But the characters are splendid.
Thank you Gary. Lemme know if you want it now. It's done. I can email it. Especially if you use a Kindle.
I do have a kindle. The characters are the reason I abandoned Elizabeth George. I found most of them far too pretentious. I read her first 7 books before I gave up.
So do you want me to email it to your Kindle address? No is an okay answer. Always love early readers.
As for pretentious, I think they were true to their class.
Sure. My email address is gary@vcisinc.com
I just discovered this series this summer - don't know why I put off reading it for so long. I'm enjoying it tremendously and am now up to #5 in the series. I love the characters and the way the series is developing. It reminds me in some ways of Midsomer Murders, probably my favorite mystery series set in small English villages with quirky inhabitants.
Dorothy wrote: "I just discovered this series this summer - don't know why I put off reading it for so long. I'm enjoying it tremendously and am now up to #5 in the series. I love the characters and the way the se..."Without meaning to toot my own horn too loudly, if you love Grimes and Midsomer Murders, I think you'll love my latest, "Harm None," the first in the Davies & West Mystery series, set in Cornwall. Take a look at my website, www.willnorthonline.com.
Will wrote: "Dorothy wrote: "I just discovered this series this summer - don't know why I put off reading it for so long. I'm enjoying it tremendously and am now up to #5 in the series. I love the characters an..."Thanks for the heads up. I've give it a look.
I do not think you will be disappointed. I am not a newbie. That book is my eighteenth in print.
I love the characters in this series, and the settings, all the old inns and estates, the vast lawns, the gardens, and so on. I love the storylines, too, and the dialogue? As witty as it gets. What I am sometimes, but not always, disappointed in is how the mystery/crime/investigation is resolved. I've written this up in numerous reviews of the various books. Sometimes I get to the end and go what? Huh? Wait a minute!I also note there is also a young child, almost always a girl, in each story. She is witty and clever; she sees or knows things that help Jury solve the case. I sometimes wonder - is this Martha Grimes herself? (As a child?) This particular character will be diff. from book to book, and differ in age, looks and circumstances, but she is often there. Is it Martha? :D
I suspect there is a bit of ones self somewhere in every novelist's books, myself included. I often have a child in my book because children are truth-tellers--they don't know any better. Elderly people are good too--they don't give a damn what you think. Will North
Jury and Melrose Plant are the best. I try to read all their books.
Deborah wrote: "I have been reading this series for years, and I love it. That said, I am getting a little weary of Jury's lack of a love life! Let's resolve the conflict there - it's been too long!!"Just as long as it has nothing to do with Carole-Ann. She is dreadful.
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