 |
|
Title: Dust: A Richard Jury Mystery
ISBN: B000YT9DKA
Author:
Martha Grimes
Publicate Date: 2007-01-16
Publish: 2007-01-16
List Price: $39.95
Average Customer Rating: 3.0
Format: Audio CD
 |
|
|
|
|
Amazon Lowest New Price: $16.61
Amazon Lowest Used Price: $9.13
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Customer Review: |
|
1: A lot of fun
I have not read many books by Martha Grimes: besides this book, perhaps only Foul Matter and I am the Only Running Footman. So, I can't comment on the consistency of the series. I liked those novels, however, and enjoyed this one just as much.
The plot is well-done and remains clear in spite of a profusion of sub-plots. I enjoyed the sub-plots no less than the main plot. Particularly fun is the banter between old friends and associates: Grimes has written many books about Jury, Plant, and their friends. This book succeeds in giving the impression that these relationships have deepened over the years.
At several points, I laughed out loud. I also appreciated that the book's conclusion required a bit of effort on my part to put things together.
Finally, although I am no James-ophile, the frequent references to his books added to this book's charm. MG clearly enjoys his work.
|
2: Our Naughty Richard
I used to absolutely love a Richard Jury novel. It was always so nice to catch up with old friends in the rooming house in London; not to mention Melrose Plant and his cronies in Long Piddleton. I actually enjoy when we get to find out what the erstwhile lord and his annoying aunt are up to.
I'm not so sure about this one.
Benny Kegan, Jury's young prot??g?? from London's seamy side, working as a bellhop in a posh London hotel, discovers the body of Billy Maples in one of the guest rooms. He urgently calls on Jury to help him out of the sticky situation. He's only thirteen and underage to be working.
The murder is actually in the jurisdiction of Richard's new love interest, Lu Aguilar which causes complications. Jury can't seem to be anywhere in proximity to her without getting extreme lustful thoughts. Like others I thought the author went way overboard on this relationship. I mean--wrecking the apartment during their sexual encounters at Richard's age--come on!
I did enjoy Grime's marvellous descriptions of the settings--both in London and in Henry James' Lamb's House. The storyline was interesting on several levels and I was totally happy when Plant appeared on the scene to, as often is the case, sort things out for Richard.
As usual, the ending is somewhat convoluted; but that is to be expected in a Jury novel. I'm still not sure I agree as to who did it. But I'll probably read the next one. It's rather an addiction.
|
3: Left in the Dust
I like the Richard Jury series...but this last one had me actually ANGRY. Plodding through the confusing plot...periodically being enchanted by the Henry James info...and then the bizarre nonsensical twist at the end. Unfathomable! One should finish a mystery and at least understand what happened! I agree with another reviewer...too many boats carrying too many children.
A sloppy mess.
|
4: Strange Indeed!
I have little to add to the frustration voiced by previous reviewers, but I've got to vent a bit. Can't remember exactly how I came to have the book around, but was about to toss in the "giveaway" pile rather than try to sell it for a penny or two plus postage on Amazon--until I started reading the first chapter. Never had read anything by Martha Grimes, but mysteries can be interesting and stimulating light reading, when one has more important things to avoid. The first chapter was incredibly captivating--good writing, interesting characters, mysterious happenings. I almost quit when Jury got implausibly involved with the Lu character , but the blurb on the back seemed to suggest this was part of the plot. (Had somebody told Martha to try to emulate Updike?) If it was relevant to the plot, I still don't get it.
I must confess I have almost NO acquaintance with Henry James. I imagine that the allusions to stories of James have some significance in explaining some of the plot twists, but so far I haven't seen another reviewer that suggests the same. Maybe they are just a a bit of showing off.
Anyway, I had a very soap opera sort of feel at the end: lots of characters that I would have understood better if I had read one or more previous novels in the series; lots of unanswered questions so that I felt cheated by having to find (I certainly won't BUY!) the next volume in the series if I want to figure out what this one was all about.
If someone found the Henry James allusions helpful, I would appreciate a quick email--likewise if anyone (another reviewer apparently claims to) figured out who pushed the girls out of the boat and why it matters to the murder. In the meantime I won't lose sleep over it. Too many other good books to read and more important work to do.
|
5: great characters, but sooo confusing..........
I LOVE the Richard Jury series, but this one was just toooo confusing! Nothing seemed to actually "go together," from the Kindertransport, to the convoluted relationships amongst the characters, to Jury's RIDICULOUS "passion" passages---seriously, ripping blinds off of walls, upending tables and pulling out drawers??? I consider myself pretty intelligent and can usually twig out "who dunnit" before the end of the book, but I've read the ending of this one three times, and still don't know what the writer is hinting at!!!!!! Maybe we'll find out in the next book? Not sure if I will bother with it, however. Very disappointing book, from a usually wonderful writer.
|
|
|
|
|
