The Black Cat (Richard Jury Series #22)

This one is the cat's meow

A murder to solve with Superintendent Richard Jury of Scotland Yard is always a treat -- and this one delivers. It's a little slower-paced maybe, but that's not a criticism. The pace matches Jury's method. Most of the fans' favorite characters are back, Jury's sergeant, Wiggins; his flamboyant neighbor, Carole-anne; and his aristocratic friend, Melrose Plant and his cronies in Long Piddleton. However, I did miss a meeting with Jury's boss, Chief Superintendent Racer, and Cyril, the cat. As usual, the title is the name of a pub, where the first victim is found with only a black cat (a real cat) as a witness. Back is the brilliant, but scary Harry Johnson. And, there's a mystery of the first order that involves more than one black cat, designer shoes, mistaken identity and again, as usual, a child to vex Melrose. I loved the whimsical chapters that share the thoughts of Harry's dog, Mungo, and Morris, the cat and their attempt to transmit clues to Jury. It's not necessary to have read the previous book, "The Old Wine Shades," but it wouldn't hurt because Harry Johnson and another character were introduced then.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Not her best, but enjoyable

The Black Cat, the newest Richard Jury novel is an okay addition to the collection. It is definitely not the best in the series - falling someplace in the low middle for me. I would have enjoyed having more of the regular faces show up a bit more in the book. The mystery just does not seem to flow the way some of the others did.
If you are a fan of the Richard Jury series then by all means read this book as it contiues the saga. If however, you have never read any of the series, then this is not the book to start with - you will never read another of the entertaining series.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Morris the cat is missing and three women are found dead

W.C. Fields once said "Anyone who hates children and dogs can't be all bad..." However, Detective Superintendent Richard Jury doesn't subscribe to that philosophy. In every one of Martha Grimes', Richard Jury mysteries, there are children and animals and The Black Cat is no exception.

Also, as in all her Jury novels, the title is taken from the name of an English pub. In this book, a beautiful woman, dressed to the nines, wearing Jimmy Choo shoes, is found dead on the patio outside the Black Cat. Spt. Jury is called in to assist the local police, Detective Cummins, in the investigation. He soon learns from Dora, the eight year old ward of bartendress at the Black Cat, that Morris, the pub's black cat mascot has been 'murdered or kidnapped'. Now Jury must investigate two mysteries.

As you read, two more fashionably dressed dead bodies appear and Jury and his Sargent Wiggins get a lesson in designer clothes. Martha Grimes is a stalwart of the 'cozy' mystery. Her books are peopled with interesting characters. The plot takes various turns, arriving at a satisfying, albeit unforeseen, conclusion.

While most of her books can be read independently, I heartily suggest that you read the two previous books, The Old Wine Shades and Dust before reading The Black Cat. A main character of the current book is introduced in The Old Wine Shades and the evolution of that character will help in the understanding of the subsequent books.

If you're in the mood for a relaxing afternoon of mystery reading, Martha Grimes is a top choice. And you can quote me..."Anyone who loves children and dogs, can't be all bad..."

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Great series

The style seemed a little different from earlier works???? Still a good read but we need to hear more from Melrose.

Not her best work

I've read everything written by Martha Grimes and after reading this book, I decided she probably doesn't have much more story telling left in her.

To be honest, she lost me when she used a conversation between a dog and a cat early in the book in order to further along the mystery.

The crime itself is a good one. The side story with the dog and the cat felt like filler, to say the least. It made the story drag to the extent I passed up the second "conversation" between the animals.

In addition, her continuing the story of Jury and his "lover" Lu... I'm sorry, Grimes stretched on this one. Lu is in a near-fatal car accident and Jury responds by bedding another woman? Nope - Not Richard Jury. In this book, after knowing he bedded someone else to assuage his grief, it made it difficult to believe his "grief".

If this her latest work is an example of what's to come in the future I think I'm probably done reading her books. She's trying too hard to force the story along and it made for very bad reading.

I give it two stars because, as was mentioned previously, the mystery itself is a good one. I was rather surprised at the end to learn the result. Though, let's be fair, there were parts of that which were a little unbelievable.

I rated it high for book clubs because this is a book that deserves to be torn apart by readers. Same thing goes for Topical Conversation.

I'll say it again - not her best work. Good thing I recently started reading J.A. Jance.

Nineteen bucks for an ebook, OBSCENE

It nay be great but I will never kniw,

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Brilliant!

Martha Grimes has out-done herself with this new "Richard Jury Mystery". I absolutely loved it and hated for it to end! As always her main characters were wonderful and certainly up to par in this book. But I just loved the dialogue and interaction between the "black cat" and Mungo ~~ a most intelligant and practically human, dog. The story-line was not quite intense this time; with quite a bit of humour/wit interspersed. So as not to give "it" (the mystery) away ~~~ suffice it to say ~~~ this was a most delightful and enjoyable book. A good old-fashioned mystery. I would recommend to anyone and suitable for all ages too. Thank you Ms. Grimes!

Fun read, not as intense as usual Richard Jury mysteries

I enjoyed this book quite a bit but it was much more light than some previous R. Jury mysteries by Martha Grimes. She gives you a little taste of each of your favorite characters, although not enough to feel you know them any better.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Richard Jury - You Can't Go Wrong

I could not wait for the latest installment of the Richard Jury series. This is one of my most favorite series. I love all of Martha Grimes' books. In The Black Cat, we probe just a little further into the life of our favorite Scotland Yard detective, Richard Jury. The pace is definately a little slower, which is okay, but still an overall good story about mystery women who are leading double lives. We see the return of not only Melrose, but Harry Johnson, his dog Mungro and the addition of some local black cats. I wouldn't have minded seeing a little bit more of the old Long Piddleton characters in addition to the animals, but overall it is a book I would recommend to any mystery fan.

Delightful

Thoroughly enjoyable. Was sorry to finish it.

The Black Cat and the little dog

This book was the latest in the Richard Jury and Melrose Plant series, which now apparently includes Mungo, a little dog from a prior story line. This author always entertains, but including the dog is stretching it a little. The story line focused so much on the dog and his new black cat partner, it left little room for the interaction between old favorites such as Melrose's local characters, not to mention no contact with his aunt, which always amuses. Overall a good story line, and the usual twist in the end, where murder is done for reasons that are not revealed until that twist. Next time less dog more people.

Cats! Cats Cats!

One of the best Richard Jury books. While it is a very good mystery, it also exposes a softer side of Jury. The life style of the English is a good escape.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Enjoyable reading

Great reading just to get away from day to day boredom.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Martha Grimes has still got it!

Martha Grimes has created another wonderful English pub mystery with The Black Cat. It starts with the murder of a mystery woman at the Black Cat pub in Chesham. The victim has been leading a double life, one as a quiet, mousy librarian in London and the other as a glamorous, well shod employee of an escort service. Two more murders follow, both involving women from other escort services. Richard Jury believes they're connected but how is the rub.

Wonderful characters, a good yarn and humor thrown in to lighten the mood. Plus more info about designer shoes than you'll ever need. A keeper!

The Black Cat by Martha Grimes

A woman wearing designer shoes is found murdered outside the unglamorous Black Cat pub in a small village. In London, a similar crime is discovered. For fans of Martha Grimes' Richard Jury mysteries, this will be, as expected, a satisfying read and will appeal to anyone who enjoys a traditional, cozy British mystery. It is not necessary to have read earlier Jury mysteries to enjoy the story. But diehard fans might be disappointed that the dog Mungo plays a key role here, while Melrose Plant -- the most delightful character in this series -- is relegated to a much smaller supporting role. Nonetheless,the handsome Superintendent Jury continues to be a compelling central figure, following the clues and figuring out whodunnit.

Long Live Inspector Jury

Fifteen Richard Jury novels occupy a shelf of my bookcase and I have yet to tire of the adventures of Jury, Wiggins, Plant et al. I enjoyed the little lesson on famous designer shoes, and I always love the way animals are treated as sentient characters. The Black Cat seems somewhat melancholy in tone, which is understandable given the loss of Ms. Grimes beloved pet.

Thank you, Martha Grimes.

Thank you, Martha Grimes for bringing Mungo and Shoe back into our lives. Involving the dog and cat in a Richard Jury mystery is genius. It's also good to see Elf is still small.

Another Grimes "Goody"

You can count on Martha Grimes for a truly "twisty, turny" who-done-it and there's always the English pub with assorted animals, both 2- and 4-legged. What's entertaining is that the clues seem to come from the mouths of babes. This book is more contemporary because of the fashion theme - who hasn't heard of Manolo Blahnik? It also delves deeper into the relationship of Jury and Johnson, bespeaking a friendlier version of Holmes and Moriarity. They each respect the intelligence and cunning of one another, albeit one's diabolical character. There are many things going on in this book so get set!

Major Disappointment

I feel for anyone who just picks up this book w/out having read any others in the series. Heck-- I feel for those who have. What is this nonsense? Grimes refers obliquely to past cases then drops the reference. She has Mungo the 'talking' dog back for humor..or something. The plot is all over the place and hard to follow. Jury is for once, not all that interesting and even CaroleAnne cant make sense of things. This book tries waaay too hard and ends up being a mess. I finished it yes, but it wasnt easy. Several times I wanted to just bang my head against it. I LOVE MARTHA GRIMES but this, and the previous Jury, let me down badly.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Love the Inspector Jury Mysteries By Martha Grimes

A friend of mine introduced me to these mysteries and once I read one I had to read the whole series. Now when Martha Grimes writes a new Inspector Jury mystery I am at the store (or on-line) buying it and then savoring every page of the book. I envy people who have never read the series and start reading her books. They have hours of great reading ahead of them. "The Black Cat" was a great read.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.