I’ve always enjoyed Joan Hess’ Claire Malloy series, even before I had a daughter who occasionally speaks in Capital Letters like Claire’s daughter Caron frequently does. I can’t say that I’ve read every one, but #18 in the series, Deader Homes and Gardens, lives up to the standard set by the others.
The premise is a bit silly, but it fits with the light humor exemplified by Caron’s Manner of Speaking. Claire goes house-hunting when her real estate agent suddenly drives off, leaving her in a house that’s not actually on the market and that’s miles from town. As if that’s not unbelievable enough, Claire then immerses herself in the lives of the family members who live near the home, repeatedly driving the 20 minute route to ask them questions and otherwise intrude on their lives. She, Caron and her best friend Inez variously eat food from the refrigerator, sleep in the not-for-sale house, and search the home for clues. I’m not exactly sure why the family never put a restraining order on Claire.
Anyway, just forget about that and enjoy Claire’s determination to figure out what happened to her realtor, and the guy who used to own the house, and the one who owns it now, and the family patriarch who wanders in and out of the house to use the wine cellar and bar. Watch as other weird family members, one of whom is named Pandora Butterfly, reveal a series of motives and means for various parts of the mystery. And applaud as Claire figures it all out before anyone else does.
It’s just what a cozy should be, with hijinks and humor to cap it all off.
I love the title! “Deader Homes and Gardens” immediately sticks for so many good reasons.
I’m not usually a fan of humor in my mysteries. I prefer the gritty and the edgy with some snippets of Jack Reacher or Lucas Davenport wry humor mixed in, and that’s all.
This series could be the new exception to that rule. Did she really write 18 books in that series? Mama mia!
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This series is not the least bit edgy or gritty, but it is funny. I truly can’t imagine writing 18 books in a series, either, but it’s held up better than some of the other long-running cozy series, in my opinion.
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This review is great. I would read this just for the New York Times Crossword Puzzle Pun Worthy title. But a truly funny mystery is hard to find, so this sounds very promising!
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I think parents especially will find it funny, but if you try to take Claire and Caron and her best friend Inez literally you might think it’s stupid. I always think they’re saying/doing what I wish I could do but know my manners too well to carry off.
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