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reading (Death by the Light of the Moon)
Aug. 10th, 2011 08:09 pmI finished "Death by the Light of the Moon" last night. I believe it is the last of the Joan Hess mysteries I've had hanging around the house. This one was telegraphed and then put up in neon. I mean, I'm the first to admit I'm a lousy sleuth. Most mysteries I'm just along for the ride and half the time I can't figure out the clues even after reading the last page. In this one I had nailed my primary suspect before the murder. Yeah, it was that easy.
But beyond the obviousness, there was also unbelievability. I'll take the chance of giving a spoiler here... the plot revolves around a family reunion and someone impersonating someone else. To their family. For days. Now I can believe you might pass off someone of similar build to a casual acquaintance with sufficient disguise and insufficient lighting. But daylight and people who knew you since birth?! Too absurd to even be considered. Not for a second.
So you reach the end of the book knowing who's involved and knowing what is fishy in the state of Denmark, but I don't think anyone would ever guess the details because they are just too loony. Completely loony. This book makes snakes climbing bellpulls seem like the most feasible plot device in the world.
If you consider wandering into this plantation setting, please, sit down by the fire with Marple, Poirot, Sherlock, Lord Peter, or even Sam Spade instead.
32. Joan Hess "Death by the Light of the Moon"
But beyond the obviousness, there was also unbelievability. I'll take the chance of giving a spoiler here... the plot revolves around a family reunion and someone impersonating someone else. To their family. For days. Now I can believe you might pass off someone of similar build to a casual acquaintance with sufficient disguise and insufficient lighting. But daylight and people who knew you since birth?! Too absurd to even be considered. Not for a second.
So you reach the end of the book knowing who's involved and knowing what is fishy in the state of Denmark, but I don't think anyone would ever guess the details because they are just too loony. Completely loony. This book makes snakes climbing bellpulls seem like the most feasible plot device in the world.
If you consider wandering into this plantation setting, please, sit down by the fire with Marple, Poirot, Sherlock, Lord Peter, or even Sam Spade instead.
32. Joan Hess "Death by the Light of the Moon"
