The Old Silent

Martha Grimes revealed in an introduction that topics seldom guide her books. I gather she normally casts about for premises. Musical inspiration for Richard Jury volume #10 interested me. “The Old Silent” contains anything but silent characters. As usual, there is a patchwork of connections and exc......more

This is the best of the Grimes Jury/Plant novels. The charm of Plant (who plays a large role in this complex novel) is brought to its best in his friendship with the inimically drawn fiery child shepherdess he befriends at a country inn. This child may be the best of Grimes' transient characters. He......more

As I read this book, I was reminded of a high school English teacher who always talked about "show, not tell" writing. This book was a great example of writing that showed the reader what was happening through well-written descriptions and dialogue, without just telling everything up front. This can......more

The book has silently rested among other books waiting for me to read. I had forgotten the delectable characters of the Inspector Jury series, and the wonderful names of the English pubs. Inspector Jury witnesses a cold-blooded murder, but he cannot walk away from the crime without attempting to sav......more