Baltimore Blues, Laura Lippman, William Morrow, 1997, 273 pp
Perhaps ill-advised, but I decided to add another mystery/crime writer to my lists. A little over two years ago I read Sunburn by Laura Lippman and was so impressed by her talent in making a misbehaving female character so likable. I have a thing for misbehaving women who manage to escape controlling men!
Baltimore Blues is her first novel and the first of her 12 book series featuring detective Tess Monaghan. Tess had been a top reporter for the Baltimore Star newspaper but like so many papers in the early 1990s, the Star folded leaving Tess unemployed. She is making do with part time jobs, living cheap with a relative who owns a bookstore.
When her rowing buddy gets arrested for the murder of his fiancée's boss, Tess goes into action. She knows the city, she does not believe her friend is guilty, and she usually feels she can do a better job at finding out stuff than anyone else. Annoying, I know. I also have a thing about annoying women who are good at what they do.
I thought the plot was a bit over complicated but so are the plots of Sara Paretsky, whose books I love. Since this is Tess's first go at being a detective, she has to learn as she goes giving lots of opportunities for red herrings and blind alleys. She is at ease with complicated matters due to her half-Irish, half-Jewish family.
It all fit together in the end. Some bad actors turn out to be good, some rich people turn out to be very bad. Best of all, Tess and I found out who the murderer was on exactly the same page!
I'm a big fan of this series and insisted on giving a copy of this book to my niece when she started college in Baltimore. Although the college students were warned to stay far from the gritty part of the city, I thought it was important to get a flavor of one's new environment.
ReplyDeleteHave you read Jane Casey? My sisters and I are huge fans of her books.
I can say I am a fan already and will continue. What a good idea to give this book to your niece. I got started on Sara Paretsky because her locale is Chicago, where I used to visit to see friends.
DeleteNow I will go look up Jane Casey!
I've never heard of this series but I got to say it sounds pretty good. I like misbehaving female characters as well!
ReplyDeleteOh yes, Tess will not be stopped!
DeleteI like your last sentence!! I have never tried this author. Is it very dark?
ReplyDeleteThanks! That is how I like mysteries to go. I wouldn't call it particularly dark, no. Somewhat gritty but it is after all a crime novel.
Deletei really liked Sue Grafton's books and i was sorry she died before finishing "Z"... i've thought about starting another series but i really haven't the time what with trying to read all the golden age mysteries i can find and all the other stuff... maybe i should try this author? or Paretsky?
ReplyDeleteI can recommend both. Paretsky is an old leftie like us!
DeleteI really loved Sunburn but then I tries another one of hers and recall it being a DNF. I am trying to avoid new series as well but, every time I see an Ann Cleeve post or Deb Crombie post I am so tempted.
ReplyDeleteWe can only hope there are enough of us readers to cover all the great mystery writers!
DeleteOh, I love finding the murderer exactly when the author wants you to! I usually take a way a star from a book when I've figured it out too soon..
ReplyDeleteExactly!
DeleteI've never read Lippman but I should. I lived in Baltimore briefly after college so I'm always interested in novels that are set there.
ReplyDeleteShe certainly brings Baltimore as a city to life, as if the city itself were a character.
DeleteI think Google ate my first comment, so....
ReplyDeleteSounds like LOTS of fun with characters I think I'd definitely like. I'll add her to my 'interest' list. Thanks.
Oh, I hate it when Google does that! Thanks for trying again. It's always good to have a few extra mystery writers on the list.
DeleteYeah I wish these mystery plots wouldn't get so complicated sometimes. Just give me the case plain & simple! I liked Sunburn but couldn't stick with Lady in the Lake .... so not sure if I will keep on? hmm
ReplyDeleteI know you and Diane were not happy with Lady in the Lake. Maybe that is why I went back to her earlier books instead of moving on.
DeleteSounds intriguing. I so don't need anymore mystery/thrillers, but look what you have done! :)
ReplyDeleteI know. I'm sorry! :)
DeleteI've enjoyed several of Lippman's novels, including one of the later Tess Monaghan books. Decided to purchase Baltimore Blues ebook after reading it... and I'm sure you know the story. It's still unread on my kindle! Thanks for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteOh, how I know the way books can languish on my eReaders, neglected and forlorn. I keep telling myself to check there each month when I make my reading list.
DeleteI love it when I find another mystery author,! This sounds good.
ReplyDeleteIt was good, especially for a first novel. That makes me want to continue.
DeleteI was trying to recall if I had read any of her books and it felt like I did but couldn't remember. Took a look at my reading lists and found that I had read her What the Dead Know 11 years ago. I didn't enjoy it at the time but wonder if I should revisit another of her books. This sounds good and I'd really like to read a detective series or two.
ReplyDeleteThe one you read is a stand alone. You might like the series better, even though she wrote them first.
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