jjares reviewed on 10/13/2013 + 3414 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 1

This is the opening salvo from a new voice in mystery novels (at least in 1997, when this was written) - Laura Lippman. She has created a newspaper-reporter-turned-sleuth character, Tess Monaghan. At 29, Tess seems to be drifting. Her comfortable world ended when the Baltimore newspaper she worked for folded and the Baltimore Light did not hire her.

She spends her time sculling (early mornings) and exercising (weights in the pm) most days. One day, a friend and fellow-sculler asks Tess to follow his fiancée and find out why she's upset. Having met the fabulous Ava before, Tess doesn't like her and cannot understand what Rock (the fiancée who has hired Tess) sees in this cold, self-centered, beautiful woman.

Tess starts following the woman; Ava's boss is murdered and Rock is accused of the crime. As Tess investigates, things get more complicated and another body falls.

This is a fairly complicated plot, with lots of red herrings. Considerable time is spent introducing the reader to the cast of characters who will return in future Tess novels. Our heroine, Tess, is an interesting character: She makes mistakes, is called `lazy' by some of her friends, but shows a flair for private investigative work. 4 stars

Tess Monaghan
1. Baltimore Blues (1997)
2. Charm City (1997)

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