Book Review: The TellTale Tattoo and Other Stories

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

The TellTale Tattoo and Other Stories     Amazon US HC Amazon Canada HC
K. K. Beck
Class/Genre:   Mystery   [Short Stories]
Five Star, Oct 2002, $25.95, 283 pp.

"The Telltale Tattoo". In 1928 Portland, Oregon, recently deceased Miss Spencer leaves an "indiscreet will" with most of the estate going to Reginald Montague if he still lives. If not, all goes to her estranged nephew. Iris decides to carry out Miss Spencer’s intent by searching for Montague.

"Hollywood Homicide". Reporter Jack Clancy persuades Iris to go to Los Angeles to work undercover as a typist. Jack wants Iris to learn why the scared of the water actress Blanche Talbott drowned while swimming alone at night.

"Rule of Law". In Holland, attorney Marius van Houten executes the will of deceased Meneer van Dongen when he recognizes the name of the beneficiary. Marius wants vengeance as Nico Overdijk brought the Nazis to take away Marius’ parents when the lawyer was a child in 1943.

"A Romance in the Rockies". Iris and Aunt Hermione are vacationing in the Canadian Rockies when they see Ursula Destinoy-Pinchot slap artist Hugh Kent for stealing her pearls. Unable to accept Hugh as a thief because he seems to genuinely love Ursula, Iris investigates the crime.

"Peril Under the Palm". Hawaiian sugarcane heiress Antoinette Caulfield asks her friend Iris to search for a mysteriously appearing woman who vanishes like a ghost. Antoinette wonders if the lady could be her assumed dead mother.

These are entertaining tales though "Rule of Law" seems out of place as a non-Cooper story that occurs at a later decade than the others. Still each story contains marvelous protagonists who provide a taste of the past though a more accurate title might be Iris Cooper and another story.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner