Book Review: The Doctor and the Dead Man's Chest

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

The Doctor and the Dead Man's Chest     Amazon US HC Amazon Canada HC
Robin Hathaway
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Cozy
Series: Doctor Fenimore # 3
Dunne, Nov 2001, $24.95, 383 pp.

A deceased patient, Reebesther Smith, bequests fifty acres of choice marshland in Southern New Jersey to Dr. Fenimore with specific stipulations on the care of the land in its natural habitat. There is also a pirate's treasure map that provides a path to riches buried on the land.

Dr. Fenimore and his able assistant Rat head south to see what he inherited especially the booty. They stop at the home of another patient Lynn Ashley, who is the recipient of some nasty pranks that are subtle pressure to force the senior citizen to sell her property. Knowing the treasure is not going anywhere Dr. Fenimore begins to investigate who is trying to scare Lynn off her land. To his surprise the list of individuals and corporations that could gain with the purchase of Lynn's acres is large, making it difficult to determine whom the culprit(s) is.

The third Dr. Fenimore tale, THE DOCTOR AND THE DEAD MAN'S CHEST, pays homage to Stevenson's Treasure Island though it is set in New Jersey. The story line is fun due to the strong supporting "good guys" and insightful references to historical tidbits such as brickwork. Bringing most of the potential "bad guys" to one party allows Fenimore easy comparisons, but seems to simple of a solution. Still the trek into the New Jersey wilderness is an engaging diversion for those readers who enjoy a non-metropolitan northeast cozy.

Harriet Klausner

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