Book Review: Cruel as the Grave

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Cruel as the Grave     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Dean James
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Woman Main Character   Amateur Sleuth
Series: Ernie Carpenter # 1
Silver Dagger, 202 pp.

As she prepares for her Ph.D. exams in Houston, Maggie McLendon learns that her fraternal grandfather Henry lies dying in Jackson, Mississippi. Her father Gerald plans to travel alone to visit his estranged family to pay his last respects to Henry. However, Maggie, who has not seen her father’s side of the family since she was a baby, persuades Gerald to take her with him.

In Jackson, the McLendon brood welcome Gerald and Maggie. Before Gerald and Henry have a last chance to reconcile and Maggie spend some quality time with her grandfather, someone kills Henry. The local police suspect Gerald murdered his father as a final act of revenge. Maggie knows her English professor dad could not have committed the crime. She begins her own inquiries into what caused the family schism and who murdered Henry.

CRUEL AS THE GRAVE is an intriguing regional amateur sleuth tale that fans of both sub-genes will enjoy. The story line centers on Maggie’s need to learn the truth even though it amplifies not so positive family relationships. The main charcaters are fully developed and the estrangement completely understandable by the audience. Though a scorecard would have helped identify who’s who, the audience will quickly work through that due to the terrific plot that showcases the talent of Dean James.

Harriet Klausner

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