Book Review: Poor Tom is Cold

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Poor Tom is Cold     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Maureen Jennings
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Historical   Police Procedural
Series: William Murdoch # 3
St. Martin's, Feb 2001, $22.95, 288 pp.

In Toronto, Patrol Sergeant Hales asks acting detective William Murdoch to see if he can find a missing officer, Oliver Wicken, who was not where he was supposed to be during the shift inspection. William, suffering from a toothache, finds a dead Oliver in an abandoned house. Oliver has a bullet wound in his head, a note implying he just lost his sweetheart, and the gun placed in a strange position on his legs. The coroner believes suicide and browbeats that idea to the juror at the death spot and the inquest. Only William, who knew Oliver and after meeting the deceased's mother, has doubts.

Her husband dying, her terrorizing adult stepchildren, want Peg Eakin declared insane by Dr. Ferrier so she cannot inherit. They have her locked away in an asylum. Meanwhile William investigating the death of Oliver finds himself involved with the Eakin family as they seem to show up at every step of his inquiries, even being members of the jurors.

Anyone who enjoys a rich historical fiction novel with a powerful nineteenth century police procedural as its core will want to read POOR TOM IS COLD. The story line is exciting, but what makes the novel fascinating is the descriptions of the Canadian late 1890s justice system. They are interwoven and are key elements of the plot. Maureen Jennings depicts Toronto's nineteenth century police-legal processes as a major part of a vivid tale.

Harriet Klausner

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