ISBN: 0-425-10431-1 Order from: Amazon.com
An enjoyable and somewhat dated crime investigation, combining the brisk and stylized style of decades ago, with the optimistic outlook of these earlier years.
Reviewed by David on December 31, 2000
Genre: Mystery
Synopsis: Joshua Bigg, a young investigator for a law firm, has rarely been involved in a criminal matter. But when assigned to follow up on a couple of troubling issues in regard to estate administration, Joshua stumbles upon plenty of suspicions but no proof. Helped, hindered, entertained and occasionally enticed by his colleagues, witnesses and suspects, Joshua learns on the job of the darkness of human greed.
Full Review: This novel reminded me more than once of the classic Nero Wolfe stories (see, for instance, And Be a Villain). There are several reasons for this: the absolete technology, the brisk, superficial, expositionary style, the conventional treatment of women. And perhaps most of all, by the relatively optimistic, black-and-white, view of the crime. There both innocents and criminals in this novel, and the two sets don't overlap.
The plot is reasonably complicated and somewhat unlikely, but entertaining, as are a number of colorful characters. There is a minor romantic subplot, kept aside from the main investigation. Some of the style resembles a police procedural, and there is some police involvement.
On the whole, while not particularly intense emotionally, and lacking in the gritty realism more popular in more modern books, this novel is quite enjoyable, not the least for its positive view of human nature.
Overall: 5.5; Plot: 5.5; Characters: 5.5; Style: 5.5; World-building: 4.5; Originality: 5.5;
Copyright date 1980, Berkley Publishing Group, April 1994, Mass Market paperback
ISBN: 0-425-10431-1 Order from: Amazon.com