A Little Learning: A Madeline Maclin Mystery

Jane's best book yet. A fun and entertaining, light murder mystery. Great vacation reading!.

Reviewed by Tyler R. Tichelaar for Reader Views (3/09) Jane Tesh's "A Little Learning" features her detective, Madeline Maclin, who has previously appeared in "A Case of Imagination" and "A Hard Bargain." Without reading the other two Madeline Maclin mysteries, readers can still enjoy "A Little Learning." Madeline has a few duties and problems in her life. She is a private investigator, but she also wants to be an artist. She had one show years ago that was lambasted by a critic, but her husband, Jerry, convinces her to participate in another art show. Art soon leads to murder; Madeline happens to be at the local school talking to the students about being an artist when teacher, Amelia Lever dies. No one liked Amelia. Even her sons seem indifferent to her death, so Madeline suspects murder. While investigating Amelia's death, Madeline also has another case--she must help solve a riddle so her client, Nathan Fenton, can inherit his uncle's fortune. Mixed in with mystery is Madeline's problematic husband. Jerry is Madeline's best friend and they have finally married, but while he supports her in her artistic goals, she isn't thrilled about his schemes and how he has conned people in the past. He is promising to reform and now only holds séances for two women looking for their uncle's gold watch. When a male relative of the women threatens Jerry, he realizes he better find the gold watch or he'll be in trouble. How will he manage this without letting down the women by exposing himself as a fake? I had some difficulty understanding the relationship between Jerry and Madeline. I couldn't warm up to Jerry and I didn't understand why Madeline cared for him--perhaps a reason to read the other novels. Otherwise, I found the mystery satisfying. A good mystery is one where the reader doesn't see the solution coming, and I certainly didn't. Jane Tesh does a master job of bringing all the loose threads and clues together so the puzzle comes together smoothly in "A Little Learning.". In the end, the characters were happy and I was happy, and it looked like there was hope that Jerry had finally reformed.

In Celosia, North Carolina private investigator Madeline Maclin is excited over opening her new private investigative office. However, she is also under immense pressure to accomplice two divergent deeds. First she has one week to resolve a riddle left in a will for a client, Nathan Fenton who, if Madeline succeeds, will receive a major inheritance. Second she needs to paint a picture also within a week so that it can be exhibited at a gallery. Already overwhelmed with work, Madeline accepts an opportunity to teach art at the local elementary school. However, to her surprise Amelia Lever, an elementary school teacher detested by faculty, administration, parents and students, is murdered. Madeline's inheritance case and the teacher's homicide are tied together by of all things collectible cards. When her new spouse con man turned bookstore employee Jerry Fairweather is attacked over those collectible cards, Madeline struggles to learn what is going on and by whom? The third Madeline Maclin cozy (see A HARD BARGAIN and A CASE OF IMAGINATION) is a fun lighthearted Tarheel romp starring an eccentric cast. The story line is over the top of the Great Smokey Mountains, but no one will care as the inexperienced Madeline connects the dots while Jerry tries to behave in the small town. Filled with zany characters, fans of the series will enjoy assisting Madeline as she tries to solve Uncle Elijah's riddle, Amelia's homicide, and the collectible cards assault that seem tied together yet with no link. Harriet Klausner