Cruel as the Grave

Suppose that Dame Agatha Christie had allowed her wonderful creation,Miss Jane Marple, to have married when that lady was young, and thehappy couple had a child. (Certainly Miss Marple would NEVER have hada child without having first been married!) Had this happened, itwould not then be too much of a stretch to also imagine that MissMagnolia Amelia McLendon could be the grand-daughter or perhaps greatgrand-daughter of said Miss Marple. Intelligent, a keen observer ofboth her surroundings and the people who inhabit those surroundings,Maggie is yet a modern young miss, working on her pre-Ph.d exams,when her life is turned upside down. A letter from the only auntshe's ever known, her father's Aunt Helena--pleads with them toreturn to the family home in Jackson, Mississippi, for two reasons.One is the illness of the family patriarch, Maggie's grandfather, whois, after all 80 years old, but the bigger news is that the 27year-long breach in the family is ready to be mended.For a varietyof reasons, all of this family history is news to Maggie, and sheurges her father, Gerard, to accept the invitation, and to includeboth of them in the visit. He grudgingly accepts, inadvertentlysetting off modern-day reactions to events of long ago, including apreviously unsuspected murder.From the very first person shemeets--Adrian Worthington--driver/butler/whatever, but all toointriguing, through aunts, uncle, cousins--the ambiance of the Southis never far from the surface, although the family secrets areanything but that. Using the legacy of Miss Marple, (for whom both theauthor and his characters freely profess a fondness) Maggie patientlysorts through all the events, both current and past, to find thesolution. It is rare indeed, for an author to begin withaward-winning non-fiction, proceed to highly-praised short fiction,then graduate to a full-length mystery story, but what a pleasure thisjourney by Dean James provides for us all. If you, too, share afondness for the works of Dame Agatha, or any of the other pastclassical mistresses of mystery, you should also enjoy thiswonderfully civil, witty and well-written recreation of the classicalBritish country house mystery novel. It's just been transported tothe American South, that's all!

Cruel As The Grave by Dean JamesMaggie McLendon is surprised when a letter from her father's Aunt Helen bearing bad news of the health of her Grandfather Henry McLendon, gains little reaction from her father Gerard. Although, Maggie had met her Aunt Helen on two occasions, she had learned as a child that the rest of the family was a taboo subject. However, she reasoned, if her Grandfather was seriously ill, this could be her only chance to meet him and on this point she takes a firm stance.Arriving with her father at the McLendon family home, Maggie is stunned and disconcerted at how wealthy the family must be, a fact concealed by her father. Welcomed eagerly by her Aunt Helen and with varying degrees of interest, disinterest and hostility by the other members of the family, Maggie starts to get to know her new family. At her first meal with the family, Maggie becomes quickly aware of the tensions and hostility harboured by the various members. When murder strikes within a short time of their arrival, and with her father under suspicion, Maggie starts to investigate. She uncovers in this beautiful Southern home, secrets, bitterness, and maybe someone hides a need for revenge.Dean has woven an absorbing debut mystery. The characterisation was brilliant, and as Maggie discovers more and more about the family members I kept changing my mind as to the murderers identity. I did think at one point that I worked it out, but as I read on I began to have doubts, so I had to start again. Highly recommended. Lizzie Hayes

Cruel as the Grave, is a healing, homecoming, which turns into a catalytic invitation to murder.Dean James' first novel is a rich blend of Old World elegance gingerly mixed with the more casual aspects of the modern day world. It is a veritable, literate feast of terminal pride, prejudice and old family foibles.Maggie McLendon, whose father becomes the major suspect in a passion-filled murder, must sift through the genealogical ingredients of secrets, lies and hatred that are lavishly iced with thick smooth, geniality. As with most families, the dining room table is an area for more than just sating one's appetite. If you like the flavor of the slow paced South, savory characterization, a hint of spice, essence of Gothic, laced with twists and turns and a cozy Agatha Christiean drawing room conclusion, then settle in with a hefty helping of fetid family values on a Silver Dagger platter. It is my understanding that the use of the wrong Hepburn name in "The Lion in Winter" was not from the mind or hand of the author.I look forward to reading more of Dean James' work and I give this book an extra cheer for the old tortoise lawyer and the name that was given him!

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.