First Lady

I'd long given up on Michael Malone as being dead or retired or something (it turns out he was just writing for television; I'd love to know for what shows), so the publication of "First Lady" was a truly pleasant surprise. It's been a long time since I read his previous novels, so it would be unfair for me to say how this new one stacks up against them. I will say that it is a truly entertaining read and a good enough mystery, but Malone is such a wonderful writer that finding out who did it is just a small part of what keeps you turning the pages. The writing here is sparking and lively, the characters alive and always amusing. I can only hope Malone will continue to give us more novels.I heartily suggest that newcomers snatch up whatever Malone novels they can find.

What a relief to have another novel by Michael Malone in myhands! Malone is such a joy to read--and FIRST LADY reminds me what a truly great writer he is. It's been nearly 10 years since I read TIMES WITNESS--but now that Malone has come back from his life in film to writing books, I'm hoping that I won't have to wait so long for his next novel. In FIRST LADY, Malone takes on all the BIG issues of our times, and as usual, he does it with compassion and, best of all, side-splitting humor. He has a social consciousness that harmonizes with Dickens and yet he plays riffs with Mark Twain. You'll love Justin and Cuddy and the other characters in this book--and best of all, you won't ever want to put it down. I'm looking for his next novel--and his next, and while I wait, I'm going back to read HANDLING SIN again.

Although murder, policemen and sleuthing are central to its plot, Michael Malone's splendid new novel FIRST LADY is no more a conventional mystery than War & Peace is a book about battle strategies. The true glory of Malone's work lies in how deftly and imaginatively he gives his characters life and depth, and how perfect is his ear for dialogue. While the "whodunit" aspect of the book certainly is interesting and credible (and provides ample grist for devotees of the genre, including a most satisfying denouement), it is the legions of disparate flesh-and-blood people that make FIRST LADY so absorbing and so entertaining. This is a book for serious readers - and for people who normally eschew detective fiction. Malone is a southerner who has spent much of his life elsewhere. His arms-length fascination with the not always smooth melding of the Old and New South gives FIRST LADY, which is set in North Carolina, a wry descant. After a long sojourn doing other things, Malone, one of our very best novelists (DINGLEY FALLS, UNCIVIL SEASONS, HANDLING SIN, TIME'S WITNESS, FOOLSCAP), is back and in top form. Rush to embrace this book: you'll love it!

As a mystery writer with my debut novel in its initial release, I have been wondering when I'd next read a Michael Malone mystery. He vanished from the mystery world, yet now, over a decade after vanishing, he has returned with his North Carolina-based series starring police officers Cuddy Mangum and Justin Savile. FIRST LADY is as well written as his previous novels. It is thoroughly contemporary--a bit hardboiled and noirish with violence and sex. There is political corruption, odd characters, official manipulation, and sensational crimes. Our protagonists are flawed characters though good men. Cuddy and Justin are searching for a serial killer known in the media as Guess Who. Malone's plot is well-paced. His story seems believable. FIRST LADY is a fine work--well worth the long wait.

Not a lot of words needed to say WELCOME BACK to Michael Malone. You have been missed. There simply are not enough of "I can't put it down authors" for any to go so long betwwe books. Keep them coming! The First Lady is a wonderful read. (though my favorite book is still Handling Sin). Highly reccommend to all.