The Old Silent

"The Old Silent" was my first introduction to Martha Grimes. My boss at work knew I enjoyed Agatha Christie and (after using a derrogatory comment) suggested I try something better. After getting over the sleight of Christie, I agreed to try one of Grimes' books. So my boss brought "The Old Silent" in for me to read. I realized that I was begining in the middle of a series, so I wasn't too put off by not knowing certain things that weren't explained (like the relationships between many of the characters in the begining). However, even not having any Grimes experience before this book, I got a fairly quick grasp of the main characters, Jury and Plant, and enjoyed them a lot. The plot was practically non-existant through the majority of the novel, but Grimes skill in painting characters that I cared about still forced me to turn the page even when I didn't give two craps about the plot. After reading the book, I went out to Goodwill and picked up every book I could find by Grimes and have started "Man With A Load of Mischief," to start at the begining. The actual plot of "The Old Silent" would take 15 pages of a Christie novel (Whom I still love... despite my boss implying that reading Grimes would show me the tom-foolery of Christie). But the characters drive the book home far more that most other mystery books. Highly reccomended for everyone.

This is the best of the Grimes Jury/Plant novels. The charm of Plant (who plays a large role in this complex novel) is brought to its best in his friendship with the inimically drawn fiery child shepherdess he befriends at a country inn. This child may be the best of Grimes' transient characters. Her indomitable character and imagination, her fierce independence, and her scorn for most adults (which she lowers just barely for Plant, and later for Jury ) make us really care when circumstances place her in danger (from which, as usual, she ingeniously extricates herself long before the adults arrive). Yet Plant's charm is also brought into relief when a bratty boom-box listening child at the same inn is used as a foil to Plant's gentility-and as a severe (and losing) trial to Plant's patience. The little revenges Plant take against this brat and his obnoxious mother are quite fun. Further, the surprises inherent in Plant's character are brought out in his love affair with a leather and chain wearing motor cyclist. The eccentricities of the delightfully vehement Macalvie are never better drawn, and never funnier. We gain a new sense of the hypochondriac Wiggins' true strengths and usefulness as Jury's sidekick. And the contest between Racer and the cat Cyril is at its best.More than in most of the Jury novels, we care about the suspects and the victims. Yet, perhaps more importantly, this novel lifts Jury out of a timeless quaint England, and throws him thick into the English rock-and-roll scene-where most of the musicians are presented both as likeable and staggeringly talented. I guessed most of the mystery by a about three-quarters of the way through the book, but it's final unfolding presented human details of past that were as riveting as the rest of the book.By the way, if you don't read this novel, you won't know who the scorching rock guitarist Stan Keeler is in the next Grime's novel.

One of the reviewers mentioned that this might not be the best place to start in the Jury series. This is probably true. I had read 5, 6, maybe 7 of her books before I got to this one. And that windup was great as I became absorbed into her characters, her tone, her plots, the atmosphere she creates.For those who don't know Grimes, I think she is one of the true literary geniuses of our day. Her books really aren't about the murder mystery itself. Yes, that is the plotline that moves the story along, but neither I or she is overly worried with simply lining up the clues to solve the mystery. Rather, in each of her works, she displays before your eyes an English scene complete with its own set of quirkey characters - some old ones & always some news ones. And through the circumstances she sets up in each novel, she makes a commentary on life & people as they respond to the various situations into which they are thrown. In this way, Grimes reminds me of Agatha Christie...one of the great murder mystery writers. I think Christie was more concerned with observing human nature & working it out on script than she was with the actual murder. And the dry, ironic humor Grimes employs is similar to that of Christie itself. If you are interested in such stories, Grimes is a fabulous writer to get hooked on.If you have read several of Grimes' works & you have enjoyed them, then I think you are in for a treat with this one. I don't think that her wit has ever been better. Her comedic timing and various storylines - all with a somber plotline of murders setting the tone - kept me very entertained: - Plant is at his all-time best as he deal with children, animals, a tough NY woman, and his old aunt Agatha. - Jury retains his smooth charm & competency all while hob-nobbing with an eclectic group that includes a hot band, band reviewers, the genteel class and eccentric old folks. - Malcavie is all that you hope of him as he pulls over speeders on his way to crime scenes and continues to listen to Wiggens (of all people!)- The little girl in the book, Abby, is one of the coolest kids ever to appear in a murder mystery.I will admit that I was thrown off a bit by the dogs' monologues. It took me awhile to figure out what was going on there. But I was glad Grimes was still trying new things.So, there it is. Another great work from Grimes!

I have read all of Martha Grimes books so far and without doubt this one "The old Silent" is among the most mature and most fascinating of all her Inspector Jury novels. It's much longer and more elaborate compared to the other novels and you can see that in the book. The characters have more time to develop themselves and we get a deeper insight in them, they become more and more real and the reader can develop a real interest in them. The surroundings, the environment is described so well you actually want to see those places once in your life. The plot is excellent, like in all Inspector Jury novels. This is a great buy for everyone who likes the traditional who-dunnit-novels with plenty of secrets being discovered till the case is finally solved.Martha Grimes should be careful though not to emphasize the main characters clichés too much. The inability of Jury to get into a relationship over all the books involving him is getting more and more annoying and tiring for the reader. This being one of the first novels, you wont have any problems with this book... I can highly recommend it.

Jury is wonderful in his ability to find the smallest things in a person that tells what they are about. Writing this type of character is ingenious. The descriptions are rich and fulilling, yet are not pompous. The plot moves so well and is so hidden that I can not 'figure it out" before the characters and that is refreshing and thought prevoking.