When in Greece

Emma Lathen is my absolute favorite mystery writer.(I know that "Emma Lathen" was a composite of the names of the two authors, Mary Latsis and Martha Hennisart, but it's easier to use the singular for their joint identity). She always writes an absorbing mystery, inserting bona fide clues, but her books contain so much more. Her characterisations,the background of each story, the underlying tensions, the twists and turns of the plot, are all beautifully conveyed. Her observations on the absurdities of life and human nature are both acute and often extremely funny, though she is never flippant about real pain and tragedy. "When in Greece" is one of the best of a series in which every book is great. Bankers are not the most popular people around right now, but John Putnam Thatcher, Senior Vice-President of the Sloan Guaranty Trust, "the third largest bank in the world" is a pleasure to know, intelligent and humane. Anyone who likes a mystery which is literate and smart, but not pretentious or long-winded like many of today's more prestigious ones ( P.D.James,for example, or the dreary Elizabeth George) will relish Emma Lathen. In fact, although this book is indeed one of her best, I would rather recommend reading them in sequence, though this is not essential. So buy (for ridiculously low prices), read, and enjoy.

I'm a huge fan of Emma Lathen, and this is probably my favorite book of all. Like all of her books, it is very witty (in some places, downright hilarious), and thoroughly enjoyable. The series features Wall Street bank executive John Putnam Thatcher and his colleagues -- and Wall Street banking was never that interesting when I worked there. Although I usually give away mysteries after reading them, this is one of only two series I keep and reread. I never tire of them.

Emma Lathen has produced a wonderful lead character in John Putnam Thatcher. Although often swept into areas far outside his field of expertise, he brings his incisive mind to problems of all types. Mr. Thatcher, along with his many friends and associates, always follow the money - and the killer. Highly recommended if you enjoy a tightly crafted mystery.