On The Slam: A Bridge Club Mystery

Bridge Club Mystery #1

by Honor Hartman

Starting a new life in Houston, Emma Diamond, a flighty widow, takes up bridge and is dealt a hand of murder when the homeowners' association president, a vile tyrant, chokes to death during a game, prompting Emma and her new gal pals to launch their own investigation. Original.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery

234 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published May 1, 2007

About the author

Honor Hartman is the pseudonym for a mystery author who has lived in Houston, Texas for over twenty-five years, has two cats and thousands of books, and plays bridge as often as possible.

Series:
* Bridge Club Mystery

Also writes as Dean James, Jimmie Ruth Evans, and Miranda James

Reviews

[Jacqueline M · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had no idea this was a bridge card game based book. I don't play bridge and had to skip over so much of it. I decided to try this due to the author, but you can tell that this was an earlier series because there were many editorial/spelling/grammatical errors in the book that were never corrected. The mystery itself was very satisfactory. The number of bridge games referred to or discussed in the book made me want to scream. That's my fault because I had no idea that bridge was integral to the book. I was just interested in reading another series by the author by a different name. I probably won't read anymore in this series because I don't think I can tolerate the bridge references.

[Carol Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always loved card games, but never learned bridge. Actually, the concept of taking tricks is easy, since it's similar to Spades, but I never learned how to bid. This book has made me want to learn! This is a very fun, light-hearted murder mystery, if murder could ever be called "light-hearted". I must say, though, that I kept wondering how everyone had time to be playing bridge all the time. Doesn't anyone in that neighborhood hold a job? Regardless, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and would recommend it especially to those who enjoy the "cozy mystery" type of novel.

[Camilla Harry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad mystery. Since I don't play bridge and am not interested in learning, that part was more of a distraction than enticement. But still not a bad book - by an author I enjoy. So I will read the second book in the series, as I believe there are only two.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hope they write more bridge books. I love the cat in the stacks ones too.

[Trish · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another first book in another older series by the Cat in the Stacks author. I liked this better than either of the other early series even if I got a bit lost in the bridge

[BookNerdette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book of the Bridge Club Mystery Series.
I went into our local “Dollar General” store and found this on the turn style rack for meerly $1.25. I was shocked that an authours hard work had been downsized to that amount and new I might add. Not I love to find cheap books at library sales and yardsales, just whereever I can find them. But to find a brand new book for so cheap.. was like stealing.
Genre: Fiction / Bridge players / Detective / Mystery /

From the moment I read on the back of the book how Emma never left her shopping cart sitting willy-nilly in the parking lot / I knew it was going to be an easy, fun read.

The moment I started this book I bonded with Emma. I went on to read and yearn to be more like Sophie. She was secure in herself and confident that showed when she was in a room. These women had not so bright childhoods but they didn’t let it damper who they were now. They made themselves be stronger women because of their childhoods.
Neither Emma or Sophie show signs of circuitous and that made for a trusting connection. It is evident instead of one you have two lead characters which are strong, smart, and beautiful women.
I loved how the women here were so independent of men and each other. I also was very glad we didn’t see the women in NEED of a man to be complete. This book is light and airy / I enjoyed it immensely.
I got a little bored with the long details of the bridge game / which I guess is cause I don’t know the game. Hmm, I might pick up a book on it before I grab the next bridge club series.
*Oh yes, I enjoyed these ladies so much, I will be looking for that next book.
*[The Unkindest Cut](The second book in the Bridge Club Mystery series)(2008)
I really enjoyed this book and recommend it to women and young ladies as it is targeted to.
I will warn you about this and nothing more. Each meeting that goes on in the book / they eat / I found myself several times going for another chocolate chip cookie.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished On The Slam by Honor Hartman aka Dean James. As you might have guessed I really enjoy this authors writings regardless of the nom de plum he uses for any particular series.

This is the 2nd book in this series that I've read and from what I understand there are only two. Too bad I wasn't Honor Hartman's publisher! We would have had many more in this Bridge Club Mystery series.

It seems that as soon as I get into page one...I'm right at home with Emma and Sophie. We are just settling down for a cup of coffee, cake and a good morning of gossiping amongst ourselves.
Emma has recently moved nextdoor to her good friend of more that 30 years-Sophie.(Emma lost her beloved husband six months prior to this move.) They've been close friends for such a long time they often can read each others thoughts by just a glance. Since Emma is new in this neighborhood she is in the process of being introduced to other neighbors as well as the president of the homeowners association-Janet.

What could Emma and Sophie have in common with these new "friends"? Bridge of course. (as a matter of fact I haven't played bridge in decades but thanks to the authors well scripted and interesting bridge games much has come back to my memory). At Emma's very first neighborhood bridge game the first murder takes place. No one couldhave forseen it and no one could do a thing to stop it...except that is for the murderer.

I so much enjoy the comradery between these gals and their dialogue. So believeable with 2 loved pet cats included.Hilda & Olaf, the setting is complete. How Emma solved the murder(s) was untangling the not so obvious details which made reading all the more engrossing.

I enjoyed this book as I enjoyed The Unkindest Cut also in the Bridge Club Mystery series. I definitely would and do recommend this book to any lover of cozy mysteries.

[AngryGreyCat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read the two other series written by Dean James/Miranda James/Honor Hartman and enjoyed every book. I have recommended them to my few cozy reading friends, they were so good. I finally got to this series under the name of Honor Hartman, A Bridge Club Mystery series.

On the Slam is another delightful cozy mystery. I used to play Bridge years ago, along with several other card games, but I don’t know anyone who plays anymore. Reading this quick, fun cozy brought it all back for me. I actually went on Meetups to see if there were any local Bridge clubs I could join, alas there were none. I will have to get my fix vicariously through this series.

The main character, Emma Diamond, is a widow, who recently moved into the neighborhood to be close to an old friend. There is a neighborhood bridge club and at the first meeting that Emma attends there is a murder. Emma and her Bridge playing sidekicks, jump into the investigation. The character of Emma is likeable and interesting. She is still grieving her husband, but not in the woe is me self pitying way. She seems to have too much self respect for that.

There are interesting suspects and twists and turns on the way to a neat resolution. There are some hints of romance, not necessarily for Emma. There are also typical neighborhood gossips, cats, and dogs to round out the story.

Highly recommended cozy. I’m off to order the rest of the series.

[Jeannie and Louis Rigod · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good murder mystery with the running theme of a bridge club throughout. Emma Diamond, a new widow, moves to live closer to her childhood and lifelong friend. It is a lovely neighborhood and she is happy learning there is a Bridge club group. Until she meets Janet McGreevey, the one that no one seems to like but tolerates due to her position with the Home Owners Association.

Emma is there less than a week, when she is invited to her first bridge game. It is a little tense as Emma is very new to Bridge and wants to make a good impression. No worries, as Janet takes the center stage by dying during refreshments. No one seems saddened, not even poor Emma.

It is a clever book and winning hands are even shown to get the reader involved in the games. This book opens with a Grand Slam and ends with a all too human ending.

[Gospodyina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rescued this from a recycling bin to show my husband as a joke, and ended up reading it more or less accidentally. He was all mad about some of the bridge in it (specifically counting points for a void--seriously, he thought that hard about it) and...

Me: This book is not for you, or anyone you know.
Him: Who is it for?
Me: Beginners, maybe? Or...look, if you just moved into a retirement community and one of the other widows gave it to you as a housewarming present, and invited you to bridge as a way to meet the neighbors, would it be appropriate then?
Him, grudgingly: I guess so.

Let the record show that was before I actually read it and discovered it was about a widow moving to a new community and meeting the neighbors via bridge.

Anyway, it's fine.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable read --- the characters were fun, true to human nature, a few eccentric – making for a typical “coffee clutch” neighborhood. They almost all enjoy playing bridge and do it often --- when one player (not the most liked in the neighborhood) gets killed at her own Bridge Game set by someone poisoning her with peanuts --- the novel is very well written (and was glad when the author stopped explaining Bridge in detail, as I don’t play bridge) – the story most believable and with the three neighbor ladies helping the detective – the ending was a surprise. Good Read!

[Dana Gill-Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again Honor Hartman aka Jimmie Ruth Evans, Dean James,& Miranda James wins me over with a cozy set in the south. This one takes place in Houston and stars Emma a newly widowed lady who has moved to Houston to live next door to her best friend. Within days of being there she meets the head of the HOA and then the head is killed leading Emma and her BFF to try and track down the killer that resides within them.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I know next to nothing about bridge I enjoyed this story. I have already read the 2nd book in this series so was slightly familiar with the characters and enjoyed reading about how the ladies all met. Kind of makes me wish I had neighbors who are also friends that could "pop in" and out of my kitchen for coffee and card games. A satisfying mystery with a story that actually kept me guessing til the end.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved them both. I used to play bridge and this wanted me to do it again. Murder and cards! What a lot of fun! I was worried I might not like it but no worry! The characters were people I would love to be friends with and the story moved along at a good pace. Unusual and enjoyable I would suggest it to anyone! I've read both and can't wait for there to be another in this series!

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice debut!

[Dianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one; it's set in Houston and involves bridge, which I enjoy. The mystery part was OK.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This mystery will keep you guessing and reading.