J. Alfred Prufrock Murders

Benbow and Wingate #1

by Corinne Holt Sawyer

Here is a rousing whodunnit that delights with its full-blooded portraits of septuagenarians run amok in a California retirement community, their once passive acceptance of life's injustices changed to indignation when a murderer is discovered lurking in their midst. — A quartet of oldsters, all women, are moved to surprising action when one of their own, a not-so-sweet busybody named "Sweetie," winds up face-down on the beach, her body covered with tiny puncture wounds. The four not-so-gentle ladies realize what the young investigating officer has trouble accepting--that even the most seemingly docile among them may be provoked into taking a life, even a series of lives, if the pleasure of the time they have left is threatened. Armed with such insight, they shrug off their infirmities and take to the investigative trail, complete with shocking revelations.

More than a lighthearted tale of irrepressible grande dames who choose to drink one last time from the fountain of youth, The J. Alfred Prufrock Murders provides an image of exuberant youth refracted into "old" age. Steadfastly refusing to be "cute" in her depiction of "golden girls" revivified, Corinne Holt Sawyer achieves a rare blend of comedy, pathos and taut suspense.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Mystery Thriller

266 pages, Hardcover

First published June 30, 1988

About the author

Corrine Holt Sawyer is the author of the Angela Benbow and Caledonia Wingate mystery series. Angela and Caledonia are "women of a certain age" living in the upscale retirement community of Camden-sur-Mer. Mystery and mayhem seem to follow the "retiring" women all over Southern California. The author of this bestselling mystery series was born in Minnesota and received her BA from the University of Minnesota in 1945. She moved to the south to attend the University of Birmingham where she received her PHD in 1954. Dr. Sawyer worked for many years in Radio and Television, teaching, writing and while at WNCT-TV in Greenville (NC), serving as director of broadcasting. In 1966, she moved from North Carolina to South Carolina, where for many years she taught English at Clemson University. Corrine Holt Sawyer continues to write the Angela and Caledonia mystery series.

Reviews

[Katherine Clark · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is one of those books I really should have stopped reading, but no, I went on. I turned out to be right as to who the killer was--guessed it about 1/3 of the way in. Great title for a book--other than the fact that the people were old, I have no idea why the Prufrock reference. Oh well--it is now out of my shelves.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

You should never underestimate seniors and this book by Corinne Holt Sawyer tells us why. When some unexpected deaths occur at their retirement village, Caledonia, Angela, Nan, and Stella are determined to figure out why – even if it means occasionally butting heads with the detective in charge of the investigation.

Ms Sawyer has written a delightful mystery that also has a lot to say about growing older in today’s society. Her characters’ personalities run the gamut of the type of seniors we’re all familiar with, and each one is interesting and memorable. The mystery itself is well-plotted, with just enough surprises to keep the reader completely engaged. Descriptions of some of the situations the four friends find themselves in are so well-described and believable. It is truly good fun – even with the murders.

Cozy mysteries involving seniors seem to be flourishing right now. The J Alfred Prufrock Murders is a fresh take on over-65 sleuths and it certainly deserves a place in this popular genre. Now, I’m definitely looking forward to the next book! NetGalley provided an advance copy.

[Vicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Four women in a high-end retirement community in southern California unite to run their own investigation, parallel to that of the police, into one murder, and then a second, among the residents. The twist at the end took me by complete surprise.

[Teresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun mystery with cute characters (love Detective Martinez especially) and a great setting.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute little mystery. Wasn’t sure about it when I first started reading but the momentum really picked up and it had a nice little twist at the end.

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the characters and wish there were more books. Have read twice over the years and started to reread this beloved series again from Corinne Holt Sawyer. This time I decided to purchase the series, so now I don't have to work hard on finding them at the library. This first book introduces the main characters, Angela Benbow and Caledonia Wingate. They are both admiral widows who become very good friends while living at a senior community center, Camden-sur-Mer on the California coast. The center is filled with wonderful characters. When one of their own is found murdered, the old ladies do some investigating on their own to try and help solve the murder. I fell in love with this series a long time ago, and it's as much fun as ever to reread them. This is a really fun series.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder clouds the lives of the rich and elderly residents at California’s Camden-sur-Mer. Why Sweetie, a mousy, retire librarian should have attracted the attention of a killer remains a deep mystery…until the set of four geriatrics discover that Sweetie herself had been a good deal deeper than anyone suspected…..especially in blackmail! This geriatric adventure warms your heart and makes you laugh! and, such a SURPRISE ending!

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you want to read a depressing book about older people, then this is the cozy fiction for you. Corinne Holt Sawyer wrote book 1 of the Benbow and Wingate series with a ridiculous title, The J Alfred Prufrock Murders. Set in Camden-sur-Mer, a California, coastal gated community, in the 1980’s that isn’t that safe after all. The policeman tries to solve the mystery when really the older ladies do the detective work.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picked up at the airport for a quick read during the flight. Nice and light. A murder mystery based in a S. California retirement home. The characters are all in their 70s and 80s, which made for an original read.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is the 1st book in this series, this reads like an old time murder mystery!! Love it!

[Lois Baron · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good geriatric crew.

[Ramona · Rating 3 out of 5]

Main characters are LOLs, of which I certainly am one. Also, murder victim a librarian like me. :)