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Peter Shandy #10
Exit the Milkman
Prof. Jim Feldster will do anything for his cows and his students of dairy management. . . and anything to avoid an evening at home with his bossy, house-proud wife, Mirelle. But on his way to a meeting of the Scarlet Runners, he disappears. Where is Professor Feldster? What dark secrets could possibly be lurking behind his life of grain supplements and electric milking machines?
320 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 1996
184 people are currently reading
310 people want to read
About the author
Charlotte MacLeod
92 books256 followersNaturalized US Citizen
Also wrote as Alisa Craig
Charlotte MacLeod, born in New Brunswick, Canada, and a naturalized U.S. citizen, was the multi-award-winning author of over thirty acclaimed novels. Her series featuring detective Professor Peter Shandy, America's homegrown Hercule Poirot, delivers "generous dollops of...warmth, wit, and whimsy" (San Francisco Sunday Examiner and Chronicle). But fully a dozen novels star her popular husband-and-wife team of Sarah Kelling and Max Bittersohn. And her native Canada provides a backdrop for the amusing Grub-and-Stakers cozies written under the pseudonym Alisa Craig and the almost-police procedurals starring Madoc Rhys, RCMP. A cofounder and past president of the American Crime Writers League, she also edited the bestselling anthologies Mistletoe Mysteries and Christmas Stalkings.
Also wrote as Alisa Craig
Charlotte MacLeod, born in New Brunswick, Canada, and a naturalized U.S. citizen, was the multi-award-winning author of over thirty acclaimed novels. Her series featuring detective Professor Peter Shandy, America's homegrown Hercule Poirot, delivers "generous dollops of...warmth, wit, and whimsy" (San Francisco Sunday Examiner and Chronicle). But fully a dozen novels star her popular husband-and-wife team of Sarah Kelling and Max Bittersohn. And her native Canada provides a backdrop for the amusing Grub-and-Stakers cozies written under the pseudonym Alisa Craig and the almost-police procedurals starring Madoc Rhys, RCMP. A cofounder and past president of the American Crime Writers League, she also edited the bestselling anthologies Mistletoe Mysteries and Christmas Stalkings.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
March 5, 2017
I can’t express how sad I am to let go of Charlotte MacLeod’s final novel in the 10-book Peter Shandy series. I’ve adored — for the most part — this series featuring the reluctant sleuthing of a perceptive if crotchety agrology professor, the redoubtable co-creator of the Balaclava Buster, a truly formidable rutabaga that put both Dr. Shandy and Balaclava Agricultural College on the map.
MacLeod died in 2004, but she was infirm for many years before that, making this her last Shandy novel and 1998’s The Balloon Man her last novel of all. I’m in mourning! So I shall have to imagine the ensuing adventures of Peter and Helen Shandy, their eccentric friends, and especially the future exploits of the irrepressible college President Thorkjeld Svenson, striking fear in the hearts of Balaclava College undergraduates and most of the faculty, as well. In my imagination, Svenson will continue bellowing, and his wife Sieglinde will continue putting him back in his place. The world may have changed radically from the idyllic Balaclava Junction in western Massachusetts, but these novels give us something to which to aspire: a world where people get along and justice is served, despite the best efforts of the wealthy, well-connected and pompous.
For those interested in the mystery more than my nostalgic ramblings, Exit the Milkman begins with the kidnap of mild-mannered dairy professor Jim Feldster (the titular milkman). The plot contains enough twists and turns to make this a worthy final novel; however, I think most readers will feel bittersweet when they turn the final page.
MacLeod died in 2004, but she was infirm for many years before that, making this her last Shandy novel and 1998’s The Balloon Man her last novel of all. I’m in mourning! So I shall have to imagine the ensuing adventures of Peter and Helen Shandy, their eccentric friends, and especially the future exploits of the irrepressible college President Thorkjeld Svenson, striking fear in the hearts of Balaclava College undergraduates and most of the faculty, as well. In my imagination, Svenson will continue bellowing, and his wife Sieglinde will continue putting him back in his place. The world may have changed radically from the idyllic Balaclava Junction in western Massachusetts, but these novels give us something to which to aspire: a world where people get along and justice is served, despite the best efforts of the wealthy, well-connected and pompous.
For those interested in the mystery more than my nostalgic ramblings, Exit the Milkman begins with the kidnap of mild-mannered dairy professor Jim Feldster (the titular milkman). The plot contains enough twists and turns to make this a worthy final novel; however, I think most readers will feel bittersweet when they turn the final page.
August 29, 2023
Review to follow
June 26, 2022
This last of the Peter Shandy series focuses on Peter's neighbor, Jim Feldster, aka the Milkman. Professor Feldster is the expert at dairy management at Balaclava Agricultural College and is well-respected in his field. He's just a bit eccentric though. Married to an arrogant, house-proud, busy-body, he spends his time between the college and the many lodges that he has joined over time thus spending as much time as possible away from his wife. Other than that, Peter knows little about the man. Nor does anyone else. When Jim disappears under mysterious circumstances on his way to a lodge meeting, his wife goes into a panic, waking the Shandys up in the middle of the night. Peter isn't really concerned until Jim fails to show up at the college the next day which is very unusual for the man.
As Peter tries to figure out just what happened to Jim, he begins to wonder who Jim is and why is he so secretive about his past. And when one of the major players turns up dead, the case becomes critical.
I took my time reading this and I miss the inhabitants of Balaclava Junction already. I wish there were more books in this series. The characters are so interesting and the college community is such fun. I highly recommend these books to anyone wanting a good mystery and a fun time with dozens of eccentric and charming characters.
As Peter tries to figure out just what happened to Jim, he begins to wonder who Jim is and why is he so secretive about his past. And when one of the major players turns up dead, the case becomes critical.
I took my time reading this and I miss the inhabitants of Balaclava Junction already. I wish there were more books in this series. The characters are so interesting and the college community is such fun. I highly recommend these books to anyone wanting a good mystery and a fun time with dozens of eccentric and charming characters.
February 13, 2023
2023 bk 59. Sadly, this was the last of the Peter Shandy mystery novels. It was shortly afterwards that Charlotte MacLeod entered a nursing home, Alzheimer's taking her words and witty sense of humor away from us. The story of stoic Jim Feldster - much put upon and maligned for his wife and his memberships in lodges comes to the forefront and he is abducted in this tale. When murder visits his home, the Shandy's spring into action. Sadly, Helen's role is mostly in being the master of her library's copy machine and serving as the receiver of telephone messages (pre-cell phones). During the years that Ms MacLeod and I had a small correspondence about which cookies were best with which of her novels, we acquired quite a list. If you read carefully, you can find each of those cookies mentioned, except for the Girl Scouts Thin Mints and I believe she didn't use them because of trademark/copyright issues. I enjoyed reading this again.
October 12, 2023
I picked up this novel strictly due to its title. I knew nothing of the author nor that it was the last of a 10 story series. I rarely read a series out of order, much less start at the end, but in this case it worked and I hope to eventually run across and read the other 9 entries.
Cozy mysteries are not my usual read but this fit my busy summer schedule well. What I gather of the series is Peter Shandy, a professor at Balaclava University, is somewhat of a sleuth who helps solve local crimes. What I gathered from reading this particular tale is that he really doesn't do much other than ask a few questions and point the lazy, ineffectual authorities in the right direction. He's also quite obsessed with food, alcohol and his wife. It wasn't offensive but I wasn't real impressed with him as a major character. I never understood why he didn't report the things he knew to the actual authorities rather than involving himself. Although that, and some of the less-than-likely happenings the story was built upon lowered my rating, I found enough positives to bring it just above average (3.5 rounded to 4 stars).
The upside of this was the absolute easy-going, fun writing style and multiple bits of humor. I can easily relate to this character's misdirected driving, "It didn't take Catriona very long to realize that she was not where she'd meant to go, but she didn't much care. She was bound to come out somewhere or other sooner or later."
Narration like this kept me chuckling throughout, "Why didn't you tell me in time, drat it? You could have gone with them."
"No, I couldn't. I'm a working woman with half a cat to support, remember? Besides, I just didn't want to be away from you."
"Any special reason?"
"Yes, my love, a very important one. The nights are beginning to get nippy and you know how cold my feet get if you're not around to warm them for me."
"So that's all I am to you, just a stand-in for a pair of bed socks?"
Yes, brownie points for there being a cat in the story but higher praise for all of the dairy references--which was, of course, the whole reason I chose to read this novel.
Cozy mysteries are not my usual read but this fit my busy summer schedule well. What I gather of the series is Peter Shandy, a professor at Balaclava University, is somewhat of a sleuth who helps solve local crimes. What I gathered from reading this particular tale is that he really doesn't do much other than ask a few questions and point the lazy, ineffectual authorities in the right direction. He's also quite obsessed with food, alcohol and his wife. It wasn't offensive but I wasn't real impressed with him as a major character. I never understood why he didn't report the things he knew to the actual authorities rather than involving himself. Although that, and some of the less-than-likely happenings the story was built upon lowered my rating, I found enough positives to bring it just above average (3.5 rounded to 4 stars).
The upside of this was the absolute easy-going, fun writing style and multiple bits of humor. I can easily relate to this character's misdirected driving, "It didn't take Catriona very long to realize that she was not where she'd meant to go, but she didn't much care. She was bound to come out somewhere or other sooner or later."
Narration like this kept me chuckling throughout, "Why didn't you tell me in time, drat it? You could have gone with them."
"No, I couldn't. I'm a working woman with half a cat to support, remember? Besides, I just didn't want to be away from you."
"Any special reason?"
"Yes, my love, a very important one. The nights are beginning to get nippy and you know how cold my feet get if you're not around to warm them for me."
"So that's all I am to you, just a stand-in for a pair of bed socks?"
Yes, brownie points for there being a cat in the story but higher praise for all of the dairy references--which was, of course, the whole reason I chose to read this novel.
November 10, 2015
A rather bizarre close to one of my favorite cozier mystery series, this felt more like a last visit with all of the charming, quirky characters MacLeod had assembled at Balaclava Agricultural College. Jim Feldster, long-time next door neighbor to Peter and Helen Shandy and mainstay of the Animal Husbandry Department at Balaclava, goes missing on the way to one of his many lodge meetings at the beginning of this meandering adventure, then his back-biting, gossipy shrew of a wife is found dead. Peter has to get to the bottom of both mysteries to protect the reputation of the college, but it's a long, winding road indeed, short on clues and long on bizarre exposition. Not a favorite, I've realized after re-reading almost the entire series in order that it started off very strong ("Rest Ye Merry") and was hit-or-miss at the end; MacLeod introduced some wonderfully quirky characters, had a knack for literate and witty dialogue and came up with some clever murder plots, but sometimes veered into the bizarre or got too cutesy-clever with her banter, and it got stale for me. Recommended, but start at the beginning and read the series in order - and be prepared to jump ship if the going gets too weird or whimsical!
December 21, 2018
If you are in for a big load of silliness, then Charlotte MacLeod is the author for you. Cute and quirky can go a long way when you talk about Balaclava Agricultural College, Peter Shandy and his lovely (and most down to earth character) wife and librarian Helen and the other assorted town and gown characters.
This time out, Professor Jim Feldster of dairy management, has disappeared. Peter was apparently the last one to see him when he stopped by to greet the Shandy cat, Jane (named after Jane Austen...). See what I mean?
Meanwhile, the Feldster wife has a fit at 2 a.m. in the morning and Peter has to put her in her place with a logical excuse for her husband's absence. Only, none of what Peter thought had happened. Now strongly, the local sheriff (him who rides a bicycle because the town has been too stingy to get a police car for him ...) doesn't seem to be doing much, even when the local electrician mentions that he saw Feldster get into a gray car.
What is going on at the tiny agricultural college? Why would a seemingly calm, happy, hapless professor disappear? And why is his wife seem to be almost celebrating his disappearance?
It seems that if there is a mystery, it's up to Peter and his wife to find and sort through the clues. And they quickly do, through the farcical ins and outs of this college town and its population. And as cozy mysteries, everything comes out in fine in the end.
This time out, Professor Jim Feldster of dairy management, has disappeared. Peter was apparently the last one to see him when he stopped by to greet the Shandy cat, Jane (named after Jane Austen...). See what I mean?
Meanwhile, the Feldster wife has a fit at 2 a.m. in the morning and Peter has to put her in her place with a logical excuse for her husband's absence. Only, none of what Peter thought had happened. Now strongly, the local sheriff (him who rides a bicycle because the town has been too stingy to get a police car for him ...) doesn't seem to be doing much, even when the local electrician mentions that he saw Feldster get into a gray car.
What is going on at the tiny agricultural college? Why would a seemingly calm, happy, hapless professor disappear? And why is his wife seem to be almost celebrating his disappearance?
It seems that if there is a mystery, it's up to Peter and his wife to find and sort through the clues. And they quickly do, through the farcical ins and outs of this college town and its population. And as cozy mysteries, everything comes out in fine in the end.
January 31, 2016
Found it boringly verbose (rather than beautifully descriptive) and gave it up after a few chapters.
April 24, 2017
Has Jim Feldster finally left his nagging, unpleasant wife? No one has seen him since a Lincoln town car with tinted windows picked him up on the way to one of his lodge meetings. But Helen Shandy's old friend Catriona, driving in her usual directionless way back home to Maine, sees a wrecked car and pulls an almost-dead man from the web of seat- and shoulder-belt holding him trapped. It certainly looks like the picture she's seen of Helen's next-door neighbor. And all this is before people find out about Jim's familial inheritance!
February 12, 2009
As a college teacher myself, I rather enjoy the Peter Shandy mysteries--even if I teach in an art college rather than an agricultural college and don't get to live in quaint faculty housing in Massachusetts in the same way as the protagonist. This novel actually has two mysteries, but revealing the nature of the mysteries would give away too much of the plot.
This novel has a twist I wasn't expecting. The twist involved the first mystery, but not the second. This was no unfair parlor mystery where vital clues have been withheld from the readers. We are given a huge clue toward the very beginning of the book, but so much wild and improbable (at times, gruesome and at other times, hilarious) activity is packed between the clue and the eventual exposition of the mystery's solution that said solution almost comes as a surprise.
What does come as a rather dark surprise was the accomplice complicit in the events surrounding the first mystery. I'm not sure that McLeod laid the foundation sufficiently for this revelation to work to its fullest. Still, it was an interesting (if not entirely fair) way to unravel a loose end.
What was developed as a nice surprise was the case of assumed identity with regard to one of the mysteries, especially with regard to the motivation by which certain characters became involved in the intrigue. It was definitely not what I was suspecting when I first started reading the novel.
Most satisfying to me was the "poetic justice" when I read that the survivor of the deceased had been misled by the book's eventual villain. It was simply so satisfying to have this character find that all of the plotting had amounted to less tangible reward than the haul in a Dortmunder novel.
In short, the novel was fun and worth my time, but fell way short of a masterpiece. Of course, I doubt MacLeod ever intended for it to be so.
This novel has a twist I wasn't expecting. The twist involved the first mystery, but not the second. This was no unfair parlor mystery where vital clues have been withheld from the readers. We are given a huge clue toward the very beginning of the book, but so much wild and improbable (at times, gruesome and at other times, hilarious) activity is packed between the clue and the eventual exposition of the mystery's solution that said solution almost comes as a surprise.
What does come as a rather dark surprise was the accomplice complicit in the events surrounding the first mystery. I'm not sure that McLeod laid the foundation sufficiently for this revelation to work to its fullest. Still, it was an interesting (if not entirely fair) way to unravel a loose end.
What was developed as a nice surprise was the case of assumed identity with regard to one of the mysteries, especially with regard to the motivation by which certain characters became involved in the intrigue. It was definitely not what I was suspecting when I first started reading the novel.
Most satisfying to me was the "poetic justice" when I read that the survivor of the deceased had been misled by the book's eventual villain. It was simply so satisfying to have this character find that all of the plotting had amounted to less tangible reward than the haul in a Dortmunder novel.
In short, the novel was fun and worth my time, but fell way short of a masterpiece. Of course, I doubt MacLeod ever intended for it to be so.
April 26, 2020
It's sad to think that I've come to the end of the Peter Shandy series. I really like the cast of characters -- Peter and Helen Shandy, Thor-like President Svenson, mystery writer Catriona McBogle, and the others.
In Exit the Milkman, dairy specialist Jim Feldster goes missing, and his frantic -- and annoying -- wife wakes up the Shandys to complain. Peter does nothing, but when Jim doesn't appear and there are hints of a kidnapping, Peter takes a bit of an interest. And Cartiona, taking the long way home to Maine after visiting the Shandys, finds a nearly dead Jim. It's too much of a coincidence to believe, but one I can overlook since most of the book is fun. The ending, where the murderer is revealed, is also a bit of a stretch, but again, while the mystery is always interesting, the real heart of the series is the characters.
Recommended.
In Exit the Milkman, dairy specialist Jim Feldster goes missing, and his frantic -- and annoying -- wife wakes up the Shandys to complain. Peter does nothing, but when Jim doesn't appear and there are hints of a kidnapping, Peter takes a bit of an interest. And Cartiona, taking the long way home to Maine after visiting the Shandys, finds a nearly dead Jim. It's too much of a coincidence to believe, but one I can overlook since most of the book is fun. The ending, where the murderer is revealed, is also a bit of a stretch, but again, while the mystery is always interesting, the real heart of the series is the characters.
Recommended.
September 22, 2020
This is a 24 year old mystery that does not age well. It is also #10 and last of a series involving Professor Peter Shandy.
Thank god I did not suffer through #1 -#9. Her preoccupation with cats was annoying and the main characters "Nick and Nora" type dialog was so boring. It contains elements that should have been interesting to me: a small rural college town; one character who is a librarian; an armchair detective. I guess it was meant to be kind of a slap stick delivery but the totally goofy College President, ridiculous newspaperman, a joke of a police chief, and maniac best friend just stopping in to become part of the action as she leaves town. ??
This has been on my shelf for YEARS and it feels good to get it off. Maybe I am being a little harsh since I have read so many many good books these past few months but this author is not worth your time.
Thank god I did not suffer through #1 -#9. Her preoccupation with cats was annoying and the main characters "Nick and Nora" type dialog was so boring. It contains elements that should have been interesting to me: a small rural college town; one character who is a librarian; an armchair detective. I guess it was meant to be kind of a slap stick delivery but the totally goofy College President, ridiculous newspaperman, a joke of a police chief, and maniac best friend just stopping in to become part of the action as she leaves town. ??
This has been on my shelf for YEARS and it feels good to get it off. Maybe I am being a little harsh since I have read so many many good books these past few months but this author is not worth your time.
July 15, 2020
Another re-read. These books (the Peter Shandy mysteries as well as the Sarah Kelling ones) are always a fun read. Loads of beautiful quotes, or paraphrases thereof, and allusions to classics. There's much humour in the way the characters are drawn yet the mysteries are good and at a deeper level the stories have something to say about people and about life.
Whether one likes the stories (I do) or not the quality of the writing is a delight. Throughout all of these two series the author invites the reader to laugh with her at the foibles of humankind, just shown a bit larger than life,
Whether one likes the stories (I do) or not the quality of the writing is a delight. Throughout all of these two series the author invites the reader to laugh with her at the foibles of humankind, just shown a bit larger than life,
May 15, 2017
Maybe not quite a four star, but it's the last of the Peter Shandy's and my supply of MacLeod's is rapidly dwindling, sadly enough, so I'm feeling a tad sentimental. And it is very funny and absurd and fun.
February 18, 2019
I really enjoyed the series. This book was a bit poignant, as the author has been dead for almost 15 years..so you know there are no more. Will Miss Professor Shandy and all of Balaclava College. Looking forward to her next series.
August 24, 2018
Sad to see this series end - might have to try some other Charlotte MacLeod. Funny, sharp, always exposed to a new word and a continuing cast of characters.
March 19, 2025
I'm giving this book 2.5 stars rounded up to 3 because I like the series, over all. It took some getting used to, but now I think I will (like the friend who recommended it) re-read the first book next December and then the complete series again. I like so many of the characters I want to see how they began and evolved.
This one was only worth reading to finish the series and because it had a lot of one of my favorite characters (Katrina McVogle) although after playing her part in the plot she disappeared. That plot is not very good, so really only worth reading if you like Peter and Helen and the author's writing generally.
I like the series as a whole because it's well written and funny, and because I appreciate what the author clearly values which includes farming, education,community, care for animals and knowledge generally. Peter Shandy and all the major characters have advanced degrees and understand all of each other's literal references.
The villains are cartoonish rather than believable as real people but you can't have everything.
I like this series for existing in that time before cell phones and all the other technology we are now saturated with and I envy characters who can have all the coffee and pie they want, and still sleep at night and stay healthy.
This one was only worth reading to finish the series and because it had a lot of one of my favorite characters (Katrina McVogle) although after playing her part in the plot she disappeared. That plot is not very good, so really only worth reading if you like Peter and Helen and the author's writing generally.
I like the series as a whole because it's well written and funny, and because I appreciate what the author clearly values which includes farming, education,community, care for animals and knowledge generally. Peter Shandy and all the major characters have advanced degrees and understand all of each other's literal references.
The villains are cartoonish rather than believable as real people but you can't have everything.
I like this series for existing in that time before cell phones and all the other technology we are now saturated with and I envy characters who can have all the coffee and pie they want, and still sleep at night and stay healthy.
June 8, 2022
I adore everything Charlotte MacLeoad (aka Alisa Craig) wrote and this book is no exception. However I just finished a re-read last night and am wondering where the hell her editor was! The ages of the Feldster family just do not make any sense at all! We're told the eldest brother had died in his 90s and that Jim was the afterthought and therefore much younger than his brothers. Ok that works so far. But then we're told that Jim is about 55. That's where things fall apart! The same mother has two sons 35 years apart? Stretches credulity but ok. But then we're also told that Forster (the older brother) married at 23 when little Jim was 11. Editor where were you???
Anyway all this to say that despite the very obvious misstep where the brothers ages are concerned I enjoyed this one and am hoping that Chief Ottermole eventually gets a police car so he can stop riding his son's bike and that Peter and Helen enjoy many more years sleuthing at the college even if no more books can be written about them.
Anyway all this to say that despite the very obvious misstep where the brothers ages are concerned I enjoyed this one and am hoping that Chief Ottermole eventually gets a police car so he can stop riding his son's bike and that Peter and Helen enjoy many more years sleuthing at the college even if no more books can be written about them.
January 29, 2024
I had no idea what to expect going into this one. If MacLeod uses similar narrative voice in all her works, then I'd certainly be willing to give her other works a read as well. Her language was charming; I especially appreciated that the citizens of Balaclava used Mystery-Incorporated-esque exclamations instead of profanities.
Don't fret if you know zilch about agriculture, academia, forensics, or any combination of those. I was too charmed by the asides and the dialogue to care much about the college setting. I did, however, try to understand which name referred to whom. About halfway through, I was tempted to draw a spectrum line for the character names, some completely normal to the mind of an American, 21st-century reader, and others off-the-wall. Hint: every cat lies on the normal end.
Not a head-scratcher for the crime junkies, but not at all boring.
Don't fret if you know zilch about agriculture, academia, forensics, or any combination of those. I was too charmed by the asides and the dialogue to care much about the college setting. I did, however, try to understand which name referred to whom. About halfway through, I was tempted to draw a spectrum line for the character names, some completely normal to the mind of an American, 21st-century reader, and others off-the-wall. Hint: every cat lies on the normal end.
Not a head-scratcher for the crime junkies, but not at all boring.
July 23, 2023
This is about the fourth book I have read featuring the Balaclava Agricultural College (located somewhere in New England, never specified), Professor Shandy, his librarian wife Helen, President and Mrs. Svenson.
Their next door neighbor, Professor Jim Feldster, who runs the dairy management classes at the college went to one of his innumerable lodge meetings one evening, and disappears. They only thing anyone knows is that just before arriving at his lodge meeting, a large grey Lincoln Continental stops and he either gets in or is pulled into it.
What happened to Professor Feldster is very mysterious and he only returns to the cottage with the help of Catoriana, an author who is a friend of Helen's.
Their next door neighbor, Professor Jim Feldster, who runs the dairy management classes at the college went to one of his innumerable lodge meetings one evening, and disappears. They only thing anyone knows is that just before arriving at his lodge meeting, a large grey Lincoln Continental stops and he either gets in or is pulled into it.
What happened to Professor Feldster is very mysterious and he only returns to the cottage with the help of Catoriana, an author who is a friend of Helen's.
August 1, 2018
It wasn't my favorite Peter Shandy book. Too much gore, too much rambling, not enough fun word play. I didn't get to know any of the characters (besides Peter and Helen) well enough to care if they found why anyone was kidnapped or found out who killed who and why.
October 12, 2019
#10 in the Peter Shandy professor at Balacava College in a rural small Massachusetts farming community mystery series. More mystery on the light side with a lot of tongue in cheek story line and characters.
Shanty’s across the way neighbor, Prof. Jim Feldster, disappears on his way to a meeting of the Scarlet Runners. He attends many evening meetings, some say to avoid an evening at home with his bossy, house-proud wife, Mirelle. What dark secrets could possibly be lurking behind his life of grain supplements and electric milking machines?
Shanty’s across the way neighbor, Prof. Jim Feldster, disappears on his way to a meeting of the Scarlet Runners. He attends many evening meetings, some say to avoid an evening at home with his bossy, house-proud wife, Mirelle. What dark secrets could possibly be lurking behind his life of grain supplements and electric milking machines?
December 13, 2018
Early Bird Book Deal | Disappointing | This was about one-third story and two-thirds repetition and unnecessary diversions. I really think you can see MacLeod's Alzheimer's progress in her books; the Sarah/Max series had identical problems in the same time period, where the final two books took a serious dive in quality and increase in mistakes.
January 7, 2020
This started out as one of the best Shandy mysteries: good characters, interesting and unexpected events, decent pace. Then the dialogue gradually became more "clever," the action took unexpected jumps, the solution became increasingly convoluted, the characters had to retell the parts of the plot over and over... I'm afraid I can't read any more Peter Shandy mysteries.
July 17, 2023
I'd rather say 2.5/5 stars because i found ms. macleod's style a little outdated - the cover compares her to agatha christie - sorry, but no; i never had a "outdated style" feeling with the duchess of crime -
anyway, the plot was not too bad and overall i enjoyed the shandy couple and their cat's name = jane austen
anyway, the plot was not too bad and overall i enjoyed the shandy couple and their cat's name = jane austen
May 31, 2025
Great book
I loved reading the Peter Shandy mysteries series. In book ten, things start badly for Peter's neighbor Jim. The story has some twists and turns, some a bit gruesome and dramatic. All is well that ends well but sadly this is the last of the series. I enjoyed reading them very much.
I loved reading the Peter Shandy mysteries series. In book ten, things start badly for Peter's neighbor Jim. The story has some twists and turns, some a bit gruesome and dramatic. All is well that ends well but sadly this is the last of the series. I enjoyed reading them very much.
June 11, 2017
I enjoy this author but I wish she'd take more time.
A clear attempt on someone's life and no one investigates? A woman dies, autopsy does not find what caused the death? A huge mulch pile right next to someone's house? A man suddenly goes insane?
A clear attempt on someone's life and no one investigates? A woman dies, autopsy does not find what caused the death? A huge mulch pile right next to someone's house? A man suddenly goes insane?
November 16, 2021
I’ve read several in this series and really like them but in this one the author introduces a thinly veiled character of herself “Catriona McBogle”, a mystery writer and the whole story gets disjointed. Very little of it focuses on the life of the college and the ending is contrived.
May 1, 2025
Going out in style.
I'm sorry to come the end of this series, but I'm glad the author ended on a high note. This one shows why Charlotte MacLeod's witty mysteries are often compared to Craig Rice and other masters of the "zany" school. The characters are believable, but sometimes they have quirks that even their nearest friends never suspected. And sometimes those quirks lead to bizarre situations.
Balaclava Agricultural College in rural New England prepares young people to run profitable small farms. Professor Jim Feldster heads the school's dairy management department and is one of the best men in his field. Other than that, no one thinks much about him. He's just a quiet, likable guy married to a ill-tempered, trouble-making woman. He belongs to every lodge and fraternal organization in the area, but no one blames him for wanting to get out of the house and away from the horrible Mirelle.
When he's forced into a car on the way to a lodge meeting and vanishes, his colleagues are both concerned and puzzled. Why would anyone kidnap such a inoffensive, unimportant man? Mirelle's reaction to her husband's disappearance is to go into a rage and blame everyone, but that's her reaction to everything.
I can't say much without giving the plot away, but there's more to Jim Feldster than anyone suspected. An attempted murder is followed by a brave rescue. Peter Shandy (professor of horticulture and amateur detective) goes into action. He learns amazing things about his long-time colleague. Then there's a second, even more violent death. Getting kicked by a cow isn't the only danger at an agricultural college.
If you don't mind swallowing some improbable twists in the interests of fun, this series is for you. I've enjoyed it greatly. Now I'm starting on MacLeod's other series, the Sarah Kelling and Max Bittersohn mysteries. Read a short story about them recently and it was a corker.
PS The greatest mystery in this book is how the author got by with using the brand name "Coumadin" without being sued. Her use of the properties of the commonly-prescribed blood-thinner is quite clever, but I'm surprised her publishers didn't insist that she use the generic name "warfarin."
I'm sorry to come the end of this series, but I'm glad the author ended on a high note. This one shows why Charlotte MacLeod's witty mysteries are often compared to Craig Rice and other masters of the "zany" school. The characters are believable, but sometimes they have quirks that even their nearest friends never suspected. And sometimes those quirks lead to bizarre situations.
Balaclava Agricultural College in rural New England prepares young people to run profitable small farms. Professor Jim Feldster heads the school's dairy management department and is one of the best men in his field. Other than that, no one thinks much about him. He's just a quiet, likable guy married to a ill-tempered, trouble-making woman. He belongs to every lodge and fraternal organization in the area, but no one blames him for wanting to get out of the house and away from the horrible Mirelle.
When he's forced into a car on the way to a lodge meeting and vanishes, his colleagues are both concerned and puzzled. Why would anyone kidnap such a inoffensive, unimportant man? Mirelle's reaction to her husband's disappearance is to go into a rage and blame everyone, but that's her reaction to everything.
I can't say much without giving the plot away, but there's more to Jim Feldster than anyone suspected. An attempted murder is followed by a brave rescue. Peter Shandy (professor of horticulture and amateur detective) goes into action. He learns amazing things about his long-time colleague. Then there's a second, even more violent death. Getting kicked by a cow isn't the only danger at an agricultural college.
If you don't mind swallowing some improbable twists in the interests of fun, this series is for you. I've enjoyed it greatly. Now I'm starting on MacLeod's other series, the Sarah Kelling and Max Bittersohn mysteries. Read a short story about them recently and it was a corker.
PS The greatest mystery in this book is how the author got by with using the brand name "Coumadin" without being sued. Her use of the properties of the commonly-prescribed blood-thinner is quite clever, but I'm surprised her publishers didn't insist that she use the generic name "warfarin."
August 12, 2018
Not my cup of tea.
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