Tell them What's-Her-Name Called

by Mildred Davis

When her mother plunged off a cliff and was killed, Finley didn't suspect murder, nor did anyone else. Next, there was a hit-and-run disaster--an unfortunate accident, the police said. But when a woman was poisoned by her favorite diet cola. Finley was sure an avenging murderer was at work in the peaceful university town. Each of the victims had received the same message before death struck: "Tell them what's-her-name called."

Genres: Horror, Christmas

224 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1975

About the author

Mildred B. Davis, an american teacher, published her first novel, The Room Upstairs, in 1948. It was awarded an Edgar for best first novel of the year by the Mystery Writers of America. A rich novel with subtle strains of gothic horror and hard-boiled private eye, this book lifted her into the limelight as an author of promise.

Reviews

[Peggy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent thriller. Full of suspense. One reviewer said if it were made into a movie she’d see it and I totally agree. Would make a good movie!

[David J. McRae · Rating 2 out of 5]

The mystery itself was okay... And the reveal of the killer's identity actually did surprise me... But I just had so many issues with this book... The major issue being that Finley was not a likeable character... She came across as rude, often insulting others and being nasty for no reason... Her relationship with Pete seemed more like a job than an actual relationship... None of the secondary were likeable either, except maybe Beverly... They all just seemed to thrive on bringing others down (like Beverly) and when Finley was visibly distraught, they largely treated it as a joke... The police in this book were laughable... "She ate rat poison... It still could have been an accident." Give me a break... And the idea that Mary Eccles' husband didn't want her murder investigated either was absurd... The Arthur Venner character was just as absurd... I found it hard to believe his actions and conduct with the students wouldn't have gotten him fired (if he weren't murdered)... He acted more like a college jock than he did a college professor... Then there's Beverly... As I mentioned earlier, she was probably the most likeable character (and even that is a stretch)... She was more like a parody/over-the-top stereotype of a overweight person... And it seemed like every character in this book thrived on fat-shaming her... When in doubt, insult Beverly... It was too the point that when Beverly was revealed as the murderer, I was actually glad that she the one who did all those horrible things and wished she was able to finish the job with Finley because as far as I was concerned, Finley (and the rest of her crappy friends) had it coming...

[Danielle · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 1/2 stars
This novel built the suspense nicely with a good motive and mystery and I enjoyed the atmosphere it created but the end was a let down with little satisfaction.