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Richard Sherlock Whodunit #5
The Case of the Woebegone Widow (A Richard Sherlock Whodunit) (Volume 5) by Jim Stevens
It seems only fitting that Sherlock is hot on the trail of insurance malfeasance in the middle of a miserable Chicago winter. It is all quite an undertaking dealing with a grief-stricken widow living in Catatonia, Russian mobsters, Silly Putty smugglers, and a dead suspect, who shows up dead for a second time frozen solid in a 7-11 dumpster. Toss in Tiffany meeting her match in a fight for affection, snow days, sniffling daughters, and an afternoon being whisked in a communal bathhouse, and you have the fifth Richard Sherlock Whodunit,The Case of the Woebegon Widow.
Paperback
First published September 15, 2015
34 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
About the author
Jim Stevens
12 books38 followersJim Stevens was born in the East, grew up in the West, schooled in the Northwest and spent twenty-three winters in the Midwest. He has been an advertising copywriter, playwright, filmmaker, stand-up comedian and television producer. He is the author of WHUPPED and the series of A Richard Sherlock Whodunit. Jim claims that you can open to any page, in any of his books, and you'll be laughing in less than two minutes; unless you are a very, very slow reader.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
May 15, 2018
Disgraced former Chicago PD detective Richard Sherlock returns in author Jim Stevens' fifth book of his iconic mystery series. Entitled, "The Case of the Woebegone Widow", Richard Sherlock will be challenged like he's never been challenged before. Working for the oppressive Jamison Richmond III as an investigator for Richmond Insurance, Sherlock spends most days dealing with Tiffany Richmond. Tiffany is the out of control wacky daughter of the boss, and Tiffany also insists she's Sherlock's apprentice. Tiffany spends her father's money at will while Sherlock toils for few dollars. As a single father with two teen aged daughters, Sherlock lives in a tenement apartment and drives an ancient Toyota Tercel. Sherlock's newest case is to investigate one Vilma Kromka. Her newest claim with Richmond Insurance was for 42K yearly for PTGD. Post Traumatic Grief Disorder. Kromka originally received 500K six months earlier when husband Sergai died. Vilma and Sergai had run off to Vegas eleven months previous to get hitched. Vilma works as an oil change specialist, and as a professional dog walker. Vilma having two previous husbands who'd passed away was too devastated by losing Sergai to keep working and making a living. Although Sergai likely a Russian mob soldier probably didn't stand a long term chance surviving by being married to Vilma. In a wild and scrambling plot Richard Sherlock has many obstacles to battle trying to to put this case to bed. This fifth Richard Sherlock book like the previous four are just flat out fun to read. Impossible to put down and with a boat load of laughs , (Several raised eyebrows), It's hard not to get a real kick out of Tiffany. With each new page waiting to see what crazy stunt Tiffany will pull to embarrass Sherlock. Sherlock's two teen aged daughters to Richard's dismay adore Tiffany. A solid five stars out of a possible five stars for author Jim Steven's fifth Richard Sherlock mystery, "The Case of the Woebegone Widow". This is a MUST series to check out. I can't wait to jump into the next Tiffany/ Sherlock adventure. A series with something a little different, author Jim Stevens has a Tiffany touch with this series. Do not miss !
May 24, 2017
Somewhat sitcom-ish dialogue
I liked the story and the ending, but grew tired of the sitcom-ish dialogue among all characters. Some was humorous and elicited chuckles, true, but got to be too much. Also found too many cynical similes in descriptions or comparisons; maybe a few metaphors would be refreshing. This is my third book by this author so I knew what to expect in style and will probably read more until I fire of the style, but they are fun to read. Just don't expect a serious novel.
I liked the story and the ending, but grew tired of the sitcom-ish dialogue among all characters. Some was humorous and elicited chuckles, true, but got to be too much. Also found too many cynical similes in descriptions or comparisons; maybe a few metaphors would be refreshing. This is my third book by this author so I knew what to expect in style and will probably read more until I fire of the style, but they are fun to read. Just don't expect a serious novel.
June 5, 2020
You owe it to yourself to read this series of books
Kick back and enjoy the adventures of Richard and Tiffany as they solve cases and encounter quirky characters. Each book stands alone, but start at the beginning. If you have read any of the earlier stories in this series, you know what to expect here and this novel doors not disappoint. There are interesting characters and laugh out loud moments as Richard works his way to the solution. And Tiffany... Well she's still Tiffany, the faithful clueless assistant without whom we, the reading public, simply cannot do.
Kick back and enjoy the adventures of Richard and Tiffany as they solve cases and encounter quirky characters. Each book stands alone, but start at the beginning. If you have read any of the earlier stories in this series, you know what to expect here and this novel doors not disappoint. There are interesting characters and laugh out loud moments as Richard works his way to the solution. And Tiffany... Well she's still Tiffany, the faithful clueless assistant without whom we, the reading public, simply cannot do.
April 13, 2020
Sherlock's at it again, in this case investigating a shonky claim by a widow of an insured husband. She's trying to get an additional sum of money than the policy insured, and she's got a sneaky lawyer who is trying to open up a new type of claim that could have shattering effect on life insurance policies.
Of course, Tiffany and his daughters don't make life easy for him.
The series is recommended.
Of course, Tiffany and his daughters don't make life easy for him.
The series is recommended.
December 3, 2024
Richard Sherlock Puts The "Done" In Who-Dunnit"...
Using his wits (he certainly isn't using Tiffany's), and weaving between hilariously unforgettable characters, Richard Sherlock solves yet another baffling insurance fraud case. Is it a Black Widow, the Russian Mafia, or just plain bad luck? Sherlock somehow manages to extract a solution from scarcely any evidence or clues. A fun, twisty read! Enjoy!
Using his wits (he certainly isn't using Tiffany's), and weaving between hilariously unforgettable characters, Richard Sherlock solves yet another baffling insurance fraud case. Is it a Black Widow, the Russian Mafia, or just plain bad luck? Sherlock somehow manages to extract a solution from scarcely any evidence or clues. A fun, twisty read! Enjoy!
April 2, 2020
Jim Stevens is a modern-day Robert Parker/Carl Hiaasen. His characters are, well, characters, constantly issuing spiffy dialog. The repartee between his daughters and his assistant Tiffany are legions above what many authors are pumping out. I've read, sequentially, all of Jim Steven's work and look forward to reading the remaining titles in the Richard Sherlock series.
Great stuff!
Great stuff!
March 31, 2018
Love the authors humor and how he weaves a mystery around it. They are nice books to read and keep me entertained. They also don't take a long time so can usually finish in about 2 weeks or less of reading. Looking forward to the next one!
September 23, 2018
Interesting mystery
Mr. Sherlock is presented with a mystery that does not look like it's going to yield any useful clues right up to the end. There is a little too much repetition of Sherlock's life situation, but one can skip over it.
Mr. Sherlock is presented with a mystery that does not look like it's going to yield any useful clues right up to the end. There is a little too much repetition of Sherlock's life situation, but one can skip over it.
August 8, 2019
I love this series! It’s wonderful when you can finish a book with a smile on your face. It’s that good! This is a great who done it that you will never figure out with zany characters, lots of laughs and just plain fun!
February 16, 2023
I'm hooked on the Sherlock series
I especially liked that we learn a little more about Tiffany's human side in this one. In many ways Sherlock is parenting her as well. And didn't have a clue about the ending.
I especially liked that we learn a little more about Tiffany's human side in this one. In many ways Sherlock is parenting her as well. And didn't have a clue about the ending.
September 10, 2017
It's a Who-dunnit with lots of laughs!
October 7, 2019
What not to expect
Sherlock is on the trail of an insurance case. He must make Tiffany look good and save the insurance company money. As always this doesn’t come easy.
Sherlock is on the trail of an insurance case. He must make Tiffany look good and save the insurance company money. As always this doesn’t come easy.
September 24, 2022
God story with lots of red herrings
Funny and twisty tale of murder and lies. Rich airhead and a blue collar ex-cop try to figure out who's scamming who. Well done!
Funny and twisty tale of murder and lies. Rich airhead and a blue collar ex-cop try to figure out who's scamming who. Well done!
January 31, 2016
The Case of the Woebegone Widow: A Richard Sherlock Whodunit (Book 5, I believe)
by Jim Stevens.
Once again, Jim Stevens knocks me out with his ability to weave the perfect amount of humor, pathos, and engaging characters with a first rate mystery. His writing is full of pop culture references, fatherly advice, dogged determination, and fun, all wrapped up in a delicious pastry of flowing plot lines, surprise twists and turns, topped by a tasty sauce of yummy mystery.
As usual, Sherlock is down on his luck financially, struggling to raise teenage and pre-teenage daughters, and dealing with his delightful, but clueless, assistant/boss's daughter, Tiffany. Their newest case involves a widow who is suing Tiffany's father's insurance company for damages caused by ptgd (Post Traumatic Grief Disorder) over the death of her husband. The company has already paid the policy benefits, but now the widow thinks she is entitled to more. So, the race is on to figure out what the disorder actually is, why the insurance company is liable, and, of course, is the claim in any way a valid claim. From here the mystery deepens as Sherlock and Tiffany begin to suspect that there is much more going on than just a widow grieving her lost husband. Who was Sergai Levenchenko?
As usual, there were things I loved about the book, and a couple I didn't love. My biggest dislike, being a dyed in the wool cat person, I wasn't particularly happy about the stereotypical portrayal of an older woman living alone with several cats. Too easy and beneath an author as talented as Stevens. Not because some cat ladies don't fit the stereotype, but because most don't. The portrayal is always negative and, as in this book, followed by the main character's declaration that he/she doesn't like cats. So, just because someone isn't fond of cats, then those that are must be dirty, unhealthy, etc.? You don't see the same vilification of dog owners who own several dogs, although, having both dogs and cats, I can tell you from experience that it is easier to clean up after a cat than a dog, although both experiences can be a bit icky! Find another way to portray a character as being unsavory than by making him/her an irresponsible pet owner, please.
Things I did like was the mention of the Cubs' all-time great player, Ernie Banks. My mother was a Cubs fanatic, and many of my early memories revolve around listening to the cubs on the radio and later, watching them on TV. My Mom used to say that "Ernie Banks" were my first words -- jokingly, of course, as I was 6 years old in 1953, the year he first joined the Cubs team.
I also liked Stevens' reference to the idea of family-owned funeral homes. Although this phenomenon exists in all cities, I believe, I think it rings especially true for those of us who grew up in small towns, where the funeral home was an odd mix of somewhere to mourn and also somewhere social, and where we often grew up with the children of the funeral directors and saw them follow in their parents' footsteps and take over the family business.
So, yes, this particular novel held a lot of nostalgia for me, as well as being a satisfying mystery.
In any event, I look forward to the next novel in the series, "The Case of the Missing Milk Money."
by Jim Stevens.
Once again, Jim Stevens knocks me out with his ability to weave the perfect amount of humor, pathos, and engaging characters with a first rate mystery. His writing is full of pop culture references, fatherly advice, dogged determination, and fun, all wrapped up in a delicious pastry of flowing plot lines, surprise twists and turns, topped by a tasty sauce of yummy mystery.
As usual, Sherlock is down on his luck financially, struggling to raise teenage and pre-teenage daughters, and dealing with his delightful, but clueless, assistant/boss's daughter, Tiffany. Their newest case involves a widow who is suing Tiffany's father's insurance company for damages caused by ptgd (Post Traumatic Grief Disorder) over the death of her husband. The company has already paid the policy benefits, but now the widow thinks she is entitled to more. So, the race is on to figure out what the disorder actually is, why the insurance company is liable, and, of course, is the claim in any way a valid claim. From here the mystery deepens as Sherlock and Tiffany begin to suspect that there is much more going on than just a widow grieving her lost husband. Who was Sergai Levenchenko?
As usual, there were things I loved about the book, and a couple I didn't love. My biggest dislike, being a dyed in the wool cat person, I wasn't particularly happy about the stereotypical portrayal of an older woman living alone with several cats. Too easy and beneath an author as talented as Stevens. Not because some cat ladies don't fit the stereotype, but because most don't. The portrayal is always negative and, as in this book, followed by the main character's declaration that he/she doesn't like cats. So, just because someone isn't fond of cats, then those that are must be dirty, unhealthy, etc.? You don't see the same vilification of dog owners who own several dogs, although, having both dogs and cats, I can tell you from experience that it is easier to clean up after a cat than a dog, although both experiences can be a bit icky! Find another way to portray a character as being unsavory than by making him/her an irresponsible pet owner, please.
Things I did like was the mention of the Cubs' all-time great player, Ernie Banks. My mother was a Cubs fanatic, and many of my early memories revolve around listening to the cubs on the radio and later, watching them on TV. My Mom used to say that "Ernie Banks" were my first words -- jokingly, of course, as I was 6 years old in 1953, the year he first joined the Cubs team.
I also liked Stevens' reference to the idea of family-owned funeral homes. Although this phenomenon exists in all cities, I believe, I think it rings especially true for those of us who grew up in small towns, where the funeral home was an odd mix of somewhere to mourn and also somewhere social, and where we often grew up with the children of the funeral directors and saw them follow in their parents' footsteps and take over the family business.
So, yes, this particular novel held a lot of nostalgia for me, as well as being a satisfying mystery.
In any event, I look forward to the next novel in the series, "The Case of the Missing Milk Money."
October 3, 2015
Quirky and fun
I love all the characters. The way their personalities play off one another is great. While it is not a hard core mystery novel, it is a fun read that will make you smile and laugh out loud while you are trying to figure out who did it. Keep them coming!
I love all the characters. The way their personalities play off one another is great. While it is not a hard core mystery novel, it is a fun read that will make you smile and laugh out loud while you are trying to figure out who did it. Keep them coming!
May 10, 2016
Funny
Enjoyed the storyline and tiffany, who is quite hilarious. Sometimes, she shows up at the worst time. Sherlock is quite patient.
Enjoyed the storyline and tiffany, who is quite hilarious. Sometimes, she shows up at the worst time. Sherlock is quite patient.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews