Wall of Glass

Joshua Croft #1

by Walter Satterthwait

Joshua Croft wasn't looking for trouble. It just managed to find him. While Santa Fe private investigator Joshua Croft wasn't exactly comfortable fencing a stolen diamond necklace, he did have a living to make. But when the small-time cowboy who'd offered him the deal was murdered, Croft knew he was into something hotter than hot ice. In the posh section of Santa Fe, raw earth is as chic as sushi, and the trail of dirt Croft follows leads to even dirtier secrets, kinky sex, drugs, and double dealings--and a second murder that strikes just a little too close for comfort.

Genres: Mystery

254 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

About the author

Walter Satterthwait (b. 1946) was an author of mysteries and historical fiction. A fan of mystery novels from a young age, he spent high school immersed in the works of Dashiell Hammett and Mickey Spillane. While working as a bartender in New York in the late 1970s, he wrote his first book: an adventure novel, Cocaine Blues (1979), about a drug dealer on the run from a pair of killers.

After his second thriller, The Aegean Affair (1982), Satterthwait created his best-known character, Santa Fe private detective Joshua Croft. Beginning with Wall of Glass (1988), Satterthwait wrote five Croft novels, concluding the series with 1996’s Accustomed to the Dark. In between Croft books, he wrote mysteries starring historical figures, including Miss Lizzie (1989), a novel about Lizzie Borden, and Wilde West (1991), a western mystery starring Oscar Wilde. His most recent novel is Dead Horse (2007), an account of the mysterious death of Depression-era pulp writer Raoul Whitfield. 

Reviews

[Cathy Cole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ever since visiting Santa Fe, New Mexico a couple of years ago, I've found myself wanting to read more mysteries set there. When I came across the first in the Joshua Croft series, Wall of Glass, I remembered enjoying a book he'd written about Lizzie Borden, so I had to give this book a try. I'm glad I did.

We don't learn much about Croft's backstory in this book. He's a private investigator working for the Mondragon Agency owned by wheelchair-bound Rita Mondragon. He's approached by a cowboy who wants Croft to fence a stolen necklace worth $100,000. Croft turns him down, and the cowboy is found dead the next day. The insurance company now wants the Mondragon Agency to find the necklace.

This involves Croft digging through the backgrounds of the dead cowboy, his associates, and the rich family from whom the necklace was stolen. Of course, he finds skeletons in every closet he pokes his nose into with the requisite danger heightening at every turn.

This is a strong mystery with plenty of misdirection, and I certainly did enjoy its New Mexico setting. I also liked Joshua Croft's voice and his sense of humor. I'll definitely be reading more of this series. Now would also be a good time to give a shout-out to Open Road Integrated Media for bringing back so many older, well-written books which certainly deserve a new lease on life.

[Khanson919 · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very good start to a mystery series. Joshua Croft is a private investigator in Santa Fe, New Mexico; who is working on a very complex insurance case. He has a partner, Rita, who is in a wheelchair. Their relationship is very undefined and may have the potential to be something more. I found Joshua very entertaining and I liked the story and the ending. Will definitely read more from this author.

[Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stumbled into this author, reading an article after his passing (2020) Kind of a cult following with this series. Croft is Santa Fe's answer to the PI. He's cynical, sarcastic and funny.....my kind a guy.

[Wade · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two stars is a little mean perhaps. The book is well plotted, and I do love reading mysteries set in Santa Fe! Even the PI, Joshua Croft, is sort of likeable. At least, the dialogue affords a few good belly laughs. But ya know, I get really bored when a PI gets hit over the head for the umpteenth time in as many pages. Croft also pulls his gun a few too many times for my liking. Give me a detective that uses his brains and leaves his macho posturing at home. Perhaps that's why I tend to like the females of the genre better.

[T J · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is first book of the Joshua Croft Mysteries. Joshua has been retained to find a stolen necklace. It leads him into much more then what he has expected. There is a lot of murder and intrigue that will keep you guessing to the very end. Great read.

[Alan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a great mystery but I like its evocation of Santa Fe.

[Jody Price · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good enjoyable read!

[Jersey Joe · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fairly standard who dun it, with extremely detailed descriptions of New Mexico.

[Brace1737 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Joshua Croft is Jim Rockford's second cousin twice removed or at least he drives like him. A good private detective yarn set in northern New Mexico.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always fun to find a series featuring wise-cracking PI in a location you love: New Mexico!

[Jack Heath]

Synopsis: Santa Fe private investigator Joshua Croft wasn't comfortable fencing a stolen diamond, but ...