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Detective Murdoch #7
A Journeyman to Grief
In 1858, a young woman on her honeymoon is abducted and taken across the border from Canada and sold into slavery. Thirty-eight years later, the owner of one of Toronto's livery stables is found dead. Then a second man is murdered, his body strangely tied as if he were a rebellious slave. Detective Murdoch has to find out whether Toronto's small "coloured" community has a vicious killer in its midst - an investigation that puts his own life in danger. With her usual masterful storytelling and sharp dialogue, Jennings shows how a great harm committed in the past can fatally affect the present.
448 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2007
38 people are currently reading
873 people want to read
About the author
Maureen Jennings
56 books385 followersMaureen Jennings, now a Canadian Citizen, was born on Eastfield Road in Birmingham, England and spent her formative years there until she emigrated to Canada at the age of seventeen with her mother.
This has meant that she still feels a deep connection with her homeland. It has also no doubt been a strong influence in her love for, and her writing about, the Victorian period. She attended the University of Windsor where she attained a BA in philosophy and psychology.
A couple of years trying to decide what she really wanted to do with her life resulted in her returning to university, the University of Toronto, this time where she earned an MA in English literature.For the next eight years, she taught English at Ryerson Polytechnical Institute at a time when the English department seemed to be chock full of writers. Eric Wright, went on to write the highly successful Charlie Salter mystery series, Graeme Gibson, Peter Such, and others were writing both novels and poetry. An exciting time in so many ways but after eight years, another change of direction and in 1972, Maureen left Ryerson to become a psychotherapist, which was a long time interest. She has continued in private practice since then, although nowadays she mostly conducts creative expression groups and writes. Always passionate about dogs, she is happy to own a border collie named Jeremy-Brett and a mixed breed named Varley.
Series:
* Detective Murdoch
* Christine Morris
* Detective Inspector Tom Tyler
This has meant that she still feels a deep connection with her homeland. It has also no doubt been a strong influence in her love for, and her writing about, the Victorian period. She attended the University of Windsor where she attained a BA in philosophy and psychology.
A couple of years trying to decide what she really wanted to do with her life resulted in her returning to university, the University of Toronto, this time where she earned an MA in English literature.For the next eight years, she taught English at Ryerson Polytechnical Institute at a time when the English department seemed to be chock full of writers. Eric Wright, went on to write the highly successful Charlie Salter mystery series, Graeme Gibson, Peter Such, and others were writing both novels and poetry. An exciting time in so many ways but after eight years, another change of direction and in 1972, Maureen left Ryerson to become a psychotherapist, which was a long time interest. She has continued in private practice since then, although nowadays she mostly conducts creative expression groups and writes. Always passionate about dogs, she is happy to own a border collie named Jeremy-Brett and a mixed breed named Varley.
Series:
* Detective Murdoch
* Christine Morris
* Detective Inspector Tom Tyler
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
May 27, 2013
If you can handle severe realism, the writing depicts times and troubles well, and you will gobble the series. I like Detective Murdoch in the 1890s Toronto constabulary, a favorite TV show. Yet Maureen Jennings vividly depicts disturbing imagery (demonstrated at a live reading) of slaves bowed down forward, arms tied in a torturous position. Historical research about the practice is of course true, but I prefer the cerebral humorous take of TV over too gritty and sad realism. I read for pleasure, not pain.
Good with issues of the time, but so serious. In 2012, City-TV brought back Murdoch (with Jennings as consultant) prospecting in Dawson City Klondike, and the beautiful (love those elegant dresses and hats) friendly hotel manager is arrested for pick-ax bludgeoning a competitor. Unfortunately, City-TV cancelled their web-series link and sold to CBC. Thankfully a new season is predicted http://www.maureenjennings.com/?p=1789.
Good with issues of the time, but so serious. In 2012, City-TV brought back Murdoch (with Jennings as consultant) prospecting in Dawson City Klondike, and the beautiful (love those elegant dresses and hats) friendly hotel manager is arrested for pick-ax bludgeoning a competitor. Unfortunately, City-TV cancelled their web-series link and sold to CBC. Thankfully a new season is predicted http://www.maureenjennings.com/?p=1789.
January 26, 2022
Absolutely raced through this, the best Murdoch to date!!! Jennings outdoes herself with juggling multiple storylines, all balanced perfectly and all intriguing so that you can't stop turning the pages. I really liked the character of Elijah Green. The Brackenreid storyline was laugh out loud funny. The flashbacks to Lena and Fiddie's story too helped you put the mystery together but were also very important. I'm glad that Canada played its role in the Underground Railroad but sad it failed to live up to its promises (and continues to fail).
September 6, 2019
It is with some sadness that I write this review. For this is the last of the Detective Murdoch books, and in fact the last of Jennings’s published novels for me to read. In the last 14 weeks I have read all of Jennings’s novels and the 1 published Murdoch novella or short story. This one was not my favorite, but I loved the story. I had figured out much of it, but there were some surprising twists at the end that I just did not see coming. I loved Jennings’s novels. And I would have no qualms recommend this or any of her other published works. I have been greatly impressed with her attention to details, her mastery of historical fiction. The subtle Catholic elements in most stories. And love that her different series are set in different historical periods. With every book I read I became more impressed with her skill and mastery of the writing arts. And I particularly love that the Murdoch books form one continuous story, with overlapping elements and characters. To do a comparison to science fiction the Murdoch novels are more like Babylon 5 (a single continuous story) than Star Trek where every episode can practice all stand alone. In case you do not get those reference, I will clearly state The Murdoch books are excellent reads as are all the books written by Jennings!
But back to this novel. The current events in this story take place in the spring of 1896. This story is set some time after the previous book and 19 years before the next. But part of this story goes back to July of 1858 and most of the events of this story are told in and around the consequences of that terrible event. This was a time during slavery in the United States, the underground railroad. The lead up to the US Civil War. There are some very disturbing murders in this story. And Some very disturbing events around treatment of slaves.
In and around the investigation Murdoch’s life takes many changes. From his co lodgers getting engaged. To Brackenreid being in a tough place and relying on Murdoch’s discretion. To surprises in his own personal life. But all of that is shrouded by the murders and the need to solve the cases which are obviously linked.
This is a great read in an excellent series. The Murdoch from the books is different from the TV series, but just as an enjoyable a character to follow. The historic setting of Toronto is an interesting backdrop to the book and the series. This specific story has a few excellent twists. A great read that was hard to put down.
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books by Maureen Jennings.
But back to this novel. The current events in this story take place in the spring of 1896. This story is set some time after the previous book and 19 years before the next. But part of this story goes back to July of 1858 and most of the events of this story are told in and around the consequences of that terrible event. This was a time during slavery in the United States, the underground railroad. The lead up to the US Civil War. There are some very disturbing murders in this story. And Some very disturbing events around treatment of slaves.
In and around the investigation Murdoch’s life takes many changes. From his co lodgers getting engaged. To Brackenreid being in a tough place and relying on Murdoch’s discretion. To surprises in his own personal life. But all of that is shrouded by the murders and the need to solve the cases which are obviously linked.
This is a great read in an excellent series. The Murdoch from the books is different from the TV series, but just as an enjoyable a character to follow. The historic setting of Toronto is an interesting backdrop to the book and the series. This specific story has a few excellent twists. A great read that was hard to put down.
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books by Maureen Jennings.
November 29, 2023
Again, I didn't quite grasp the meaning of the title, even at the end, after finished reading it.
This one, being also the first before last in the series with detective Murdoch (no. 7 out of 8) , nailed the ferm conclusion that my wait to see Murdoch and dr. Julia Ogden are to meet and fell inlove with each other, as they do in the TV series is totally in vain - this clearly will not happen; they do meet, finally, quite a few times here, but they behave so "stiff" with each other, practically only at professional level, that I really don't understand why the TV series decided they should be together in a couple (and even marry and have a child in the latter part of the series). The epilogue is quite clear on this matter: when Amy announces Murdoch that she is pregnant and she accepts, finally, his proposal for marriage, they refer to dr. Ogden as sort of boogieman that is to be avoided at all costs :-)) )
But, nonetheless, I was puzzled to see how Julia spoke to Murdoch calling him William, without prior asking for permission to be this familiar with him, while he was responding to her strictly with dr. Ogden (alas, he calls her that way even in the series when they are already married, while referring to her in discussions with other people).
Okay, the action in this one is pretty dense, and the starting point is a sad and partly true story about a black girl sold to slave dealers by her own, fresh, husband ! She take her revenge on him, later, in her old days, while suffering from a terminal disease.
And Murdoch has a hard time coming to understand the clues and learn about the author of the terrible crimes made out of this revenge (her husband not only killed, but being whipped savagely, just as herself was, while being a slave in America).
This one, being also the first before last in the series with detective Murdoch (no. 7 out of 8) , nailed the ferm conclusion that my wait to see Murdoch and dr. Julia Ogden are to meet and fell inlove with each other, as they do in the TV series is totally in vain - this clearly will not happen; they do meet, finally, quite a few times here, but they behave so "stiff" with each other, practically only at professional level, that I really don't understand why the TV series decided they should be together in a couple (and even marry and have a child in the latter part of the series). The epilogue is quite clear on this matter: when Amy announces Murdoch that she is pregnant and she accepts, finally, his proposal for marriage, they refer to dr. Ogden as sort of boogieman that is to be avoided at all costs :-)) )
But, nonetheless, I was puzzled to see how Julia spoke to Murdoch calling him William, without prior asking for permission to be this familiar with him, while he was responding to her strictly with dr. Ogden (alas, he calls her that way even in the series when they are already married, while referring to her in discussions with other people).
Okay, the action in this one is pretty dense, and the starting point is a sad and partly true story about a black girl sold to slave dealers by her own, fresh, husband ! She take her revenge on him, later, in her old days, while suffering from a terminal disease.
And Murdoch has a hard time coming to understand the clues and learn about the author of the terrible crimes made out of this revenge (her husband not only killed, but being whipped savagely, just as herself was, while being a slave in America).
May 11, 2024
I read the first six books in this series years ago, but somehow never got around to this one - which, it turns out, is no longer the last one!
While the TV adaptation far outshines the books IMO, this one was excellent - perhaps the best of the lot. Jennings handles the various subplots with aplomb, crafting a gripping, well-researched tale surrounding two murders one increasingly finds oneself hoping Murdoch for once won't be able to solve. An absorbing read, as well as an excellent reminder to catch up on the TV show at some point.
While the TV adaptation far outshines the books IMO, this one was excellent - perhaps the best of the lot. Jennings handles the various subplots with aplomb, crafting a gripping, well-researched tale surrounding two murders one increasingly finds oneself hoping Murdoch for once won't be able to solve. An absorbing read, as well as an excellent reminder to catch up on the TV show at some point.
April 2, 2021
Loved this Murdoch--definitely one of my favorites of the series! The stories intertwined so well and I really liked the personal story for Murdoch and then the funny subplot with Brackenreid!
Very interesting looking at the Black community in Toronto at this time. Maureen Jennings had done some research into the topic which really showed. Highly readable and engrossing! Liked how Jennings created sympathy for a wide range of characters. Elijah Green and his brother were dope characters!!
Very interesting looking at the Black community in Toronto at this time. Maureen Jennings had done some research into the topic which really showed. Highly readable and engrossing! Liked how Jennings created sympathy for a wide range of characters. Elijah Green and his brother were dope characters!!
January 5, 2018
I am a fan of this series, I really like Murdoch, he has really grown over the course of the series. While the light bulb went off for me on who the murderer was for me it was interesting to see how this story came together.
September 19, 2019
I have loved this series. Hope this wasn't the last book.
December 12, 2016
This is the last of the Detective Murdoch novels. The complicated subplots involve flashbacks to women in slavery, the murders of two very different men ... and Murdoch's ongoing relationship with Amy Slade. Oh -- and Inspector Brackenreid has been forced into the period equivalent of rehab because of his drinking.
I'm just going to say it: I'm not crazy about Amy Slade. However, Murdoch is ... and in the world of fiction that's the main thing that matters. It's not as though his relationships with the late Liza and the now-overseas Enid weren't complicated enough ... but I've never felt the chemistry between him and Amy. So, that's that.
The two main subplots intertwine in ways that cannot be explained without delivering spoilers. I was surprised by one of the plot twists that resulted in the "whodunnit," and the book was entertaining overall.
I'm just going to say it: I'm not crazy about Amy Slade. However, Murdoch is ... and in the world of fiction that's the main thing that matters. It's not as though his relationships with the late Liza and the now-overseas Enid weren't complicated enough ... but I've never felt the chemistry between him and Amy. So, that's that.
The two main subplots intertwine in ways that cannot be explained without delivering spoilers. I was surprised by one of the plot twists that resulted in the "whodunnit," and the book was entertaining overall.
November 13, 2017
I have to admit that I fell in and out of the plot on this one a bit. It was interesting, but the timelines and characters seemed to get convoluted and confusing. I still liked the writing, but the story did not seem quite on par with the rest of the series. The ending of the personal story for Murdoch also seemed almost like an afterthought, which seemed unfair considering it is book 7 in his series. I would have liked to see a little more resolution on the part of the character.
June 29, 2020
In 1858, a young woman is kidnapped while on her honeymoon at Niagara Falls and sold as a slave in Baltimore. Thirty-eight years, Detective Will Murdoch investigates two mysterious deaths in Toronto. The first murder victim is Daniel Cooke, the white owner of a livery stable. The second murder is Thomas Talbert, an elderly black man who used to own the livery stable of the first victim.
While the correlation between the two story lines made it easy to figure out who the murderers were, the reader has to wait for the story to develop before finding out the connections and circumstances that motivated the murders.
The book reflects the prejudices of the time, against blacks and women, different religions and social classes. It was a shock to have a young boy referred to as "our good Sambo", by a professor giving a lecture at the Toronto Medical School, that I was a little hesitant to continue reading, but I continued reading, as I had to remind myself that the writer was trying to show us a realist look at the attitudes at the time. Readers should keep an open mind, as it would be unfair to ban books by Mark Twain and Joseph Conrad because of the representation of blacks in their novels. Similarly the background of an author should not your opinion of a book. Should the works of Alexander Pushkin, Alexandre Dumas and Malcolm Gladwell be viewed differently because of their heritage?
While the correlation between the two story lines made it easy to figure out who the murderers were, the reader has to wait for the story to develop before finding out the connections and circumstances that motivated the murders.
The book reflects the prejudices of the time, against blacks and women, different religions and social classes. It was a shock to have a young boy referred to as "our good Sambo", by a professor giving a lecture at the Toronto Medical School, that I was a little hesitant to continue reading, but I continued reading, as I had to remind myself that the writer was trying to show us a realist look at the attitudes at the time. Readers should keep an open mind, as it would be unfair to ban books by Mark Twain and Joseph Conrad because of the representation of blacks in their novels. Similarly the background of an author should not your opinion of a book. Should the works of Alexander Pushkin, Alexandre Dumas and Malcolm Gladwell be viewed differently because of their heritage?
February 17, 2020
Read this series in order if you can.
Another great novel in the Murdoch Mysteries series. This story, like those prior, blend together the serious and moments of life in the 1890s with just the right amount of colourful characters. Jennings has managed to do this in every novel of the series, and I'm always amazed at the effect it has on the story.
The crimes in this novel are somewhat brutal, and the descriptions are a bit graphic, but I believe if the descriptions were not graphic it would remove the realness from the novel. Life in the 1890s was not easy, and Jennings is being true to history.
This novel deals with the issue of slavery, and the aftermath of slavery. It deals with prejudice, revenge, hatred, cruelty, but it also has smatterings of joy and levity that give us that all important lift.
The sad thing about finishing this novel is that the next in the series is set fifteen years into the future, and some of the characters we've come to love from the series are not in the eighth novel. Yet, I'm still so glad I've read this series. It has been such a joy to read.
Another great novel in the Murdoch Mysteries series. This story, like those prior, blend together the serious and moments of life in the 1890s with just the right amount of colourful characters. Jennings has managed to do this in every novel of the series, and I'm always amazed at the effect it has on the story.
The crimes in this novel are somewhat brutal, and the descriptions are a bit graphic, but I believe if the descriptions were not graphic it would remove the realness from the novel. Life in the 1890s was not easy, and Jennings is being true to history.
This novel deals with the issue of slavery, and the aftermath of slavery. It deals with prejudice, revenge, hatred, cruelty, but it also has smatterings of joy and levity that give us that all important lift.
The sad thing about finishing this novel is that the next in the series is set fifteen years into the future, and some of the characters we've come to love from the series are not in the eighth novel. Yet, I'm still so glad I've read this series. It has been such a joy to read.
September 14, 2020
Probably my favourite of the 7 books I have read in the series. There is an 8th, written 10 years after this one, I worry that it will be influenced by the tv series, but this is an end to the first set of books. In this Murdoch has to solve the death of the owner of a livery stables.
As usual Maureen Jennings fills the book with believable people, some of whom are good people, though quite a few are not. Is Daniel Cooke, the victim, the former or the latter? Read the book and you will find out. It’s not an easy read, the way we mistreat others because they are different, is never easy to read about. But the development of the main characters, both in this book and in the series, is worth it.t
As usual Maureen Jennings fills the book with believable people, some of whom are good people, though quite a few are not. Is Daniel Cooke, the victim, the former or the latter? Read the book and you will find out. It’s not an easy read, the way we mistreat others because they are different, is never easy to read about. But the development of the main characters, both in this book and in the series, is worth it.t
June 29, 2021
Every time I finish one of Maureen Jennings' books I am sorry to see it go. I wanted this story to continue.
The Mystery unraveled it's self quite early for the readers; however, it continued to surprise to the end which should have been a beginning. I could have read another 400 pages if she would have continued.
The author has a fine eye for details. I wander if she sprinkles in the details after she is done or if she manages to get all of the clues and details in at the first writing. Either way, I am most assuredly a fan now.
The Mystery unraveled it's self quite early for the readers; however, it continued to surprise to the end which should have been a beginning. I could have read another 400 pages if she would have continued.
The author has a fine eye for details. I wander if she sprinkles in the details after she is done or if she manages to get all of the clues and details in at the first writing. Either way, I am most assuredly a fan now.
September 3, 2022
Maureen Jennings Murdock Mystery books are fabulous. Her characters are more in depth stronger and exciting than the TV series. You would ever know it was the same people.
I don't know if it was the publishers licence to put the characters from the TV series on the books that I have but they are doing Ms Jennings a grave injustice by doing so. The series characters are nothing like the books. I do see that the cover on Goodreads is different and I think they should go back to those covers.
Cheers
Lynn🇨🇦
I don't know if it was the publishers licence to put the characters from the TV series on the books that I have but they are doing Ms Jennings a grave injustice by doing so. The series characters are nothing like the books. I do see that the cover on Goodreads is different and I think they should go back to those covers.
Cheers
Lynn🇨🇦
April 4, 2021
Thank you Ms. Jennings for respectfully conveying ‘the misery’ of slavery and the psychological scars and intergenerational trauma induced by greed, envy, and the desire for power over others. Canadian Laws dictating freedom and equality can not eradicate the history and misery experienced by so many Canadians including Black Canadians, Indigenous Peoples of Canada, Asian Canadians and others who came to or who originally were born and lived in Canada. Ms Jennings you wisely wrote “True equality has to exist in the heart” (Jennings, 2013, p. 402). We must have the heart to ensure that all Canadian citizens and global citizens feel and experience equality.
July 26, 2018
I faithfully watch Murdoch on TV and enjoyed this book very much. Didn't realize it was #7 in series but had no problem following along. Like a lot of Murdoch on TV, this deals with social and a little bit scientific issues of the day. Will find the previous 6 to read.
December 8, 2019
If I was to rank the series I think this one is my favorite to date. It had a bit more of everything I love about the Murdoch tv show, and a plot about revenge and a glimpse into early black Canadians that weren't loyalists.
May 9, 2024
The whole time I’m wondering: How are these two unseemingly unrelated yet intriguing stories related? Excellent writing from Jennings reflecting two time periods, two stories, that end in one amazing revelation. Great book! Definitely enraptured my attention!
September 7, 2025
Very well written great period piece. Gives Homes and Christie vibes as for the mystery. Very realistic the era of racism and the story that evolved from beginning to end Jennings tied it together well no questions left. 8.5/10
June 3, 2017
I believe this is the best one of the series.
February 4, 2018
Felt a bit sloppy.
July 19, 2018
It is clear pretty much from the beginning where the plot is headed, but the book's strength is its feeling for the reality of life for blacks, some of them former slaves, in 1890s Toronto.
Want to read
November 14, 2018Synopsis: the abduction of a woman from Toronto in 1858 ends thirty-eight years later in murder. Murdoch has more than one on his hands.
July 22, 2019
3 stelle e mezzo
Un buon giallo storico che prende il via dallo schiavismo in America. Un ispettore umano e comprensivo per una trama che si snoda nell'arco di quasi 40 anni.
Un buon giallo storico che prende il via dallo schiavismo in America. Un ispettore umano e comprensivo per una trama che si snoda nell'arco di quasi 40 anni.
November 19, 2020
Il tema:la fuga degli schiavi neri americani in Canada dopo la guerra de secessione. Il costrutto è buono ma datato.Non stupisce ne sia derivata una serie televisiva.
December 10, 2020
Fantastic news about the detective. I
I never thought it would ever happen.
Great suspense. Couldn’t stop reading.
I love the books and wish there were more
I never thought it would ever happen.
Great suspense. Couldn’t stop reading.
I love the books and wish there were more
June 19, 2021
I enjoyed it. Still playing around with the narrative structure, but I thought it worked well.
Read
July 20, 20213.5-4 I enjoy the historical quality of these mysteries and Jennings is a gifted story-teller.
July 11, 2022
Not all is as at it seems. The shadows from the salve time, create pain that can't be erased
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews