Death in Blue Folders

Sigrid Harald #3

by Margaret Maron

THIRD IN THE SIGRID HARALD SERIES Attorney Clayton Gladwell keeps 'special' cases in blue folders that only he can access, but when Gladwell announces his impending retirement, someone decides that Blue Folder secrets aren't safe unless everyone connected to them is dead. From a long-dead movie star, the owner of a trendy art gallery, and an Algonquin Roundtable personality to a senile resident in a nursing home and a broken-down cleaning woman, Lt. Harald must figure out who hated or feared Gladwell enough to shoot him.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Procedural, New York, Mystery Thriller, Cozy Mystery, Adult

203 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1985

About the author

Born and raised in central North Carolina, Margaret Maron lived in Italy before returning to the USA. In addition to a collection of short stories she also authored numerous mystery novels.

Her works have been translated into seven languages her Bootlegger's Daughter, a Washington Post Bestseller won Edgar Anthony, Agatha, and Macavity awards.

She was a past president of Sisters in Crime and of the American Crime writers' league, and a director on the national board for Mystery Writers of America.

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Reviews

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mostly three stars...a good book. It got four stars for:
"It reminded Sigrid of diagraming complex-compound sentences in seventh-grade English classes, an ordeal for others but strangely
satisfying for her."

[Bev · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clayton Gladwell was a successful lawyer with some very prominent clients--from Justin Trent, a millionaire whose grandson had disappeared several years ago, to the family of Elena Dorato, 1940s and '50s film star fell off an ocean liner, to Penelope Naughton ("Naughty Penny"), one of the Algonquin Round Table who wrote wildly popular frothy novels by day and helped the put the roar in the Roaring Twenties by night, to Dr. Bhattacherja, a well-known radiologist whose niece had immigration troubles, to Howard Tachs, a local art gallery owner. He kept his special clients info in special blue folders that even his confidential secretary was allowed to see.

When he received a health report telling him he didn't have long to live, he decided to retire and enjoy what time he had left. So he set up final appointments with his blue folder clients--to settle accounts and return their information. But someone decides that Gladwell has even less time left than anticipated...and he's found shot to death, papers scattered everywhere, and the blue folders are on fire. Fortunately, the fire was discovered fairly quickly, so some of the material is preserved.

It doesn't take Lieutenant Sigrid Harald long to realize that Gladwell's blue folders represent clients who were also his blackmail victims. It seems likely that one of his victims didn't think retirement would put a stop to Gladwell's blackmailing ways and decided they had just had enough. But which one? Then others connected to Gladwell are found dead and a pattern begins to emerge....

Harald is a no-nonsense, straight-forward policewoman and Maron writes a solid, straight-forward police procedural. The suspects and clues are handled without fuss and fanfare, but the mystery is interesting because Maron has created interesting characters that make you want to keep reading about them. In fact, you want to know more than what's necessary for the mystery itself. Solid mystery, great characters.

First posted on my blog My Reader's Block.

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clayton Gladwell was a successful lawyer until he was murdered. Maybe he was too successful at uncovering the secrets held in his blue folders. But which secret - the lost child, the disappearance of a famous actress, the famous wit turned recluse, the doctor’s family problems or the old man’s fortune - was the deadly one? NYPD Lieutenant Sigrid Harald had to find out.

Sigrid Harald is a no-nonsense practical detective, who finds the hunt for a new apartment or a dress for a gala evening far more stressful than solving a crime. This is a straightforward police procedural, with Harald and her team good detectives without too many personal or professional problems. Are the blue folders red herrings? The reader has to use a fair amount of wit to answer that question correctly, though I think a couple are quite obvious. I found this a very quick read, with Harald’s likeable competence just on the right side of the line of being interesting.

[Wanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sigrid is a detective in the NYPD. She is investigating the murder of a lawyer. The more she finds out about the guy the more suspects she has. He had been blackmailing sveral people and she has to find out why and who OMG them killed him.
In the meantime two others associated with him are murdered with the same gun. She and her partner track down lots of leads before finally figuring it out. She also is in the process of finding a new place to live which adds a little extra stress to her life.
Enjoyed the story and characters.

[Miriam Kahn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again, Margaret Maron has constructed a complex murder mystery that captures the reader’s attention at the first pages and continues to enthrall until the last sentence.

Each thread, each motive, and there are many, is carefully followed, sorted through, and examined. All the ends are tied up when the story ends with a bang, literally.

It’s a delight to read Maron’s cleverly crafted police procedurals. Now that I’ve been reading them, I want to devour not only this series but all her other books. Sadly, Maron died in 2021.

[Crystal Toller · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a lawyer, Clayton Gladwell is killed Lieutenant Harald and her partner, Sargeant Tillie begin their investigation. While going through the official records they find that the lawyer had blue folders in his desk for certain clients and was blackmailing them. How Lt. Harald and Sargeant Tillie discover the killer and answer the questions raised by the blue folders makes for an interesting read. Highly recommend this book and the series.

[Susan · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book started off like an episode of 'Murder She Wrote', not like one of the ones with Jessica Fletcher solving the case, but like one of those annoying episodes where Jessica is reading the supposed story she wrote or something similar. I didn't realize this book was the third one in the series. So I think that made me feel so lost in it and what I mean by that is lost in a maze. I don't know if I'll read another one from this series it was just too strange.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many tangled webs! I loved following the myriad clues, teasing out the possible answers to the varied puzzles. Also enjoyable were the side plots of formalwear, apartment hunting, friendship and family and the elegance of writing. I have just begun this series, and am looking forward to many more.

[Tobinsfavorite · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked this up from the library because it was there and looked somewhat interesting. It is somewhat interesting.
I wavered back and forth about how much I liked it; it was easy reading, not completely obvious, and kept me turning pages, but somehow it's not compelling.

That said, I went back and read the first one...

[Betty · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cause of Actions

Errors, typos annoying. Roman, Tillie are developing nicely. Captain McKinnon's backstory interesting, not sure believable. Sigrid is a detective. Glad the apartment situation settled. I bet on the wrong horse in this whodunit.

Need more on Sigrid and Naumman's relationship. Needs to be fleshed out. Sigrid doesn't have "friends or flames" and other than the Art department murder of their initial meeting there is no earthly reason for this overbearing, conceited artist to think twice about her or her about him.

[Camilla Harry · Rating 4 out of 5]

By an author I enjoy reading. First Sigrid Harald book I've read, but she did play a part in a couple of the Judge Deborah Knott series. Finished that series, so now I'm working on reading this series. First couple books weren't available at our libraries, but they do have a couple more. I did not have the ending figured out at all.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had read all of the Deborah Knot books by Maron and enjoyed them, but for some reason I had never bothered to read any of the Sigrid Harald books. I picked one up a couple of weeks ago and have found myself enjoying them.

[Bebo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my 3rd or 4th Margaret Maron Book. I like them for several reasons, one they hold my interest, they are not violent nor are they vulgar, which means Ms Aaron is intelligent and they indicate a well educated writer, which for me inspires me to keep learning.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A prominent lawyer is shot to death and his papers scattered all over the office. Sigrid Harald and her team soon figure out they may have something to do with his special cases in the blue folders. Can they uncover the secrets?

Great writing and mystery.

[Lana Kamennof-sine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Plots within plots & the discovery of a secret source of income in the form of "protection/hush" money leads the investigator on an interesting round of questions.
Confess the ending was not as anticipated so full points to Margaret Maron.

[Ruthiella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another ‘80s mystery featuring NYPD Lieutenant Sigrid Harald. A lawyer is found murdered just before he plans to retire. Did one of his clients or his employees shoot him? How is it that he had so much cash? And why were the blue folders in his office burnt? Lt. Harald and her trusty sidekick Detective “Tilly” Tildon set out to solve the case. This was a satisfying and quick mystery. I also like the weird time warp quality of reading a book set in and published in the 1980s.

[Marilyn Allis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read most of Margaret Maron’s Deborah Knotts series so decided to try her Sigrid Harald’s series. It was entertaining but it wasn’t as good as the Knott series. Someone more familiar with NYC might enjoy it since she includes lots of local places in her books.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I saw the solution coming, but it was a fun puzzle mystery. I was actually expecting more character development, but the story stayed on plot the whole time.

[Virginia Adi · Rating 5 out of 5]

enjoyed this one!

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A clever mystery.

[Peggy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short one. Enjoy her Deborah Knott, so until another one comes out, I will catch up on this series.

[Gayle Stever · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best of the early Maron novels so far. Great characters. Glad I found this series.

[Linda Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this mystery series. I will continue to read all 9 books in this series. This is my third. Fairly short book (just over 200 pages), enjoyable characters and a good mystery.

[Jerry B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sigrid Harald, #3 of 8, well done!

"Folders" follows the basic form of most of Maron's titles -- a murder occurs fairly early in the tale, as here, often in chapter one; and we work the clues and the successor crimes with Sigrid and her police colleagues until she nabs her crook. Usually the character descriptions and set changes are what I've heretofore referred to as "minimalist", yet make no mistake that Maron is a fine writer who conveys anything she really wishes to with little difficulty.

The plot provides an immediate abundance of suspects, as the blue folders in question are the "private" files set aside without even the knowledge of his staff by a killed-before-he-could-retire lawyer. It seems clear from the outset from a quick look at his bank account that he was blackmailing these special clients; while Maron chips away at first one then the other of the half dozen or more targets, she solves in an interesting way the mini-mysteries of why each person was being blackmailed. So we get some ongoing resolutions while working the main case to a conclusion, a very entertaining technique.

The familiar cast members from previous and subsequent stories are just about all here, so this is a most representative member of the set. Recommended!

[Linda Brue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm of big fan of Margaret Maron's Deborah Knott series, and I've been starting to read her Sigrid Harald series. This is the third in that series. I'm finding it difficult to get ahold of these books; I've bought two used, and I'm trying to get the rest through inter-library loan.

I find Sigrid to be an extremely interesting character. She's complex, a bit standoffish, and doesn't suffer fools gladly. She's worked hard to get where she is.

Death in Blue Folders is about a lawyer who seems to have a lucrative side business going in blackmail. He picks his "clients" carefully, and keeps their information hidden away in his desk in blue folders. His office is ransacked, and the lawyer is dead. But only a few of the folders and their contents are left. Does the timing of his murder have anything to do with the lawyer's upcoming retirement? Sigrid is left with few clues and lots of suspects--if she only knew who they were.

[Suzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am reading all of the Sigrid Harald series after I read Corpus Christmas over the holidays. I don't know how I missed them since I really enjoy all of Margaret Maron's Deborah Knott books, her stand alones, and her short stories. Here Sigrid finds a new home and wears a formal gown, lipstick and nail polish. And solves an interesting murder or two or three with help from Tillie, as usual. I love seeing Sigrid reveal herself to be the lovely person she is. Looking forward to the 2017 Sigrid, too.

I am an old lady and enjoy mysteries. I am so happy to find authors and characters I enjoy and can rely on. Old women can't sleep as well as they used to and may need a favorite book to help them pass the nights. We don't like to keep trying insipid writers and/or series.

I never keep reading a book I don't enjoy, nor do I review it. (Just in case you're wondering why I have only 4 and 5 star ratings.)

[Lynda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book, third in the Sigrid Harald series because it filled in the gaps in Deborah Knott's background in that series by the same author. A lawyer is found dead in his office with many of his files burned and the office in disarray.
Sigrid, a New York City detective and her team must investigate. They discover that all of the clients whose cases are in "blue folders" had secrets that could be motives for murder. An interesting side theme is Sigrid's search for a new apartment. it struck me, after reading so many of the J.D. Robb series that Sigrid could have been the model for Eve Dallas. Both are determined to solve the cases using whatever methods necessary. They are outspoken, blunt, care nothing for their appearance, and don't like to waste time on social niceties. This is a good sewries to read in order.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoy the Deborah Knott mysteries by this author, so I decided to try this one as well. This series is not as satisfying.

The heroine, Sigrid Harald, is a bit of an 'ice queen'. While the author does give enough clues and explanations of her past, that help you understand her current state and situation, she is still a bit too much of a cold fish to really like. She is sympathetic, but just not still quite likable.

She is intelligent and very capable in her job. She does very well in solving the murders. I would want her on my case, if I had a mystery to solve. She's just a bit too cold for me, I think.

How sad in a way. Deborah Knott is so much more likable; too big of a contrast for me, I think.

[Ellen Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read (and own) Margaret Maron's complete NC series about Judge Deborah Knott but had not read any of her books about NY police detective Lt. Sigrid Harald until now. I found it to be well written and interesting. I don't think this book sounds anything like her later NC series or as if the same person wrote. both. The investigation proceeds in an orderly, thorough manner; but the solution is not apparent to me until the end. Some personal information was included about Sigrid--a formal date she went on and her search for a new apartment since she needed to move--and this helped to make her more human and interesting as a character. I look forward to reading more of this author's work.

[Kilian Metcalf · Rating 3 out of 5]

These books just do not speak to me the way the Judge Deborah Knott books do. They seem very dated, and yes, I know that they were written several years ago. Agatha Christie's books and those of Dorothy Sayers were written decades ago and still seem fresh. I'm also not a fan of police procedural, and I don't like the main characters. So why am I reading them? Because eventually Judge Knott is coming to New York, and the two will meet. I want to know Sigrid the way I know Deborah. I expect they aren't going to like one another even if they are kissing cousins. So that is why I am plodding my way through these books I don't particularly like to prepare for a book I hope I'm going to like very much. Next up: The Right Jack