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Richard Jury #7
The Deer Leap
In this Richard Jury adventure, Martha Grimes takes listeners to Ashdown Dean, a little English village where animals are dying in a series of seemingly innocuous accidents. While the puzzling deaths of village pets may raise some idle gossip over a pint or two at the Deer Leap, the village pub, this hardly seems a case for Superintendent Jury of Scotland yard. Nor does it seem much of a challenge for the combined deductive powers of Jury and Melrose, the affable former Earl of Caverness.
It is his mystery-writing, amethyst-eyed friend, Polly Praed, who drags Plant and Jury to Ashdown Dean. The impatient Polly, having yanked open a call box in the pouring rain, is ill prepared for what lands at her feet. The now-deadly case is cause for calling in Scotland Yard.
It is his mystery-writing, amethyst-eyed friend, Polly Praed, who drags Plant and Jury to Ashdown Dean. The impatient Polly, having yanked open a call box in the pouring rain, is ill prepared for what lands at her feet. The now-deadly case is cause for calling in Scotland Yard.
7 pages, Audiobook
First published June 7, 1985
329 people are currently reading
755 people want to read
About the author
Martha Grimes
114 books1,456 followersMartha Grimes is an American author of detective fiction.
She was born May 2 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to D.W., a city solicitor, and to June, who owned the Mountain Lake Hotel in Western Maryland where Martha and her brother spent much of their childhood. Grimes earned her B.A. and M.A. at the University of Maryland. She has taught at the University of Iowa, Frostburg State University, and Montgomery College.
Grimes is best known for her series of novels featuring Richard Jury, an inspector with Scotland Yard, and his friend Melrose Plant, a British aristocrat who has given up his titles. Each of the Jury mysteries is named after a pub. Her page-turning, character-driven tales fall into the mystery subdivision of "cozies." In 1983, Grimes received the Nero Wolfe Award for best mystery of the year for The Anodyne Necklace.
The background to Hotel Paradise is drawn on the experiences she enjoyed spending summers at her mother's hotel in Mountain Lake Park, Maryland. One of the characters, Mr Britain, is drawn on Britten Leo Martin, Sr, who then ran Marti's Store which he owned with his father and brother. Martin's Store is accessible by a short walkway from Mountain Lake, the site of the former Hotel, which was torn down in 1967.
She splits her time between homes in Washington, D.C., and Santa Fe, New Mexico.
She was born May 2 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to D.W., a city solicitor, and to June, who owned the Mountain Lake Hotel in Western Maryland where Martha and her brother spent much of their childhood. Grimes earned her B.A. and M.A. at the University of Maryland. She has taught at the University of Iowa, Frostburg State University, and Montgomery College.
Grimes is best known for her series of novels featuring Richard Jury, an inspector with Scotland Yard, and his friend Melrose Plant, a British aristocrat who has given up his titles. Each of the Jury mysteries is named after a pub. Her page-turning, character-driven tales fall into the mystery subdivision of "cozies." In 1983, Grimes received the Nero Wolfe Award for best mystery of the year for The Anodyne Necklace.
The background to Hotel Paradise is drawn on the experiences she enjoyed spending summers at her mother's hotel in Mountain Lake Park, Maryland. One of the characters, Mr Britain, is drawn on Britten Leo Martin, Sr, who then ran Marti's Store which he owned with his father and brother. Martin's Store is accessible by a short walkway from Mountain Lake, the site of the former Hotel, which was torn down in 1967.
She splits her time between homes in Washington, D.C., and Santa Fe, New Mexico.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 213 reviews
January 1, 2010
I would have given this a 2 1/2 if I could have. I think it is my least favorite Jury novel so far. It's not even clear what the mystery is for about a third of the book, and like the Jerusalem Inn, gets really messagey. For an added bonus, it has an abrupt non-ending, and too much emphasis is given to characters that don't matter & not enough to those that do. There's not even that much Jury/Plant interaction, which is what I though the point of the series was. The highlights were Mrs. Wasserman getting a little bit of character development & standard Racer harassment being very limited.
June 11, 2018
This is my least favorite so far. The ending was quite abrupt and extremely unclear. You're just left hanging and wondering what the hell just happened. I started listening to it when I was very tired and figured I hadn't been focusing but realized later that it just wasn't very clear and wasn't Grimes' normal intriguing tale. There was too much torture to animals as well which sort of left me cold. I just didn't enjoy it. Hopefully, the next one will be better.
January 8, 2009
It goes along well, then ends rather abruptly, with no real sense of closure. I know that was done for impact, but I don't particularly like when when impact gets in the way of a story.
October 10, 2020
It is worthwhile to follow series chronologically and I mistakenly reordered two Martha Grimes volumes published in good old 1985. The animals rights topic often depicts unbearable actions, thus I am glad I read “The Deer Leap” first. It was protective of animals after all and rallied educationally against misdeeds; making it brighter reading than I expected. I love Martha’s clear goal to highlight essential issues from book to book, firmly “standard mysteries”. Four likeable characters have died in novels, for example. Financial elder abuse entered into “Jerusalem Inn”, “The Old Fox Deceiv’d” portrayed neglected kids.... I admire this grand dame more with each book.
Polly, an acquaintance from “The Anodyne Necklace”, called Melrose and Richard about a woman who died after her dog was missing. Others in Ashdown Dean missed beloved pets, fearing theft or murder from a nearby laboratory. The barman of one inn obsessively hunted and was monitored like a hawk by teenaged animal nurturer, Carrie. She herself was a foster child of a baroness, who let her shelter mötley creatures. Literally bought from vagrants who had taken her in for years; Carrie did not remember her origins.
The cast is diverse and emotionally compelling. Carrie’s younger friend, Neahle, was the Daughter of a respectable pub with a scornful, duplicitous new stepmom. Honourable people clash with despicable ones and numbed, unfocused ones learn where their loyalty and voices need to be aimed. Martha is masterful at giving testimony to moral character and how easy it is to become confused; via complex human dramas blending believably with her mysteries. It was tricky to tell if the motives and connections for murders stretched too far, or if the investigating required to put diverse situations together is a realistic feat. Five stars support this excellent, clear-cut spotlight on animal rights.
Polly, an acquaintance from “The Anodyne Necklace”, called Melrose and Richard about a woman who died after her dog was missing. Others in Ashdown Dean missed beloved pets, fearing theft or murder from a nearby laboratory. The barman of one inn obsessively hunted and was monitored like a hawk by teenaged animal nurturer, Carrie. She herself was a foster child of a baroness, who let her shelter mötley creatures. Literally bought from vagrants who had taken her in for years; Carrie did not remember her origins.
The cast is diverse and emotionally compelling. Carrie’s younger friend, Neahle, was the Daughter of a respectable pub with a scornful, duplicitous new stepmom. Honourable people clash with despicable ones and numbed, unfocused ones learn where their loyalty and voices need to be aimed. Martha is masterful at giving testimony to moral character and how easy it is to become confused; via complex human dramas blending believably with her mysteries. It was tricky to tell if the motives and connections for murders stretched too far, or if the investigating required to put diverse situations together is a realistic feat. Five stars support this excellent, clear-cut spotlight on animal rights.
August 5, 2025
W tej seryjnej podróży, przystanek nr 7 jest najsłabszy 😔
July 18, 2016
Well, another frustrating ending. I just finished "The Only Running Footman," which ends by not telling me who done what, so I thought I'd read another Jury, which I've liked very much. But like "Footman," I don't know what happened at the end. Did the characters who were shot die or not?
I'm officially annoyed by this because Grimes is otherwise a fine writer. She creates strong characters and plots, but to be left hanging at the end is really annoying. I think I'll give her some room to breathe before I tackle another Jury, which I will. Maybe her editor will get smart and insist on cluing in her readers.
I'm officially annoyed by this because Grimes is otherwise a fine writer. She creates strong characters and plots, but to be left hanging at the end is really annoying. I think I'll give her some room to breathe before I tackle another Jury, which I will. Maybe her editor will get smart and insist on cluing in her readers.
May 6, 2017
If you love little English villages where everything is not as you would expect, this is indeed the story for you. In this 1985 outing of Detective Richard Jury of Scotland Yard, he is called out to Ashdown Dean. A friend of his, author Polly Praed, has been visiting the village and her cat has gone missing. But her cat was lucky for in this quiet little village, family pets have been dying and pretty soon, a pet owner dies too.
Soon Polly has Melrose Plant, the former Earl of Caverness who has given up his titles, as well as Jury down to the town where nothing is as it seems. There's the 15-year-old Carrie Fleet, the unofficial savior of all injured and stray animals, who lives with the Baroness who plucked her off the streets of London; the Baroness herself who is being touched by the husband and wife who formerly had Carrie; and then the Baronesses secretary. There's also the owner of the Deer Leap, his wife and his niece, as well as assorted other characters.
This is not a long story but in its own way it builds to a crescendo and a very exciting conclusion.
Soon Polly has Melrose Plant, the former Earl of Caverness who has given up his titles, as well as Jury down to the town where nothing is as it seems. There's the 15-year-old Carrie Fleet, the unofficial savior of all injured and stray animals, who lives with the Baroness who plucked her off the streets of London; the Baroness herself who is being touched by the husband and wife who formerly had Carrie; and then the Baronesses secretary. There's also the owner of the Deer Leap, his wife and his niece, as well as assorted other characters.
This is not a long story but in its own way it builds to a crescendo and a very exciting conclusion.
February 14, 2020
I continue to love this series. The characters are rich, and in this one we see a different side of one of Jury's neighbors that made me smile. The mystery itself was most intriguing.
**POSSIBLE SPOILER**
The ending was not the typical, cozy mystery wrapping up of all lose ends nor was it "happy". But I found it satisfying in a sad sort of way.
**POSSIBLE SPOILER**
The ending was not the typical, cozy mystery wrapping up of all lose ends nor was it "happy". But I found it satisfying in a sad sort of way.
May 15, 2016
ok - this is a hard review to write because I am not so keen on this one. Of course, let me say right out that I don't expect every book in a series to be top notch and my lack of kudos for this one does not in anyway diminish my love of the series. That said...
I liked that Polly was in this - I hadn't remembered that we say her again so quickly and I like that Melrose was involved from the very beginning. In my last review I commented that I always the impression that Carol Anne was introduced before other characters and that is because as Jury's neighbor she becomes a constant character once introduced. She is introduced in this book and I was surprisingly so unimpressed. I wonder if it's the difference with hearing the story vs reading the story. I want to say that over time I will grow to like her character. Carol Anne, Mrs. W. and Stan become Jury's family at home and I love the way they all keep tabs on each other and care for each other. I would love to be a neighbor in that building...but that's a development that will ....develop.
Now for this specific mystery...well quite frankly I thought it was a bit confusing. I write this with the acknowledgement that I favor character over plot . Even after just finishing it I couldn't remember how the character we find out to be Ruby got her job - how did she find her missing niece? I could go look it up in the book but I am not that interested. The ending was so odd - did everyone die? Did Plant actually stab someone? Again, I could go read it but I don't think it will matter in my overall review. And my biggest complaint is the use of Carol Anne in getting information for Jury - in a 'disguise' no less!! That made absolutely no sense at all. Shame on Ms. Grimes.
Ok - on to the next one.
I liked that Polly was in this - I hadn't remembered that we say her again so quickly and I like that Melrose was involved from the very beginning. In my last review I commented that I always the impression that Carol Anne was introduced before other characters and that is because as Jury's neighbor she becomes a constant character once introduced. She is introduced in this book and I was surprisingly so unimpressed. I wonder if it's the difference with hearing the story vs reading the story. I want to say that over time I will grow to like her character. Carol Anne, Mrs. W. and Stan become Jury's family at home and I love the way they all keep tabs on each other and care for each other. I would love to be a neighbor in that building...but that's a development that will ....develop.
Now for this specific mystery...well quite frankly I thought it was a bit confusing. I write this with the acknowledgement that I favor character over plot . Even after just finishing it I couldn't remember how the character we find out to be Ruby got her job - how did she find her missing niece? I could go look it up in the book but I am not that interested. The ending was so odd - did everyone die? Did Plant actually stab someone? Again, I could go read it but I don't think it will matter in my overall review. And my biggest complaint is the use of Carol Anne in getting information for Jury - in a 'disguise' no less!! That made absolutely no sense at all. Shame on Ms. Grimes.
Ok - on to the next one.
March 10, 2017
Interesting concept with pets disappearing from a small town and then two deaths, but the story was rather confusing. This was probably 2 1/2 stars. So far, my least favorite of Martha Grimes' Richard Jury series. The ending felt rushed and it leaves the reader with lots of questions that, I feel, should have been answered.
June 28, 2022
The more I think about it, the more irritated I am by this book. The Richard Jury series is one you need to read in order, since the reoccurring characters grow & develop throughout the books. I would have stopped reading this, if that was not the case.
As it was, I skimmed over all the paragraphs about animal torture and murder(not what I am looking to read in a book) which made the read go faster, since multiple animals were hurt so I was frequently skimming. Ugh, what was Grimes thinking? It's like when I had a FB friend who was forever posting gruesome images of abused animals. Here I am, happily scrolling through my feed of baby pictures and yummy meal pictures and various innocuous subjects, when BOOM there is a photo of some poor animal horrifically maimed. You can bet I hid her posts after a few times of that.
To top it off, the book ends abruptly, not explaining several key issues of the mystery and worst of all, leaving one of the characters shot and maybe dead....who knows? Not the reader! It's beyond me, understanding what is in the mind of a mystery writer who does this. I want my mystery books written according to the set formula, thank you very much. I did not pick up a mass market paperback mystery to read an arty farty piece of literature that tweaks conventions. Hey, sometimes I do like to read an arty farty book like that, but not when I am expecting a standard mystery. It was like biting into a chocolate chip cookie and having it taste like a dill pickle. I like dill pickles, but not when I am wanting a chocolate chip cookie. Stop it Martha Grimes! Do what you are good at doing, writing a traditional page turner-y mystery. The next book in the series has to be better, right? I sure hope so. The first six books were entertaining reads.
As it was, I skimmed over all the paragraphs about animal torture and murder(not what I am looking to read in a book) which made the read go faster, since multiple animals were hurt so I was frequently skimming. Ugh, what was Grimes thinking? It's like when I had a FB friend who was forever posting gruesome images of abused animals. Here I am, happily scrolling through my feed of baby pictures and yummy meal pictures and various innocuous subjects, when BOOM there is a photo of some poor animal horrifically maimed. You can bet I hid her posts after a few times of that.
To top it off, the book ends abruptly, not explaining several key issues of the mystery and worst of all, leaving one of the characters shot and maybe dead....who knows? Not the reader! It's beyond me, understanding what is in the mind of a mystery writer who does this. I want my mystery books written according to the set formula, thank you very much. I did not pick up a mass market paperback mystery to read an arty farty piece of literature that tweaks conventions. Hey, sometimes I do like to read an arty farty book like that, but not when I am expecting a standard mystery. It was like biting into a chocolate chip cookie and having it taste like a dill pickle. I like dill pickles, but not when I am wanting a chocolate chip cookie. Stop it Martha Grimes! Do what you are good at doing, writing a traditional page turner-y mystery. The next book in the series has to be better, right? I sure hope so. The first six books were entertaining reads.
February 26, 2023
I was shocked by the ending of this book but it is a wonderful book. It was nice to see Polly Praed back. She calls Melrose because a body falls out of a phone booth and she feels that the police are looking at her for it. She demands he contact Jury who finds after showing up that nothing is amiss.
Thankfully more murders are on the way not to mention the lost pets.
My favorite character in this book is Carrie. She is brave and very good with a gun.
The motive behind so much tragedy is money like always but it even more tragic because of the ending. I have to admit I was surprised by how this one ended as I didn't think of the shock ending for a Martha Grimes book, but it is memorable.
Thankfully more murders are on the way not to mention the lost pets.
My favorite character in this book is Carrie. She is brave and very good with a gun.
The motive behind so much tragedy is money like always but it even more tragic because of the ending. I have to admit I was surprised by how this one ended as I didn't think of the shock ending for a Martha Grimes book, but it is memorable.
July 11, 2013
I needed a book to read while on vacation and this one that was just there at the place we were staying. This was really slow at the beginning. I didn't care about the backstory or the characters. I kept reading because I didn't have anything else to read. Then it became much more interesting and fast paced. However, the ending was horrible. The reader has no idea if the character lives or dies. Urgh! If she dies, fine, but I hate not knowing if she actually does or not. So annoying to me.
October 20, 2012
#7 Inspector Jury, the village of Ashdown Dean; dark cosy/cosy police procedural. First it was pets, now it’s people - the tiny village of Ashdown Dean is rapidly becoming even smaller, as deaths occur with increasing frequency. Jury’s unexpected ally in the case is a spooky 15YO girl who only cares about the animals, but as he finds himself becoming interested in her situation he realizes that not only does she have unexpected depths, she also has enemies. This is extremely good of its type, and easily the best Grimes book I've read so far. [wanted to give 4-and-one-half stars because there are a bunch of flaws, but couldn't figure out how to do so]
Has lots of village staples as per motives and characters, plus the obligatory (in Grimes' work) unloved child - two, in this case - along with Grimes’ usual sappy treatment of Jury and Plant’s love lives, but the basic plot is so strong, the emotional chords rung so sharply, that her usual coyness doesn’t overwhelm the story. No Aunt Agatha, only a little bit of Plant, and the ending is stunning - and sad.
Most of the novel is wonderful; unfortunately, she leaves you hanging in almost the middle of the conclusion - just seems to stop the novel, not wind it up. It’s enormously effective emotionally, but not at all satisfactory. A terrific read, despite my cavailing - while I’m reading Grimes I’m enthralled, but after I finish the doubts begin to creep in.
Has lots of village staples as per motives and characters, plus the obligatory (in Grimes' work) unloved child - two, in this case - along with Grimes’ usual sappy treatment of Jury and Plant’s love lives, but the basic plot is so strong, the emotional chords rung so sharply, that her usual coyness doesn’t overwhelm the story. No Aunt Agatha, only a little bit of Plant, and the ending is stunning - and sad.
Most of the novel is wonderful; unfortunately, she leaves you hanging in almost the middle of the conclusion - just seems to stop the novel, not wind it up. It’s enormously effective emotionally, but not at all satisfactory. A terrific read, despite my cavailing - while I’m reading Grimes I’m enthralled, but after I finish the doubts begin to creep in.
August 8, 2010
I had a hard time getting into this book. It never grabbed me. Polly Praed is visiting a small town in search of a plot for her next murder mystery when the town's postmistress falls out of a phone booth dead, landing right at Polly's feet. The doctor thinks it's a heart attack, but Polly suspects murder and calls in Melrose Plant and Richard Jury. A series of pet deaths, and two more murders follow. Once again children take center stage, and Jury uncovers the solution to a cold abduction plot. Bizarre characters abound in this installment too. I just didn't warm up to this one.
July 30, 2014
Well, while I enjoyed getting more personal info on the main characters, the storyline itself seemed to be all over the place. And the ending was just horrible! There should have been a follow-up chapter to wrap everything else up! I do find that the actual murders/killings in these series are almost skipped over while the wild goose chase part is really played up.
February 17, 2019
This was a sordid mystery with a little of the macabre thrown in. Also, I thought the ending was very unsatisfying. We do not get to know how things turned out for the characters in the last scene. I don't like that particularly when the story is especially sad. I will take a break with this series now and perhaps revisit it later.
December 30, 2018
Animals are dying. People are dying. Sweet Carrie is an animal lover who saves animals and was a great character. Polly and her violet eyes...gag..get a grip, guys. A lot about fox hunting. I don’t know about this one. Of course I enjoyed Plant and Jury. And the ending was horrendous.
June 24, 2022
I find that I'm on the street with these. As one ends, I just pick up another one and start on it!
December 29, 2021
Major characters:
Una Quick, whose last act was a very long phone call
Dr. Farnsworth, the village doctor
Polly Praed, a mystery writer
Carrie Fleet, 15-year old animal champion
Baroness Regina de la Norte, Carrie's mother-figure
Sebastian Grimsdale, trophy-hunter owner of the Gun Lodge
--- Donaldson, gamekeeper for Grimsdale
Amanda Crowley, mother of two troublemaker boys
Dr. Paul Fleming, veterinarian
John MacBride, owver of The Deer Leap
Sally MacBride, his sexy but claustrophobic wife
Naehle Meara, Sally's 9-year old niece
Locale: Ashdown Dean, England
Synopsis: Una Quick is sad after her dog, Pepper, dies from poison. Mystery writer Polly Praid is waiting for Una to finish up her phone call in a phone booth, and when she pushes on the door, Una falls out - dead. The doctor states it was heart failure.
Other cats and dogs have been disappearing in town, much to the concern of animal rescuer Carrie Fleet, who takes care of a number of strays and orphan animals at the home of Baroness Regina de la Norte, where she lives. Rumors of abductions by a local research lab abound. Carrie's nemesis is Sebastian Grimsdale, owner of the Gun Lodge, and a big trophy hunter.
Carrie interrupts two boys - sons of Amanda Crowley - in the process of abusing a cat, which she rescues.
The other lodge in town is The Deer Leap, run by John MacBride and his sexy but claustrophic wife Sally MacBride. Sally is discovered dead after being locked in a small playhouse behind the inn.
Superintendent Richard Jury investigates the two deaths, and also looks into an apparent extortion scheme to get money from Baroness Regina, over something in Carrie's past which is unknown. Jury puts Melrose Plant at Gun Lodge to spy on Grimsdale to pick up local gossip - while he is there, gamekeeper Donaldson (rumored to have an affair with Sally MacBride) is mauled and killed by their own dogs. Now Jury has three deaths on his plate.
Review: This is a dark one, with injuries to children and animals. Animal lovers may want to pass on it due to descriptions of injured animals and descriptions of research lab animals.
Likes: Saucy secretary Fiona Clingmore is always fun as she flirts with Jury (Did Ian Fleming come up with that name?) Cyril the office cat is always enjoyable as he puts cat-hater Racer in his place. Mrs. Wasserman lightens up and even ventures out of her apartment to hoist a few at the pub.
Dislikes: No appearance by Melrose's posturing Aunt Agatha. Melrose is also called upon to do something quite out of character to protect Jury. High body count (6). Messy shoot-em-up ending.
This title has a number of things which seem out of place in the Jury series. I was surprised at Jury's romantic interlude in the puzzle maze (isn't he on duty?) and by Melrose Plant's unexpected overreaction and use of a weapon to take out someone.
Note: Readers may be unfamiliar (as I was) with Carrie's activity of "unstopping earths". I found that earth-stopping meant "the act of blocking a fox's earth (burrow) while it is absent, so it is forced to stay above ground" as an illegal act to keep a fox active in a hunt. Thus, unstopping earths is cleaning out the burrows so the fox hax a chance to escape the hunters.
Please visit The Mystillery Blog and The Mystillery Reading Challenges!
Una Quick, whose last act was a very long phone call
Dr. Farnsworth, the village doctor
Polly Praed, a mystery writer
Carrie Fleet, 15-year old animal champion
Baroness Regina de la Norte, Carrie's mother-figure
Sebastian Grimsdale, trophy-hunter owner of the Gun Lodge
--- Donaldson, gamekeeper for Grimsdale
Amanda Crowley, mother of two troublemaker boys
Dr. Paul Fleming, veterinarian
John MacBride, owver of The Deer Leap
Sally MacBride, his sexy but claustrophobic wife
Naehle Meara, Sally's 9-year old niece
Locale: Ashdown Dean, England
Synopsis: Una Quick is sad after her dog, Pepper, dies from poison. Mystery writer Polly Praid is waiting for Una to finish up her phone call in a phone booth, and when she pushes on the door, Una falls out - dead. The doctor states it was heart failure.
Other cats and dogs have been disappearing in town, much to the concern of animal rescuer Carrie Fleet, who takes care of a number of strays and orphan animals at the home of Baroness Regina de la Norte, where she lives. Rumors of abductions by a local research lab abound. Carrie's nemesis is Sebastian Grimsdale, owner of the Gun Lodge, and a big trophy hunter.
Carrie interrupts two boys - sons of Amanda Crowley - in the process of abusing a cat, which she rescues.
The other lodge in town is The Deer Leap, run by John MacBride and his sexy but claustrophic wife Sally MacBride. Sally is discovered dead after being locked in a small playhouse behind the inn.
Superintendent Richard Jury investigates the two deaths, and also looks into an apparent extortion scheme to get money from Baroness Regina, over something in Carrie's past which is unknown. Jury puts Melrose Plant at Gun Lodge to spy on Grimsdale to pick up local gossip - while he is there, gamekeeper Donaldson (rumored to have an affair with Sally MacBride) is mauled and killed by their own dogs. Now Jury has three deaths on his plate.
Review: This is a dark one, with injuries to children and animals. Animal lovers may want to pass on it due to descriptions of injured animals and descriptions of research lab animals.
Likes: Saucy secretary Fiona Clingmore is always fun as she flirts with Jury (Did Ian Fleming come up with that name?) Cyril the office cat is always enjoyable as he puts cat-hater Racer in his place. Mrs. Wasserman lightens up and even ventures out of her apartment to hoist a few at the pub.
Dislikes: No appearance by Melrose's posturing Aunt Agatha. Melrose is also called upon to do something quite out of character to protect Jury. High body count (6). Messy shoot-em-up ending.
This title has a number of things which seem out of place in the Jury series. I was surprised at Jury's romantic interlude in the puzzle maze (isn't he on duty?) and by Melrose Plant's unexpected overreaction and use of a weapon to take out someone.
Note: Readers may be unfamiliar (as I was) with Carrie's activity of "unstopping earths". I found that earth-stopping meant "the act of blocking a fox's earth (burrow) while it is absent, so it is forced to stay above ground" as an illegal act to keep a fox active in a hunt. Thus, unstopping earths is cleaning out the burrows so the fox hax a chance to escape the hunters.
Please visit The Mystillery Blog and The Mystillery Reading Challenges!
August 1, 2020
The Deer Leap was a reread for me as I first read it soon after its original publishing years ago. I was happy to find that it held up well over time as I am now rereading the series. As in previous novels in this series, Ms Grimes returns with strong secondary characters from earlier titles. The guilty party in The Deer Leap was one of several characters I was considering but I didn’t solve the case in it’s entirety until the very end. There were enough red herrings and twists and turns to keep me guessing which is always a plus. The Deer Leap reads quickly with a fair amount of action and I recommend it to readers who enjoy classic mysteries, particularly English ones.
The Deer Leap can be read as a stand-alone title but I believe the appearance of secondary characters such as Superintendent Jury’s “titled” personal friend Melrose Plant; Jury’s sarcastic and pompous superior, Chief Superintendent Racer; the sneaky Scotland Yard CID “office” cat, Cyrus; Jury’s faithful, precise and hypochondriac assistant Detective Sargent Higgin’s; and Superintendent Jury’s London flat PTSD inflicted Jewish neighbor and WWII survivor, Mrs Wasserman are more fully enjoyed when their backstories are known and the books are read in order.
There are no on-scene sexual relationships (an intimacy is hinted but not mentioned directly), and no profanity is used. This is a murder mystery so people and animals are killed, but rather than described in a graphic manner it is mostly investigated after the fact. That being said due to the fact that it is a murder mystery, I believe The Deer Leap is meant for adult or mature audiences.
The Deer Leap can be read as a stand-alone title but I believe the appearance of secondary characters such as Superintendent Jury’s “titled” personal friend Melrose Plant; Jury’s sarcastic and pompous superior, Chief Superintendent Racer; the sneaky Scotland Yard CID “office” cat, Cyrus; Jury’s faithful, precise and hypochondriac assistant Detective Sargent Higgin’s; and Superintendent Jury’s London flat PTSD inflicted Jewish neighbor and WWII survivor, Mrs Wasserman are more fully enjoyed when their backstories are known and the books are read in order.
There are no on-scene sexual relationships (an intimacy is hinted but not mentioned directly), and no profanity is used. This is a murder mystery so people and animals are killed, but rather than described in a graphic manner it is mostly investigated after the fact. That being said due to the fact that it is a murder mystery, I believe The Deer Leap is meant for adult or mature audiences.
September 19, 2019
Martha Grimes gives us another charming English village setting. In this one mystery author Polly Praed stumbles (almost literally) upon a murder while on a research trip. Her friends (and romantic interests) Melrose Plant and Detective Superintendent Jury both arrive to assist in the investigation which includes missing and abused or murdered pets in addition to murdered humans. An, as usual, interesting and somewhat eccentric cast of characters including precocious and or charming children. A disappointingly ambiguous ending.
January 9, 2024
I'd give it a 2.5. Grimes does a nice job of capturing the personalities of a small village. The plot seemed a bit weak, but it was the ending that truly disappointed. It would be nice to know the final outcome of several characters.
June 19, 2021
The writing was nice, but the murders felt incidental to the main plot. I liked the characters.
November 8, 2016
I am getting a little frustrated with some of the endings in this series. Once again, the 7th in the series ended abruptly with no wrap-up. Did the little heroine die or not? I have figured out I read this series for the character of Melrose Plant who adds humor and sarcasm and plays off Inspector Richard July and others quite nicely.
Polly Praed, a mystery writer, has writer's block. She decides to visit several villages where famous writers once lived to garner inspiration and also takes along her cat, Barney, for companionship. Barney turns up missing in the village of Ashdown Dean. On a stormy night, Polly ventures out to find a phone booth and call her friend Melrose Plant. The one she finds is already in use by the Postmistress, Una Quick. Exasperated that Una is taking too long to make her call, Polly opens the door; and Una, literally, drops dead on her feet. The police are convinced Una died because her heart gave out, but Polly is sure it might be murder because Una had no umbrella with her. Polly talks Melrose into calling Inspector Richard Jury to come and have a "look see". In the meantime several animals have been found dead of unnatural causes. After Jury arrives, two more people are murdered and Jury is off and running to solve the mysteries.
Barney is rescued by Carrie Fleet, the proverbial child found in Martha Grimes books. At least this one is not precocious. Carrie is 15, talks infrequently, and was rescued herself by alcoholic, aging dowager and village matriarch, Baroness Regina de la Notre ( a.k.a. Gigi Scroop) from the Brindles. They are a greedy couple who found Carrie wandering in a park with a head wound and no memory. They actually sell her to the Baroness. Carrie's passion is the rescuing and nursing of lame and hurt animals. She keeps them in a shed on the Baroness's crumbling estate. Most of the mysteries and deaths in the village have been caused by the past Carrie cannot remember.
Other quirky characters include:
- Sebastian Grimsdale - Master of Fox hounds and Harriers and owner of the Gun Lodge.
- Paul Fleming - veterinarian who also works at the Rumford Laboratories, an animal experimentation lab
- Sally MacBride - claustrophobic wife to the owner of a pub called the Deer Leap and a murder victim
- Donaldson - huntsman for Grimsdale and a murder victim who was having an affair with Sally MacBride
- Gillian Kendall - new secretary to the Baroness and who harbors secrets
- Amanda Crowley - Aunt to the two nasty little boys who Barney needed rescuing from and who is enamored with Grimsdale
- Neahle Meara - a small child, friend of Carrie's, and who finds murder victim MacBride
- Carole ann Palutski (a.k.a. Glo Dee Vine, topless dancer) - Jury's young, sexy, upstairs neighbor who adds comic relief and who befriends Mrs. Wasserman
Returning characters include hypochondriac Sergeant Wiggins; Chief Superintendent Racer; Cyril, the cat who pays no attention to commands or threats; Fiona Clingmore, Racer's nail-varnishing secretary; and Mrs. Wasserman, Jury's neighbor who never leaves her apartment, relies on Jury for security, and actually ventures out in this book with the encouragement of Carole ann.
I do hope there is a definite ending and wrap-up in the next book. I would give it another star just for that!
Polly Praed, a mystery writer, has writer's block. She decides to visit several villages where famous writers once lived to garner inspiration and also takes along her cat, Barney, for companionship. Barney turns up missing in the village of Ashdown Dean. On a stormy night, Polly ventures out to find a phone booth and call her friend Melrose Plant. The one she finds is already in use by the Postmistress, Una Quick. Exasperated that Una is taking too long to make her call, Polly opens the door; and Una, literally, drops dead on her feet. The police are convinced Una died because her heart gave out, but Polly is sure it might be murder because Una had no umbrella with her. Polly talks Melrose into calling Inspector Richard Jury to come and have a "look see". In the meantime several animals have been found dead of unnatural causes. After Jury arrives, two more people are murdered and Jury is off and running to solve the mysteries.
Barney is rescued by Carrie Fleet, the proverbial child found in Martha Grimes books. At least this one is not precocious. Carrie is 15, talks infrequently, and was rescued herself by alcoholic, aging dowager and village matriarch, Baroness Regina de la Notre ( a.k.a. Gigi Scroop) from the Brindles. They are a greedy couple who found Carrie wandering in a park with a head wound and no memory. They actually sell her to the Baroness. Carrie's passion is the rescuing and nursing of lame and hurt animals. She keeps them in a shed on the Baroness's crumbling estate. Most of the mysteries and deaths in the village have been caused by the past Carrie cannot remember.
Other quirky characters include:
- Sebastian Grimsdale - Master of Fox hounds and Harriers and owner of the Gun Lodge.
- Paul Fleming - veterinarian who also works at the Rumford Laboratories, an animal experimentation lab
- Sally MacBride - claustrophobic wife to the owner of a pub called the Deer Leap and a murder victim
- Donaldson - huntsman for Grimsdale and a murder victim who was having an affair with Sally MacBride
- Gillian Kendall - new secretary to the Baroness and who harbors secrets
- Amanda Crowley - Aunt to the two nasty little boys who Barney needed rescuing from and who is enamored with Grimsdale
- Neahle Meara - a small child, friend of Carrie's, and who finds murder victim MacBride
- Carole ann Palutski (a.k.a. Glo Dee Vine, topless dancer) - Jury's young, sexy, upstairs neighbor who adds comic relief and who befriends Mrs. Wasserman
Returning characters include hypochondriac Sergeant Wiggins; Chief Superintendent Racer; Cyril, the cat who pays no attention to commands or threats; Fiona Clingmore, Racer's nail-varnishing secretary; and Mrs. Wasserman, Jury's neighbor who never leaves her apartment, relies on Jury for security, and actually ventures out in this book with the encouragement of Carole ann.
I do hope there is a definite ending and wrap-up in the next book. I would give it another star just for that!
April 9, 2019
I found this to be the least enjoyable of the Jury books so far. Having started reading this series nearly 40 years after it was first published, I'm a bit removed from the context in which the author created this entry, but she seemed to be striving to batter the reader with unnecessary cruelty from the beginning of the book to its sudden end. Viewed especially alongside the darker-than-its-predecessors, child-killing Book 6, I have to wonder if Grimes was facing criticism that her first 5 Jury books were too light-hearted for murder mysteries. Or was she just going through a grim period personally? I can't think of any other explanation for novels so replete with the suffering of innocents.
If you're a soft touch when it comes to animals, definitely stay away from this one. Stay far away.
If you're a soft touch when it comes to animals, definitely stay away from this one. Stay far away.
August 9, 2016
My least favorite, so far, of Martha Grimes' Richard Jury series, which I am attempting to read in order, or near as I can. (I have skipped The Jerusalem Inn, waiting for it from my local library.)
The Deer Leap was beyond confusing. I am a fast reader, but I deliberately slowed down, took my time, and re-read chapters and passages which I didn't 'get.' Perhaps it was the multitude of secondary characters, which I don't usually find confusing, but did this time. There is, of course, a child involved in the mystery, which I usually like, but this time it didn't set right with me. Nothing seemed to make 'sense' even when explained. And good old Melrose Plant - he was definitely underused. In fact I think the MC, Richard Jury, was underused, too.
But I'll keep reading the series. Jerusalem Inn up next!
The Deer Leap was beyond confusing. I am a fast reader, but I deliberately slowed down, took my time, and re-read chapters and passages which I didn't 'get.' Perhaps it was the multitude of secondary characters, which I don't usually find confusing, but did this time. There is, of course, a child involved in the mystery, which I usually like, but this time it didn't set right with me. Nothing seemed to make 'sense' even when explained. And good old Melrose Plant - he was definitely underused. In fact I think the MC, Richard Jury, was underused, too.
But I'll keep reading the series. Jerusalem Inn up next!
July 10, 2017
#7 in the Scotland Yard Superintendent Richard Jury mystery series. Set in a small village, Ashdown, outside of London, Jury is drawn there by his friend and unofficial helper aristocratic Melrose Plant. Plant asks Jury for help when a friend discovers a body in a phone booth. The mystery starts with the death of 3 pets and then 2 murders all made to look like accidents. However, the mystery goes much deeper as it appears to be linked to an amnesiac who is line to inherit a fortune.
Again, the story is filled with support characters who add humor and color to the story. Carole-anne Palutski is introduced who becomes a regular character in future novels. She takes over the 4th floor flat above Jury's 2nd floor one. She is a 19 year gorgeous sexpot who is outrageous. Then there is the Baroness Le Notre and the real story stealer 15 year old Carrie Fleet.
Again, the story is filled with support characters who add humor and color to the story. Carole-anne Palutski is introduced who becomes a regular character in future novels. She takes over the 4th floor flat above Jury's 2nd floor one. She is a 19 year gorgeous sexpot who is outrageous. Then there is the Baroness Le Notre and the real story stealer 15 year old Carrie Fleet.
February 15, 2011
Author Polly Praed of the violet eyes loses her cat in Ashdown Dean, one of several beloved pets who have gone missing or died there. She pauses her trip to look for him, naturally, but she also calls for Melrose Plant and Inspector Jury. Melrose arrives because it's Polly, Jury arrives because of the human body that fell on Polly.
The animal issues that Ashdown Dean is having involve Carrie Fleet, the silent animal crusader. Carrie is fifteen years old and beautiful. Neither fact matters to her. She speaks only when necessary, such as when frightening away the boys who were torturing Polly's cat. Carrie is one of Martha Grimes's best characters, a fey enchantment who has stayed tenuous in my mind since I first read THE DEER LEAP in 1994.
The animal issues that Ashdown Dean is having involve Carrie Fleet, the silent animal crusader. Carrie is fifteen years old and beautiful. Neither fact matters to her. She speaks only when necessary, such as when frightening away the boys who were torturing Polly's cat. Carrie is one of Martha Grimes's best characters, a fey enchantment who has stayed tenuous in my mind since I first read THE DEER LEAP in 1994.
June 30, 2011
Richard Jury and Melrose Plant are on the case again in a small town where pets and people are being murdered.
WHY I READ IT: Because I have enjoyed the Jury series so much in the past.
GOOD: I love it when children take center stage in Grimes' books--as they do in this one. And I adore Melrose Plant! And although Grimes is an American, she captures dry British humor so well. Her books always make me chuckle/snort/smile several times.
NOT SO GOOD: This wasn't one of Grimes' best--seemed a bit choppy at times. I really didn't care for the ending. Just not a satisfying mystery.
WHY I READ IT: Because I have enjoyed the Jury series so much in the past.
GOOD: I love it when children take center stage in Grimes' books--as they do in this one. And I adore Melrose Plant! And although Grimes is an American, she captures dry British humor so well. Her books always make me chuckle/snort/smile several times.
NOT SO GOOD: This wasn't one of Grimes' best--seemed a bit choppy at times. I really didn't care for the ending. Just not a satisfying mystery.
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