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Sam Clair #1
Writers' Block
You know when you have one of those days at the office? You spill coffee on your keyboard, the finance director goes on an expenses rampage and then, before you know it, your favourite author is murdered. When Samantha Clair decides to publish journalist Kit Lovell's tell-all book on the death of fashion designer Rodrigo Aleman, she can scarcely imagine the dangers ahead. Cue a rollercoaster ride into the dark realms of fashion, money-laundering and murder, armed with nothing but her e-reader and her trusty stock of sarcasm.
350 pages, Hardcover
First published March 20, 2014
143 people are currently reading
2975 people want to read
About the author
Judith Flanders
24 books546 followersJudith Flanders was born in London, England, in 1959. She moved to Montreal, Canada, when she was two, and spent her childhood there, apart from a year in Israel in 1972, where she signally failed to master Hebrew.
After university, Judith returned to London and began working as an editor for various publishing houses. After this 17-year misstep, she began to write and in 2001 her first book, A Circle of Sisters, the biography of four Victorian sisters, was published to great acclaim, and nominated for the Guardian First Book Award. In 2003, The Victorian House (2004 in the USA, as Inside the Victorian Home) received widespread praise, and was shortlisted for the British Book Awards History Book of the Year. In 2006 Consuming Passions, was published. Her most recent book, The Invention of Murder, was published in 2011.
Judith also contributes articles, features and reviews for a number of newspapers and magazines.
After university, Judith returned to London and began working as an editor for various publishing houses. After this 17-year misstep, she began to write and in 2001 her first book, A Circle of Sisters, the biography of four Victorian sisters, was published to great acclaim, and nominated for the Guardian First Book Award. In 2003, The Victorian House (2004 in the USA, as Inside the Victorian Home) received widespread praise, and was shortlisted for the British Book Awards History Book of the Year. In 2006 Consuming Passions, was published. Her most recent book, The Invention of Murder, was published in 2011.
Judith also contributes articles, features and reviews for a number of newspapers and magazines.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 737 reviews
January 2, 2016
Pet peeve: when the title of the book has nothing to do with the content. It is never explained why this slight mystery refers to magpies in the title, as there are no references to magpies in the book, not one.
You will say, this is a quibble. I respond: it is indicative of the general confusion of the book.
The first person narrator is an editor at an English publishing house. She tries to charm you with a world weary humorous tone but it never really convinces you. The mystery is some confused thing about embezzlement and the killing of a fashion designer, but there's so much thrashing around--and endless talking--that you lose interest very early.
The narrator, halfway through the book, falls into bed with the main detective. It's never quite explained how this came about, and their relationship has as much heat as a bowl of ice cream.
This book does not pass the "unknown author" test. As in, if an unknown author sent this to an agent, would she have received representation? You can write the rejection letter yourself.
You will say, this is a quibble. I respond: it is indicative of the general confusion of the book.
The first person narrator is an editor at an English publishing house. She tries to charm you with a world weary humorous tone but it never really convinces you. The mystery is some confused thing about embezzlement and the killing of a fashion designer, but there's so much thrashing around--and endless talking--that you lose interest very early.
The narrator, halfway through the book, falls into bed with the main detective. It's never quite explained how this came about, and their relationship has as much heat as a bowl of ice cream.
This book does not pass the "unknown author" test. As in, if an unknown author sent this to an agent, would she have received representation? You can write the rejection letter yourself.
August 21, 2019
A library patron recommended this & assured me that it is "laugh out loud hilarious!" I could use a laugh, so, here goes.... Sadly, I am lacking in humor it would appear.
January 28, 2021
Fabulous read. Reaction soon. Still laughing.
Well, here it is. And this little gem! I nearly gave it a 5. Only subplot crossover complications kept it at a 4.5 star for me. I will absolutely read others by Judith Flanders. Hope this is just the beginning for this level of sharp.
The entire book is Samantha (Sam) seeking out (amidst her job which incurs tons of travel and meet/greet) one of her client authors who has gone "missing". She is a publishing editor in London and he is the author for one of her accounts. This guy Kit (missing?) has been a friend and endearment of years. He is personality extravaganza and with a good intent heart. Is she the only one who believes he has rather vanished?
That's the main plot. But there are others. Sam is about 40 and her Mother is heard about, not much seen, until almost the mid-novel portion. But Sam and her Mom (Helena) are probably two of my most favorite characters in eons for modern fiction. Dynamos of different sorts.
She gets hit on the head. Stuff happens. Her world is London VIP's just about 1 or 2 levels of strata underneath her Mom's (a corporate law partner supreme).
It's a whip smart book about working dynamo women who aren't eating bon-b0ns, let me tell you. It does NOT suffer fools. Dozens of characters, London intelligentsia crossed with Paris, Spain, Italy fashion world sellers. One of her main author clients has also jumped the shark with her new "comic" book. Lots and lots is going on. All at once. These women have 12 hour work days. Often.
Mom is NOT a nurturer.
The humor from the get-go is not common for the great majority of modern placed fiction. It is NOT put down humor. Not sarcasm. (Often funny in nearly the opposite of those ways.) Not social warrior or of a pc plus style filled with interior anger nuggets. None of those cancel culture objectives here. What it is becomes SO real. Very much like the business worlds and offices I have known too. Not slapstick in any way either. But extremely, to me, funny. Irony reigns in many of the juxtapositions of societal party/ industry events/ etc. groupings of the "biggest" and the "brightest". There is also a CID (Jake) who becomes the 3rd side of the trio. (Jake, Sam, Helena)
The ending was not what was expected. Most readers will not like this one as much as I did. Perhaps because it is NOT a lazy easy to "get" book at all. Keep your banking, tax law, property purchase option offers, diva fashions of both (or whatever genders) sexes "hats" on for this one. Keep your literature with the big L people separate from your best seller earners. You will need every brain cell yourself to accomplish this. And what about that renowned celeb of over 70 on the top floor? Samantha as a main character is a real literature keeper supreme on top of it. No television owned at all, but she knows her books. With her Mother they are a VAST improvement over the Odd Couple. If any of you know who those characters were. Far better, because they are both more precise, industrious, discerning to cause and place than was Felix. If you even remember the "neat" one.
Well, here it is. And this little gem! I nearly gave it a 5. Only subplot crossover complications kept it at a 4.5 star for me. I will absolutely read others by Judith Flanders. Hope this is just the beginning for this level of sharp.
The entire book is Samantha (Sam) seeking out (amidst her job which incurs tons of travel and meet/greet) one of her client authors who has gone "missing". She is a publishing editor in London and he is the author for one of her accounts. This guy Kit (missing?) has been a friend and endearment of years. He is personality extravaganza and with a good intent heart. Is she the only one who believes he has rather vanished?
That's the main plot. But there are others. Sam is about 40 and her Mother is heard about, not much seen, until almost the mid-novel portion. But Sam and her Mom (Helena) are probably two of my most favorite characters in eons for modern fiction. Dynamos of different sorts.
She gets hit on the head. Stuff happens. Her world is London VIP's just about 1 or 2 levels of strata underneath her Mom's (a corporate law partner supreme).
It's a whip smart book about working dynamo women who aren't eating bon-b0ns, let me tell you. It does NOT suffer fools. Dozens of characters, London intelligentsia crossed with Paris, Spain, Italy fashion world sellers. One of her main author clients has also jumped the shark with her new "comic" book. Lots and lots is going on. All at once. These women have 12 hour work days. Often.
Mom is NOT a nurturer.
The humor from the get-go is not common for the great majority of modern placed fiction. It is NOT put down humor. Not sarcasm. (Often funny in nearly the opposite of those ways.) Not social warrior or of a pc plus style filled with interior anger nuggets. None of those cancel culture objectives here. What it is becomes SO real. Very much like the business worlds and offices I have known too. Not slapstick in any way either. But extremely, to me, funny. Irony reigns in many of the juxtapositions of societal party/ industry events/ etc. groupings of the "biggest" and the "brightest". There is also a CID (Jake) who becomes the 3rd side of the trio. (Jake, Sam, Helena)
The ending was not what was expected. Most readers will not like this one as much as I did. Perhaps because it is NOT a lazy easy to "get" book at all. Keep your banking, tax law, property purchase option offers, diva fashions of both (or whatever genders) sexes "hats" on for this one. Keep your literature with the big L people separate from your best seller earners. You will need every brain cell yourself to accomplish this. And what about that renowned celeb of over 70 on the top floor? Samantha as a main character is a real literature keeper supreme on top of it. No television owned at all, but she knows her books. With her Mother they are a VAST improvement over the Odd Couple. If any of you know who those characters were. Far better, because they are both more precise, industrious, discerning to cause and place than was Felix. If you even remember the "neat" one.
October 7, 2016
Samantha "Sam" Clair is a middle aged editor who specializes in women's fiction, except for 1 client who does exposes, Kit Lovell. Kit is also one of her good friends. When he submits his next manuscript, it is a whopper. It talks about murder and money laundering. When Kit disappears and Sam gets burgled, suddenly, Sam's life isn't so predictable anymore. With the help of Inspector Jake Field and her solicitor mother, Helena, Sam is determined to find her friend and get this book published.
I really enjoyed this book. It had me laughing so many times, that my family started to look at me strangely. Sam is a fantastic character. She is smart, sarcastic, down-to-earth, and very real. She isn't some TSTL type of heroine. In fact, she doesn't even really want to be a heroine. Sam's mother, Helena, was so funny. Sam is convinced she is a Martian, because she seems to be perfect and know everything. Their relationship is awkward but endearing. Jake, the Inspector, fell a little flat for me. He seemed a little one dimensional. I hope in the sequel he perks up some.
The mystery has multiple layers, and it is fun to watch them try to separate all of the crimes. I think it was very well written. There was a lot of financial gobbledygook in parts, that went over my head, but I caught on when they dumbed it down for Sam. Lol!
I recommend cozy readers and British mystery lovers to give this book a shot. I really enjoyed it a lot.
I really enjoyed this book. It had me laughing so many times, that my family started to look at me strangely. Sam is a fantastic character. She is smart, sarcastic, down-to-earth, and very real. She isn't some TSTL type of heroine. In fact, she doesn't even really want to be a heroine. Sam's mother, Helena, was so funny. Sam is convinced she is a Martian, because she seems to be perfect and know everything. Their relationship is awkward but endearing. Jake, the Inspector, fell a little flat for me. He seemed a little one dimensional. I hope in the sequel he perks up some.
The mystery has multiple layers, and it is fun to watch them try to separate all of the crimes. I think it was very well written. There was a lot of financial gobbledygook in parts, that went over my head, but I caught on when they dumbed it down for Sam. Lol!
I recommend cozy readers and British mystery lovers to give this book a shot. I really enjoyed it a lot.
February 10, 2015
I received this ARC from the publisher through Netgalley.
An average cozy mystery, this book features an unusual protagonist—a book editor. Sam’s main concern at the beginning of the novel is the latest manuscript of her star writer. Then another of her writers, a fashion journalist with a penchant of digging dirt on high couture, goes missing, and she decides to investigate. Or rather to ask questions in places the police wouldn’t go.
Despite the engaging premise, the story was slow and a bit dull, without the absorbing qualities of the best books in the genre. Every bit of praise I can give this book is tempered by a ‘but.’
The mystery was interesting, with an unconventional and unexpected solution, but the narration leading up to the unmasking of the villain(s) was too full of mind-numbing legalese and corporate finances, and the main proof of guilt too flimsy to be real. The author used to write non-fiction; her attention to details is scrupulous, but it made the text vaguely boring.
The protagonist Sam was a fascinating character, a bit grumpy, forty-year-old publishing professional, with no illusions about life and literature and a sardonic attitude, but the rest of the characters were placeholders.
The author introduced a romance in her plot, which should’ve spiced up the tale, but there was no built-up, no attraction, no improper urges of Sam’s part. No spice. One day she meets a guy. A few days later, she jumps in bed with him. After that, they seem to become a couple.
The writing was reasonably clean. A few glitches in spelling and grammar could be explained by its being an uncorrected proof. On the other hand, humor sparkling in Sam’s sarcastic musings and witty dialogs was what saved this book from being totally blah.
A few quotes below demonstrate Sam’s saucy side.
An average cozy mystery, this book features an unusual protagonist—a book editor. Sam’s main concern at the beginning of the novel is the latest manuscript of her star writer. Then another of her writers, a fashion journalist with a penchant of digging dirt on high couture, goes missing, and she decides to investigate. Or rather to ask questions in places the police wouldn’t go.
Despite the engaging premise, the story was slow and a bit dull, without the absorbing qualities of the best books in the genre. Every bit of praise I can give this book is tempered by a ‘but.’
The mystery was interesting, with an unconventional and unexpected solution, but the narration leading up to the unmasking of the villain(s) was too full of mind-numbing legalese and corporate finances, and the main proof of guilt too flimsy to be real. The author used to write non-fiction; her attention to details is scrupulous, but it made the text vaguely boring.
The protagonist Sam was a fascinating character, a bit grumpy, forty-year-old publishing professional, with no illusions about life and literature and a sardonic attitude, but the rest of the characters were placeholders.
The author introduced a romance in her plot, which should’ve spiced up the tale, but there was no built-up, no attraction, no improper urges of Sam’s part. No spice. One day she meets a guy. A few days later, she jumps in bed with him. After that, they seem to become a couple.
The writing was reasonably clean. A few glitches in spelling and grammar could be explained by its being an uncorrected proof. On the other hand, humor sparkling in Sam’s sarcastic musings and witty dialogs was what saved this book from being totally blah.
A few quotes below demonstrate Sam’s saucy side.
~~~~~~~~~~~~On the whole, it was a solid cozy with a blunt but kind-hearted heroine.
In all the books I’d ever read, Our Hero is brutally assaulted, tied up for seventy-two hours, frequently being hung by his ankles in the process. When he frees himself by gnawing through the ropes, he stops only for a quick drink and then charges straight off after the villains. Another cherished illusion gone. It was plain to me now that what Our Hero would really do was lie in bed and moan gently.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
In the real world, no one kidnaps academics or journalists because no one wants them. It’s hard enough to get rid of them after dinner.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
The last refuge of the intelligentsia: when real life gets too difficult, go find something to read.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
I was going to burgle someone’s office because my mother told me to. I wondered if the judge would consider that a mitigating circumstance.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
February 20, 2015
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The story is set in the London publishing world. Samantha "Sam" Clair, the protagonist, is a book editor and the narrator. Her client, Kit Lovell, goes missing. Kit is a fashion journalist at the Sunday News whose dishy manuscript on the fashion industry has also disappeared. Inspector Jake Field shows up at Sam's office to investigate.
I enjoyed Sam's voice. I was immediately drawn in by both her humor and by the vivid descriptions she provides of everything and everyone. The supporting characters are also introduced in a timely fashion as the plot progresses. We meet Sam's colleagues and clients, her neighbors, and, especially, her flamboyant and charismatic mother, Helena.
On the downside, I feel there was undue emphasis on the legal sub-plots. It was difficult to keep track of the companies and/or characters involved. The story dragged and I lost interest. I was glad that I was nearly finished and only hoped for a satisfying ending.
Overall, the book was a disjointed disappointment. Although it started well, the story became bogged down by a complex legal maze that I found hard to follow. The conclusion seemed rushed and far-fetched.
The story is set in the London publishing world. Samantha "Sam" Clair, the protagonist, is a book editor and the narrator. Her client, Kit Lovell, goes missing. Kit is a fashion journalist at the Sunday News whose dishy manuscript on the fashion industry has also disappeared. Inspector Jake Field shows up at Sam's office to investigate.
I enjoyed Sam's voice. I was immediately drawn in by both her humor and by the vivid descriptions she provides of everything and everyone. The supporting characters are also introduced in a timely fashion as the plot progresses. We meet Sam's colleagues and clients, her neighbors, and, especially, her flamboyant and charismatic mother, Helena.
On the downside, I feel there was undue emphasis on the legal sub-plots. It was difficult to keep track of the companies and/or characters involved. The story dragged and I lost interest. I was glad that I was nearly finished and only hoped for a satisfying ending.
Overall, the book was a disjointed disappointment. Although it started well, the story became bogged down by a complex legal maze that I found hard to follow. The conclusion seemed rushed and far-fetched.
January 26, 2015
Witty publishing world mystery with intelligent, independent (only occasionally grumpy) midlife female main character
Since Samantha (Sam) Clair is a non-flashy middle-aged woman who works as a book editor and lives a quiet somewhat solitary life with just a few close friends, people tend to seriously underestimate her intellect, her powers of observation, her pointed sarcastic wit, and her won’t be brushed off or appeased determination. When one of her authors goes missing and police seem more interested in his yet to be published tell-all exposé than finding him Sam starts her own investigation.
Readers who enjoy the challenge of puzzles may feel differently, but while I loved this smart, funny book and its good-hearted but sometimes grumpy main character, the solving of the mystery was the least interesting part of the story for me, especially when characters were systematically analyzing the meaning of clues. What I did like was following Sam around to see what she’d say and do next. One moment she’d be flattering an egotistical bigwig, lulling him into thinking this frumpy older woman respects and reveres him, but when that bigwig was dismissive or not forthcoming with information she was hoping to sweet-talk out of him she’d turn on a dime and dish out a devastating faux-innocent put down that would silence the room and then walk out without looking back, no longer interested, with me running along behind her.
I also enjoyed being there for Sam’s interactions with her high-style gossipy author, her whip-sharp ultra-competent lawyer mother, her willing to innovate outside the box editorial assistant, and her reclusive never leaves his apartment neighbor. Sam has a somewhat skeptical attitude toward the nascent romance developing between her and the lead detective that’s refreshing because it’s so non-starry-eyed, and this book’s inside look at the world of publishing can’t help but be entertaining for bibliophiles. A fun book, especially if you’d like a slightly older, intelligent, independent woman as your main character.
I read an advanced review copy of this book given to me at no cost by the publisher. Review opinions are mine.
Since Samantha (Sam) Clair is a non-flashy middle-aged woman who works as a book editor and lives a quiet somewhat solitary life with just a few close friends, people tend to seriously underestimate her intellect, her powers of observation, her pointed sarcastic wit, and her won’t be brushed off or appeased determination. When one of her authors goes missing and police seem more interested in his yet to be published tell-all exposé than finding him Sam starts her own investigation.
Readers who enjoy the challenge of puzzles may feel differently, but while I loved this smart, funny book and its good-hearted but sometimes grumpy main character, the solving of the mystery was the least interesting part of the story for me, especially when characters were systematically analyzing the meaning of clues. What I did like was following Sam around to see what she’d say and do next. One moment she’d be flattering an egotistical bigwig, lulling him into thinking this frumpy older woman respects and reveres him, but when that bigwig was dismissive or not forthcoming with information she was hoping to sweet-talk out of him she’d turn on a dime and dish out a devastating faux-innocent put down that would silence the room and then walk out without looking back, no longer interested, with me running along behind her.
I also enjoyed being there for Sam’s interactions with her high-style gossipy author, her whip-sharp ultra-competent lawyer mother, her willing to innovate outside the box editorial assistant, and her reclusive never leaves his apartment neighbor. Sam has a somewhat skeptical attitude toward the nascent romance developing between her and the lead detective that’s refreshing because it’s so non-starry-eyed, and this book’s inside look at the world of publishing can’t help but be entertaining for bibliophiles. A fun book, especially if you’d like a slightly older, intelligent, independent woman as your main character.
I read an advanced review copy of this book given to me at no cost by the publisher. Review opinions are mine.
Read
March 14, 2020DNF so no rating
Great premise, a heroine I could relate to and a cozy murder series I had hoped would live up to the “blurb.”
Nope— too many characters, too many wandering anecdotes and baffling choices by our heroine.
Moving on.
Great premise, a heroine I could relate to and a cozy murder series I had hoped would live up to the “blurb.”
Nope— too many characters, too many wandering anecdotes and baffling choices by our heroine.
Moving on.
February 17, 2015
Am I the only person that hopes that this will become a series?
Other than the complete confusion I had with the money-laundering scheme, I really enjoyed Samantha Clair as a lead character. There was something refreshing and endearing when a character in an “almost” cozy mystery uses her brain and not just her love interest to help her solve a mystery.
Book editor Samantha Clair is in a difficult position when her bestselling author submits a book that is almost too awful to print. She will have to put that on the proverbial back burner when she plans a meeting with another author whose new book proposal offers tantalizing gossip within the fashion industry.
There are people that do not want this scandalous book published so when both the manuscript and author disappear Police Inspector Jake Field shows up at the publishing house wanting Sam to answer a couple of questions. Of course, the inspector is handsome and Samantha is curious, but that is not going to get in the way of Sam finding her friend and answering quite a few questions of her own. Most pressing of which is -who exactly is that man living in the apartment above her.
There are many great characters in this book – namely her mother Helena that Samantha is convinced is a Martian or other life form since the woman seems to have supernatural powers and survives on very little sleep. Helena is hysterical throughout the book and most definitely keeps Sam on her toes.
I would not say that the plot was “un-put-down-able” but I would say that the characters kept me coming back and I hope that Ms. Flanders has more shenanigans with this group in the works.
Other than the complete confusion I had with the money-laundering scheme, I really enjoyed Samantha Clair as a lead character. There was something refreshing and endearing when a character in an “almost” cozy mystery uses her brain and not just her love interest to help her solve a mystery.
Book editor Samantha Clair is in a difficult position when her bestselling author submits a book that is almost too awful to print. She will have to put that on the proverbial back burner when she plans a meeting with another author whose new book proposal offers tantalizing gossip within the fashion industry.
There are people that do not want this scandalous book published so when both the manuscript and author disappear Police Inspector Jake Field shows up at the publishing house wanting Sam to answer a couple of questions. Of course, the inspector is handsome and Samantha is curious, but that is not going to get in the way of Sam finding her friend and answering quite a few questions of her own. Most pressing of which is -who exactly is that man living in the apartment above her.
There are many great characters in this book – namely her mother Helena that Samantha is convinced is a Martian or other life form since the woman seems to have supernatural powers and survives on very little sleep. Helena is hysterical throughout the book and most definitely keeps Sam on her toes.
I would not say that the plot was “un-put-down-able” but I would say that the characters kept me coming back and I hope that Ms. Flanders has more shenanigans with this group in the works.
August 1, 2015
A Murder of Magpies was a very well-written and gripping start to a series that I know I'll keep up with.
I really liked Sam, she was smart and bold, but unlike many MCs I've read she didn't think that she knew everything and she was not perfect. Her sarcastic sense of humor and her hilarious comebacks had me laughing out loud throughout numerous portions of the book. I also loved Jake and Sam's mother, both were also funny in their own way, and I absolutely loved the way Sam's mom knew everything about everybody without being nosy. She simply had connections and knew how to use them.
The mystery was stellar. I did not see the ending coming and I was shocked by how the author steered you the completely wrong direction, but at the same tile left clues throughout the story. Same investigates without being overly brash about it and yet she put it together in a completely logical way.
Overall a very good book that I really enjoyed. I'll read the next book when it comes out. A Murder of Magpies gets 5/5 stars.
I really liked Sam, she was smart and bold, but unlike many MCs I've read she didn't think that she knew everything and she was not perfect. Her sarcastic sense of humor and her hilarious comebacks had me laughing out loud throughout numerous portions of the book. I also loved Jake and Sam's mother, both were also funny in their own way, and I absolutely loved the way Sam's mom knew everything about everybody without being nosy. She simply had connections and knew how to use them.
The mystery was stellar. I did not see the ending coming and I was shocked by how the author steered you the completely wrong direction, but at the same tile left clues throughout the story. Same investigates without being overly brash about it and yet she put it together in a completely logical way.
Overall a very good book that I really enjoyed. I'll read the next book when it comes out. A Murder of Magpies gets 5/5 stars.
March 22, 2014
Judith Flanders is a well known author of history books about the Victorian period but, with this novel, she has changed direction completely, writing a contemporary crime story. Having enjoyed her previous works, I was interested to see whether this change would be a success and, I am happy to say, that she is obviously as talented as a novelist as she is as a historian.
Samantha Clair is a “middle aged middling-ly successful” editor at Timms & Ross. She is, in fact, the kind of woman who run successful publishing offices. Her authors are not generally the kind of literary successes who win awards, but those who write ‘women’s fiction’ or gossipy books. In other words, the kinds of books which pay for all those respected literary works to be published, usually at a loss. When we meet Sam, she is having problems with two of her most popular authors and their new books. Her bestselling and star author, Breda McManon, has changed direction and she hates her new novel . She also has concerns about the legal implications of Kit Lovell’s (fashion journalist, author and friend) highly contentious new manuscript about a Spanish fashion designer; including financial irregularities and the possible cover up of his murder.
Sam likes a quiet life. She has recently broken up with her partner and enjoys living in her North London apartment, the company of her neighbours and her work. She muses that, “I only feel great when I’m lying on the sofa reading a book, possibly while simultaneously eating biscuits,” which is a point of view I can sympathise with totally. In fact, Sam is an extremely likeable heroine who, despite her unwillingness to enter into an adventure is a loyal friend. When Kit goes missing, she is determined to discover his whereabouts, along with her intelligent and super efficient mother, Helena, and Inspector Jake Field.
This is a fun, intelligent and witty crime novel. It has a great plot, excellent characters and a setting which will appeal to all readers, with a sharp and satirical look at the publishing industry. I sincerely hope that Judith Flanders will make this a series , as I would love to see Sam involved in some more crime solving.
Samantha Clair is a “middle aged middling-ly successful” editor at Timms & Ross. She is, in fact, the kind of woman who run successful publishing offices. Her authors are not generally the kind of literary successes who win awards, but those who write ‘women’s fiction’ or gossipy books. In other words, the kinds of books which pay for all those respected literary works to be published, usually at a loss. When we meet Sam, she is having problems with two of her most popular authors and their new books. Her bestselling and star author, Breda McManon, has changed direction and she hates her new novel . She also has concerns about the legal implications of Kit Lovell’s (fashion journalist, author and friend) highly contentious new manuscript about a Spanish fashion designer; including financial irregularities and the possible cover up of his murder.
Sam likes a quiet life. She has recently broken up with her partner and enjoys living in her North London apartment, the company of her neighbours and her work. She muses that, “I only feel great when I’m lying on the sofa reading a book, possibly while simultaneously eating biscuits,” which is a point of view I can sympathise with totally. In fact, Sam is an extremely likeable heroine who, despite her unwillingness to enter into an adventure is a loyal friend. When Kit goes missing, she is determined to discover his whereabouts, along with her intelligent and super efficient mother, Helena, and Inspector Jake Field.
This is a fun, intelligent and witty crime novel. It has a great plot, excellent characters and a setting which will appeal to all readers, with a sharp and satirical look at the publishing industry. I sincerely hope that Judith Flanders will make this a series , as I would love to see Sam involved in some more crime solving.
October 22, 2016
When the main character gets "caught" by the bad guy.....and you HOPE he kills her.....you realize you may hate the book....
January 24, 2015
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an opportunity to read an advance copy of A Murder of Magpies. I really enjoyed it. It's a light literary mystery set in contemporary London. Sam -- the protagonist -- works for a publishing company, and through one of her authors and his manuscript she gets too close to a potential murder, disappearance and money laundering. The story is fine, but what makes this book worth reading are the characters and excellent writing. As a single, late thirties, smart --but self-deprecating -- protagonist, Sam is not an unfamiliar character, but she is engaging and fun. And her mother -- a corporate lawyer who Sam describes as an "alien" because of her boundless energy and gumption -- is a great character. And of course London is always a good setting for a mystery as is the author's depiction of the publishing world. I hope this turns into a series and would be happy to read the next one.
March 11, 2016
I simply got so bogged down in the superfluous details of lawyers' firms names, company names, town and country names, extraneous chit-chatted about names, building styles and features, writers' and publishers and gossipy chitchat that I almost forgot that there was a plot, a mystery afoot and even something supposed to less than charmingly look like a witty courtship. There has been such high praise... But I missed the boat on this one. I'm much happier riding around with Jilly Cooper, who has written British farces uproariously and wickedly well, crammed with character, horses (usually), mystery, mockery and romance twisted so my brain finds its way to the plot. I wanted to like A Murder of Magpies. The title was so droll. But the book was a miss for me.
September 14, 2015
Talkative Magpie
I will admit that the book had some killer funny bone but then towards the end that very bone was killing me and not at all in a fun way.
The central character was a pleasure to be around as her wit and sharp tongue would make you rolling on the floors but after sometime you feel like stuffing her mouth and yelling "SHUT UP" because she is making your ears bleed with constant chatter. Its like she has to have a say in everything. Even in life or death situations, she can’t stop putting out sarcastic taunts and weapons and thereupon muffling the intensity of the situations
I think with a murder mystery set against a publishing house background, the book definitely stands apart and is even impressive with a very strong and sharp character but then in the treatment of the book, somewhere around shaping the character became the priority rather than the story and the plot itself which is what actually brought the downfall for the book in my eyes
Language as I mentioned is sharp, witty and humorous but after a while it is just plain chitter chatter than an actual story. I never got the wind of the activities that was happening in the book being caught up in all the things the central character had to say. Even for a plot I felt it had so much layers to it and since no proper mention or treatment was done to it, the intricacies and nuisances of what happened went amiss with me.The character was perfect but the setting was not in my opinion.
But in spite of all that it is pure chick lit fun nothing too serious or brainiac or atleast not portrays itself to be one
The book can be picked up by whodunnit fans but only those who does not like too much complicated stuffs in their story. Everything in this book is about its central character and her sharp tongue, the plot kind of takes a backseat failing at the sharp end of central character’s tongue and sarcasms but otherwise the book is a good fun read.
I will admit that the book had some killer funny bone but then towards the end that very bone was killing me and not at all in a fun way.
The central character was a pleasure to be around as her wit and sharp tongue would make you rolling on the floors but after sometime you feel like stuffing her mouth and yelling "SHUT UP" because she is making your ears bleed with constant chatter. Its like she has to have a say in everything. Even in life or death situations, she can’t stop putting out sarcastic taunts and weapons and thereupon muffling the intensity of the situations
I think with a murder mystery set against a publishing house background, the book definitely stands apart and is even impressive with a very strong and sharp character but then in the treatment of the book, somewhere around shaping the character became the priority rather than the story and the plot itself which is what actually brought the downfall for the book in my eyes
Language as I mentioned is sharp, witty and humorous but after a while it is just plain chitter chatter than an actual story. I never got the wind of the activities that was happening in the book being caught up in all the things the central character had to say. Even for a plot I felt it had so much layers to it and since no proper mention or treatment was done to it, the intricacies and nuisances of what happened went amiss with me.The character was perfect but the setting was not in my opinion.
But in spite of all that it is pure chick lit fun nothing too serious or brainiac or atleast not portrays itself to be one
The book can be picked up by whodunnit fans but only those who does not like too much complicated stuffs in their story. Everything in this book is about its central character and her sharp tongue, the plot kind of takes a backseat failing at the sharp end of central character’s tongue and sarcasms but otherwise the book is a good fun read.
February 3, 2015
Think there was too much build up about the humor in this mystery. My expectations were high. But A Murder of Magpies by Judith Flanders did not come through for me.
The beginning introduced Sam or Samantha Clair, a middle aged book editor whose usual days are filled with meetings. A police inspector comes to her office and asks her questions about a missing manuscript. She meets with Kit Lowell, a gossipy, fashion journalist who has written an unusual rich and famous book that points to a family and police cover up of a murder. Kit thinks that organized crime might be involved. Kit is gay and obsessive compulsive with every couch pillow in its place. I thought he was far more interesting than the main character.
Kit goes missing and Sam reluctantly has to invite her mother’s help. Her mother is a dynamic attorney in a big firm and she always seems to be perfectly put together and has a wealth of knowledge including how to pick a lock, any lock. I was able to imagine her very quickly and felt more comfortable with her than her insecure daughter, Sam. Sam’s romance seemed very shallow to me.
The story moves quickly but I had a hard time keeping my interest in it. I got excited whenever Kit or her mother appeared. I think some of the humor was just too obvious for me to enjoy. I would be interested if the author wrote a mystery centering about the two characters that I really liked.
I received this Advanced Reading Edition as a win from FirstRead but that in no way influenced my thoughts or feelings in this review.
The beginning introduced Sam or Samantha Clair, a middle aged book editor whose usual days are filled with meetings. A police inspector comes to her office and asks her questions about a missing manuscript. She meets with Kit Lowell, a gossipy, fashion journalist who has written an unusual rich and famous book that points to a family and police cover up of a murder. Kit thinks that organized crime might be involved. Kit is gay and obsessive compulsive with every couch pillow in its place. I thought he was far more interesting than the main character.
Kit goes missing and Sam reluctantly has to invite her mother’s help. Her mother is a dynamic attorney in a big firm and she always seems to be perfectly put together and has a wealth of knowledge including how to pick a lock, any lock. I was able to imagine her very quickly and felt more comfortable with her than her insecure daughter, Sam. Sam’s romance seemed very shallow to me.
The story moves quickly but I had a hard time keeping my interest in it. I got excited whenever Kit or her mother appeared. I think some of the humor was just too obvious for me to enjoy. I would be interested if the author wrote a mystery centering about the two characters that I really liked.
I received this Advanced Reading Edition as a win from FirstRead but that in no way influenced my thoughts or feelings in this review.
February 25, 2015
Reading A Murder of Magpies will make you feel as though you've just been dished some of the juiciest dirt on the publishing business, and author Judith Flanders has found the perfect character to tell us all about it. Sam Clair has an infectious snarky wit that's almost impossible to resist. She is a very self-contained character who, for some reason, has chosen to live her life on the outside. It can't have everything to do with her annoyingly perfect lawyer mother Helena, and I'd love to know more. (Yes, that means I hope we'll be hearing more from Sam.)
As clever as she is, she doesn't always get it right, and one of the funniest threads in the book concerns the trials and tribulations she has with her bestselling author and the author's latest book, which Sam believes is a total disaster. This editor thinks she has an inside edge on almost everything-- like when she goes to question someone because she thinks she-- as a middle-aged woman-- will get more out of the person than the police ever would. (She just may have something there.)
Flanders really ups the ante on readers' sleuthing skills because what is originally thought to be a missing persons case morphs into something much larger and complex. Something that the police are going to have difficulty in handling but is perfect for the sharp eyes and minds of Sam and her mother. Watching these two women dig for the truth is worth the price of admission, and as I've already said, I'm definitely looking forward to reading more about Samantha Clair.
As clever as she is, she doesn't always get it right, and one of the funniest threads in the book concerns the trials and tribulations she has with her bestselling author and the author's latest book, which Sam believes is a total disaster. This editor thinks she has an inside edge on almost everything-- like when she goes to question someone because she thinks she-- as a middle-aged woman-- will get more out of the person than the police ever would. (She just may have something there.)
Flanders really ups the ante on readers' sleuthing skills because what is originally thought to be a missing persons case morphs into something much larger and complex. Something that the police are going to have difficulty in handling but is perfect for the sharp eyes and minds of Sam and her mother. Watching these two women dig for the truth is worth the price of admission, and as I've already said, I'm definitely looking forward to reading more about Samantha Clair.
April 25, 2019
2.5 stars. A quick, pleasant read - a contemporary cozy mystery with a splash of romance. The author has taken the axiom of “write what you know” to heart by making her heroine a book editor at a London publishing firm.
Sam Clair mostly handles “women’s fiction”, but one of her authors is a fashion journalist who writes “quick and dirty low-downs on the rich and famous”, and his latest manuscript contains some serious accusations of wrongdoing, which has attracted some sinister attention. When the author disappears, Sam proceeds with the requisite amateur sleuthing resulting in mildly wacky hijinks, to the predictable annoyance of the handsome detective inspector in charge of the case.
The writing is smooth and mildly humorous. I liked the setting and the characters, and it’s nice to have a story centered on a middle-aged, self-contained professional woman (whose mother is even more self-contained and professional). Sam’s constant self-deprecation rings a little false, however, since she casually hobnobs with London’s cultural elite.
Unfortunately, the mystery plot is a complete muddle and often dull. So is the romance.
There’s just enough here that I think I’ll read the next book.
Sam Clair mostly handles “women’s fiction”, but one of her authors is a fashion journalist who writes “quick and dirty low-downs on the rich and famous”, and his latest manuscript contains some serious accusations of wrongdoing, which has attracted some sinister attention. When the author disappears, Sam proceeds with the requisite amateur sleuthing resulting in mildly wacky hijinks, to the predictable annoyance of the handsome detective inspector in charge of the case.
The writing is smooth and mildly humorous. I liked the setting and the characters, and it’s nice to have a story centered on a middle-aged, self-contained professional woman (whose mother is even more self-contained and professional). Sam’s constant self-deprecation rings a little false, however, since she casually hobnobs with London’s cultural elite.
Unfortunately, the mystery plot is a complete muddle and often dull. So is the romance.
There’s just enough here that I think I’ll read the next book.
February 24, 2015
First off, I want to say I'm giving this book 4 1/2 stars, but this site doesn't allow it. Okay, now with the review.
Don't let the title or cover fool you. This is not a lighthearted cozy romantic mystery. I just loved that the Sam wasn't totally agonizing about whether he loved her or not. She is a more professional and mature person which for me means less agony as a reader. Not that That is a bad thing, it just sometimes gets in the way for me.
This was a very well written book, so much so that I can't believe it's a debut novel. The characters were rich and very likable. There was a good story involved, read the blurbs, you'll see what it's about. And plenty of suspects so that you will never figure it out.
I commend Judith Flanders for a job well done and than her for the entertainment, because it was definitely entertaining!
Thank you St. Martin's Press and Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest review
Don't let the title or cover fool you. This is not a lighthearted cozy romantic mystery. I just loved that the Sam wasn't totally agonizing about whether he loved her or not. She is a more professional and mature person which for me means less agony as a reader. Not that That is a bad thing, it just sometimes gets in the way for me.
This was a very well written book, so much so that I can't believe it's a debut novel. The characters were rich and very likable. There was a good story involved, read the blurbs, you'll see what it's about. And plenty of suspects so that you will never figure it out.
I commend Judith Flanders for a job well done and than her for the entertainment, because it was definitely entertaining!
Thank you St. Martin's Press and Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest review
March 21, 2023
3.5 stars. I enjoyed this book much more than I was expecting. If this author writes more mysteries, then I'm snapping them up.
Obviously unintentionally, the plot of this book was quite similar to Chris Pavane's newest but the styles were different. (And that's a good book too--well worth your time if you like this type of thing.)
In this, I really enjoyed the main character, Sam. I liked her confidence and her way of depressing the pretensions of self-important jerks with a stiletto like sentence or two. (Those were my favorite parts.)
Ms. Flanders, more please.
Obviously unintentionally, the plot of this book was quite similar to Chris Pavane's newest but the styles were different. (And that's a good book too--well worth your time if you like this type of thing.)
In this, I really enjoyed the main character, Sam. I liked her confidence and her way of depressing the pretensions of self-important jerks with a stiletto like sentence or two. (Those were my favorite parts.)
Ms. Flanders, more please.
March 11, 2016
I had heard quite a bit of praise for this book so I decided to take it out from the library to see what all the fuss was about. Immediately I loved Sam's sense of humour - dry with a side of sarcasm. Just how I like it. I also liked that she was a forty-something professional who worked in a book publishing company as an editor. Is that a dreamy job or what?
I found Flanders writing to be light ... for the first part of the book anyway. I thought that the idea of fashion journalist Kit's disappearance intriguing but as the story progressed my interest waned until it was a mere trickle by the end of the book. The problem for me is that the story was too focused on business dealings, law and financial deals -- subjects that don't interest me. There was also a multitude of secondary characters, many from the numerous companies, who seemed to blend into each other and I had a hard time keeping track of them all.
Not all of the secondary characters were a blur. Some, like Sam's mother Helena stood out. Helena was a force to be reckoned with and I wish that she, as well as Sam's mysterious neighbour Pavel would have been used more. There is a love interest but honestly it was so rushed, not romantic and didn't add anything to the story line that I wish it had been omitted. Not every mystery needs a romance. Just sayin'.
With all of the praise regarding this book I was expecting to be blown away and while the humour was excellent, the mystery was less than satisfying and overall I finished this book feeling disappointed. On a side not, I'm still not sure what magpies have to do with this mystery. Perhaps that's the biggest mystery of all.
My Rating: 2/5 stars
** This book review, as well as hundreds more, can also be found on my blog, The Baking Bookworm, where I also share my favourite 'tried and true' recipes. **
I found Flanders writing to be light ... for the first part of the book anyway. I thought that the idea of fashion journalist Kit's disappearance intriguing but as the story progressed my interest waned until it was a mere trickle by the end of the book. The problem for me is that the story was too focused on business dealings, law and financial deals -- subjects that don't interest me. There was also a multitude of secondary characters, many from the numerous companies, who seemed to blend into each other and I had a hard time keeping track of them all.
Not all of the secondary characters were a blur. Some, like Sam's mother Helena stood out. Helena was a force to be reckoned with and I wish that she, as well as Sam's mysterious neighbour Pavel would have been used more. There is a love interest but honestly it was so rushed, not romantic and didn't add anything to the story line that I wish it had been omitted. Not every mystery needs a romance. Just sayin'.
With all of the praise regarding this book I was expecting to be blown away and while the humour was excellent, the mystery was less than satisfying and overall I finished this book feeling disappointed. On a side not, I'm still not sure what magpies have to do with this mystery. Perhaps that's the biggest mystery of all.
My Rating: 2/5 stars
** This book review, as well as hundreds more, can also be found on my blog, The Baking Bookworm, where I also share my favourite 'tried and true' recipes. **
March 31, 2019
This novel about an editor desperately needed an editor. The premise was so good but the implementation was so sad. I felt almost uncomfortable reading the narrative. On and on she went—trying so desperately hard, to be witty and sarcastic and cool that she came off as pathetic loser screaming for attention. I kept thinking "enough already" with the tough chick verbal diarrhea. Shut up and Google a good analyst then get on with the story.
I was so looking forward to a murder mystery set the cut throat fashion world. I immediately loved Kit and the mom —even her assistant had possibilities. I wanted her mom to sleep with the DI, not this loser but apparently, everyone in this story was just window dressing for the queen bee's fantastic jet setting escapades. Everything was 'all about her' and she was B-O-R-I-N-G.
The contradictions were rampant throughout. She claims to be a dumpy, unfashionable middle-aged career woman with no life but magically has a closet full of stunning outfits to throw on at a moments notice to take a private jet to Paris for a meeting. Her mom phones her at work and tells her to be at black tie function at 6 and like wonder woman, she pulls it off .... wearing what ... her self described shoddy tacky work clothes? Her apartment is ransacked and practically destroyed but it only takes one day for her (all by herself) to put it to rights. She's an introvert but jumps into bed with the DI the day after she meets him and he falls in love with her? Seriously now? How old is this author—thirteen?
All the complex crap thrown in to confuse the situation was ridiculous. I flipped through pages and pages of it. There were more peripheral characters than her empty closet had perfect designer clothes. I finally turned to the last page and then flipped back a few to catch up. Vindication, at least.
I was so looking forward to a murder mystery set the cut throat fashion world. I immediately loved Kit and the mom —even her assistant had possibilities. I wanted her mom to sleep with the DI, not this loser but apparently, everyone in this story was just window dressing for the queen bee's fantastic jet setting escapades. Everything was 'all about her' and she was B-O-R-I-N-G.
The contradictions were rampant throughout. She claims to be a dumpy, unfashionable middle-aged career woman with no life but magically has a closet full of stunning outfits to throw on at a moments notice to take a private jet to Paris for a meeting. Her mom phones her at work and tells her to be at black tie function at 6 and like wonder woman, she pulls it off .... wearing what ... her self described shoddy tacky work clothes? Her apartment is ransacked and practically destroyed but it only takes one day for her (all by herself) to put it to rights. She's an introvert but jumps into bed with the DI the day after she meets him and he falls in love with her? Seriously now? How old is this author—thirteen?
All the complex crap thrown in to confuse the situation was ridiculous. I flipped through pages and pages of it. There were more peripheral characters than her empty closet had perfect designer clothes. I finally turned to the last page and then flipped back a few to catch up. Vindication, at least.
May 24, 2015
I liked this mystery and I don't know why but I'm on the fence as to whether it's a cozy or not. Whatever it is, one thing is clear, Sam is a great protagonist to follow and she brings the wit. It was a nice look in at a publishing house and the characters that populated her office were worth meeting. I really enjoyed the turn the Toujours Twenty-one book thread took by the end. I liked Kit and was really hoping things would turn out okay for him as he's our main victim in the mystery. I also enjoyed Sam's mother, Helena. I did think Sam dwelt a bit too much on her mother's overall proficiency and if I'm honest, Sam's constant lament throughout that women are universally ignored from age 35 on, was a bit tedious too. Still, a main character needs some flaws and things that niggle at you so, I didn't really mind. Those weren't enough to put me off from Sam one bit. I liked Jack though I did feel he wasn't very strongly drawn a character. The mystery was well done as well and I did not work out the killer(s) and give lots of credit that it was a pretty well layered trail that worked it's way through the story to the final pages. Overall, very enjoyable with a great protagonist and peopled with other characters that often were quirky, annoying or otherwise interesting enough to be worth not just meeting but remembering. I've no idea if this will become a series (and I truly don't need one more series to add to my list of books) but if the author writes another, I'll surely read it.
September 13, 2015
I'd really have to give this 3 and 3/4 stars. I grabbed this off the library shelf in hopes of an entertaining quick read, and it was just that and more.
It is not just another daily grind for book editor Samantha Clair, who seems to not know what's going on. She totally misses the boat in her judgement of the latest book by her " cash cow" author who for the last 2 decades has pumped out a best seller, and second guesses a tell all fashion book by good friend Kit, that might just involve espionage and money theft. But when police inspector Field shows up, asking questions about the untimely death of a courier that was on his way to her offices, things really heat up for " Sam". Her upstairs neighbor hasn't left his apartment for almost 40 years, her downstairs neighbors only invite her over once a year at most, Kit disappears, someone breaks into Sam's apartment, but nothing seems to be missing, and now that inspector wants to sleep over.Her usual bookish life has gone into overdrive, and she finds herself thrown into a criminal investigation of gigantic proportions. It seems that more than one person doesn't want Kit's manuscript published, and is willing to do anything to stop it, including kidnapping. This hilariously funny amateur sleuth with a continuous inner dialogue was just what I needed to bring my out of my reading slump.
(However...The ending was a bit too neatly tied up with a big red bow.)
It is not just another daily grind for book editor Samantha Clair, who seems to not know what's going on. She totally misses the boat in her judgement of the latest book by her " cash cow" author who for the last 2 decades has pumped out a best seller, and second guesses a tell all fashion book by good friend Kit, that might just involve espionage and money theft. But when police inspector Field shows up, asking questions about the untimely death of a courier that was on his way to her offices, things really heat up for " Sam". Her upstairs neighbor hasn't left his apartment for almost 40 years, her downstairs neighbors only invite her over once a year at most, Kit disappears, someone breaks into Sam's apartment, but nothing seems to be missing, and now that inspector wants to sleep over.Her usual bookish life has gone into overdrive, and she finds herself thrown into a criminal investigation of gigantic proportions. It seems that more than one person doesn't want Kit's manuscript published, and is willing to do anything to stop it, including kidnapping. This hilariously funny amateur sleuth with a continuous inner dialogue was just what I needed to bring my out of my reading slump.
(However...The ending was a bit too neatly tied up with a big red bow.)
September 16, 2017
I picked this book up from the 5.98 table at a local bookstore. The interior cover made the book sound uproariously funny, with a side of mystery. I loved the idea that the story is based on the publishing business. Unfortunately, I should have checked the reviews before making the purchase because A Murder of Magpies definitely does not deliver the goods.
This was a difficult book to slog through. The author's constant attempt at humor simply came off as snarky nastiness. Apparently, everyone besides the main character, Sam Clair, was an idiot. Sam's rambling, inner thoughts were scattered and unbearable. The story went every which way possible before making a solid point.
A Murder of Magpies is only 277 print pages, so I stuck with it hoping it would somehow get better. It didn't. In a word...painful.
This was a difficult book to slog through. The author's constant attempt at humor simply came off as snarky nastiness. Apparently, everyone besides the main character, Sam Clair, was an idiot. Sam's rambling, inner thoughts were scattered and unbearable. The story went every which way possible before making a solid point.
A Murder of Magpies is only 277 print pages, so I stuck with it hoping it would somehow get better. It didn't. In a word...painful.
March 13, 2016
I'd file this with cozy mysteries, but the smart and sarcastic banter takes it up a notch. The author is a nonfiction academic, and that shows through a bit with the details, but I'm truly curious to see how she develops as a writer and hope there will be followups to this mystery. That said, if anyone can tell me how the title ties back to the story? That'd be great. I loved the cover and the titled but couldn't quite figure it out. The book definitely has a great series of quotes though. A quoteworthy book is always a plus for me! Main character works in publishing, and that was an interesting backstory as well.
October 23, 2021
I picked up this book from the library because both Donna Leon & Louise Penny endorsed it as being smart and funny, and because those are two of my favorite authors. I found the novel neither smart nor funny.
The plot was so convoluted that I rarely had any idea who the characters were or what they were supposed to be doing. Not that I cared much, anyway. It took me nearly a week to read the 277 pages, and I'm really not sure why I persevered. The author was trying to be humorous, I guess, but I found the attempts too self-consciously irritating. I give the book 2 stars only because I must have found it engaging in some way, since I did actually finish it. But I couldn't tell you why.
The plot was so convoluted that I rarely had any idea who the characters were or what they were supposed to be doing. Not that I cared much, anyway. It took me nearly a week to read the 277 pages, and I'm really not sure why I persevered. The author was trying to be humorous, I guess, but I found the attempts too self-consciously irritating. I give the book 2 stars only because I must have found it engaging in some way, since I did actually finish it. But I couldn't tell you why.
October 12, 2020
Samantha (Sam) Clair is a middle aged editor at Timmons and Ross, an independent London book publisher. As she muddles over how to tell her star writer Breda Mcmanus, who every year delivers a manuscript that sells like hot cakes, that her most recent submission is not publishable, she also wonders about the next step to take with Kit Lovell’s new book. The gossipy fashion journalist has written a tell-all about the fashion house Vernet suggesting the death of their head designer was not an accident. Kit has all the facts to back up his allegations but Sam knows she must take this potentially libelous script to the lawyers for review. Before she does, a number of events unfold. Kit never appears at the lunch they planned together and eventually goes missing. The courier delivering Kit’s manuscript is run down by a van, the driver dies and the manuscript goes missing. Sam’s house is broken into and her office ransacked. And then Inspector Jacob (Jake) Field, investigating the hit and run of the courier appears at her door. It seems like her entire life has been disrupted and there are people who don’t want Kit Lovell’s manuscript to be published.
Anxious to find out what has happened to her friend Kit, Sam begins poking around and soon finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation, working her way through literary agents, law firms, solicitors and flying to Paris for a couture fashion show.
The novel stars two great likable characters. Sam the narrator is snarky, cynical but also smart. Her svelte, sexy and sophisticated mother Helena is a successful hard working solicitor and a partner in her law firm, a force to be reckoned with. The two are very different from each other in the way they look, approach life and relate to others. Sam is very conservative, a woman who enjoys the quiet routine of her nine to five job and avoids attracting attention by dressing in only three colors -- white, black and gray.
It is hard to believe these two women are mother and daughter but they work well together as amateur sleuths trying to figure out what is going on at Vernet using illegal means to get the evidence they need. Their actions put them miles ahead of the police investigation, but what they have is information not admissible in court. So they must find a way to bring the others up to speed without revealing their less than proper methods.
The story is told by Sam, always sarcastic and smart mouthed, but careful how she talks to others. Most of her snarky voice stays inside her head, thoughts she shares with readers as she comments on everything from her daily routine, office politics and the inner workings of the book publishing business. Her relationship with her mother and her quiet, mysterious reclusive upstairs neighbor Mr. Rodiger also become part of the mix.
Readers get a peek behind the scenes of the publishing industry and readers may be surprised to find Sam’s days are not filled with introductions to fascinating people at networking events or champagne fueled book launches. Instead she endures testy negotiations with aggressive agents and slogs through lunches with well known writers soothing their bruised egos for some imagined slight. It turns out her work is the same as many middle management jobs, filled with long, boring and often frustrating meetings with her co-workers, lunches with writers during which she is expected to compliment their self-image and endless cocktail parties she must spend with the very same people she sees every day.
Initially readers may find the pace slow but it soon quickens as Sam and her mother finally put the pieces of the puzzle together. There are several twists and turns as the two uncover a complex arrangement of money laundering. It is not a narrative that is not always easy to follow with several characters to keep track of, the ins and outs of money laundering and the manipulative accounting to follow with banks, company directors and lawyers which can makes things confusing. But the focus of this novel is more on the relationship between Helena and Sam and the plot takes a secondary role to what plays out between these two women as they try to pin down exactly what has been going on at the fashion House of Vernet. Flanders has to maintain a delicate balance between these two characters as Helena comes close to grabbing the spotlight from her daughter and hijacking the plot.
Judith Flanders has published books about social history but this is her first crime novel. It is a fun light read with great characters but not a strong clear plot with all its various strands wrapped up a little too quickly at the end. I understand this is the first book of a proposed series and I would be glad to continue with future books, curious to see how the entertaining mother daughter relationship plays out. There are also some interesting secondary characters to support another novel. Sam’s assistant Miranda, whose neo-Goth make-up, ear piercings and black fingernails hides a very bright mind, Jake Field the good looking CID Inspector who provides some diversion between the sheets and Mr. Pavel Rudiger the quirky reclusive that lives in the upstairs flat of her building. All have the potential to become stronger as the series develops.
Anxious to find out what has happened to her friend Kit, Sam begins poking around and soon finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation, working her way through literary agents, law firms, solicitors and flying to Paris for a couture fashion show.
The novel stars two great likable characters. Sam the narrator is snarky, cynical but also smart. Her svelte, sexy and sophisticated mother Helena is a successful hard working solicitor and a partner in her law firm, a force to be reckoned with. The two are very different from each other in the way they look, approach life and relate to others. Sam is very conservative, a woman who enjoys the quiet routine of her nine to five job and avoids attracting attention by dressing in only three colors -- white, black and gray.
It is hard to believe these two women are mother and daughter but they work well together as amateur sleuths trying to figure out what is going on at Vernet using illegal means to get the evidence they need. Their actions put them miles ahead of the police investigation, but what they have is information not admissible in court. So they must find a way to bring the others up to speed without revealing their less than proper methods.
The story is told by Sam, always sarcastic and smart mouthed, but careful how she talks to others. Most of her snarky voice stays inside her head, thoughts she shares with readers as she comments on everything from her daily routine, office politics and the inner workings of the book publishing business. Her relationship with her mother and her quiet, mysterious reclusive upstairs neighbor Mr. Rodiger also become part of the mix.
Readers get a peek behind the scenes of the publishing industry and readers may be surprised to find Sam’s days are not filled with introductions to fascinating people at networking events or champagne fueled book launches. Instead she endures testy negotiations with aggressive agents and slogs through lunches with well known writers soothing their bruised egos for some imagined slight. It turns out her work is the same as many middle management jobs, filled with long, boring and often frustrating meetings with her co-workers, lunches with writers during which she is expected to compliment their self-image and endless cocktail parties she must spend with the very same people she sees every day.
Initially readers may find the pace slow but it soon quickens as Sam and her mother finally put the pieces of the puzzle together. There are several twists and turns as the two uncover a complex arrangement of money laundering. It is not a narrative that is not always easy to follow with several characters to keep track of, the ins and outs of money laundering and the manipulative accounting to follow with banks, company directors and lawyers which can makes things confusing. But the focus of this novel is more on the relationship between Helena and Sam and the plot takes a secondary role to what plays out between these two women as they try to pin down exactly what has been going on at the fashion House of Vernet. Flanders has to maintain a delicate balance between these two characters as Helena comes close to grabbing the spotlight from her daughter and hijacking the plot.
Judith Flanders has published books about social history but this is her first crime novel. It is a fun light read with great characters but not a strong clear plot with all its various strands wrapped up a little too quickly at the end. I understand this is the first book of a proposed series and I would be glad to continue with future books, curious to see how the entertaining mother daughter relationship plays out. There are also some interesting secondary characters to support another novel. Sam’s assistant Miranda, whose neo-Goth make-up, ear piercings and black fingernails hides a very bright mind, Jake Field the good looking CID Inspector who provides some diversion between the sheets and Mr. Pavel Rudiger the quirky reclusive that lives in the upstairs flat of her building. All have the potential to become stronger as the series develops.
May 13, 2023
I love cozy mysteries especially those set in the world of books and publishing. Though I enjoyed the unlikely sleuth, the book editor Sam Clair and generally the setting and the premise, I wanted a bit more from the mystery aspect of the story. The writing did get me intrigued enough to want to pick up the next book in this series!
Grateful to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for gifting me a copy of this debut novel in exchange for an honest review!
Grateful to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for gifting me a copy of this debut novel in exchange for an honest review!
February 20, 2015
Samantha ‘Sam’ Clair is a thirty-something book editor at a publishing house in London. When her friend and eccentric author, Kit Lowell, writes a tell-all book about the fashion industry and then disappears, her quiet, predictable life is turned upside down. Teaming up with her mother, high-powered lawyer Helena Clair, and the handsome inspector Jake Fields, she soon finds herself involved in more than just a missing person’s case but an international criminal ring.
First let me say that I absolutely loved this cover and it’s the cover that actually attracted me to the book in the first place. The writing was light and fun, and although the mystery part of the plot didn’t quite grab me (financial intrigue is just not my thing!), I thoroughly enjoyed Sam and her relationships and interactions with the books other characters. Aside from Sam’s larger than life mother, who is perfect in every way and who knows absolutely everyone and can do anything, and Inspector Field who is called to the case, there is Sam’s quirky Goth personal assistant Miranda, who makes an excellent partner in crime and her reclusive and mysterious older neighbour Mr. Rudiger. They were smart, witty and very likable and while reading I found myself reading quickly through the ‘investigation’ sections just to get to the character interactions.
A nice, light mystery with humour and likable characters, I give this book 3/5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press (Minotaur Books) for providing me an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.
First let me say that I absolutely loved this cover and it’s the cover that actually attracted me to the book in the first place. The writing was light and fun, and although the mystery part of the plot didn’t quite grab me (financial intrigue is just not my thing!), I thoroughly enjoyed Sam and her relationships and interactions with the books other characters. Aside from Sam’s larger than life mother, who is perfect in every way and who knows absolutely everyone and can do anything, and Inspector Field who is called to the case, there is Sam’s quirky Goth personal assistant Miranda, who makes an excellent partner in crime and her reclusive and mysterious older neighbour Mr. Rudiger. They were smart, witty and very likable and while reading I found myself reading quickly through the ‘investigation’ sections just to get to the character interactions.
A nice, light mystery with humour and likable characters, I give this book 3/5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press (Minotaur Books) for providing me an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.
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