Jumping The Cracks

Sam Falconer #4

by Victoria Blake

For private investigator Sam Falconer, Oxford seems to be a place of sin and secrets. And now she's come back home to set up a branch of her detective agency, she's about to turn up even more trouble, which all seems to lead back to a strange museum and its grisly collection of shrunken heads and demonic masks.

Genres: Mystery

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

I was born and brought up in Oxford and went to college in the same city, studying history. Subsequently I worked in law, book selling and publishing before becoming a writer.

Reviews

[Jennifer S. Alderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book on many levels. It’s a captivating mystery with a strong, yet emotionally traumatized, lead detective you can’t help but root for. Because the plot involves artifact smuggling, it also highlights the ethical dilemmas museums face when displaying human remains or when indigenous groups claim artifacts. Having worked at an anthropological museum while its’ scientific staff was dealing with both issues, it was fascinating to see these topics play a role in a mystery novel.

The cast of characters is varied and interesting. My favorite is probably Norman and his pink-toed Chihuahua. It is the fourth book in the series, but not having read the first three did not diminish my enjoyment of the story.

Oxford comes to life. According to the ‘About the Author’ section, Victoria Blake was born there, which probably accounts for her affectionate descriptions of both the poor and privileged sides of this famous college town.

Pitt Rivers sounds like a museum I could spend days in. The descriptions of the displays, buildings and atmosphere within were so thorough, I feel as if I’ve gotten a glimpse inside. It is indeed an excellent location for a murder mystery.

I would recommend this novel to all mystery and crime fans.

[Shirley]

Set in Oxford. Female detective (PI) Sam Falconer. Enjoyable.

[LJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

JUMPING THE CRACKS (PI-Sam Falconer-England-Cont) – VG
Blake, Victoria – 4th in series
Orion, 2007, UK Trade Paperback – ISBN: 9780752874623

First Sentence: Sweat drips off him as he half-runs, half-walks along Holywell; his T-shirt and trousers flap, soaking wet, against his skin.

PI Sam Falconer has become partners with her friend Alan and opened a branch of their PI agency in Oxford, Sam’s childhood home. A large man, Norman Sweetman, has asked her to care for his Chihuahua overnight, but quickly finds he’s not coming back in the morning.

The curator of the Pitt Rivers museum, known for its shrunken heads and witch in a bottle, hires Sam to patrol at night as he fears things are missing. It starts with an attack, attempted dog-napping and progresses to murder.

I’ve become a very big fan of this series, although it took me awhile. In many ways, it’s as much about Sam’s dealing with her past and her personal growth as it is the particular case within each book.

Sam’s foibles and fears make her very real. Blake gives Sam wonderful supporting characters, both throughout the series and in this particular book, that are diverse and interesting, but not eccentric.

There is a very good sense of place, excellent dialogue, a wonderful humor that made me laugh at times but equal suspense that had me quickly turning the pages. I am very glad to have found Sam Falconer and hope there will be more books in this series.

[Lizzie Hayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Jumping The Cracks’ by Victoria Blake
Published by Orion 2007. ISBN 978-0-7528-7461-6

For PI Sam Falconer Oxford is her home, it’s where she grew up, but it is also the city of her nightmares—a place of sin and secrets. So why is she setting up a branch of her detective agency in Oxford? Maybe to confront the darkest of her childhood memories.

She undertakes a job guarding a collection of museum pieces. And then into her life comes Norman Lester Sweetman. A good-looking man with warm brown eyes an engaging manner and a little overweight. He explains that he is looking after a dog called Pipsqueak, and before she knows it Sam is looking after Pipsqueak—just for one night you understand.

The job at the museum turns into murder, and Pipsqueak look like being a permanent fixture as Norman Sweeting seems to have disappeared, and the situation with Sam’s new lover seems to have hit stormy waters. And Norman – well – he was plausible charming, but not a truthful word had passed his lips since she had first met him.

I have loved all the books in this series and this is the best yet. Veronica Blake pulled a surprise on me and I am not going to share it with you, read the book and enjoy it yourself.
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Lizzie Hayes
Earlier books in the series Bloodless Shadow, Cutting Blades, Skin and Blister.

[Rebecca tedder · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought I would like this book more than I did.

The ahort explanation on the back sounded very much like what I normally enjoy reading but this didn't quite fulfil the expectations I had.

Well written and a book I would recommend to thriller fans who like their tales set in the UK.

[Ruth · Rating 1 out of 5]

c2007. FWFTB: Oxford, childhood, shrunken-heads, bloodshed. I thought this book was banal with weak plotting. I just did not click with the style of writing at all and, once again, found that the blurb was more exciting than the actual book. Apologies but not recommended.

[! · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent thriller, strains credulity at times but it's perfectly readable.

[Bill Stiefel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yet another good story plot by Victoria Blake. She keeps you entertained all the way and adds a little spice to the mix.