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Jane Jeffry #4
The Class Menagerie
Despite a full schedule, frazzled suburban single mom Jane Jeffrey has agreed to help out during a two-day gathering of her friend Shelley's former high school girls' club. So while the reunited ladies are dishing dirt, Jane is sweeping it up - and inadvertantly becomes privy to all sorts of interesting gossip and long smoldering resentments. But then a corpse turns up among the one-time student body. And unless Jane gets to the bottom of a nasty senior-year scandal, more alumnae will die at the hands of a calculating classmate who's majoring in murder.
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1994
3 people are currently reading
311 people want to read
About the author
Jill Churchill
42 books199 followersA pseudonym used by Janice Young Brooks.
Jill Churchill, winner of the Agatha and Macavity Mystery Readers Awards, and nominated for an Anthony for her best-selling Jane Jeffry series, lives as Jane does, in a midwestern suburb. On purpose! She says writing this series and the Grace and Favor series is the best treat she can have without a knife and fork.
Under her real name, Janice Young Brooks, and various pseudonyms, she's written historical novels, a gothic novel, and a history textbook as well as many articles for newspapers and magazines. When she's not writing, she's avidly doing genealogy which she says is a lot like mysteries with all the red herrings, clues, speculations, and surprises.
She gardens enthusiastically, needlepoints superbly, and plays a mean game of gin against the computer. She has a son and daughter and two granddaughters, Rose Louise and Emma. Janice is currently in a battle of supremacy with her cat Max.
Jill Churchill, winner of the Agatha and Macavity Mystery Readers Awards, and nominated for an Anthony for her best-selling Jane Jeffry series, lives as Jane does, in a midwestern suburb. On purpose! She says writing this series and the Grace and Favor series is the best treat she can have without a knife and fork.
Under her real name, Janice Young Brooks, and various pseudonyms, she's written historical novels, a gothic novel, and a history textbook as well as many articles for newspapers and magazines. When she's not writing, she's avidly doing genealogy which she says is a lot like mysteries with all the red herrings, clues, speculations, and surprises.
She gardens enthusiastically, needlepoints superbly, and plays a mean game of gin against the computer. She has a son and daughter and two granddaughters, Rose Louise and Emma. Janice is currently in a battle of supremacy with her cat Max.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
June 16, 2023
This was another quick little read I happened to pick up while perusing the mystery section at our library. I had no idea this was part of a series since I only took it based on the blurb about the story. After reading it I do not believe you would have to have read the prior stories since I don't think it took away from this story.
Jane is roped into helping her good friend Shelley host a class reunion which will be held at the new bed-n-breakfast. Turns out that the new B-N-B was the former home of a judge whose son supposedly committed suicide in the carriage house the night of his HS prom where his girlfriend broke up with him. Those at this reunion include his classmates and the girlfriend who broke up with him that fateful night.
When a guest is found dead in the carriage house old secrets begin to surface and not everyone is being honest. Can Jane and her police boyfriend find the killer and find the connection to the past suicide before someone else dies?
I would welcome reading another in this series should I come across it while talking the stacks.
Jane is roped into helping her good friend Shelley host a class reunion which will be held at the new bed-n-breakfast. Turns out that the new B-N-B was the former home of a judge whose son supposedly committed suicide in the carriage house the night of his HS prom where his girlfriend broke up with him. Those at this reunion include his classmates and the girlfriend who broke up with him that fateful night.
When a guest is found dead in the carriage house old secrets begin to surface and not everyone is being honest. Can Jane and her police boyfriend find the killer and find the connection to the past suicide before someone else dies?
I would welcome reading another in this series should I come across it while talking the stacks.
September 19, 2019
I’m liking these more as the series progresses. A solid 3.5 stars.
January 1, 2023
Wow, I love Jane!! She and Shelley are wonderful, funny, and adults! They don't do stupid stuff! What a concept! I'm reading more of these.... like all of them.
January 11, 2026
So weird to read a book where everyone smokes in the house and car and ash trays have to be emptied!
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July 15, 2014"I have a sergeant who claims that peanut butter is a good investigative tool. He says you can tell where a person is from by what they add to peanut butter sandwiches. Bacon means they came from Philadelphia, bananas mean Memphis or maybe Tupelo. Jelly means different places, depending on the kind of jelly. Grape is Omaha, I think he said, guava is California and raspberry is Connecticut."
That's Mel, Jane Jeffrey's detective boyfriend, speaking. This next scene takes place in the Foundation section of the "anchor department store":
"A towering, substantial platinum blonde was waiting on two elderly ladies... 'Suzie, were you here yesterday, around noon?'
"'Eternally. I'm part of the decor these days. There are people who claim I was just standing here one day in the middle of a field and they built the shopping center around me.'"
As she leaves, she mutters: "Gotta flog some boob baskets."
There's a food subtext. (After all, Jill Churchill also wrote A Quiche Before Dying.)
"In spite of the morbid circumstances, Edgar put on a feast. There were stuffed lamb chops, scalloped potatoes with a faint raspberry smell, a braised celery dish, a cold beet salad with sour cream and dill, and a cauliflower concoction that looked as if it had been parboiled and marinated in a spicy dressing. For those with a lesser appetite, there was a melon boat, cold meats and cheeses, and rye rolls. The food smelled wonderful, but Jane couldn't have eaten a bite."
It's foodie porn circa 1994, an interim era after mystery writers discovered cuisine but before they began actually including recipes. (One can't write about the niceties of cuisine without invoking gay men, and this book does so -- combined with the new Bed & Breakfast craze.)
The book is funny except when it's trying to be -- or is that true of everything?
That's Mel, Jane Jeffrey's detective boyfriend, speaking. This next scene takes place in the Foundation section of the "anchor department store":
"A towering, substantial platinum blonde was waiting on two elderly ladies... 'Suzie, were you here yesterday, around noon?'
"'Eternally. I'm part of the decor these days. There are people who claim I was just standing here one day in the middle of a field and they built the shopping center around me.'"
As she leaves, she mutters: "Gotta flog some boob baskets."
There's a food subtext. (After all, Jill Churchill also wrote A Quiche Before Dying.)
"In spite of the morbid circumstances, Edgar put on a feast. There were stuffed lamb chops, scalloped potatoes with a faint raspberry smell, a braised celery dish, a cold beet salad with sour cream and dill, and a cauliflower concoction that looked as if it had been parboiled and marinated in a spicy dressing. For those with a lesser appetite, there was a melon boat, cold meats and cheeses, and rye rolls. The food smelled wonderful, but Jane couldn't have eaten a bite."
It's foodie porn circa 1994, an interim era after mystery writers discovered cuisine but before they began actually including recipes. (One can't write about the niceties of cuisine without invoking gay men, and this book does so -- combined with the new Bed & Breakfast craze.)
The book is funny except when it's trying to be -- or is that true of everything?
January 4, 2009
The 4th book in the Jane Jeffry mystery series.
Jane decides to lend neighbor and good friend Shelley a hand with a get together of Shelley's friends (an exclusive club at high school - the Ewe Lambs) for Shelley's high school reunion at a local B&B. Jane being an outsider is fascinated by the gossip and backstabbing ways of this elite club and thinks she will have good fodder for her writing. Not long into their stay some pretty mean spirited pranks begin playing out - and when the least popular girl in the group is found murdered Jane and Shelley put on their sluthe hats and try to figure out which one of the little lambs has deadly intent. (Yeah - It hurt to write that but what can you do? I was channeling the voice of the movie guy who did all those ads - If you say that last line in his voice it's ALMOST forgivable.... almost.)
Jane decides to lend neighbor and good friend Shelley a hand with a get together of Shelley's friends (an exclusive club at high school - the Ewe Lambs) for Shelley's high school reunion at a local B&B. Jane being an outsider is fascinated by the gossip and backstabbing ways of this elite club and thinks she will have good fodder for her writing. Not long into their stay some pretty mean spirited pranks begin playing out - and when the least popular girl in the group is found murdered Jane and Shelley put on their sluthe hats and try to figure out which one of the little lambs has deadly intent. (Yeah - It hurt to write that but what can you do? I was channeling the voice of the movie guy who did all those ads - If you say that last line in his voice it's ALMOST forgivable.... almost.)
November 8, 2016
Interesting, but not an overwhelming cozy. I think I needed to read the previous books to get a better read on the main character, because the author has obviously taken an already established character and I just didn't get enough background to invest in the story. Still, it had a nice twisty ending, so there's that.
I think for this one a good idea might be to go back and read the beginning books in the series, to accurately gauge this one. Three stars for now. :)
I think for this one a good idea might be to go back and read the beginning books in the series, to accurately gauge this one. Three stars for now. :)
January 22, 2011
Jane and Shelley go back to high school and it couldn't be more entertaining. Am I the only one surprised when people aren't killed at high school reunions? A mystery from back in the day is costing former students their lives and while the clues are there, I just could not figure this one out. Hilarious and very fast-paced, The Class Menagerie is one of the very best Jane Jeffry mysteries.
September 16, 2020
Jane and Shelley are on the case again and this time they have a whole flock to shear in order to find the wolf hiding underneath.
Seriously her books keep getting better and better. Mom and I have not stopped readying, we just keep plowing through these books.
Jane and Shelley, well technique Shelley, are hosting Shelley's old high school club the Yew Lambs. (Don't worry it is pointed out through out the whole book how politically incorrect that sounds.) The Yew Lambs are coming down to raise money for the High School reunion due to a fire that burned the High School. (The Yew Lambs were the clue who were always in charge of raising funds when they attended school, so they felt it was there duty to raise funds now.) As Jane and Shelley collect they Yem Lambs at the newly open Inn, that was the old house of a boy who committed suicided.(The boy as you can probably guess was in their graduating class.) Before their first night is done, tea has been spilled and some one has been playing to pretty annoying pranks. By morning a body has been found dead and it is none other than one of the lambs. As Jane and Shelley try to figure out which lamb is not so innocent they also must keep ahead of a prankster and an the old suicided, which may in fact not be a suicide.
Seriously this closed circle was the best yet and bring home all the chewy goodness of being a suburban mom.
Seriously her books keep getting better and better. Mom and I have not stopped readying, we just keep plowing through these books.
Jane and Shelley, well technique Shelley, are hosting Shelley's old high school club the Yew Lambs. (Don't worry it is pointed out through out the whole book how politically incorrect that sounds.) The Yew Lambs are coming down to raise money for the High School reunion due to a fire that burned the High School. (The Yew Lambs were the clue who were always in charge of raising funds when they attended school, so they felt it was there duty to raise funds now.) As Jane and Shelley collect they Yem Lambs at the newly open Inn, that was the old house of a boy who committed suicided.(The boy as you can probably guess was in their graduating class.) Before their first night is done, tea has been spilled and some one has been playing to pretty annoying pranks. By morning a body has been found dead and it is none other than one of the lambs. As Jane and Shelley try to figure out which lamb is not so innocent they also must keep ahead of a prankster and an the old suicided, which may in fact not be a suicide.
Seriously this closed circle was the best yet and bring home all the chewy goodness of being a suburban mom.
November 12, 2021
Depending on your perspective, there’s nothing better than or worse than a class reunion. For single mom Jane Jeffry, helping out at her friend Shelley’s class reunion takes some convincing, but she eventually agrees.
An all-female group are at the vanguard of the participants. In school, these women did community service and other projects designed to better the lives of their neighbors. The school needs money for remodeling, and this community-spirited group gather at the home of a former classmate who committed suicide back in the day. Some of Jane’s friends have converted the house into a bed and breakfast, and that’s where the women will stay during the reunion.
The group of women who gather are a fascinating microcosm of former classmates. The years haven’t been kind to any of them except perhaps one, and since her high-school nickname was Crispy, the years probably needed to take pity on her.
When Jane stumbles into the body of one of the women, it’s up to her and her love interest, detective Mel VanDuyn to figure out who killed the woman and prevent her from killing again.
This is super short. I greased through it in a single sitting. It’s a five-and-a-half-hour narration. If you 2.5X this, you're done in almost no time. (that's using an NLS narration; I've no idea what the commercial audio edition sounds like or how long it is.)
An all-female group are at the vanguard of the participants. In school, these women did community service and other projects designed to better the lives of their neighbors. The school needs money for remodeling, and this community-spirited group gather at the home of a former classmate who committed suicide back in the day. Some of Jane’s friends have converted the house into a bed and breakfast, and that’s where the women will stay during the reunion.
The group of women who gather are a fascinating microcosm of former classmates. The years haven’t been kind to any of them except perhaps one, and since her high-school nickname was Crispy, the years probably needed to take pity on her.
When Jane stumbles into the body of one of the women, it’s up to her and her love interest, detective Mel VanDuyn to figure out who killed the woman and prevent her from killing again.
This is super short. I greased through it in a single sitting. It’s a five-and-a-half-hour narration. If you 2.5X this, you're done in almost no time. (that's using an NLS narration; I've no idea what the commercial audio edition sounds like or how long it is.)
March 9, 2020
This grew on me. I took a chance and started in the middle of an established mystery series. Consequently, I did not have the apparently established and well loved familiarity of the main character, Jane, her friend and co-conspirator, Shelley, and her man-of-choice, Mel.
This was the book that finally gets me off of the 'Chu' section in the library - it has been a struggle. And this book was enjoyable if not my favorite of the series' I've read.
Murder is a serious and ugly thing. This protagonist seems to treat life altering events with all the gravity of an afternoon tea party. Frankly she seems more upset by the appalling condition of her refrigerator than by the sight of a dead body.
I do see the appeal. The writing is clever with good timing and, after a bit, pace. Jane Jeffries is perhaps a Midwestern spin on Stephanie Plum. I'm still working that out in my head. What I do know is this: I like Stephanie better.
This was the book that finally gets me off of the 'Chu' section in the library - it has been a struggle. And this book was enjoyable if not my favorite of the series' I've read.
Murder is a serious and ugly thing. This protagonist seems to treat life altering events with all the gravity of an afternoon tea party. Frankly she seems more upset by the appalling condition of her refrigerator than by the sight of a dead body.
I do see the appeal. The writing is clever with good timing and, after a bit, pace. Jane Jeffries is perhaps a Midwestern spin on Stephanie Plum. I'm still working that out in my head. What I do know is this: I like Stephanie better.
November 12, 2016
Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
April 2, 2022
This series has been a respite from the world for me in these uncertain days of 2022. I enjoy the suburban and 1990's setting. I enjoy the deep friendship of Jane Jeffries and her next-door neighbor Shelley.
In this book, Shelley has agreed to host the members of her high school service club. Unfortunately, too many of them agreed to come to fit them in her home. So she rented a local B an B. Then she cajoled Jane into helping quite a lot.
One of the ladies gets her brains smashed in and Jane and Shelley need to find the culprit before someone else is hurt.
In this book, Shelley has agreed to host the members of her high school service club. Unfortunately, too many of them agreed to come to fit them in her home. So she rented a local B an B. Then she cajoled Jane into helping quite a lot.
One of the ladies gets her brains smashed in and Jane and Shelley need to find the culprit before someone else is hurt.
October 17, 2021
Although some of the language is dated (published 1994), The Class Menagerie by Jill Churchill is an excellent whodunit. A high school class reunion brings together old memories, friends, and enemies, and readers try to determine who is responsible for the pranks and a murder. Churchill does a fantastic job of keeping readers engaged and guessing.
May 21, 2020
I read one of her earlier mysteries in the series. This one is similar, you'll like it more if you have a sense of humor. Some surprises, but overall, another genre tale. Not great literature, but during this corona crisis I'm grateful for some escape! Three stars for her efforts.
February 1, 2021
Very enjoyable, entertaining and easy to read book. Diverse characters. Clever plot. Bit difficult to picture what Jane Jeffry herself looks like, although she's clearly a grounded sensible nice woman.
Look forward to reading other books by Jill Churchill.
Look forward to reading other books by Jill Churchill.
September 5, 2022
Easy reading. I only just discovered this "old " series of books - and having fun with them. This one just makes your realize the craziness of school reunions. Kept me guessing til the end. On to the next book in the series.
April 24, 2018
Great plot!
June 30, 2018
Getting a bit formulaic even after book 4, so maybe time to take a break from the series. Blackmail as the reason in book 1 and book 4?
May 11, 2019
After being disappointed by book 2 and 3 this was a welcome change as it was very well written and the pacing was great.
July 9, 2019
Really enjoyed this one! Had me guessing til the end.
March 15, 2020
Witty, engaging and well written. Quite delightful.
The audiobook book narrated by Jill Fox is also well done.
The audiobook book narrated by Jill Fox is also well done.
December 18, 2022
Continuing to love this series. The characters do not get old and the mystery definitely kept my attention.
April 23, 2023
Continuing to love this series. The characters do not get old and the mystery definitely kept my attention.
April 24, 2023
Jane and Shelly always find themselves inbad situations but also find their way out. Fun series. On to the next book.
August 14, 2024
Quick little mystery read before school starts. Agatha Christie never misses!
August 27, 2017
2017: how is Shelley's mother-in-law bothering her, if in the first book she's been dead for a year? re-reading them in a row really shows how bad editing was between books...
2011: A cute book, I like the team of Jane Jeffry and Shelley Novack, they are really funny together. The plot was a bit weak, but enjoyable as a light read.
2011: A cute book, I like the team of Jane Jeffry and Shelley Novack, they are really funny together. The plot was a bit weak, but enjoyable as a light read.
May 4, 2015
#4 in the Jane Jeffrey series.
Jane Jeffrey volunteers to help neighbor Shelley host her old girl's club at a local B&B prior to her high school reunion. There are pranks in the night that seem to escalate until the body of one of the girl's is found murdered. It appears the girl was a blackmailer and all the others had a motive to do her in.
Jane Jeffrey volunteers to help neighbor Shelley host her old girl's club at a local B&B prior to her high school reunion. There are pranks in the night that seem to escalate until the body of one of the girl's is found murdered. It appears the girl was a blackmailer and all the others had a motive to do her in.
March 24, 2008
Jane and Shelley are at it again, this time with a group of Shelley's "friends" from high school called the Ewe Lambs. Murder, food and mayhem are at the forefront of this one. An enjoyable read and I like that the relationship between Mel and Jane takes another step forward.
July 28, 2008
Easy, relaxing, and fun to read with another of her clever titles. Don't expect a philosophically deep investigation of anything. It's just a good read. You have to wonder if any title is safe with her around to parody it...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews