Overdue Item

by Peter Menadue

Julia Schmidt reckons the suburban library where she works is the most boring place on earth. Then an old hobo dies in an armchair. Everyone thinks he died of natural causes. They are wrong, and Julia is soon playing cat-and-mouse with a killer while trying to recover a priceless library book. An Australian comic crime novel with an endearing amateur sleuth.

210 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 26, 2016

About the author

Peter Menadue was a non-award winning print journalist before studying law at Sydney University and Oxford University. For the last twenty years he has practiced as a barrister in Sydney, Australia. He also writes courtroom novels under the pseudonym "Mark Dryden"

Reviews

[BOOKWORMREVIEW · Rating 3 out of 5]

Julia is a junior librarian from a large but understaffed library in Sydney, Australia. She is jaded with her job, the lack of a challenge and she is considering a change of career, but seems to be lacking the motivation. Her life becomes more interesting when she discovers homeless man’s dead body in the library. Suddenly she becomes part detective to find out who the dead man is, and who killed him.

Julia is a likable character from a middle class family and mild-mannered to a point. Although Menadue writes her polite responses, he also gives insight into her true thoughts, which include telling her boss exactly what she thinks.
The library has a colourful cast of supporting characters. I found the most interesting of them to be Bronwyn – the library manager, and Julia’s boss, who claims she is “allergic” to books and does exactly zero work and is always looking for ways to sue the council she works for in hopes of a big payout. Bronwyn’s complete incompetence in her job, and her self-absorbed litigious nature is just one of the many comical character elements in the book.

Although at times predictable, the plot has enough twists to keep the reader intrigued until the end, where the whole story is concluded nicely. One thing Menadue has done very well is tying up all loose ends. There are no unfinished subplots, which in a complex story is a truly great thing. I finished reading the novel with a great deal of satisfaction, knowing how each of the characters would continue on in life.

If I have one criticism it would be the occasional typographical error. Although minor, they do stick out and cause the reader to stumble slightly. It caused me to have to re-read a few lines which although did not deter me from finishing, did cause a mild annoyance. As my followers would know, I’m a stickler for proof-reading and I would advise Mr. Menadue to find a new or additional proof-reader to help improve his work.

However overall the Story has a good pace, and compels you to keep reading. It is an enjoyable and mostly easy read with a comical element, which I believe would suit a broad audience.

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[Gary Vassallo · Rating 3 out of 5]

An entertaining and fun read. I loved the descriptions of the idiosyncrocies of library staff and patrons. The mystery, while a little simplistic was still most enjoyable.

[Balthazar Lawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who knew working in a public library could be so dangerous. But danger is what descends upon the quiet at Bradfield Public Library where Julia Schmidt wonders what she is doing with her life. She is thrust into the middle of an international mystery and doesn't know who she can trust.

I really enjoyable and uncomplicated read. Worth picking up and whiling away a weekend.

[Laras · Rating 1 out of 5]

Characterization is rather thin. No distinctive characteristics for each of the main characters, except maybe Mr. Chesire whose one specific attribute to his characteristic can be seen in his actions. As for the others, they feel like they just move and talk, but there's nothing working in the inside. But on the contrary, it's funny enough that it's so obvious that these people hate old people. Most conspicous is Julia, so unsympathetic for a leading character. Oh, and almost no respect for the homeless.