What do you think?
Rate this book
Joe Bain #2
The Pleasant Grove Murders
Local boy Joe Bain has been elected County Sheriff, after his success with the murders in Fox Valley. He’s just settling into the job when someone kills the Pleasant Grove mail carrier with a hammer. One of the wealthy families along Madrone Way must be involved, but the circumstances are peculiar – and a break in the case is slow to come. The hammer strikes again, and again… The Pleasant Grove Murders is Volume 22 of the Spatterlight Press Signature Series. Released in the centenary of the author's birth, this handsome new collection is based upon the prestigious Vance Integral Edition. Select volumes enjoy up-to-date maps, and many are graced with freshly-written forewords contributed by a distinguished group of authors. Each book bears a facsimile of the author's signature and a previously-unpublished photograph, chosen from family archives for the period the book was written. These unique features will be appreciated by all, from seasoned Vance collector to new reader sampling the spectrum of this author's influential work for the first time. – John Vance II
184 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1967
1 person is currently reading
27 people want to read
About the author
John Holbrook Vance
12 books6 followersBetter known as Jack Vance.
Library of Congress Authorities:
Vance, Jack, 1916-2013,
Vance, John Holbrook, 1916-2013 [legal name],
and other names
Do not confuse with Vance, Jack, 1915-1958 (a pseudonym of Henry Kuttner)
Library of Congress Authorities:
Vance, Jack, 1916-2013,
Vance, John Holbrook, 1916-2013 [legal name],
and other names
Do not confuse with Vance, Jack, 1915-1958 (a pseudonym of Henry Kuttner)
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 25, 2024
The Pleasant Grove Murders is a 184 page mystery novel that was written in 1965 and first published in 1967 by John Holbrook Vance. This is the real name of the famous and remarkably talented science fiction/fantasy writer, Jack Vance. The book is available in a very nice Spatterlight Press paperback and in hardover under the title of Desperate Days: Selected Mysteries Volume Two by Subterranean Press. Desperate Days also includes two other Vance mystery novels The Fox Valley Murders and The Deadly isles.
For the most recent review and other Vance reviews please see:
https://vancealotjackvanceinreview.bl...
The setting is in a fictitious setting "a few hours drive south east of San Francisco," named Pleasant Grove in San Rodrigo County. There is an emphasis on creating the atmosphere of a small, rural town with odd or unusual characters who know everything about each other. And, of course, there is a murder and investigation by our honest, down home, local sheriff, Joe Bain.
Bain's wife deserted him and their daughter, Miranda, fifteen years ago to run off with a cowboy guitar player. He lives in a small, rather run down house with his daughter and mother who both encourage him to move to a better neighborhood. Although he is not a brilliant detective or an idealized or heroic character, Joe is competent, honest and persistent at his job. He is not above having a beer or two with people while he is on duty and even develops a romantic interest in a woman he meets during an investigation. At one point he comes out on the bottom in a scuffle with a young man who is bothering his daughter. Joe also frequently worries about being re-elected even though his salary is pitifully low. When he performs a good dead, such as helping a woman with a flat tire, he is not above thinking that he might have earned an extra vote or two in the next election by doing so. Joe is a very down to earth and sympathetic character so when things go wrong or when he is hounded by a critical news reporter, Howard Griselda, we naturally root for Joe. And Joe can use all the rooting he can get because he seems over his head in a murder investigation that appears to be growing increasingly out of control. Joe even begins to wonder if he isn't the "meathead" that Griselda suggests he is.
Our story actually begins seven years previously when two rich kids object to a tree house a poor kid, Bill Whipple, made on their extensive, forested property. This early incident with the tree house introduces some of the characters and later ties back into the storyline. Seven years later a mail delivery person (Ken) is found bludgeoned to death by a hammer in a well to do Pleasant Grove neighborhood. None of the mail was stolen or tampered with but a Life magazine with the address label removed was mysteriously placed under Ken's head after he was killed. Also, he was found in his parked mail truck but the truck apparently had not been parked there until the morning after the death. So it appears that the mail truck was stored somewhere else overnight. It also seems likely that the killer dressed in Ken's postal clothes and delivered some of the mail so that nobody would know which house he last visited when he was murdered. Of course all the neighborhood near the incident of the murder are highly suspect but no motive can be determined and evidence does not point to anybody in particular. One of the main questions is whether Ken was killed for personal reasons or because of the mail he was delivering.
While investigating the murder with help from his deputies, the postal service and local citizens, Joe has other events to deal with. A Swiss farm hand who climbs up a silo and begins shooting at people with a .22 rifle. A woman complains that she was pelted clods of dirt by unseen persons while she worked in her garden. A tool shed is reported to have been broken into and the owner brings in photos of the broken hinges as evidence. A resident complains in a memorandum to Joe that his neighbor has trays of water in her yard that are a breeding grounds for mosquitoes. It turns out that this is a local woman, Luna, who claims to be on a mission from the alien planet of Arthemisia. She has large trays of water in her yard so she can communicate with her thought rays with those on her home planet. Joe finds her attractive. Joe also finds attractive an old roadhouse bar and motel that is for sale and tries to purchase it without the owner knowing who the buyer is. And there the local newspaper owner and reporter, Howard Griselda, who tries to make Joe appear to be incompetent. Griselda gave Joe a hard time in The Fox River Murders novel and seems now to be even more vengeful and biased with his questions and news articles. But Joe is not above using unseemly tactics himself to defend himself from the invective reporter. Joe is also fond of beer, Scotch and pinot noir.
Vance's humor is generously distributed throughout this mystery, and we see some of his gift for creating interesting dialog, for vividly describing details of times, people and places and for fleshing out eccentric characters. Overall the narration is good if not as dazzling as Vance could be. And, although the plot is rather straightforward, it is not very predictable and the story is quite appealing and has its charm. The time and setting are fascinating and small town class distinctions are a crucial theme. For the general reader and those who like Vance's writing style, this novel is highly recommended and should provide an easy and enjoyable reading. If this novel appeals to you be sure to check out Vance's earlier The Fox River Murders and his unfinished but still interesting The Genesee Slough Murders. It is enjoyable to compare the three novels and helpful to reread them. This is the third time I have read The Pleasant Grove Murders and I’ve liked it even better upon rereading so changed my initial rating of a 3 "Liked it" to a 4 "really liked it."
For the most recent review and other Vance reviews please see:
https://vancealotjackvanceinreview.bl...
The setting is in a fictitious setting "a few hours drive south east of San Francisco," named Pleasant Grove in San Rodrigo County. There is an emphasis on creating the atmosphere of a small, rural town with odd or unusual characters who know everything about each other. And, of course, there is a murder and investigation by our honest, down home, local sheriff, Joe Bain.
Bain's wife deserted him and their daughter, Miranda, fifteen years ago to run off with a cowboy guitar player. He lives in a small, rather run down house with his daughter and mother who both encourage him to move to a better neighborhood. Although he is not a brilliant detective or an idealized or heroic character, Joe is competent, honest and persistent at his job. He is not above having a beer or two with people while he is on duty and even develops a romantic interest in a woman he meets during an investigation. At one point he comes out on the bottom in a scuffle with a young man who is bothering his daughter. Joe also frequently worries about being re-elected even though his salary is pitifully low. When he performs a good dead, such as helping a woman with a flat tire, he is not above thinking that he might have earned an extra vote or two in the next election by doing so. Joe is a very down to earth and sympathetic character so when things go wrong or when he is hounded by a critical news reporter, Howard Griselda, we naturally root for Joe. And Joe can use all the rooting he can get because he seems over his head in a murder investigation that appears to be growing increasingly out of control. Joe even begins to wonder if he isn't the "meathead" that Griselda suggests he is.
Our story actually begins seven years previously when two rich kids object to a tree house a poor kid, Bill Whipple, made on their extensive, forested property. This early incident with the tree house introduces some of the characters and later ties back into the storyline. Seven years later a mail delivery person (Ken) is found bludgeoned to death by a hammer in a well to do Pleasant Grove neighborhood. None of the mail was stolen or tampered with but a Life magazine with the address label removed was mysteriously placed under Ken's head after he was killed. Also, he was found in his parked mail truck but the truck apparently had not been parked there until the morning after the death. So it appears that the mail truck was stored somewhere else overnight. It also seems likely that the killer dressed in Ken's postal clothes and delivered some of the mail so that nobody would know which house he last visited when he was murdered. Of course all the neighborhood near the incident of the murder are highly suspect but no motive can be determined and evidence does not point to anybody in particular. One of the main questions is whether Ken was killed for personal reasons or because of the mail he was delivering.
While investigating the murder with help from his deputies, the postal service and local citizens, Joe has other events to deal with. A Swiss farm hand who climbs up a silo and begins shooting at people with a .22 rifle. A woman complains that she was pelted clods of dirt by unseen persons while she worked in her garden. A tool shed is reported to have been broken into and the owner brings in photos of the broken hinges as evidence. A resident complains in a memorandum to Joe that his neighbor has trays of water in her yard that are a breeding grounds for mosquitoes. It turns out that this is a local woman, Luna, who claims to be on a mission from the alien planet of Arthemisia. She has large trays of water in her yard so she can communicate with her thought rays with those on her home planet. Joe finds her attractive. Joe also finds attractive an old roadhouse bar and motel that is for sale and tries to purchase it without the owner knowing who the buyer is. And there the local newspaper owner and reporter, Howard Griselda, who tries to make Joe appear to be incompetent. Griselda gave Joe a hard time in The Fox River Murders novel and seems now to be even more vengeful and biased with his questions and news articles. But Joe is not above using unseemly tactics himself to defend himself from the invective reporter. Joe is also fond of beer, Scotch and pinot noir.
Vance's humor is generously distributed throughout this mystery, and we see some of his gift for creating interesting dialog, for vividly describing details of times, people and places and for fleshing out eccentric characters. Overall the narration is good if not as dazzling as Vance could be. And, although the plot is rather straightforward, it is not very predictable and the story is quite appealing and has its charm. The time and setting are fascinating and small town class distinctions are a crucial theme. For the general reader and those who like Vance's writing style, this novel is highly recommended and should provide an easy and enjoyable reading. If this novel appeals to you be sure to check out Vance's earlier The Fox River Murders and his unfinished but still interesting The Genesee Slough Murders. It is enjoyable to compare the three novels and helpful to reread them. This is the third time I have read The Pleasant Grove Murders and I’ve liked it even better upon rereading so changed my initial rating of a 3 "Liked it" to a 4 "really liked it."
September 8, 2017
Read in Desperate Days.
November 3, 2013
This is the second of Jack Vance's mysteries about Sheriff Joe Bain cases in rural California south of San Fancisco. The previous book, The Fox Valley Murders, was technically interesting and well written, but not outstanding. Vance plotted and outlined a third book, but never wrote it.
This book differs from Fox Valley in that the mystery itself is less complex, but the characters are more interesting. Overall, they are more fully fleshed out than in the first book. But we also see the emergence of some typical Vance types - a girl (they're almost always girls and not women) who is cool and distant and beautiful; a young man who is pompous and self-centered.
Overall, I'd say this is the better book. The characters are more human and engaging, and if the actual mystery is thinner, that's okay. Both Joe Bain books are better than Vance's more intriguing but less fully realized The House on Lily Street. Other books that at least vaguely qualify as real world mysteries (and are well worth reading): The View from Chickweed’s Window, Bad Ronald, The Dark Ocean, Bird Isle, Take My Face.
CVIE V
This book differs from Fox Valley in that the mystery itself is less complex, but the characters are more interesting. Overall, they are more fully fleshed out than in the first book. But we also see the emergence of some typical Vance types - a girl (they're almost always girls and not women) who is cool and distant and beautiful; a young man who is pompous and self-centered.
Overall, I'd say this is the better book. The characters are more human and engaging, and if the actual mystery is thinner, that's okay. Both Joe Bain books are better than Vance's more intriguing but less fully realized The House on Lily Street. Other books that at least vaguely qualify as real world mysteries (and are well worth reading): The View from Chickweed’s Window, Bad Ronald, The Dark Ocean, Bird Isle, Take My Face.
CVIE V
June 19, 2025
Workmanlike murder mystery
Vance characters are always well crafted and enjoyable, and his plots ingenious. It is his signature style that fans of his sf and fantasy work will enjoy here. I wish he had written more Joe Bain stories
Vance characters are always well crafted and enjoyable, and his plots ingenious. It is his signature style that fans of his sf and fantasy work will enjoy here. I wish he had written more Joe Bain stories
January 6, 2019
I think this was a later book than my previous Vancian mystery read, The House on Lily Street. It was published in 1967 and I suspect it was written not too long before. Unlike the previous books' intensely interesting look at a real setting (Oakland), this one is set in a made-up place, San Rodrigo County. I think it's intended to lie between San Benito County and Monterey County (which in reality directly adjoin), which is to say somewhere between Salinas and Hollister, not far southeast of San Jose.
It was an interesting mystery. Much like The House on Lily Street, I thought it was well organized, with a lot of clues being uncovered such that a good reader should be able to figure out the mystery shortly before the revelation (as I did).
However, I also thought that it wasn't quite as good as The House on Lily Street. Though that other book felt less polished, it also felt less conventional. Its flashbacks interwoven with interviews made it really stand out, whereas The Pleasant Grove Murders read like most other mysteries that I've read. Jack Vance's voice was less obvious.
However, given that The House on Lily Street appears to have sat unpublished for some time while The Pleasant Grove Murders didn't, perhaps it's understandable that Vance became more conventional in his mystery writing.
I'd still happily read the other book set in this same area, The Fox Valley Murders, if I could get my hands on it.
It was an interesting mystery. Much like The House on Lily Street, I thought it was well organized, with a lot of clues being uncovered such that a good reader should be able to figure out the mystery shortly before the revelation (as I did).
However, I also thought that it wasn't quite as good as The House on Lily Street. Though that other book felt less polished, it also felt less conventional. Its flashbacks interwoven with interviews made it really stand out, whereas The Pleasant Grove Murders read like most other mysteries that I've read. Jack Vance's voice was less obvious.
However, given that The House on Lily Street appears to have sat unpublished for some time while The Pleasant Grove Murders didn't, perhaps it's understandable that Vance became more conventional in his mystery writing.
I'd still happily read the other book set in this same area, The Fox Valley Murders, if I could get my hands on it.
August 29, 2022
Druhá – a poslední maloměstská detektivka od Jacka Vanceho s Joem Bainem v hlavní roli. A je to i škoda, i když je to v podstatě klasická detektivn škola, tak jeho odtažitý styl a cit pro dialogy k tomuhle žánru sedí. A je i zajímavý hrdina, šerif, jehož hlavními problémy jsou: udržet si hlasy voličů, získat peníze, dostat do postele nějakou tu svědkyni… a v poslední řadě vyřešit vraždu (aby si udržel ty hlasy voličů). Myslím, že podle toho popisu už by člověk automaticky poznal dílo Jacka Vanceho.
Tady dojde k vraždě v lepší čtvrti – pošťák je umlácený kladivem. Což není zrovna obvyklý zločin. A pak kladivo udeří znova. A znova.
Je to zábavný, čtivý, ale měl jsem s knihou jeden zásadní problém. Je to jedna z těch detektivek, kde jsem na vraha a jeho motiv přišel ještě předtím, než došlo k první vraždě. Protože, jak už jsem i někam psal, na rozdíl od detektivů nemusí čtenář sledovat všechny podezřelé. Stačí mu sledovat jen jednoho člověka – autora. Co píše a co nepíše a proč to dělá. A už rovnou předpokládat, že ne všechno bude takové, jak se jeví. Je možné, že ve své době byl ten nápad originální, ale dneska už patří mezi ty otřepanější a člověk ho vidí nejen v detektivkách, takže mu to docvakne hned po první scéně a jen čeká, až se k tomu dostane i detektiv. Což zamrzí.
Naštěstí je kniha celkem krátká a přináší i víc zajímavého, než jen vraždy.
Tady dojde k vraždě v lepší čtvrti – pošťák je umlácený kladivem. Což není zrovna obvyklý zločin. A pak kladivo udeří znova. A znova.
Je to zábavný, čtivý, ale měl jsem s knihou jeden zásadní problém. Je to jedna z těch detektivek, kde jsem na vraha a jeho motiv přišel ještě předtím, než došlo k první vraždě. Protože, jak už jsem i někam psal, na rozdíl od detektivů nemusí čtenář sledovat všechny podezřelé. Stačí mu sledovat jen jednoho člověka – autora. Co píše a co nepíše a proč to dělá. A už rovnou předpokládat, že ne všechno bude takové, jak se jeví. Je možné, že ve své době byl ten nápad originální, ale dneska už patří mezi ty otřepanější a člověk ho vidí nejen v detektivkách, takže mu to docvakne hned po první scéně a jen čeká, až se k tomu dostane i detektiv. Což zamrzí.
Naštěstí je kniha celkem krátká a přináší i víc zajímavého, než jen vraždy.
September 13, 2015
Another murder mystery solved by Joe Bain. I really like the setting and atmosphere. A bit too spun out to my taste but very enjoyable to read anyway.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews