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Homer Kelly #6
Good and Dead
Former detective Homer Kelly, wondering about the amazing number of sudden deaths in town, discovers that the deaths might have been planned and the local church may be involved
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1986
23 people are currently reading
119 people want to read
About the author
Jane Langton
73 books129 followersLangton was born in Boston, Massachusetts. She studied astronomy at Wellesley College and the University of Michigan, receiving a bachelor's degree in 1944. She received an M.A. in art history from the University of Michigan in 1945, and another M.A. from Radcliffe College in 1948. She studied at the Boston Museum School from 1958 to 1959.
In 1961 Langton wrote and illustrated her first book for children, The Majesty of Grace, a story about a young girl during the Depression who is certain she will some day be Queen of England. Langton has since written a children's series, The Hall Family Chronicles, and the Homer Kelly murder mystery novels. She has also written several stand-alone novels and picture books.
Langton's novel The Fledgling is a Newbery Honor book. Her novel Emily Dickinson is Dead was nominated for an Edgar Award and received a Nero Award. The Face on the Wall was an editors' choice selection by The Drood Review of Mystery for 1998.
Langton lives in Lincoln, Massachusetts, near the town of Concord, the setting of many of her novels. Her husband, Bill, died in 1997. Langton has three adult sons: Chris, David and Andy.
Series:
* Hall Family
* Homer Kelly Mystery
In 1961 Langton wrote and illustrated her first book for children, The Majesty of Grace, a story about a young girl during the Depression who is certain she will some day be Queen of England. Langton has since written a children's series, The Hall Family Chronicles, and the Homer Kelly murder mystery novels. She has also written several stand-alone novels and picture books.
Langton's novel The Fledgling is a Newbery Honor book. Her novel Emily Dickinson is Dead was nominated for an Edgar Award and received a Nero Award. The Face on the Wall was an editors' choice selection by The Drood Review of Mystery for 1998.
Langton lives in Lincoln, Massachusetts, near the town of Concord, the setting of many of her novels. Her husband, Bill, died in 1997. Langton has three adult sons: Chris, David and Andy.
Series:
* Hall Family
* Homer Kelly Mystery
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
August 14, 2021
There are a lot of deaths in the last half of this sixth Homer Kelly mystery, and one of them is unarguably a murder—which Homer solves in a record five or six pages. One might even agree that by the book's end, justice is served for the many, many other deaths. But to call Good and Dead a murder mystery or even a detective novel is stretching it. In this particular volume, Jane Langton resists the usual mystery tropes as steadfastly as Josephine Tey, another master (and resister) of the genre.
Instead, Good and Dead reads more as the blackest of black comedies—perhaps the morbid Yankee inverse of one of Fannie Flagg's Elmwood Springs books, in which a chattily omniscient narrator dips into the lives and thoughts of dozens of small-town inhabitants. I admire what Langton's attempting to do by introducing this new style of narrative to her series. In fact, I almost admire it more than I actually enjoy it, as the book's first half is a bewildering parade of characters whose lives amount to precious little. But by the story's back end, the novel is loaded with suspense and—well, if not exactly mystery, at least a propelling desire to see how the author neatly ties all her loose ends together.
Instead, Good and Dead reads more as the blackest of black comedies—perhaps the morbid Yankee inverse of one of Fannie Flagg's Elmwood Springs books, in which a chattily omniscient narrator dips into the lives and thoughts of dozens of small-town inhabitants. I admire what Langton's attempting to do by introducing this new style of narrative to her series. In fact, I almost admire it more than I actually enjoy it, as the book's first half is a bewildering parade of characters whose lives amount to precious little. But by the story's back end, the novel is loaded with suspense and—well, if not exactly mystery, at least a propelling desire to see how the author neatly ties all her loose ends together.
September 11, 2017
Possibly because there’s no real mystery in the book, Miss Langton’s publisher eschewed the usual ‘A Homer Kelly Mystery’ for the cover, though he figures prominently in the description (“Homer Kelly is back”) in the copy editor’s flyleaf verbage. However, the ‘A Novel of Suspense’ that does adorn the cover really doesn’t fit the bill either. The only real mystery is who is going to die next, the suspense is when. We know who is killing whom, and why; in fact, the reader is granted admittance to each character’s innermost secret thoughts, fears and desires, knowing much more than does Homer Kelly as he wanders from death to death, wondering why the parishioners of the Old West Church are dropping like flies while the town’s Methodists, Baptists, Catholics and Jews remain in such “rude good health.”
So, if there is no real mystery for Homer to solve and no real suspense to keep readers at the forefront of their seats, why read the book at all? Here’s why – for the spectacularly written lyrical prose, for the lucid insights into the lives of people you quickly learn to care about (even Betsy Bucky, most sincerely evil woman ever), and to read a (sort of) mystery novel that explores moral and ethical dilemmas in such a fashion that it almost rises to the level of a religio-philosophical postulation. And it’s a darn good read.
So, if there is no real mystery for Homer to solve and no real suspense to keep readers at the forefront of their seats, why read the book at all? Here’s why – for the spectacularly written lyrical prose, for the lucid insights into the lives of people you quickly learn to care about (even Betsy Bucky, most sincerely evil woman ever), and to read a (sort of) mystery novel that explores moral and ethical dilemmas in such a fashion that it almost rises to the level of a religio-philosophical postulation. And it’s a darn good read.
May 30, 2020
One of the big gripes I have about the classical mystery is that there is hardly any grieving. There is a death. All the loved ones shrug (except the heroine, who manages a sniffle before launching herself into the arms of an eligible male). Then the great detective solves everything.
This book makes up for it. Everybody at the combined Congregational-Unitarian church in Nashoba is sad and buried in grief about something. The minister’s wife is dying endlessly. The husband of one of the local women is still alive. Another parishioner is buried in debt and harassed by business worries. A 15 year old can’t get the hunky paroled juvenile delinquent to pay attention to her. Other elderly members face senility, the onset of cancer, the imminent demise of a sleazy affair, the nagging feeling that the nicest guy in the parish may be behind Nashoba’s high body count.
Meanwhile, Homer Kelly, our detective, is suffering too. His book isn’t all that good and his constipation is frightening. With all the fear and loathing boiling in Nashoba, you’d think he’d have plenty to do to take his mind off his troubles. You’d be wrong. Homer does solve a murder and figures out the other deaths too, but that is hardly the focus.
The focus are the thoughts, needs, and overwhelming sad of a parish in New England, written in witty, beautiful, often quotable prose. Unfortunately, our author is not interested in plot, suspense, or mystery, and the result rambles on as various characters find their way to their fates. The result — a series of character vignettes in search of a plot.
This book makes up for it. Everybody at the combined Congregational-Unitarian church in Nashoba is sad and buried in grief about something. The minister’s wife is dying endlessly. The husband of one of the local women is still alive. Another parishioner is buried in debt and harassed by business worries. A 15 year old can’t get the hunky paroled juvenile delinquent to pay attention to her. Other elderly members face senility, the onset of cancer, the imminent demise of a sleazy affair, the nagging feeling that the nicest guy in the parish may be behind Nashoba’s high body count.
Meanwhile, Homer Kelly, our detective, is suffering too. His book isn’t all that good and his constipation is frightening. With all the fear and loathing boiling in Nashoba, you’d think he’d have plenty to do to take his mind off his troubles. You’d be wrong. Homer does solve a murder and figures out the other deaths too, but that is hardly the focus.
The focus are the thoughts, needs, and overwhelming sad of a parish in New England, written in witty, beautiful, often quotable prose. Unfortunately, our author is not interested in plot, suspense, or mystery, and the result rambles on as various characters find their way to their fates. The result — a series of character vignettes in search of a plot.
January 11, 2025
Jane Langton wrote quite a few mysteries featuring Homer Kelly, a Harvard instructor on
aspects of 19th century New England, and one-time Investigator. I've read three or four of them, and the first ones were remarkably evocative of the Northeast at its best, and the Transcendalist writers native to the region. This book is utterly different. There is no mystery here, we know from beginning to end what everyone has done and thought and said. People wind up dead, but we know who did it, and how. The basic idea is that some residents of the town, of longstanding or not, all attend one of the local churches. Of course, New England for 250 years or so was Religion Central, usually of a stringent, harsh nature that took no prisoners. You had to obey God in all things, or you would be abandoned by God forever, but it was possible to achieve forgiveness. What this book does is take that trope and apply it to our modern characters, that care and mercy are redeeming, and those that fail to give such will suffer...maybe. The people in the book are wonderfully delineated, the writing is first rate, but beware, this is not something you can read quickly.
aspects of 19th century New England, and one-time Investigator. I've read three or four of them, and the first ones were remarkably evocative of the Northeast at its best, and the Transcendalist writers native to the region. This book is utterly different. There is no mystery here, we know from beginning to end what everyone has done and thought and said. People wind up dead, but we know who did it, and how. The basic idea is that some residents of the town, of longstanding or not, all attend one of the local churches. Of course, New England for 250 years or so was Religion Central, usually of a stringent, harsh nature that took no prisoners. You had to obey God in all things, or you would be abandoned by God forever, but it was possible to achieve forgiveness. What this book does is take that trope and apply it to our modern characters, that care and mercy are redeeming, and those that fail to give such will suffer...maybe. The people in the book are wonderfully delineated, the writing is first rate, but beware, this is not something you can read quickly.
May 9, 2017
It seems strange to a number of people in the little town of Nashoba that parishioners of the Old West Church keep dying. Of course, there was the murder--quickly solved by Homer Kelly--and maybe you can't count that one. But what about all the other people who have died sudden, but seemingly natural, deaths? Homer himself can't help wondering if the deaths are connected to the meetings held at Ed Bell's house every Sunday afternoon. Ed is the Good Samaritan of the church family, and certainly you couldn't suspect him of anything bad, but those deaths keep coming... A discursive, slow-moving, and fascinating novel, but I'm not sure if it's really a mystery, exactly.
July 24, 2023
I have been binging on this series and was initially just crazy about Homer Kelly and his wife Mary. I loved the unlikely combination of his academic interest in the Transcendalists and his detective work. And, his initial romance with Mary was fun.
The author may feel that her character needs to “ grow” in order to make him interesting to her, and her readers, but Homer seems to morph into a less attractive character as the series matures. And, I regret that.
But, perhaps more important, this book seems to be a moral exploration of assisted suicide and I didnt think Langton’s effort was very successful. At least, it didnt work for me.
The author may feel that her character needs to “ grow” in order to make him interesting to her, and her readers, but Homer seems to morph into a less attractive character as the series matures. And, I regret that.
But, perhaps more important, this book seems to be a moral exploration of assisted suicide and I didnt think Langton’s effort was very successful. At least, it didnt work for me.
December 16, 2024
Once again, we have a mystery which doesn’t contain a mystery; murder aplenty yes, but no mystery about any of them. And as is often the case with Jane Langton’s books, we don’t care about it much, because the story is interesting, the pen and ink drawings are wonderful, and the New England locale charming.
My big quibble with this outing is the heavily morose atmosphere what with all the dying, voluntary and otherwise, and it makes for a fairly lugubrious experience. And even the denouement, while it brings a good resolution to the situation, fails to lift one from the depressing feelings that came before; hence the 2 star rating.
My big quibble with this outing is the heavily morose atmosphere what with all the dying, voluntary and otherwise, and it makes for a fairly lugubrious experience. And even the denouement, while it brings a good resolution to the situation, fails to lift one from the depressing feelings that came before; hence the 2 star rating.
January 3, 2022
Although this books was billed as a mystery, I wouldn't call it one. Instead, it is a look at a congregation of parishioners in a small town. Almost every sin is within these people - coveting, adultery, murder, lust, lying, etc.
Ed Bell appears to be the only upright, kind, caring, forgiving Christian. The others are flawed, as most people are. Ed wants to help people, and isn't afraid to do so in unexpected ways.
An interesting read about humans and their struggle to be the people they feel they should be, and want to be.
Ed Bell appears to be the only upright, kind, caring, forgiving Christian. The others are flawed, as most people are. Ed wants to help people, and isn't afraid to do so in unexpected ways.
An interesting read about humans and their struggle to be the people they feel they should be, and want to be.
August 26, 2025
excellent
What wonderful stories he Homer Kelly mysteries.
The subject of assisted suicide, or end of life by choice will be around for a long while, but this small tome gives a humanistic answer.
Highly recommend.
What wonderful stories he Homer Kelly mysteries.
The subject of assisted suicide, or end of life by choice will be around for a long while, but this small tome gives a humanistic answer.
Highly recommend.
April 27, 2018
A think piece wrapped around a death that is not a mystery.
February 10, 2019
Not much of a mystery, even though there are lots of deaths. A bit of philosophical ethical musings on death, dying, and life.
January 12, 2020
Silly writing.
May 22, 2020
As always, strong character development and historical research on New England. The "mystery" itself was predictable and not very interesting. Not one of Langton's best in the Homer Kelly series.
Read
September 18, 2020What a strange book. Not even worth the nearly free price I paid for it at a library sale.
November 13, 2021
A kind of cute little tale of a group of church people starting a club for mercy killing paritioners who do not wish to suffer mentally or physically any more.
January 10, 2022
The most depressing book in this series, so far.
December 29, 2024
A pleasant enough story. Nothing really memorable.
January 8, 2017
Liked the concept but the development wasn't great. I did like the descriptions of the small town and its inhabitants and their concern about a new pastor. The exd was weak.
July 18, 2016
#6 in the Homer Kelly series.
Homer Kelly series - The Baptists of Nashoba are healthy. So are the Quakers, Lutherans, and Methodists. Every religious sect in this small New England town is in ruddy good health, save for the congregation at the Old West Church, whose members are dying like flies. As a rash of heart failure claims victim after victim, what first seemed like tragic coincidence begins to look a lot like murder. And in the small hamlets of Massachusetts, there is no better authority on bloodshed than Homer Kelly. A transcendentalist scholar who dabbles in the unraveling of violent crimes, Homer is just a township away when the plague of heart failure strikes Nashoba. As he attempts to separate natural deaths from the unnatural, Homer sees that beneath the piety of Old West Church lurks at least one parishioner who missed Sunday school the day they explained that thou shalt not kill.
Homer Kelly series - The Baptists of Nashoba are healthy. So are the Quakers, Lutherans, and Methodists. Every religious sect in this small New England town is in ruddy good health, save for the congregation at the Old West Church, whose members are dying like flies. As a rash of heart failure claims victim after victim, what first seemed like tragic coincidence begins to look a lot like murder. And in the small hamlets of Massachusetts, there is no better authority on bloodshed than Homer Kelly. A transcendentalist scholar who dabbles in the unraveling of violent crimes, Homer is just a township away when the plague of heart failure strikes Nashoba. As he attempts to separate natural deaths from the unnatural, Homer sees that beneath the piety of Old West Church lurks at least one parishioner who missed Sunday school the day they explained that thou shalt not kill.
November 21, 2016
Another very enjoyable Jane Langton Homer Kelly mystery, this one featuring members of a Unitarian-Congregationalist church congregation in New England, it delves into questions of murder and mercy killing with humour but also serious thought.
July 4, 2010
Well, I didn't love this. It sounded good from the descript but it was only okay. But there was much in this book I didn't approve of. Or, at least, not the way it seemed to happen.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews