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Benny Cooperman #7
Dead and Buried
Benny Cooperman is a detective with flair. This kinder, gentler detective-funny, smart and squeamish about violence-is the creation of master of the genre Howard Engel, whose enthusiastic fans include Ruth Rendell, Donald E. Westlake, Julian Symons, and Tony Hillerman. His readers stretch now to thirteen countries, from his native Canada to Japan, England, Germany, Italy, Spain, Denmark, and the US.
In his latest case, Benny Cooperman is sure that toxic waste isn't something you should spend too much time thinking about-it just isn't good for your mental health. But when Jack Dowden's widow appeals to Benny to investigate the death of her truck-driving husband, our favorite gumshoe finds himself up to his egg salad-stained lapels in the deadly filth of Kinross Disposals. As he unearths clues-and PCBs-the body count rises, and Benny Cooperman does everything he can not to end up dead and buried.
"Engel is . . . one of the best." (Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine)
In his latest case, Benny Cooperman is sure that toxic waste isn't something you should spend too much time thinking about-it just isn't good for your mental health. But when Jack Dowden's widow appeals to Benny to investigate the death of her truck-driving husband, our favorite gumshoe finds himself up to his egg salad-stained lapels in the deadly filth of Kinross Disposals. As he unearths clues-and PCBs-the body count rises, and Benny Cooperman does everything he can not to end up dead and buried.
"Engel is . . . one of the best." (Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine)
Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1990
About the author
Howard Engel
32 books29 followersHoward Engel was a pioneering, award-winning Canadian mystery and non-fiction author. He is famous for his Benny Cooperman private-eye series, set in the Niagara Region of Ontario.
He and Eric Wright are two of the authors responsible for founding Crime Writers Of Canada. He had twins Charlotte and William with authoress, Marian Engel. He has a son, Jacob, with his late wife, authoress Janet Hamilton: with whom he co-wrote "Murder In Space".
A stroke in 2001 famously caused "alexia sine agraphia". It was a disease that hampered Howard's ability to comprehend written words, even though he could continue to write! He retired in Toronto, where he continued to inspire and mentor future authors and writers of all kinds. Maureen Jennings, creator of the Murdoch novels and still-running television series, is among them.
Unfortunately, he died of pneumonia that arose after a stroke. True animal-lovers: Howard's beloved living cat, Kali, is included by their family in his obituary.
He and Eric Wright are two of the authors responsible for founding Crime Writers Of Canada. He had twins Charlotte and William with authoress, Marian Engel. He has a son, Jacob, with his late wife, authoress Janet Hamilton: with whom he co-wrote "Murder In Space".
A stroke in 2001 famously caused "alexia sine agraphia". It was a disease that hampered Howard's ability to comprehend written words, even though he could continue to write! He retired in Toronto, where he continued to inspire and mentor future authors and writers of all kinds. Maureen Jennings, creator of the Murdoch novels and still-running television series, is among them.
Unfortunately, he died of pneumonia that arose after a stroke. True animal-lovers: Howard's beloved living cat, Kali, is included by their family in his obituary.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 16, 2025
4 Stars. I can't decide if I am more excited by my latest reading in Engel's Benny Cooperman private investigator series, or by the fact that Benny, of whom I have grown fond, has a girlfriend. In his 30s, he's not the best looking, he smokes, he doesn't have a financially secure job, and he seems too dependent on his parents. I could go on, but Anna Abraham of the history department at Secord University (in reality, Brock University) sees potential. Not that her wealthy father agrees, but Anna let's Benny know that she can handle that situation. Grantham (in reality, St. Catharines, Ontario) is Benny's beat and anything that comes through the door is his calling. For this outing that would be Irma Dowden who wants him to dig deeper into the accident which killed her husband Jack. He was a trucker for Kinross Disposals. He died when a 24-wheeler levelled him at the plant. She exclaims, "I think they murdered him, I do!" Kinross is an old family business which handles waste for companies and municipalities in and around Grantham. Including toxic waste such as PCBs. Benny finds the answers, although they may not be what you and I expected! (Au2023/Oc2025)
June 29, 2018
My sheer enjoyment throughout this book would equal five stars. It is replete with Howard Engel’s loveable characters, their humour, magnificent writing, and another perplexing puzzle. Benny Cooperman goes in numerous directions to solve it. One of my many standing compliments is that you watch Benny work away at answering question marks methodically. From the sleuthing, to dialogue, and local commentary as narration clips along; everything flows realistically and is never contrived. One would think that is a standard trait in published literature but these ingredients are a gift that I appreciate, by special authors who flourish them.
In 1990, protection of the environment is broached. Reassessing the briskly closed-case of a semi-driver's death at a toxic waste disposal company, educates Benny about that issue. The employee's wife was certain that eliminating him was deliberate. The few Benny can consult about rumours pertaining to improperly-disposed waste, are watched and threatened. In 2018, it strikes us immediately that there would be outrage about the environmental transgressions in this book today.
I'm closing with four stars because the ending lacked flair. It comprises a late hour, food-partaking meeting with his new girlfriend, Anna Abraham and police friends, Pete Staziak and Chris Savas. He tells them what he believes happened in three related situations and they concur. There are reasonable circumstances for not being able to tie those ends directly, that readers would understand. It was nonetheless, anticlimactic to end a mystery with the solution being told, rather than seeing it play out. However, the guilty identities very cleverly mislead us.
Get Howard ’s first mystery and read this series! It tells you a lot, that one novel not getting five stars, is nevertheless excellent and engaging. “Dead And Buried” is the seventh mystery of this wonderful, Niagara Falls area, purely Canadian series.
In 1990, protection of the environment is broached. Reassessing the briskly closed-case of a semi-driver's death at a toxic waste disposal company, educates Benny about that issue. The employee's wife was certain that eliminating him was deliberate. The few Benny can consult about rumours pertaining to improperly-disposed waste, are watched and threatened. In 2018, it strikes us immediately that there would be outrage about the environmental transgressions in this book today.
I'm closing with four stars because the ending lacked flair. It comprises a late hour, food-partaking meeting with his new girlfriend, Anna Abraham and police friends, Pete Staziak and Chris Savas. He tells them what he believes happened in three related situations and they concur. There are reasonable circumstances for not being able to tie those ends directly, that readers would understand. It was nonetheless, anticlimactic to end a mystery with the solution being told, rather than seeing it play out. However, the guilty identities very cleverly mislead us.
Get Howard ’s first mystery and read this series! It tells you a lot, that one novel not getting five stars, is nevertheless excellent and engaging. “Dead And Buried” is the seventh mystery of this wonderful, Niagara Falls area, purely Canadian series.
October 12, 2017
This book was not particularly enjoyable. Considering original year of publication, 1990 I believe, it seemed a bit late to the party with regard to exposure of toxic waste dumping by the unscrupulous. The death of a driver for a waste company is the spark that brings Benny Cooperman into investigating the actions of a company approved by the city of Grantham and other communities for waste removal as well as special construction projects.
This case was brought to his office by the widow who knew people were paid to lie at the inquest. She said, "You'll do us all a favour if you put them out of business."
More people are killed during the two weeks it takes Benny to sort it all out and correctly identify who was behind these "dirty" dealings.
This case was brought to his office by the widow who knew people were paid to lie at the inquest. She said, "You'll do us all a favour if you put them out of business."
More people are killed during the two weeks it takes Benny to sort it all out and correctly identify who was behind these "dirty" dealings.
January 25, 2015
Engel's Memory Book caused me hunt out the other Benny Cooperman mysteries. Cooperman is a good old fashioned PI, a bit formal in his manner and all Canadian. I love it! He's respected, has friends in the force and knows his town all too well. What a mess as he mans up to political corruption, toxic waste and toxic women. A good read, and I'm looking forward to the others in the series, and won't worry about reading them in order.
--Ashland Mystery
--Ashland Mystery
July 18, 2010
Benny Cooperman #7
December 21, 2017
These Benny Cooperman books are really "old school", in a good way. Pretty good detective noir.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews