The Glass Coffin

A Joanne Kilbourn Mystery #8

by Gail Bowen

Sleuth Joanne Kilbourn 55 is dismayed to learn her best friend Jill Osiowy will marry Evan MacLeish. He is celebrated as a documentary filmmaker. But this cold fish has lost two wives to suicide and exploited their lives and deaths by making acclaimed films about them.

Even Jill is not fond of Evan. She wants to stepmother his daughter Bryn. Even the teenager hates her dad for filming all of her short life. This stony foundation for a marriage is soon to get bloodsoaked.

Genres: Mystery, Canada, Fiction, Crime, Mystery Thriller

352 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published August 27, 2002

About the author

Gail Dianne Bowen (née Bartholomew) is a Canadian playwright and writer of mystery novels. Born in Toronto, Ontario, Bowen was educated at the University of Toronto, the University of Waterloo and the University of Saskatchewan. She subsequently taught English in Saskatchewan, and is currently a professor of English at First Nations University of Canada. Bowen's mystery novels feature Joanne Kilbourn, a widowed mother, political analyst and university professor who finds herself occasionally involved in criminal investigations in various parts of Saskatchewan. Many have been adapted as Canadian television movies by Shaftesbury Films.

Series:
* Joanne Kilbourn Mystery

Awards:
Arthur Ellis Award
◊ Best Novel (1995): A Colder Kind of Death

Reviews

[C. (Comment, never msg). · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 1990 début by Gail Bowen was a life-preserver in 2014, in one of the darkest weeks of my life. I will eternally appreciate the most astute perception of grief I have seen: leading a life in health and safety but the universe ending it anyway. Her series also contributes something special to literature: mysteries in today’s Saskatchewan cities, not treatises on farming. Originality wins every time but story focus and writing atmosphere inform my grades. Only the début has received five stars but this volume #8 earned four stars for the first time in four books. Unlikeable characters and ultimately a weak motive drew the stars down but Joanne & the Kilbourne family were in top form.

Along with prairie city life, Gail has a talent for plausible pursuit of crime solving. “The Glass Coffin” is about Joanne’s best friend, Jill, wanting to marry a slimy filmmaker out of pity for his teenager, Bryn. Her Mom and another wife not only committed suicide; the whole family was filmed so often, he produced films that practically logged their demises. His Mother was a bizarre, absent figure. Strangely, Bryn’s Aunt continued to be a household member. Emptiness pervades the wealthy quartet. Murders arise from a premise too shaky to believe. Its resolution needed no act that extreme.

It is nice to watch the Kilbourns grow. Most favourably to me, Joanne ditched whiny Alex and liked someone new. By 2002 Peter & Mieka live in other towns, Angus approaches graduation, and only Taylor is a schoolchild. The elder trio have not worked on mysteries with Joanne but guarantee their Mom loyal support at home. It keeps our protagonist human and as relatable as possible. Grim situations too frequently have her seeming older than age 55 and lacking the light spectrum of moods.

[Robyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This isn't a real review because these books are basically all the same but I love to play a little game in my brain and imagine what it would be like if every 18 months or so, a prominent citizen of Regina got murdered by an acquaintance of the same poli sci prof. Like actually what if???

[Ayny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Number 8 in the series, but the first Joanne Kilbourn Mystery that I have read. I like way the author writes. IMO It would make a good TV series as it started out interestingly enough, rushed in the middle, convoluted plot, and ''wrap it up'' ending.
May or may not read another Gail Bowen book.
I liked the trade paper back format I read

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

So far, this is my least favorite in this excellent series. I did not enjoy this as much because many of the outside characters were selfish and cold-hearted. Poor Joanne and her family had to share their holiday with these terrible people because her best friend married into their awful little nest of vipers. I still gave it 3 stars because Bowen had her usual stock of cool cultural and pithy literary references to enhance the story.

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't feel this was the best entry into the series, but it was solid enough that I will be continuing on. There was something about this one that just didn't feel quite as genuine as some of the previous entries.

[Amanda McGill · Rating 3 out of 5]

My second novel in the Joanne Kilbourn series. These novels can easily be read as standalones and you can just jump right into the series.

In this novel, Joanne is dreading her friend Jill's wedding. The guy Jill is marrying is Evan, who is a famous director who has intimately filmed his previous young wives before they committed suicide. Jill doesn't really care for Evan, but she wants to get married to protect Evan's teenager daughter, who has also been filmed her whole life by her father. The wedding doesn't go as smoothly as planned and there are multiple murders.

Meh, it was an average mystery. I guessed early on who the killer was, but didn't know the reasons until later in the novel. Not everything made sense to me (why Jill wanted to protect Evan's daughter so much, why Joanne always jumped in to help, why are Joanne's kids smarter than the adults), but it was a quick read.

[Wendell Hennan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Joanne's friend Jill is getting married and Joanne and her son Angus are hosting the wedding rehearsal dinner. Upon meeting the groom, Joanne takes an instant dislike to him, a producer of films, who has made revealing films about the lives of his two previous wives, who each took their own lives. Within hours of the wedding, a man Joanne has just met and liked is found dead, followed by the murder of the groom. Joanne plunges in to find the murdered in order to save his friend Jill from suspicion. The groom's entire family are highly psycho and ultimately the murderer and the plot are uncovered. The wackiness of the MacLeish family are balanced by the constant stability of Joanne's family and the telling of the story includes a lot of interesting psychological insight.

[Kero · Rating 3 out of 5]

All the references to film and media were lost on me. I also was bothered by the way the eight year old daughter was written. I guess an eight year old theoretically could act that way, but I teach eight year olds for a living and found it really hard to reconcile that character with my idea of eight year olds. It just didn't feel realistic. Also- would you let an eighteen year old and an eight year old handle wedding decorations for a rehearsal? Pinterest Angus and Placecard Taylor bothered me.

[Kristin Lounsbury · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I’ve really enjoyed the previous seven books in the series, this one fell flat. The protagonist’s best friend is now a caricature of a person, with little intelligence or self respect. The first half of the storyline was strong, but the resolution felt very rushed and far-fetched. Lots of little typographical errors that made me wonder if the author lost her editor. Also, I really hope this new puppy training method is short-lived — pinning down your dog, really??

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not one of my favorite books in the series. Joanne Kilbourn long time friend Jill is marrying Evan MacLeish, documentary film maker who films border on creepy. He documents the lives of his family, including two wives who later committed suicide. Jill believes his 17 year old daughter needs help, and she is marrying Evan in order to save his daughter, who has serious problems.

[Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just brought this book on vacation with me. It was a freebie and was pleasantly surprised. I got through it pretty quickly (even reading a bit in the car!). I felt that it was paced well. I enjoyed that it took place in Saskatchewan. I would read another. CBC take note and make it a series!!

[Amy Roebuck · Rating 3 out of 5]

These are fun, and I'm not troubled by not finding them in order. A quick read, with a relatable protagonist (at least for me!).

[Carolina Mac · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read by Gail Bowen. One of her best. The plot is tight and the writing nothing short of spectacular.

[Cybercrone · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story, but again, quite sad.

[Lorna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another enjoyable book in this series

[Mary Curran · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read, read in Portland while travelling. Enjoyed the writing style but the mystery was a little long-winded and predictable in its inpredictability.

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it — will read more of Joanne kilnourne

[Sue Marie]

I don't like reading about women who are determined to date or marry the wrong man. I couldn't get engaged in the premise or plot, so I stopped reading

[Rennie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Books set in Canada are enough of a novelty for me to finish a thin plot.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

As compulsively readable as the other books in the series, but something about this one felt a bit flat. Still devoured it in two days, though. :)

[Laurel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first time reading Gail Bowen's work. Her main character, Joanne Kilbourn is a feisty, opinionated journalist and single mom of two children. She has been involved with a local detective, Alex Kequahtooway, who also happens to be of aboriginal descent. Incidentally, Gail has been an associate professor and head of the English Department at the First-Nations University of Canada, in Calgary, Alberta. Joanne has some time off from work, since the book's timeline is spread throughout the Christmas holidays, so this makes for a timely holiday read. Joanne's best friend is in town to be married, and Joanne is hosting the rehearsal party at her home. This is Jill's third marriage. Joanne has misgivings about the groom, a documentary filmmaker, who has less than a stellar reputation, and a murky past-including two previous wives who both committed suicide.

The wedding goes forward, and murder disrupts the celebration. There is more than one death in this novel. Joanne has to make her way through the minefields of interpersonal relationships between herself and Jill, the bride and her new step-daughter, along with other relatives, as she tries to help her friend and solve the case. To add more stress to the situation, the case is being investigated by Alex, and their relationship is on the rocks.

This the eighth in the Joanne Kilbourn series. This was an interesting read, and I liked Joanne's character, the witty dialogue, and the complicated relationships of the supporting cast. I think I will go back to the beginning of the series to see how it all began.

[Joanne]

It's Christmas and Jill is marrying Evan McLeish, film maker. The entourage arrives at Joanne's: Jill, Evan, his 17 year old daughter Bryn, his sister Claudia, and his sister-in-law, twin sister of Bryn's mother, Tracy. Mother, Caroline, is agoraphobic after suffering a post-partem event 40 years before.
The best man, Gabe, whom Joanne feels drawn to, is found dead after he "sends" word via Evan that he's flying back to NY to see his Dr. because he's had a cardiac event. Felix stands in as best man.
Shortly after the wedding ceremony, Evan is found stabbed to death.
Alex is heading up the investigation; much animosity between he and Joanne; Bryn is in definite need of a therapist; every turn shows that this is a very dysfuhctional family and pulling the puppet strings is Caroline, right down to the moment Felix commits suicide.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

We meet Eli's psychiatrist, Dr. Rayner, again but this time in her family context. Evan McLeish, a film maker, is set to marry Jill Otiowy, Joanne's producer at NationTV, and they are gathering for the rehearsal dinner at Joanne's house. Evan's sister is Dr. Rayner and, to Taylor's delight, his sister-in-law is The Broken Wand fairy from her favourite kid's program. The best man is Joanne's favourite movie reviewer, and the groom's mother is a reclusive agoraphobe in Toronto. There is also Bryn, Evan's 17 year old daughter by his second wife and Jill's reason for marrying Evan. Alex' nephew Eli is involved , complicating since Alex & Joanne appear to be permanently apart. It all goes to Hell and back from there. What a wonderful Christmas this turns out to be.

[Erika Nerdypants · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's always a pleasure to meet up with Canadian sleuth Joanne Kilburn. Complex characters combined with a fast moving plot keep the reader guessing until the last page. Bodies and clues abound as do Canadian icons such as Tim Hortons, CBC Radio and national TV shows. Gail Bowen is one of the few mystery writers who keep getting better.

[Sherry · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book in 2 days and thoroughly enjoyed the story. The descriptions of wintery Saskachewan, at 20 degrees below zero gave me a thrill. Ms. Bowen has a new book out which I will definitely read.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Canadian Mystery Writer that I enjoy very much this is the 6th book in the series. Widowed teacher solving crimes. Very well written and characters are well formed. This was the most bizarre book of her series -- liked it.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I still don't really like the heroine of these novels but this story was pretty interesting. I found the disfunctional family here sickly interesting. Might be my favourite of the series so far.

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gail Bowen is a trooper who turns out truly fine mysteries set in Saskatchewan.

[Christel Grady · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice, fluffy read. Can't wait to pick up more of this continuing series.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my favorite. So many of the characters were unlikable.