The Sugar House

Tess Monaghan #5

by Laura Lippman

Alternate cover edition of ISBN 0380810220 / 9780380810222.

Since her debut in 1997, Laura Lippman has won every major mystery writing award for this remarkable series, in which reporter-turned-PI Tess Monaghan and her beloved-but-flawed Baltimore share top billing. Now, the acclaimed author achieves a new level of mastery with a murderous puzzle that centers on places Tess thinks she knows: her hometown and a moving target called...

The Sugar House.

Locals recognize the Sugar House as a stubborn and defiant legacy of the city's past that competes with Charm City's glitzy present. Tess thought she knew it, too--until she is forced to take on the most disturbing case of her accidental career.

First there's her client, former barmaid Ruthie Dembrow, who seems to know Tess's father well, a little too well as far as his daughter is concerned. Then there's the nature of the crime she's asked to investigate--and its cast of characters.

"Ever heard of a Jane Doe murder?" Ruthie asks Tess, and with that question there's no turning back. Fourteen months ago, Ruthie's low-life brother, Henry, killed a runaway over a bottle of glue. His confession put him away, but no one ever learned the girl's name. A month into his prison term, Henry met the same grim fate as his victim. Now Ruthie wants Tess to find out why.

With just a few tantalizing and elusive clues, Tess sets off on a path that takes her from Baltimore's exclusive Inner Harbor to the city's seediest neighborhoods. But it's the shocking discovery of the runaway's true identity that turns Tess's hunt deadly. Suddenly, her supposedly solved murder case keeps turning up newer, fresher corpses and newer, scarier versions of the Sugar House--places that look so sweet and safe, but only from the outside. And every time Tess thinks she's done what she has to do to protect her family, this decidedly sour case ends up back on her doorstep, ready to claim another life.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Audiobook, Crime, Suspense, Thriller

348 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Since Laura Lippman’s debut, she has been recognized as a distinctive voice in mystery fiction and named one of the “essential” crime writers of the last 100 years. Stephen King called her “special, even extraordinary,” and Gillian Flynn wrote, “She is simply a brilliant novelist.” Her books have won most of the major awards in her field and been translated into more than twenty-five languages. She lives in Baltimore and New Orleans with her teenager.

Reviews

[Obsidian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one is heartbreaking though at first I was confused by all of the players. Lippman does a great job of showing the consequences that Tess has to live with when she refuses to let a case go. Tess's family pays for it and it leaves her slightly estranged from her father. Considering that we never really got a sense that Tess's father was disapproving of what Tess did for a living, it was surprising to see him and Tess fighting in this one. In the end, the ending was very well done and I loved how Tess was about dealing with an eye for an eye (messing with her family does not go unpunished).

"The Sugar House" has Tess being asked to look into a murdered girl by one of Tess's father's friends. The woman who asks, Ruth, believes that her brother was set up to take the fall for a girl the police say he took back to his house and murdered. While in jail he was murdered, and Ruth wants someone to pay. Tess initially thinks this case is going to be one long dead end until she finds out enough clues to trace the unknown dead girl to a house for young teens who are dealing with eating disorders. As readers know, Tess dealt with an eating disorder when she was young, she also finds out her long time friend Whitney dealt with one as well.

When Tess starts to find links between the dead girl and possibly some people that her father knows, that is when things go from bad to worse.

We have the usual suspects in this one, Aunt Kitty, Jackie, Whitney, Uncle Spike and now we have Crow (he and Tess are trying again and are deliriously happy) and Tess's friends at the paper, along with her cop friend too.

I do love how Tess is still haunted by the choices she made in book #1 and realizes she doesn't want to just look the other way again. She knows that some people did something terrible to this girl and it stings that her father is telling her to let it go and who cares.

The writing was really good and I have to laugh at Whitney coming along as Tess's sidekick in this one.

The flow was great and I maybe read this one too fast. I was so worried that something was going to happen to several characters in this one.

The ending was great and it's nice to see that Tess is earning a good reputation as a private investigator.

[Lobstergirl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lippman's writing isn't horrible, but this convoluted plot involving a dead Jane Doe, a mysterious eating disorders clinic, and political corruption in Baltimore, didn't ultimately make a huge amount of sense. PI Tess Monaghan busily conducted a lot of legwork and phone calls, but when it really came down to solving the mystery, she got very lucky and the criminal masterminds blurted out clues and entire confessions to her. We suspended our disbelief as the dead Jane Doe turned out to be a billionaire's 17-year-old daughter - whose body had gone unclaimed and into a pauper's grave. Dad had filed a missing persons report, but then gone on a long honeymoon, and for some reason never followed up. Then when his daughter was properly identified, he distributed her cremains among a bunch of people ("those who tried to help her") to dispose of as they wished. Because nothing says "I love you and I'm sorry I didn't try harder to find out what happened to you" quite like giving your daughter's ashes to strangers you just met.

Lippman makes sure that Baltimore, and Maryland in general, is described as a place you'll never want to visit:

"Baltimore just didn't do debauchery well, but it kept trying."

"But cancer was one area where Maryland stayed competitive, year in and year out, thanks to families like the Dembrows. Bad habits, bad diets, bad workplaces."

(Not to mention all those cremains drifting on the breeze.)

Is there a particular type of woman in Baltimore? Apparently.

"In a tight green sweater and matching eye shadow, she was a classic Baltimore hon, knockout variety."

"Working class Baltimore women tended to overpluck and tweeze, laboring over their eyebrows the way some worked their tiny rowhouse gardens."

This is just harsh:

"She could almost pick out the zip code in Prince George's County, one of the little working class enclaves where girls dream big, inspired by local heroine Kathie Lee Gifford. You can take the girl out of Bowie, but you can't take Bowie out of the girl."

I felt bad for Bowie, reading that.

One typo, but it's a good one: Viagara.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Sugar House is the fifth novel in Laura Lippman’s Tess Monaghan series. Tess is a former newspaper reporter turned Private Investigator. She is also my kind of female human: adventurous to the point of nearly fearless, rebellious in the face of authority, likes men for both love and sex, struggles with her body image while having major food cravings.

Tess has recently returned from Texas, where she rescued her boyfriend, Crow, from danger. He is a literate musician, a bit younger than Tess, who is working on becoming a more responsible person. They pretty much let each other do whatever each one pleases.

Now Tess has acquired a new client, Ruthie, whose much younger brother Henry has been stabbed to death while serving a sentence for murdering a “Jane Doe.” Meaning that his victim was never identified. Who would want to murder Henry?

Tess is wary but intrigued. So begins a harrowing tale including girls with eating disorders, the treatment facilities and the treatments, the secrets that these girls learn to keep in order to avoid eating (remember Princess Diana in The Crown?) and the rich families who send their daughters to such places. How appropriate is that title?

Underlying all of that is a political situation involving an election which could implicate Tess’s father in some iffy stuff concerning the liquor board. Tess’s life is never simple but then whose is?

I am somewhat averse to film and TV adaptations made from thrillers. I always prefer the book. Especially when writers as proficient as Laura Lippman can make me visualize the characters, the locations, the close calls, while also making me feel all the emotions. I realize I might be in the minority here but that is what it is. Baltimore, MD is the city where Tess operates and after five novels I feel I could almost find my way around.

[Heidi (can’t retire soon enough) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great read... Lippman's books just keep getting better and better in her Tess Monaghan series...

[Book Concierge · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book # 5 in the Tess Monaghan series has the former reporter turned private investigator taking on a job as a favor to her Dad. Ruthie is a waitress whose younger brother Henry died in prison after confessing to killing a girl. The girl was never identified, but Ruthie thinks that perhaps her brother was killed because of something to do with that Jane Doe. So she asks Tess to find out who the girl was. But the more she digs, the more Tess is puzzled by the intricate web of connections that seem to go nowhere.

I like this series and I really like Tess Monaghan. She’s intelligent, strong willed, confident, resourceful and tenacious. She keeps herself in shape, does not take unnecessary chances, and doesn’t rely on some “strong, handsome type” to get her out of a jam. Lippman fills the books with local references giving the reader a definite feel for the location. This one relies heavily on politics and the kinds of “favors” one official might do for another official or friend of an official. Her father working as a liquor inspector for the city, this causes some problems for their relationship. And, since Tess was an English major, Lippman also fills the novel with references to books – from mysteries to classics.

All in all, this is a solid mystery read; I’ll definitely continue with this series.

[Laura Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

all I want from a mystery novel is interesting complicated characters, suspense/confusion/creepiness, and a vast conspiracy that goes all the way to the top (or Annapolis, as the case may be), exposing the ruses of power and how individual human lives get swept up in their machinations. and while misogyny is part of that, I would prefer that fiction not revel in the details of chopped up and/or violated women's bodies. this book fit all those requirements and it was fun to read. that's about all I have to say about that.

[Spuddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review actually applies to the audio version--I can't find the correct one listed.

#5 Tess Monaghan mystery set in Baltimore, MD. Having returned from Texas with boyfriend Crow in tow, Tess is beginning to settle into somewhat of a routine with her PI business and her personal life. She is asked by her father to take on a case for an old friend. Ruthie wants her to find out the identity of the Jane Doe her glue-sniffing, addict brother was sent to prison for killing, albeit accidentally in a drug-hazed stupor. Her brother was subsequently knifed to death in prison, and Ruthie is convinced that it wasn't just another prison squabble, but that it's because of who the Jane Doe was. For her own peace of mind and closure, she wants to know why her brother died.

Tess doesn't hold much hope of finding the woman's identity after a year has gone by, but she gives it her best shot, linking one clue to another--beginning on Baltimore's mean streets but which eventually leads she and her good friend Whitney Talbot, recently returned from Japan, to a very exclusive private eating disorders clinic on the coast. Having once tangled with her own bulimia demon as a teenager, Tess feels as though she's on familiar ground and does eventually find out who Jane Doe really is--but there's a story behind the story, and once Tess gets hold of a bone, she's like a junkyard dog and won't let go, even when it puts herself in danger.

It took me awhile to warm up to the reader of this book; I've encountered her before and she's not my favorite, although many folks just love her. "Something" about her (Barbara Rosenblatt) voice/tone/whatever annoys me, but I like this series enough that I was able to enjoy the book despite it. I guess if I plan to listen on in audio I'd better get used to it anyway. Looking forward to the next adventure!

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

This 5th book in this series was the best so far, from my perspective. Tess Monaghan begins investigating the murder of a young girl, a girl from a wealthy family who had been sent to a facility that treats young girls and women for eating disorders, for bulimia and anorexia. The facility is remote, almost inaccessible; it is given an aura of darkness and shady practices by the author. Tess learns that the girl's treated there have given this place a nick name--the "Sugar House". Tess's investigation also leads her to a downtown Baltimore bar, Dominos, also once called the "Sugar House" for the drugs that pass through multiple hands in and behind this establishment. There is political intrigue developed into this story as well, as some local politicians appear to be involved in these two "Sugar Houses", and very aware of the less than honest, sometimes evil practices, that are part of each. For Tess, her investigation becomes more personal, as she tries to determine her father's role in the political tangling.
Laura Lippman makes the city of Baltimore come alive in this series. She tells of individual neighborhoods, the shops, restaurants and bars that fill their streets, the foods that are eaten, and gives a sense of the atmosphere of these small enclaves within the city. And in this particular novel, the mystery is more intriguing and characters more engaging than before.
This meets Topic #4, a book with food in the title, for the Equinox group.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really excellent entry in this series. It feels like all the groundwork Lippman laid is paying off: Tess's family, love life, & career are firing. It's not that they're running smoothly. There's turbulence on two of those fronts. But it all feels very organic.

For example: I remember being turned off by Tess's vanity early on. Learning about her struggles with an eating disorder eventually lent some perspective to that view. Here, those seeds that Lippman planted & nurtured bear fruit, as Tess's experiences give her an insightful edge into her latest case. Growing with Tess is becoming a pleasure.

The supporting cast is growing with her, too. Nothing feels forced in their interactions. Even Baltimore is feeling more and more familiar. The only thing missing was more time with Kitty.

I'm looking forward to the next installment.

[Daniel Sevitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I hadn't already purchased this, I might never have read another Tess Monaghan story after the last one. Which is lucky, because this was several degrees smarter. I'm not sure I can think of another series where the quality of the entries has been so varied - Block's Scudder books, perhaps.

This was political and plotty, with enough actual detecting and making things happen among all the coincidences and accidental witnesses. I actually feel good about continuing on with the series now even if the writing is still a little self-conscious and uneven.

[Jay · Rating 3 out of 5]

A strong female-led PI novel, without most of the problems and distractions that seem to plague the subgenre. Yeah, Tess is an independent smart-ass in the vein of a Warshawski, but is considerably more likable. The mystery here is intriguing and, unlike many detective stories, there is a feeling of loss. The characters are strong, over-all, but some of the villains are a bit too blatant and last-minute. Still, highly enjoyable for fans of the sub-genre.

[Quinn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laura Lippman was a reporter for the Baltimore Sun, and took her vast knowledge of politics, neighborhoods, and people into writing mysteries. If you ever lived in Baltimore, it is worth reading the book just for the references.
But if you have never been in Baltimore before, read this book anyway. A book of a stubborn PI, who discovers her father is no angel (he's in politics) and still continues to investigate.
A good book with a strong plot and interesting characters.
If you've never been in Baltimore, the "Sugar House" was what the huge Domino's sugar factory on the inner harbor. In this book, it turns out to be more than that.

[Janet Hutchinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part of the charm of this series, apart from the mystery that Tess is investigating, is the development of the other parts, and characters, in her life. The people in it, (Crow, Whitney, Tyner, Tull, etc. Etc.) and where things are at where the book leaves off, means I go and put the next one on hold.

[Rob Kitchin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Sugar House is the fifth instalment of the Tess Monaghan series set in Baltimore. In this outing, Tess investigates what turns out to be a testing and dangerous case involving the death of an anonymous woman and her killer, organized crime, and politics. The mystery and its investigation are the strengths of the story, with Lippman weaving together a number of plot strands, with plenty of social and political intrigue. There’s also a good sense of place, especially with regards to the social geography of the Baltimore area, and strong characterisation. Where the story suffers a little is with respect to the pacing and telling. The book, in many ways, is as much about Tess’s life and friendships, as it is about solving a mystery, and the first sixty pages is more like a soap opera than a crime fiction tale. It is only once Tess starts to investigate the crime that the book takes on more shape. Once it does find its centre, it’s an engaging and entertaining read.

[Pascalle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Goed geschreven thriller. Het is de tweede keer dat ik dit boek lees. Bij aanvang weet ik gelijk waarom ik me heb voorgenomen de rest van de serie ook te lezen. Tess voelt als een alledaags persoon niet alleen door de ik vorm en manier van denken maar ook omdat over alledaagse eetcafe's wordt geschreven zoals je dat in je eigen stad ook doet. Daar ligt die zaak en op die hoek lag die. Op die manier leeft Baltimore voor mij opdezelfde manier als voor Tess.
Daarnaast is het een spannend boek en zit het plot goed in elkaar. Ondanks dat ik het boek 5 jaar terug heb gelezen blijft het plot onvoorspelbaar en voelt het totaal niet cliche.

[Dad · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the fifth oftheTess Monaghan books and it forced me to take a pause before I move onto #6. The plot was convoluted,the players difficult to follow and the overall tenor of the book was dark. In short, read 5–and this was the least favorite thus far. Hint to authors—don’t put barriers between fathers and daughters when trying to entertain…

[John Biddle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the Tess Monaghan books by Laura Lippman and The Sugar House, #5, was no exception. Though it started out slowly, it really picked up speed midway and tore all the way to the end. It starts out with Tess doing a favor for her father, investigating the murder of an inmate and runs through multiple additional murders and quite a lot of corruption. And Tess is up to the job, as always. Good stuff, a solid 4 stars.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good to have Tess back in Baltimore. I enjoyed the story; not enough Esskay though!

[Molly Jackson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Lippman’s books and this was no exception. It was more heartwarming and heartbreaking than previous books, which helped add to the charm.

[meisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story set in Baltimore film a Baltimore writer. It took me over half the book to get into it, but good enough to finish. Liked the ending but choppy throughout.

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
These always take me a bit to get into but I always end up liking them quite a bit.

[Magill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Continuing on my no heavy lifting spree, this is the best of the Tess Monaghan books so far. A good mystery with some interesting complexity, some ingenuity, some teamwork and threat. The family relationships were less obvious and discussed here but they were a solid backdrop to the story without being distracting. The corruption and dealings were, perhaps, not as gritty or as far reaching as other authors might create, but enough to keep the plot tight, even if Tess seems to be as surprised at some of the developments as the reader. A 4 for its genre and for the fact that this book stands well enough on its own, you don't need to have read the previous books to enjoy the book.

[Berit☀️✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not the first book I've read in the series, but I don't think it was my favorite. I like Tess, but she felt a little flat to me in this book. Also this book jumped around a lot, from plot, to plot, to another plot, and sometimes it was hard to follow. It also didn't always make sense, things were brought up and then never really expanded upon. Basically this was a very plot driven book, and I appreciate a more character driven story.

[Juniper · Rating 4 out of 5]

what i like about lippman's writing is how she deals with big social issues in each story, yet weaves it around a compelling mystery and flawed and evolving characters. this instalment considers political corruption and eating disorders, perhaps an unlikely pairing, but lippman makes it work.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A decent story w/excellent narration by my favorite female narrator, Barbara Rosenblatt.

[Jane Dugger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Couldn't put it down! Great addition to the series.

[Carolyn Manlove · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am really enjoying this Tess Monaghan series by Laura Lippman. She better be writing fast because I am going to barrel through these! There are marvelously complicated plot twists.

[Casey Dawes · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always, a page turner.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tess Monaghan has been hired by Ruthie Dembrow. Ruthie’s brother was put in jail for pushing a girl who hit her head and died. The girl ended up being a Jane Doe. But while he was serving his jail sentence, Ruthie’s brother was killed in a prison brawl. Ruthie hired Tess to find out who the Jane Doe was and did her identity cause Ruthie’s brother to be killed.
The convolutedness of this story really had my mind bent a little. However, once I got past the strangeness I really began to like this story. This installment I actually read as apposed to listening to it. It is strange but there is definitely something different in reading the story rather than just listening to it. I find my mind wanders much less often while reading. I get a richer and fuller immersion into the setting, the characters and the plot. It just more visceral than listening. Unfortunately, I find myself at a time in my life where I am not as able to sit and pick up a book to read. Instead I find myself listening to my book while cooking, hanging laundry, doing dishes, or waiting for children’s activities to complete. That being said I do cherish the time when I can actually read rather than listen. I also notice some strange differences in how I react to a book. I have, up until now, been very lukewarm about Tess. She is kind of a self destructive character that I really didn’t enjoy overly much. This book marked a change for me. I am honestly not sure if it was the book itself or the tactile and visual attention I have this novel over only purely audio attention I have the last few.
Tess is turning into a rather intriguing character. She finds a victim that she really wants to get justice for. She doggedly continues on with her investigation despite threats and warnings to leave it alone.
Lippman really takes one some serious issues in this novel. She is talking about eating disorders like bulimia and anorexia. Several of the girls Tess meets this novel share an eating disorder or have unhealthy body images. Gwen, Devon, and Sarah all have eating disorders. Lippman showed how expensive it can be to rehabilitate young girls. How there eating disorders cause problems with their bodies making it so they have bad hearts, kidney problems and can even grow body hair all over.
Tess also befriends a teen girl named Sukey, who is curvy and is ashamed of it. She is constantly teased and harassed because she is fat. I wish that Tess has tried to help Sukey have a better self image. I also hope to see her in the next novels but do not think we will. Juxtapositioning these girls in contrast to each other shows how the problem is so much larger than just being over weight.
Lippman does such a great job bringing controversial topics to light, I hope that she continues to touch on the racial issues in her own community.

This is a very convoluted story that will keep you guessing the whole time.

PG-13 - A woman is murdered. Some people are shot at. Another dead body was found, a woman is threatened with rape by two men.

[Lindsay Luke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many years ago, I heard of a series of detective books by Laura Lippman set in Baltimore. I made a mental note to check them out and then forgot about it until I saw another book she wrote in a Little Free Library. Checking Audible, I found a couple of the Tess Monaghan books. This is number 5.
A woman reaches out to Tess through her father and hires her. Her huffer brother, Henry had been in prison for accidentally killing a girl he had picked up to do drugs with. She had no ID and he didn't know her name. He was killed in prison. His sister now thinks it must have been related to his crime and wants Tess to figure out who the girl was.
Working backwards to when Henry might have met the girl, Tess finds a sad sack teenage girl who talked to her the day before she was killed. She didn't tell Suky her name, but they talked about a place called Domino's or the sugar house. Thinking it might be a dive bar type place, Tess visits the three most likely places.
Meanwhile, Tess's friend Whitney notes that the autopsy mentioned tooth damage consistent with bulimia. Sneaking into a residential clinic on the Eastern Shore, Tess meets a girl who knew the missing girl. Her name was Gwen, and she was from a wealthy dysfunctional family in Potomac, MD (close to my neck of the woods). Hating the treatment center, she had run away. Not wanting to admit failing, the treatment center waited until Gwen's 18th birthday and then told her parents she'd checked herself out, so at the time of her death she hadn't yet been reported missing.
Although it appears that there is no connection between Gwen's death and Henry's, Tess feels something isn't right and continues to investigate. She stumbles upon a sleazy corrupt political figure who has been trafficking runaways. Gwen had gotten caught up in this and found Henry as she was trying to escape from it.
Growing up in DC, sort of Baltimore adjacent, many of the places, situations, and types of people portrayed in the book are familiar. The corruption of late 20th century politics in Baltimore and Annapolis is crazy, but not unrealistic. The locals are self-deprecating and have a lack of self-esteem that rings true. The reader even got the distinctive Bawlmer accent down. Although the ending was a bit over the top, I really enjoyed the following Tess as she investigated.