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Inspector McKee #30
Certain Sleep
1961
- GenresMystery
Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1961
8 people want to read
About the author
Helen Reilly
56 books9 followersHelen Reilly was an American novelist. She was born Helen Kieran and grew up in New York City in a literary family. Her brother, James Kieran, also wrote a mystery, and two of her daughters, Ursula Curtiss and Mary McMullen, are mystery writers.
Reilly's early books were police procedurals based on her research into the New York Homicide squad. Her most popular character is Inspector Christopher McKee. Reilly also used the pseudonym Kieran Abbey.
Reilly's early books were police procedurals based on her research into the New York Homicide squad. Her most popular character is Inspector Christopher McKee. Reilly also used the pseudonym Kieran Abbey.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 17, 2016
In Certain Sleep (1961) by Helen Reilly we have an uncertain case of murder where a "certain sleep" has been employed to bring about the death of Hester Lancing. Witnesses had seen the familiar yellow-scarfed head behind the wheel of her fast-running Duesenberg, so when she was found dead behind the wheel the next morning in the grounds of the Manor House Inn--smelling of alcohol and with the car backed into an earthen embankment so that the exhaust fumes had flooded the car. It looked at first glance like accident or suicide. But Inspector McKee of the New York Homicide is on hand (having come down on other police business the day before) and he immediately spots evidence that makes him think of murder.
The local man on the spot, Captain Baker, is an inefficient cop with an axe to grind and when circumstantial evidence points to Hester's husband, he's more than happy to consider Bob Lancing as suspect #1. But there are plenty of people who would have been glad to rid the small Connecticut town of the predatory, ruthless woman who taunted her easy-going husband and made life difficult for everyone around her. There was the sister-in-law who wanted to protect her brother. And her husband's spurned fiancee. There was the shady character who claimed he had only come to Connecticut to set up a trip for Hester--a trip that would end in divorce and part Bob Lancing from any hope of a share of Hester's recently inherited wealth. There are the neighbors--who don't seem to have a motive, but are acting suspicions all the same. And then there are the missing jewels. Was this a case of robbery after all? Inspector McKee, his colleague Detective Todhunter, and Lieutenant Sullivan of the State Police will get to the truth long before Captain Baker.
This is Helen Reilly's penultimate McKee book. While it is fairly entertaining, it is not her best work. The characters are fairly well-drawn and the Connecticut setting is used to full advantage. The mystery plot is serviceable, but not too complicated--if one were given all the clues. Unfortunately, McKee keeps a few things close to the chest and a vital clue isn't revealed at all--Hester is cut off well before she can drop the hint she plans to. A decent mystery, easily read in one sitting.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting. Thanks.
The local man on the spot, Captain Baker, is an inefficient cop with an axe to grind and when circumstantial evidence points to Hester's husband, he's more than happy to consider Bob Lancing as suspect #1. But there are plenty of people who would have been glad to rid the small Connecticut town of the predatory, ruthless woman who taunted her easy-going husband and made life difficult for everyone around her. There was the sister-in-law who wanted to protect her brother. And her husband's spurned fiancee. There was the shady character who claimed he had only come to Connecticut to set up a trip for Hester--a trip that would end in divorce and part Bob Lancing from any hope of a share of Hester's recently inherited wealth. There are the neighbors--who don't seem to have a motive, but are acting suspicions all the same. And then there are the missing jewels. Was this a case of robbery after all? Inspector McKee, his colleague Detective Todhunter, and Lieutenant Sullivan of the State Police will get to the truth long before Captain Baker.
This is Helen Reilly's penultimate McKee book. While it is fairly entertaining, it is not her best work. The characters are fairly well-drawn and the Connecticut setting is used to full advantage. The mystery plot is serviceable, but not too complicated--if one were given all the clues. Unfortunately, McKee keeps a few things close to the chest and a vital clue isn't revealed at all--Hester is cut off well before she can drop the hint she plans to. A decent mystery, easily read in one sitting.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting. Thanks.
July 5, 2019
Overall, a decent afternoon's read. The characters are not one dimensional and it has the flavor of the time. Even if you don't know the copyright date you would be able to guess the time period this was written by the descriptions and the attitudes. There are surprises which any good mystery has. However, you may be able to guess who has done it but you won't guess why because some information isn't revealed to the very end.
One picky thing: McKee is a New York detective. Even though he was in the area at the time of the murder he wasn't a witness nor are they isolated on an island where no one can get to them for a time. There isn't a good reason given why he gets involved in the mystery other than the lead police officer in town was corrupt. It does not give McKee interstate jurisdiction.
One picky thing: McKee is a New York detective. Even though he was in the area at the time of the murder he wasn't a witness nor are they isolated on an island where no one can get to them for a time. There isn't a good reason given why he gets involved in the mystery other than the lead police officer in town was corrupt. It does not give McKee interstate jurisdiction.
June 12, 2024
First book I’ve read by this author though I am aware that her main character is McKee (who is in this story very little – just at key points.)
A young woman takes some time off work to visit a familiar place and friends – and time has not been kind to the place or the people. There’s a bit of a strain in the current situation; and then murder. The story is told via Jo’s viewpoint, the young woman who comes to visit from NYC, and through it you see how much past events have certainly made life harder for all. You get an interesting view of trying to detect and untangle truth from lie. A nice tight story, quick read, and dramatic reveal at the end.
Overall a mystery that is a solid 3 stars. If you’re looking for a quick mystery this may do.
A young woman takes some time off work to visit a familiar place and friends – and time has not been kind to the place or the people. There’s a bit of a strain in the current situation; and then murder. The story is told via Jo’s viewpoint, the young woman who comes to visit from NYC, and through it you see how much past events have certainly made life harder for all. You get an interesting view of trying to detect and untangle truth from lie. A nice tight story, quick read, and dramatic reveal at the end.
Overall a mystery that is a solid 3 stars. If you’re looking for a quick mystery this may do.
June 3, 2020
This was a light diversion. Details were a little dated, but it was pleasant.
January 23, 2022
See my review of the Ace Double edition with Ding Dong Bell here: http://www.skjam.com/2022/01/23/book-...
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews