The Simple Way of Poison

Colonel Primrose Mystery #3

by Leslie Ford

Genres: Mystery

First published January 1, 1938

About the author

Leslie Ford is the nom de plume of Zenith Jones Brown , who also wrote as David Frome and Brenda Conrad.

Reviews

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yes, I do buy books based on the cover alone. There is a used bookstore about 10 minutes from my home, and every time I go in there, I have to stop and look to see what Pocket Books they have had come in since my last visit. Most of the time, they are by authors I've never head of, and since half of them are mysteries, all the plots start to blend in when I'm trying to read the blurb on the back covers. So most of them time, when it comes to a decision between books, I end up going with the one I like the covers of, and I loved this one. The colors, graphics, and font all work in harmony, love it.

I've never heard of Leslie Ford before I picked this book up, and from what I can tell it's the third book in the Grace Latham/Colonel John Primrose series. Set in the shadow of Washington, D.C., it's an interesting glimpse into the lives of the wealthy and politically connected of the time. Grace is an interesting character. She's a widow who raised two sons, at least I think that's the number. She's intelligent and has a dry wit. She has a temper and isn't afraid to say how she feels. She finds herself in the company of Colonel John Primrose a lot, but she doesn't seem to be in that great a hurry to marry him, quite the opposite really. She really doesn't even give away how she feels about him, though he subtly hints that he wouldn't be amiss to having it go somewhat further. She is headstrong, loyal to her friends, and probably has way too much curiosity for her own good. She didn't really solve the case, the Colonel did that, but I'm not sure it would have been solved without her. And I say that, having no clue what she really did, on her own, to really bring the answers to light. I like her, and I like her a lot. She really isn't any different from many of Mary Robert Rinehart's heroines, but since I know this is a series, I think I'll get to know her a bit more.

As far as the mystery goes, this one had me stumped until the end. I never suspected the killer was going to be who it was, but once the pieces were put together, it made complete and utter sense. It couldn't have been anyone else. I'm not sure if the solution was fair or not, there were a couple of hints given, but most of the evidence was gathered off page. It was a solid read, the language wasn't too dated, even if a few attitudes were, and the narrative flowed naturally. I think the hardest part is going to be finding other books in the series.

[Lisa Kucharski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was finally able to find a copy of this! So, at the start there are many people that I had to absorb at the start that it was a bit dizzying at the start. We start following Mrs. Latham, recently returned from a trip and things had certainly changed - one there were poison pen letters getting about and Mr. Nash a neighbor had started drinking again and was a nasty person to his wife- which was a complete turn of face.

Without giving away the story a lot the Nash family's history was complicated. Mr. Nash's first wife and he were divorced and it was as acrimonious as possible. Each of the children chose a parent to be with, and then Nr. Nash got married again, bringing out the wrath of the daughter who decided to stay with him. This split of family made it seem a bit more complicated but- was crucial to the whole mess. Mrs. Lathem (a widow) and a Col. Primrose take it upon themselves to figure out who killed Mr. Nash- fearing that the truth would not be discovered by a merely looking at clues on the scene- and how right they were. The book truly goes full steam ahead page turner at the mid-point and doesn't let up. There is humor, and hideousness, and seeing people acting out in their true fashion. Some amazing writing of the human condition and the time.

Really good mystery, that takes the reveal right to the end.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's the mixture as before: Beautiful Iris Nash becomes the main suspect when her husband dies mysteriously, especially since her young step-daughter keeps pointing her finger at Iris. Fortunately, Iris is a friend of Grace Latham, and her husband was a friend of Col. Primrose, so they both have an interest in solving the case. The houses have lovely furniture, the women have lovely clothes, and people get their appropriate rewards and punishments. As usual in the 1930's, our ideas about correct terminology do not apply. What disturbed me about this was that the much loved (by his wife and daughter, at least) Randall Nash seems like a dishonest creep. Ah, well, each to his own taste.

[Jack Heath]

Synopsis: Iris Nash becomes the main suspect after her husband dies. To her aid come friends Grace Latham and Colonel Primrose.