Product Description

Finally back in print-a classic Richard Jury novel from "one of the established masters of the genre" (Newsweek).

Scotland Yard Superintendent Richard Jury takes on an elusive strangler in a case of family secrets-and family lies...

"Witty...stylishly crafted." (The Washington Post)

"[Grimes] gets our immediate attention [and] holds it...with something more than mere suspense." (The New Yorker)

"A superior writer." (The New York Times Book Review)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #201923 in Books
• Published on: 2001-10-01
• Released on: 2001-10-10
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• 320 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780451410023
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

Customer Reviews

Another Richard Jury novel
This is a reprint of a novel copyrighted in 1986. As in other novels by this author, the title is the name of a pub. Inspector Jury is joined again by Melrose Plant who has an estate near Long Piddleton on the River Piddle. In this novel, Jury is assigned to a case where a young woman has been strangled with her own scarf. The investigation reopens an older, unsolved case where another young woman was also strangled with her own scarf. Inquiries into the pasts of the two women turn up love affairs that may be related - both women were sleeping around to some degree.

The questions are whether these are serial killings or well-planned murders, and what would be the motive. Various odd characters are introduced including the odd family that owns and operates the Mortal Man. While the plot is interesting, digressions into discussions of the various characters (many not involved in the main plot) tends to detract from the main story line. At times, the story seems to wander.

When events are finally drawn together, it seems a bit abrupt. The story comes to a climax as the solution to the mystery is revealed, but it seems to leave some loose ends. A short added chapter might have closed things out better. One is left to wonder what finally happened to some of the characters.

A Richard Jury Mystery Series
I find myself a little addicted to the recurring characters in this series and enjoy following their lives. I can't help thinking I missed something when I found Richard Jury in a relationship with someone I know nearly nothing about.
I like the writing and images created of people, homes, buildings, art and all around. I also felt at the end that I might again have missed something. All the loose ends were not quite tied up as they usually are. I had more questions than answers. What really happened to Rose and did she leave or was she the first? Hopefully in the next book I will find some of the answers. I recommend this series and author. I found the series much later than they were actually published and had to purchase all in the series before I could begin reading the first one. I have not been disappointed.

Average Grimes better Than Most
I Am the Only Running Footman, by Martha Grimes, is the 8th book in this excellent series. This entry features the mystery surrounding the murder of a blonde shopgirl in Mayfair. The murder, a strangling with a scarf, is eerily similar to a previous murder in devon; investigated by Brian Macalvie (introduced in Help the Poor Struggler). This is a decent entry in the series. Melrose and Macalvie are in fine form, as is Jury. nother very strong entry in this compelling series. A solid 3 star novel.

For those of you new to the series, I would recommend reading them in order for the best reading experience; however, they are also fun as stand alone novels.

Here is the series in order:

The Man with a Load of Mischief
The Old Fox Deceived
The Anodyne Necklace
The Dirty Duck
Jerusalem Inn
Help the Poor Struggler
The Deer Leap
I am the only Running Footman
The Five Bells and Bladebone
The Old Silent
The Old Contemptibles
The Horse You Came In on
Rainbow's End
The Case has Altered
The Stargazey
The Lamorna Wink
The Blue Last
The Grave Maurice
The Winds of Change
The Old Wine Shades
Dust