I picked the ebook version of this Toronto writer’s novel almost as a random pick as none of the 25 ‘Books I want to Read’ were currently available at the OPH. Perhaps it was the title that caught my attention. Titles do matter.
This murder mystery centres on the sudden death of a reclusive famous millionaire writer, Mr. J. D. Grimthorpe, just as he is about to make an important announcement to his fans at a gala event at an unspecified luxury hotel, where the narrator is a lowly maid, in an unspecified year.
There are all the usual time shifts, flashbacks, and quirky characters that come with the murder mystery genre. The reader is taken on a series of false leads before the real culprit is revealed near the end. Then there are even more surprises.
I won’t reveal more except that say that the murder weapon could not possibly have been as effective and quick as it is portrayed here, even with the victim’s debilitated state.
While I appreciate the original and detailed imagination of murder mystery writer’s imagination in general, this is not my favourite genre, as they all seem to be a bit formulaic to me. For devotees of the genre, this one may be very enjoyable, and as good as it gets.
6.5/10.
The Passionate Reader 