Category: Mysteries

At Home: Reading & Viewing

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UPSTATE NEW YORK MYSTERY

Hid from Our Eyes by Julia Spencer-Fleming

My favorite mystery writers include Elizabeth George, Deborah Crombie, and Jacqueline Winspear, but I think Julia Spencer-Fleming is my most favorite.  Her mystery novels are so much more than crime procedurals and almost always insert a contemporary social issue into the mix.  Clare Fergusson is an Episcopal priest at a parish in Millers Kill, a fictional upstate NY town north of Albany, modeled on the real Hudson Falls.  It’s therefore, fitting that all the book titles are phrases from different Protestant hymns, and that the text of the hymn is included in the front matter.  

Hid From Our Eyes is Spencer-Fleming’s ninth book featuring pastor Clare and Russ Van Alstyne, chief of police, and now her husband.  Clare’s background as a helicopter pilot in the national guard informs her character and reinforces her physical fitness and her willingness to occasionally risk danger to herself.  In previous books, particularly One was a Soldier, Clare was the focus.  Here she has a role, but Russ takes center stage as his background is fleshed out in new ways.  

This mystery goes back and forth in time between 1952, 1972, and the present day as Russ attempts to solve three unexplained deaths.  The bodies were all left in the same location and the victims were similar in sex, age, and dress.  Russ was present as a young officer, Vietnam vet and suspect, at the investigation in 1972, and Jack Liddle, a now retired chief of police and older friend of Russ’s, was a young officer in 1952 and chief in 1972.  Adding to the richness of the story are Clare’s struggles to meet the demands of her job while caring for her 4-month old baby and then taking on a transgender intern.  How Clare’s ministry ties into Russ’s investigation and how the three crimes are truly linked makes for a cleverly plotted novel.  

My only quibble is that occasionally it was a bit difficult to sort out the secondary players investigating the 1952 crime.  I also enjoy these mysteries since the setting in the Albany area is familiar to me and the author’s descriptions of small-town life ring true.  For thoughts on what Spencer-Fleming was trying to accomplish, I recommend this online conversation.  (~JWFarrington)

SMALL SCREEN TREATS

The Aristocrats  (BritBox, Amazon Prime)

(bbc.co.uk)

A six-part BBC series from 1999, The Aristocrats focuses on the wealthy upper-class Lennox sisters in 18th century England and Ireland.  Daughters of the Duke of Richmond, their marriages to politicians, lords or ne’er-do-wells are successful (Caroline to Henry Fox), fulfilling (Emily to James, FitzGerald, Lord Kildare), loving (Louisa to Thomas Conolly), or turbulent (Sarah to Sir Charles Bunbury).  When Sarah engages in a very public affair, society’s attention is both unwanted and harmful to the rest of the family, particularly the remaining unmarried sisters.  There is a wry, almost smug tone, in the voiceover narration provided by sister Emily. You feel as if you are meant to enjoy the sumptuous costumes and the opulent settings, but not take the whole business too seriously.  Definitely an escape from the present day!

The Return  (Acorn)

(themoviescene.co.uk)

The Return is a feature film starring Julie Walters as Lizzie, a woman just released from prison after serving 10 years for the murder of her physician husband.  A former alcoholic, Lizzie returns to the small Irish town she left behind and hopes to be reunited with her son, Jimmy.  Her parents are still alive, but her mother is very ill and her relationship with her father awkward.  Lizzie’s good friend Maggie gives her a job waiting on tables in her café, but Lizzie runs into problems even there.  This is a grim film, but ultimately rewarding, especially for Ms. Walters’ performance.  

Notes: Header photo ©JWFarrington. Spencer-Fleming photo from en.wikipedia.org

Tidy Tidbits: Culture Notes

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ON STAGE

The Sound of Music

You’ve probably seen at least one stage production of The Sound of Music or the movie starring Julie Andrews, but did you pay attention to the year and the context?  I don’t think I did until we saw the superb performance at the Asolo Theater.  This is a darker, more nuanced play and one that brings to the fore the rising Nazi presence in Austria in 1938.  The actors are great, especially Captain Von Trapp’s seven rambunctious children, the Mother Superior with a big voice that commands attention, and the always in motion, all arms and legs Maria.  Equally effective is the staging, particularly the last scene when the entire family performs in a competition.  If you live nearby, go see it!

ON THE PAGE

The Long Call by Ann Cleeves

Fans of Shetland and Vera, TV mystery series seen on PBS, will recognize Cleeves’ name as the author of the works upon which they are based.  I’ve not read any of these mystery novels, but decided to try the first work in a new series.  The Long Call introduces Matthew Venn, a gay detective married to the manager of a community arts center.  When a troubled man is found dead on the beach and a disabled young woman goes missing, all the leading suspects have ties to the arts center.  

What drew Simon Walden, the dead man, to Barnstaple, and how was he connected to the mentally challenged teenage girl he regularly sat next to on the local bus?  Venn is a complex and fascinating character who grew up in the Brethren faith, but later rejected it.  In working to solve this case, he must re-visit individuals from his past.  I found this mystery intriguing enough to read to the finish and will probably look for the next one in the series.  

ON THE SMALL SCREEN

Unbelievable (Netflix)

On the subject of crime, I’m currently watching Unbelievable, a graphic account of the investigation into a series of rapes that occurred mostly in Colorado.  Based on real events, it’s about two female detectives from different cities who come together to find a serial rapist.  Several victims are portrayed including Marie, a troubled young woman, who under persistent questioning from two male detectives recants her initial account of the rape.  Difficult and disturbing to watch, it is, nonetheless, a painstaking exploration of how rape crimes are handled or mishandled.

ON THE WAY HOME

Appleton Museum of Art

On our way back south from St. Augustine last week, we stopped in the town of Ocala and paid a visit to the Appleton Museum of Art. This small gem of a museum has a voluminous collection of Christmas decorations and figurines which they bring out each December. But, what was of most interest to several of us, was their featured exhibit of paintings from the Reading Public Museum in Pennsylvania. Entitled Across the Atlantic: American Impressionism through the French Lens, it showcases 65 paintings of early French Impressionistic work along with pieces done by American artists several decades later. It is a lovely exhibit and one worth lingering over. The museum also has European and Asian pieces in their permanent collection.

It was almost noon when we finished our tour. We drove into the center of town, admired Ocala’s town square with its brightly decorated Christmas tree, and then had a most satisfying lunch at Harry’s Seafood Bar & Grille. From the standard chicken Caesar salad to New Orleans style shrimp creole and the like, there is something for every taste. Service was lightning quick!

Note: Text and photos ©JWFarrington.

Tidy Tidbits: Judy and Crime

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BIG SCREEN

Judy

The Chief Penguin stated it succinctly:  this is a movie about pain.  And it’s exquisitely wrought pain.  You know it will not end well, but you remain fixated on those smoky dark eyes and the pouty red lips.  Renee Zellweger as Judy Garland is brilliant.  She captures all the physical twitchiness of an addict while her expressive face registers the nuances of hurt, disappointment, anger, and even occasionally, joy.  Heading to London for a series of performances, Judy hopes to revive her fading career and make some money.  Abused by the movie studio as a child, she is an emotionally needy adult who both loves and neglects her children.  

In a touching scene, she goes home with a gay couple after her show and ends up cooking scrambled eggs.  When things fall apart, her London handler, who has been warned that Judy is impossible, seems both resigned to the difficulties of managing her and yet respectful of her talent.  There are songs throughout the film, and you almost hold your breath, wondering when and knowing for certain that “Over the Rainbow” will be sung.  If you’re looking for a happy time, this is not it.  It’s a slow powerful unraveling of a life.

MYSTERIES

I’m a selective mystery reader.  There are a handful of authors whose mysteries I actively seek out.  Among this group are Deborah Crombie and more recently, Jane Harper.  

(thenovelneighbor.com)

A Bitter Feast by Deborah Crombie

Like fellow mystery writer Elizabeth George, Crombie has now written more than fifteen mysteries with the same set of characters.  In Crombie’s case, her detectives are Gemma Jones and her husband Duncan Kincaid, who both work for Scotland Yard in London.  Originally just partners, they married and are parents to Kit (Duncan’s son by his first wife) and two other children.  Both the children and their work colleagues, Melody, from a wealthy background, and Doug, who at times is clueless about the social niceties, figure in the stories.  Crombie is good at conveying the messiness of family life as well as the snits and annoyances that complicate work life.  

This mystery takes place in the Cotswolds as they are all guests of Melody’s parents.  When a celebrity chef visits the local pub to see its rising young chef and then dies in a car accident along with another local woman, questions are raised. Why was Fergus the chef in that car and how exactly did he die?  An investigation ensues.  Set within the context of the food world, this was a most enjoyable and absorbing book.  Knowing the backstory of Gemma, Duncan, Melody, and Doug from previous books, makes it all the better.  (~JWFarrington)

The Dry by Jane Harper

Jane Harper (theaustralian.com.au)

Jane Harper is an Australian writer and a recent success in the book world.  She’s the author of two crime novels and one standalone novel.  I’ve actually read all three works, but in reverse order. I began with the newest, The Lost Man, and then read Force of Nature. It’s about an outdoors team building exercise that goes awry and features federal agent, Aaron Falk.  The Dry is Harper’s first novel and it introduces Falk as he returns to his hometown after twenty years and relives painful memories. Simultaneously, he becomes involved in untangling the mystery of the violent deaths of a childhood friend, his wife, and their young son.  Filled with loose strands and twists, this is a fascinating and suspenseful book.  (~JWFarrington)

Note: Text ©JWFarrington. Header photo of the real Judy Garland, gettyimages.com

Manhattan Moments: Stage, Page & Plate

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Gripping Theater

King Lear with Glenda Jackson and Ruth Wilson

(independent.co.uk)

We saw Glenda Jackson last spring in Three Tall Women and were keen to see her again, this time as the irascible domineering king.  Sam Gold’s production is not a traditional one and there is nothing staid about it.  With modern day costumes and guns instead of swords, it plays with time and makes graphic, couplings and other stage business that are more implied than acted out in other versions.  From beginning to end, it is gripping and at points even glorious.  

First off, Jackson is superb; androgynous in appearance, she is the king:  entitled, dictatorial, and expecting obedience. Ruth Wilson is the gentle, but rebellious Cordelia, who also excels as the Fool. With a Cockney accent and the right combo of jokes and wisdom, the Fool flatters, cajoles and soothes Lear.  Another noteworthy performance is Jayne Houdyshell’s Earl of Gloucester, the loyal retainer who is yet duped by one of his sons.  I also particularly enjoyed the warmth and dedication of the Earl of Kent, as played by John Douglas Thompson.

This is a very busy stage, and some reviewers found it a bit much.  I have to agree that the string quartet sometimes masked the dialogue in a way that was distracting.  The very diverse cast also included one deaf actor, Russell Harvard as the Duke of Cornwall, who was signed to by an aide throughout the entire play.  Apparently, having a diverse cast (this one had racial and gender diversity for sure) is one of Gold’s hallmarks.  My quibbles are minor ones and this, for me, was a wonderful experience and a most memorable Lear! (~JWFarrington)

Engrossing Mystery

The American Agent by Jacqueline Winspear

Author Winspear turns out one Maisie Dobbs a year and this is her latest.  Set in London during the Blitz (late 1940 into 1941), it’s engrossing and I read it in little more than a day.  The murder here, and there is generally only one, is that of a talented young news reporter, Catherine Saxon, who’s been noticed by Edward R. Murrow and hopeful of the chance to join his team.  

(amazon com)

Catherine lives in a rooming house run by an older widow and, while extremely dedicated to her work, is attractive and attractive to a variety of young men.  Maisie is assigned to the case, but requested to work along with Mark Scott, an American diplomat, whose involvement is ostensibly because Saxon’s father is a U.S. senator.  

These mysteries are largely procedurals with lots of interviews and following up on leads, but this one weaves in accounts of the devastation of the nighttime bombing (Maisie and her friend Pris are volunteer ambulance drivers); Maisie’s progress toward adopting Anna, her child evacuee; and also Maisie’s developing relationship with Mr. Scott who appeared in an earlier novel. Lots of richness of character here and a mystery with some suitable twists and surprises.  It’s one of my favorites among the most recent entries in this ongoing series!  (~JWFarrington) 

Turkish Fare: Beyoglu

Beyoglu (pinterest.com)

This Upper East Side restaurant was a perfect venue for a family lunch that included our granddaughters.  We had a large table in a corner and our meze platter was quickly ordered and promptly delivered. The combination of yogurt, hummus, sautéed spinach, and other spreads was great with the puffy bread rounds and kept the two little girls occupied until the rest of the meal arrived.  We sampled the shrimp appetizer, tomato and cucumber salad, sausages and potatoes, grilled chicken over shredded carrots and other veggies, and the very tender doner lamb.  All scrumptious and something for everyone’s taste!

Note: Header photo of Manhattan architecture by JWFarrington. Credits noted for all other photos.