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12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
This is not Deborah!, December 16, 2001
This review is from: Corpus Christmas (Paperback)
But it is good. I found this book - set in New York - to be a fun read. I enjoy Ms Maron's style of writing, so that didn't matter. The cast of characters is quirky and the art world was a far cry from the southern family style of the Knott mysteries. Over all I had fun with it and learned a thing or two.
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15 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Sigrid Harald, #6 of 8, about average, too "artsy" (for me), February 24, 2002
This review is from: Corpus Christmas (Paperback)
I generally have enjoyed Margaret Maron's earlier (than her current series about Deborah Knott) 8-book series about NYC detective supervisor (Ms) Sigrid Harald. I just finished the 1989 edition, but I notice it's been republished and available readily again. Most of the Harald stories are pretty straight police investigations, with just enough plot complexity to retain an edge, but otherwise, like the leading lady herself, somewhat minimalist. As in the finale (#8), this one is set in the art world, at a Manhattan art museum known as the Erich Breul House. Not only is a significant amount of the book about famous painters and art gallery goings-on, but also each of the chapters is onset with quotations from the young Mr. Breul or some other pertinent history of nearly a century ago. By now I think it fair to guess Ms. Maron must at least be an art student or devotee since the art descriptions are probably just too detailed to be mere research. The story gets its name from a murder that takes place at the gallery a few days before Christmas. (Have no fear, it is not otherwise a Christmas tale, so can be comfortably read any time...) One of the new trustees is found bludgeoned to death after it is clear some research he has been conducting has uncovered something somebody doesn't want public. There's plenty of reason to suspect several of the main characters, many of who have no alibis, but ultimately the discovery of the murder weapon solves the crime. Since my desire was to read the complete Harald series, I'm not sorry I read this. It was to me not as good as most of the others, as it took an awfully long time for the "body", of both the story and the victim (!), to appear; and having no interest at all in art, all that stuff about the gallery and famous painters was a little boring. But Maron is a good writer, her tales pleasing, and no doubt some will appreciate parts of this book more than me.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good read, December 26, 2006
If you enjoy the world of art and mystery, then Corpus Christmas is the book for you.
The story takes place in the venerable, art-filled Erich Breul House during the Christmas season in New York City.
Maron prepares the scenario by introducing the main characters and their connection to Breul House. Dr. Roger Shambley, an art historian who works at the house and who seems to be disliked by everyone, makes a startling discovery involving a work of art that could make him rich and famous. For the moment, he decides to keep his discovery a secret. Then, a few days before Christmas, a special dinner is given and the characters come to attend. That night, Dr. Shambley is bludgeoned to death.
Lt. Sigrid Harald of the NYPD, who happens to be one of the guests because of her relationship with famous artist Oscar Nauman, soon takes charge of the investigation.
Who could have murdered the art historian? The list of suspects is long-enough to keep the reader guessing until the end.
Having read other books in the Sigrid Harald series, I feel that on the earlier ones Maron comes quicker to the point where the mystery is concerned. In this book the author spends a lot of time giving information about art.
This is great for a reader who loves art, but a reader who doesn't might be irritated by a lot of information that slows down the plot. Of course, Maron's style is irreproachable and as elegant as always. Corpus Christmas is an excellently written mystery for those readers who enjoy a touch of sophistication in their mysteries.
Armchair Interviews says: Art and murder mixed up for a good read.
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