Dear Miss Demeanor (Claire Malloy Mysteries, No. 3) [Mass Market Paperback]

Joan Hess (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 15, 2000

Agatha Award-winning author Joan Hess, the prolific creator of the Claire Malloy and Maggody mysteries, is beloved for her clever sleuths, quirky characters, and her ingenious plotting. We invite you to enjoy this delightful Claire Malloy mystery, and to discover why Sharyn McCrumb calls Joan Hess "the patron saint of comic mystery."

At Farberville High, it's reading, writing...and murder.

Who knows what evil lurks in the halls of Farbervilles' high school-or what blackmail is hidden in Miss Demeanor's Falcon Crier advice column? Certainly not bookstore owner and amateur sleuth Claire Malloy-until her daughter Caron persuades her to substitute for disgraced column editor and journalism teacher Emily Parchester. Surely Miss Parchester cannot be guilty of embezzlement. But the petty charges graduate to murder when Principal Weiss gets his last licks from Miss Parchester's peach compote. Miss Parchester herself, last seen at a local sanitarium, is suddenly missing. And now it's up to Claire to find someone who's been schooled in the fine art of murder...

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Hess's books are funny, acerbic, touching, terrific." --Elizabeth Peters

"Joan Hess is one very funny woman." --Susan Dunlap

"Joan Hess is the funniest mystery writer to come down the pipe since England's incomparable Pamela Branch. And oh, how well Joan writes." --Carolyn G. Hart

From the Publisher

"Hess's books are funny, acerbic, touching, terrific." -Elizabeth Peters

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks (May 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312973136
• ISBN-13: 978-0312973131
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #113,959 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great beach book, August 26, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Dear Miss Demeanor (Claire Malloy Mysteries, No. 3) (Mass Market Paperback)

When the journalism teacher at Faberville High School is accused of pilfering petty cash and suspended from work, Claire Malloy finds herself pushed into substitute teaching while trying to clear the teacher's name. The principal is poisoned and all clues point to the dear journalism teacher. Then a second body turns up. Claire works to clear the journalism teacher's name before having to chaperone the school's dreaded Friday night home coming dance. While the characters could have been better developed, this does not detract from the story. Antics at Farberville High rival the best soap opera plot, motives abound and humor prevails - all adding up to a page turning, fun mystery.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Book That Got Me Hooked, February 5, 2004

By 

MZ (Minnesota) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dear Miss Demeanor (Claire Malloy Mysteries, No. 3) (Mass Market Paperback)

I picked this book up at a school book sale amidst piles of paperbacks that had been donated for their fundraiser. The witty writing, light but intelligent style, and intriguing mystery combine to make a great, fast read.

Hess' humor is so enjoyable, and I love the fact that Claire Malloy is a bookstore owner and that the series has nothing to do with cooking. Hess is definitely a unique voice in the mystery world.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Just cute little stories, March 29, 2004

By 

J. Gielow (Chicago, Illinois) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dear Miss Demeanor (Claire Malloy Mysteries, No. 3) (Hardcover)

I got started on Joan Hess books from her Arly Hanks Maggody series (fantastic books). These are not as good but still quite entertaining little stories. The books are never more then 225 pages and are easy reading. The dialogue between Claire and her daughter is worthy enough to be a SNL skit. These books will not make you think but they will make you laugh.