Customer Reviews

Death and the Oxford Box: A Mystery Introducing Kate Ivory

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Stallwood's three Kate Ivory mysteries (of which Death and the Oxford Box is the first) are at least as enjoyable as Edith Skom's Beth Austin mysteries (though not nearly as crisp as Joanne Dobson's Karen Pelletier series or Amanda Cross's Kate Fansler series). Light, fun stories, a likeable heroine, the Oxford setting... Why are these books out of print? Ah, well. If you like the writer/English professor-turned-amateur-sleuth genre, try Stallwood's pleasant diversions. You won't be disappointed.

I am glad I began with the first Kate Ivory book, now I can enjoy reading her progression in the crime solving that seems to be so prevalent around the Oxford area. Inspector Morse watch out, Kate is a much more believable character as she jogs her way around the city! I like her a lot. She seems to be at times a bit of a procrastinator which is good because most people probably are! The story for me went very quickly, I couldn't seem to put the book down and certainly got involved with all the characters lives. If there was a "down" side to the book it was probably during the penultimate chapter, as poor Kate goes for her final jog of the book and gets confronted by the killer. The fight that pursued was good, but although the derelict house with the "final twist" was good, in the struggle she came out a bit too easy.No mention of a follow up which was disappointing. Yes I am looking forward to meeting Kate Ivory again and again.

A British cozy mystery. Just plain fun and entertaining with a surprise ending. Not hard-core literature, but clever, with good plot and humorous characters.