Customer Reviews

The Doctor Digs a Grave

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The Doctor Digs a Grave by Robin Hathaway is well-written and thoroughly engrossing, with a fascinating plot and interesting characters. I got a great kick out of the wry (and sly) humor, and the light satire -- on City Society, doctors, PC language, pretentiousness in general, and finally, the punning title of the book. As the book progressed it certainly had me spinning a lot of theories about who-what-when-where. The details were fascinating (the native culture, esp.); the blind alleys were fun, and the resolution of the slipper saga was great! The story was skillfully told and the pacing was very good. The characters were excellently done, effectively drawn, but with precision and economy. The author fully deserved the award she won with the book!! Another thing I should mention is that Hathaway, in the tradition of other great mystery writers, shows that she can tell a tale of crime and punishment without resorting to huge amounts of gratuitous vi! olence, which is the plague of most of our "culture" right now.

I found this a perfect book for a busy weekend. Never one to be without a book, I was intrigued by the title and decided to give it a try. I enjoyed my find. The doctor and Mrs. Doyle have a very believable relationship and I like the way Dr. Fenimore studies his subjects and reports to the reader. The calmness of his personality is infectious. Nice quick read.

Bravo Robin Hathaway! I could not put this book down and took it with me everywhere until I finished it. The characters in Hathaway's first novel are likeable and engaging. At first I was a bit apprehensive about a doctor and his young sidekick, but Hathaway pulls it off beautifully without falling into that formula one might expect with a mentor/student type relationship.

The plot moved at a very enjoyable pace with just enough character development to keep the read hooked.

I can't wait for the next Hathaway novel.

I don't expect gritty realisim from a cozy mystery, but there was hardly a real moment in the book. The character of Horatio rang especially false. He is supposed to be an inner-city kid of the nineties, but, aside from the throwing in a few curses, his dialogue is dated. He even uses the terms "fuzz" and "dame." The author still thinks wearing black means someone is a hood. If she spent any time in Philadelphia's trendier restaurants, she would have seen many upscale people dressed in black. The mystery itself is weak. Without giving too much away, I question how someone who is not likely to have a drivers licence is able to rent a van. And why was the body hidden in the first place? The explaination given doesn't really make much sense. I bought the book because of the Philadelphia location. Speaking as a resident of Center City Philadelphia, I can say that there is no sense of place in this book. The Amanda Pepper series does a much better job of giving a feel for the city. I was especially displeased by the implication that it has become more dangerous to walk the streets of the city at night. If anything, the city has become safer the past few years. Philadelphia is a beautiful, vibrant city, but you would never know it from this book. Ms. Hathaway does give a good description of the Mutter Museum, given a different name in the book, but clearly recognizable. I encourage Ms. Hathaway to spend more time in Philadelphia. While here, I recommend she spend some time riding public transportation, so she can get a better sense of how today's teens talk. I also suggest she read Third and Indiana by Steve Lopez for a realistic look at the neighborhood where Horatio probably lives.

I bought this because Amazon.com lists it as an Agatha Award winner--Best First Mystery. Surely it isn't; someone _must_ have written a better first book.

The plot isn't bad--just the writing. The characters are stereotypes. Fenimore is disgustingly p.c. The dialog made me wince, it was so unbelievably lame.

Sorry, Robin, but getting taken for several dollars entitles me, I think, to critique your work. Don't give up your day job yet.

OK book. My interest was the discussion of Indians (uh, Native Americans) in of all places, New Jersey. I appreciated a plot that linked this group of people with the PA Main Line. I figured out the ending too early, which was a drag, but I'd like to read more from Ms. Hathaway.

I am a big fan of Agatha Christie. I have read almost all her books. Finished reading her work makes me both satisfied and dissatified at the same time. I am glad to find someone with similar style of writing here. I really enjoy the main character's sense of humor and the author's way describing her characters. I have a very clear picture of what they are like. however, comparing to agatha christie, there is still some way to go.

I didn't have much hope for this book--I'd bought it based on an Amazon recommendation, but then realized I'd selected the wrong book. As it turned out, though, this was a fortuitous mistake. The characters are very believable and interesting. The plot draws you along without being manipulative. A good first mystery, and I look forward to future outtings by the doctor.

History, murder, intrigue, humor--it's all there: Robin Hathaway definitely deserves the Agatha award she won this year for Best First Novel. I was entertained and engaged throughout--the mystery was good but I was most intrigued by the characters--subtly rendered, straighforward and--it may sound odd, but "human" is the best way I can put it--no one was screaming their flaws, insecurities, and attributes, but these were all there, revealed slowly, as they are in real life. Can't wait for the next "Doctor" mystery!

In Dr. Andrew Fenimore Robin Hathaway has created a character I really look forward to meeting again, along with his thrift-shop cat, Sal, and his loveable street kid associate, Horatio. This book has a great plot, excellent background, and plenty of fun. A thoroughly engaging read that I have just enjoyed for the second time.