Customer Reviews

Malice in Miniature (Dorothy Martin Mysteries, No. 4)

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

 

 

A friend of mine told me about the Dorothy Martin books and I loved the first two, and then didn't care at all about Holy Terror. Therefore I was reluctant to read Malilce in Miniature.

However, I am glad my friend talked me into reading the book. It was wonderful. I love Ms. Dams descriptions of the house and the people.

And the ending ... I had sort of figured it out, or thought I had. It was wonderful. I finished it late at night and laughed out loud. My cats thought I was crazy. If you have not read this book you will thoroughly enjoy it.

In this, the fourth in a wonderful cozy mystery series, retired American schoolteacher Dorothy Martin, who is living in Sherebury, England, has married Chief Constable Alan Nesbitt. Her gardener, Bob Finch, is suspected of having stolen a toy tea set from the local dollhouse museum at Brocklesby Hall, a grotesque country house owned by the eccentric, elflike Sir Mordred. In her quest to exonerate Bob, Dorothy spends time at the museum investigating and, in the process, learns much about miniatures and the little houses in which they are displayed. Two murders ensue, and Dorothy, of course, decides to find out who the culprit is. The story's big surprise revelation is easy to foresee, but the book is so charmingly written and has so many endearing characters that it doesn't matter at all. For maximum enjoyment, read the series in order, beginning with "The Body in the Transept," so you can get to know the people (and cats) in this delightful series.

Dorothy Martin is an American matron living in England, and married to a very senior policeman (how handy for getting those tidbits of inside information). In this, the fourth book of the series, she feels obligated to rush to the rescue of the drunken son of her cleaning lady who is wrongly accused of stealing some dollhouse furniture.

Now, as an expatriate English person living in North America, I'm kind of sensitive to an American writing an English who-dun-it. I like that this writer, writing in the first person, remains American and doesn't try to be British, even though she tries to out-Brit the Brits by wearing a succession of outlandish hats. I don't mind that she looks down her nose at some aspects of British life and is thoroughly confused by others (I do the same myself here). I really like the way she accepts her age and all that goes with it, including the stiff knees and the way young people patronize her (boy, do I empathize with that). All in all, this is an experienced writer who makes the reader identify with her protagonist.

This is a thoroughly competent book, and a good read. It takes a lot of confidence to have your sleuth fall asleep in the middle of the climax and the big chase scene. I shall look for some more of Jeanne M. Dams books.

The thing I liked most about the book was the way interesting real-life places were combined with realistic characters in situations you could imagine happening. The story flows, nothing seems too contrived. I had to pace myself, chapter at a time, to keep from reading it too fast. Dorothy Martin's adventures are now a recognized "series" but they do not read like formula books - each stands on its own. Try this book.

I just finished "Malice in Miniature" and was again thrilled by the down to earth quality of the book. Unlike many so called mysteries, this one contains no obviously upsetting scenes. Dorothy Martin is my kind of amateur sleuth. Not glamorous or "sexy", she uses her natural curiousities to solve another case. Though often her now husband, Alan, tries to dissuade her from getting involved, her natural tendency to befriend people keeps her right in the midst of the action. I also liked the idea of a novel with a miniature doll house theme, positively fascinating. I highly recommend this book to others.

I'm new to the Dorothy Martin mysteries but I did enjoy the book. It's quick reading; you don't have to think; and the characters are believable and lovable. It's a great escape when you want to unwind.

American expatriate Dorothy Martin is married to the Chief Constable for the County of Belleshire, Alan Nesbitt. However, marital bliss is temporarily interrupted when a neighbor Ada Finch pleads with Dorothy to help her son, Bob, accused of stealing an expensive antique tea set from the Museum of Miniatures.

Dorothy agrees to investigate what happened. She learns that Bob was the gardener at Brocklesby Hall where the museum is located. She next meets the eccentric but famous miniature collector Sir Mordred Brocklesby and ultimately proves that Bob is not the thief. However, the case twists dramatically when murder occurs and once again the police focus on Bob. It remains for the elderly Dorothy to find the real killer.

The return of the unique Martin cozy is an item that will bring rejoicing to fans of the sub-genre as the latest entry, MALICE IN MINIATURE, is a wonderful novel. Jeanne M. Dams paints a taut and fast-paced story line, and the support cast adds much flavoring. However, what makes this book so damn good is the relationships between that purebred American Dorothy and her English spouse and their neighbors.

Harriet Klausner

A rather disappointing addition to the otherwise charming Dorothy Martin series. Dorothy usually pokes fun at other characters, but this time becomes downright nasty when describing other female characters. Maybe all isn't bliss with the adorable Alan, hmmm? Too, the ending is contrived, twee, and generally incredible. The addition of a auditorially challenged youngster is a welcome nuance, but the sub-plot never really leads anywhere. Finally, from a legal point of view, I must wonder if Dorothy now functions as an agent of the police and that all of her findings would be tossed (sorry, just the paralegal in me). Oh, well, Ms. Dams, nobody but Dorothy L Sayers ever batted 1.000!