Maquette For Murder (Worldwide Library Mysteries) [Paperback]

Gretchen Sprague (Author)

Book Description

Series: Worldwide Library Mysteries | Publication Date: March 1, 2001

When retired attorney Martha Patterson's sculptor friend, Hannah Gold, is attacked, her assistant battered to death, and her latest sculpture destroyed, Martha plunges into the New York art world to find the culprit while threading her way through the jealousies and loyalties of a group of people for whom "the unusual is just usual."

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Sixty-three-year-old former lawyer Martha Patterson, back for her second civilized foray as an amateur sleuth (after Death in Good Company), feels the tension between artists at a reception in her friend Hannah Gold's Brooklyn studio. On display are a model--maquette--of Hannah's entry in a Minnesota competition and pieces by Hannah's new assistant, Kent Reed. Later that evening Martha receives an almost incoherent phone call from a hysterical Hannah. After promising to get help, Martha learns that someone has not only attacked Hannah in her studio and ruined her maquette but killed Kent. Shocked, she can't help wondering about Hannah's rival for the competition, Dennie Simm, and his wife, Olive, whose eyes seemed to have followed Kent all evening. Could either of them have wreaked such havoc? Martha later finds incriminating evidence against both of them: Kent had just broken off an affair with a still-smitten Olive, while Olive had been seen near the studio after the reception. But why would jealous husband Dennie or spurned lover Olive harm Hannah and her art? Following through all the leads, Martha arrives at an answer that should please if not wholly surprise readers of this almost bloodless cozy. (Feb.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Sedate and determined. like the prose that portrays her, retired New York attorney Martha Patterson attends an art show at the sudio of Hannah, her agin but up-and-coming artist best friend. Early the next morning, however, someone clobbers Hannah, trashes her fabric sculpture, and kills her assistant. Martha rescues her friend, touches base with Detective Sharpman (Death in Good Company), then begins her own methodical investigation into the rivalries and jealousies of the city's art world. Quiet humor and a good story; good for most collections.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Worldwide Library (March 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0373263783
• ISBN-13: 978-0373263783
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 3.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,435,080 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very enjoyable mystery, January 26, 2000

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Maquette for Murder: A Martha Patterson Mystery (Martha Patterson Mysteries) (Hardcover)

Her legal firm forces attorney Martha Patterson to accept an early retirement. Rather than sit on her accolades, Martha volunteered to do legal work in Brooklyn (see DEATH IN GOOD COMPANY). Her volunteer work ended when she landed in the middle of a murder investigation. Currently she teaches senior citizens how to take advantage of existing laws.

Due to her friendship with sculptress Hannah Gold, Martha is also involved in the art world. Martha soon finds herself in another murder mystery when Hannah is knocked out and her assistant is killed. The assailant also destroyed Hannah's latest work, that of a maquette called "Love" slated for a competition. The effort to reassemble "Live" proves futile when someone destroys it again. The police and Martha wonder if a jealous rival might be the perpetrator.

Readers who enjoy a slower paced, character-driven story line will fully relish MAQUETTE FOR MURDER. The inner workings of New York City's art world including jealousies, massive egos, and traumatic insecurities is vividly portrayed in Gretchen Sprague's latest Martha Patterson mystery. The who-done-it is entertaining with the city serving as a backdrop to this urban cozy that will please sub-genre fans.

Harriet Klausner