Missing Susan [Paperback]

Sharyn Mccrumb (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Ballantine Books (1980)
• ASIN: B000N7BCS4
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)

More About the Author

I am an award-winning Southern writer. I am probably best known for my
Appalachian "Ballad" novels, set in the North Carolina/Tennessee mountains. These books include New York Times Best Sellers She Walks These Hills and The Rosewood Casket, which deal with the issue of the vanishing wilderness, and The Ballad of Frankie Silver, the story of the first woman hanged for murder in the state of North Carolina; The Songcatcher, a genealogy in music; and Ghost Riders, an account of the Civil War in the Appalachians.

My newest novel St. Dale, the Canterbury Tales set in NASCAR, was published by Kensington Books of New York in 2005, and is currently a nominee for the Library of Virginia Literary Award in Fiction and a finalist for its People's Choice Award.

Honors include: the 2003 Award for Literature given by the
East Tennessee Historical Society; AWA Outstanding Contribution to
Appalachian Literature Award; Chaffin Award for Achievement in Southern
Literature; Plattner Award for Short Story; and AWA's Best Appalachian
Novel.

I was the first writer-in-residence at King College in Tennessee. In 2001 I
served as fiction writer-in-residence at the WICE Conference in Paris, and
in 2005 I was honored as the writer of the year at the annual literary
celebration at Emory and Henry College. (And I was the first Southern writer to take along a NASCAR driver to that literary seminar. Thank you, Ward Burton!)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Side Split howl of a mystery!!, December 2, 2002

By 

Deborah MacGillivray "Author," (US & UK) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Missing Susan (Mass Market Paperback)

This was the first Sharon McCrumb I read (definitely, not the last), was given to me in a promotion set of 10 mysteries. This is the only one I recall, and with just cause. Starting from the title, this book is just the opposite of what you expect. It is fresh, with a dry humour that is so engaging. Since reading this, I am a dyed in the wool McCrumb fan, and this is one of her best!!

This is the 6th Elizabeth McPherson novels. This time, she is on a tour of England, with a motley crew, and one really aggravating heiress, Susan. Susan's uncle has paid the tour guide to bump his niece off somewhere along the trip...only one problem - he keeps missing Susan.

It is so funny, a mystery where you are rooting for the bad guy to succeed!! McCrumb has taken the typical mystery and set it on its ear!!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Missing Susan-Over And Over Again, April 16, 2001

By 

sweetmolly (RICHMOND, VA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Missing Susan (Mass Market Paperback)

This sprightly mystery will be a jolt to readers only familiar with Ms. McCrumb's much acclaimed ballad series. "Missing Susan" is part Agatha Christie-spoof, part England tour, and part very sharp character study.

The star is not Elizabeth MacPherson, forensic anthropologist, but Rowan Rover, silver-tongued, down on his luck, tour guide. I was reminded of Stanley Holloway, the rascally father of Eliza in "My Fair Lady." The supporting cast of characters are lively individualists. Rowan is hired to 1) conduct a two-week Murder Mystery tour through England and 2) to eliminate one of the members of his group. Now Rowan is not normally a lawbreaker, but he has three ex-wives, a son in an expensive preparatory school and a rundown houseboat that he calls home.

Fortunately for all concerned Susan, the proposed victim, is unlikable enough that all the tour members have murderous thoughts involving the best way to rid themselves of Susan. It is a near thing whether Rowan will do the deed or will one of the tour members beat him to it. Susan is from Minneapolis. Before I read this book, I had nothing but admiration for this fine city. After hearing Susan compare everything from airports to monuments unfavorably with Minneapolis, I could cheerfully go a long time without hearing Minneapolis mentioned again. That's what Susan does to you.

The novel tidily begins and ends with a Jack the Ripper tour through Whitechapel. You may think you have everything figured out, but Ms. McCrumb has a few surprises in store for you. A good, fast enjoyable read.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hilariously fun!, July 9, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Missing Susan (Mass Market Paperback)

I thoroughly enjoyed this Sharyn McCrumb book. I've read about 10 of her books and I must say that "Missing Susan" is my favorite. It has a tongue and cheek quality and Sharyn McCrumb has a knack for making the unfortunate victim in the story totally unlikable. I also found the British Mystery Tour angle very informative and entertaining. If you like Agatha Christie you will like this book. "Paying the Piper" is also very good, as well as, "McPherson's Lament".