Origin and Cause [Hardcover]

Shelly Reuben (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 10, 1994

A crime novel by a private detective follows the investigations of arson expert Wylie Nolan, who believes that the death-by-fire of a media giant inside his two-million-dollar 1930 Duesenberg Arlington sedan was actually murder.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Successful on every front is Reuben's second novel, following her Edgar-nominated Julian Solo. When media mogul Stanfield Standish's antique Duesenberg ignites, with him behind the wheel, rejoicing is pretty much universal among his family, associates and those taking a dim view of his inflammatory politics and his plan to use computer technology to morph marginally talented stars into classic movies. Even so, a few family members quickly sue the company that restored the classic car just prior to the fire. The company then hires lawyer Max Bramble, who calls on fire investigator Wylie Nolan, who can spot arson from a mile away. The car explosion is suspect, and the odious Stanfield was surrounded by a varied crew of hangers-on with reasons to do him in. Giving us two unforgettable sleuths in the sharp and savvy Max and Wylie, Reuben also brings specialized lore of antique cars and arson to the rapt attention of her readers.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

Called in at the last minute to pinch-hit for a sodden defense attorney, product-liability expert Max Bramble agrees to defend Courtland Motors' antique-auto restoring division against a claim by the estate of TV executive Stanfield Standish (n‚ Stanley Scheidler) that Courtland is liable for his getting incinerated in his 1930 Duesenberg. Building his defense, Max's secret weapon is Wylie Nolan, a PI specializing in arson. Wylie shortly finds evidence (a telltale ring, a missing set of car keys, a pattern of combustion indicating the fire started in several places at once) that despicable Standish got a boost into Valhalla. For somebody who keeps insisting he's only interested in vindicating his client and couldn't care less who lit the bonfire, Max spends a lot of chapters filling in Standish's family background (weak-willed father, affectionate long-term mistress spurned by the children) and his business dealings (a Ted Turnerish plan to replace the stars of classic films bought with the computerized faces of brain- dead rockers so he can release them for a big new audience). Once the smoke from Max's good-natured, digressions and Wylie's sharp- eyed investigations clears, readers are stranded in a routine whodunit with nothing to wait for but the jury's Not Guilty and the culprit's confession. First of what promises to be a cheeky series with curlicues of preadolescent humor--and not much else on its mind. -- Copyright ©1994, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: Scribner (August 10, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0684197022
• ISBN-13: 978-0684197029
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 5.9 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,437,194 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great!, November 2, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Origin and Cause (Mass Market Paperback)

This is a fantastic mystery with a unique plot. Not a cookie cutter mystery. This is true writing talent. I just finished the sequel, Spent Matches, and it is even better than Origin & Cause. They were both page turners for me.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating!, December 12, 2006

By 

Carlye R. Nystrom (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Origin and Cause (Mass Market Paperback)

You will learn so much about arson and outrageous legal tangles, but be entertained at the same time! Max Bramble is as funny as Archie Goodwin of Nero Wolfe fame.