Customer Reviews

Suture Self: Library Edition

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

 

 

I always get excited when I seem Mary Daheim's name as the author of a new bed-and-breakfast mystery...or at least I always USED to get excited. "Suture Self" takes place in a hospital--the ultimate bed and breakfast--and is as cutsey and improbable as its title implies. The largest problem is the location, as you might guess: it's difficult to have three murders on your floor, have the various characters wander in your room and confess, and observe the hit and run from your hospital window. It just doesn't work. And the humor that Daheim usually exhibits doesn't work either: it's strained and artificial, filled with weak puns and plays on words.

I'm saddened to see Daheim turn out such a weak product: this is a formulaic novel based on her past work but, unlike the hospital in which it is set, the novel is sterile and lacking in credibility and color.

I read both series written by Mary Daheim and I have to say, right away, that I prefer the Alpine Mysteries to this series, Bed-and-Breakfast. This series tends toward too much silliness at times and there also tends to be too many deaths in each one (Snow Place to Die, for example, was right up there on par with a slasher movie). As well, some of the guests in this series lean toward stereotypical cartoons rather than characters. That being said, this book falls right in line with the others of the series, perhaps a little worse than most of the previous ones. Both Judith and her cousin Renie are in the hospital for operations when a murder occurs, following two suspicious deaths having already taken place. The mystery in this one is fairly easy to solve and the pacing is slow - it would take a really strong writer to make a full-length novel that takes place almost entirely in one hospital room seem exciting. I found myself more interested in the personal progress of Judith's life - will Mike finally find out that Joe is his father, not Dan? How is Gertrude's progress into senility?
I rate this one 2 stars as it is less than average for this series. Have to say that I am more looking forward to the next Alpine mystery much more than the the next one in this series, "Silver Scream."

This series is starting to lose its charm.

Renie, who I usually find mildly amusing, comes off as totally overbearing and obnoxious, to the point you hope the nurses will just smother her with a pillow. Judith, who I usually find enjoyable but stuffy, comes off as totally dippy. Gertrude, who's usually the highlight of the series for me, is barely seen.

People wander into the cousins' hospital room to spill their guts. Bill breaks his professional ethics as a psychologist to tell them confidential patient information "to get their minds off Joe." Though the hospital staff doesn't seem to like them very much, particularly Renie, they still give them whatever information they're seeking. The whole thing is just totally unrealistic, in addition to the fact that a story which takes place in the confines of a hospital comes off as stifling.

Maybe it's time for this author to choose between this and her "Alpine" series and devote her full time to one or the other, where she can put more effort into the stories.

An anemic effort from someone who is touted on the cover as a best-selling author. I'd go back and check out the titles that gave her that status instead of reading this book.

Very weak characters, an obvious mystery, too-convenient plot devices every other page, cheap shocks that make you feel stupid when you find out what they are, characters that literally fall into the hospital room so they can spill their guts -- or confessions -- to our bed-ridden mystery solver... And someone has the gall to compare her to Miss Marple. (She blushes modestly when they do so.)

Search a little farther on Amazon and I'm sure you'll find something that is worth your time. Try Janet Evanovich or Katy Munger. Their stuff will treat you as if you're an adult reader and not a child.

When last seen, Judith McMonigle Flynn, owner of the Hillside Manor Bed and Breakfast, needs a hip replacement due to an accident that confines her to a wheelchair. In a strange coincidence, Judith's cousin Rennie needs an operation on her shoulder. Thus, the two best friends check into the Good Cheer Hospital, managing to share a room.

Before the duo actually enters the hospital, a famous athlete and a locally known actress die while recovering from successful surgery. The police report that both of them died from an overdose of drugs. Judith learns from a gossiping nurse that neither of the deceased were users. When a third person dies under suspicious circumstances, Judith, who has solved previous homicides, decides to investigate without knowing how close the killer is to her.

This long running series makes its hard cover debut with a tale that proves Mary Daheim deserves the status. SUTURE SELF is the best novel in a well-written series as the precious interludes between Judith and Rennie appear poignant and dramatic, yet humorous. The investigative techniques used by Judith while recovering from surgery is unique or at least along the lines of Rear Window. Ms. Daheim is at the top of her game as she provides her fans with a wonderful cozy.

Harriet Klausner

Suture Self begins with two sleuthing cousins scheduled for surgery at Good Cheer Hospital. Two famous people have already ended up dead and a third expires as the cousins recuperate. There were so many weakneses in this story that when I put the book down it was hard to pick up again. First, it's unlikely that strangers would stream into their room to fill them in on things that were none of their business. Second, the drug and homeless angles were flimsy nonsense. Third, and most annoying, was that Renie person. Why would a writer, having the power to create likeable characters in prominent positions in a story spawn something like Renie Jones? The cursing, screaming, unsympathetic attitude, etc. was WAY over the top and detracted from the weak plot. Lastly, there was no element of surprise at the end. Who didn't figure out that Jim was the killer half way through the book?
This was my introduction to this B&B series. If I read any of the others they will be checked out of my local library.
CM Miller---Author, What She Left Behind

Judith McMonigle Flynn needs to have a hip replacement, coincidentally at the same time that her cousin Renie is having shoulder surgery. They are a little apprehensive about their admission to Good Cheer Hospital, because there seems to be a rash of deaths of basically healthy people who have recently had surgery at the hospital. There is a rumor of a takeover of Good Cheer and there are plenty of quirky hospital employees as well as relatives of the deceased which gives Judith a long list of suspects. Her husband is working on a case dealing with homeless people and Judith suspects that there is a connection to the case she's working on. Undaunted by her surgery, Judith travels around the hospital in her wheel chair and, as usual, manages to solve the mystery before the police. This is another enjoyable book in the Bed-and-Breakfast series.

I have read each Bed & Breakfast thru #25. I kept hoping that Mary Daheim might get back into her groove. Not so. Somewhere along the line, the books have lost their charm. Renie has developed a severe overbite, with prominent front teeth, which is heavily focused on in the last few books. She has also gotten quite an attitude, making it difficult to get along with anyone. Added to that is Renie and Bill's ridiculous storyline of dressing their pet bunny, and in other books, being obsessed with their stuffed gorilla. They even go so far as to have Oscar the gorilla held hostage and have to negotiate for him! PLEASE!

Gertrude's acided tongue has never entertained me, as realistically no one would put up with the verbal abuse heaped on throughout the years. Judith has turned into a doormat.

On the plus side, I have read most of the Alpine Series, and so far they are delightful. But I will pass on the Bed & Breakfast series from now on.

I was utterly confused as to when this story was supposed to have taken place. It apparently takes place before the passing of the Health Information Portability Protection Act, which is the law that can cost treatment professionals - like nurses and psychologists - their license if they are so casual with tossing around privileged information about their patients. I read the reference to the nurse's starched uniform and cap, and figured it must be before the eighties when they all started wearing scrubs. Then I read the warning by one of the antagonists about "snoopy reporters" and figured it must be from the Scooby Doo era. Then I read about Mirror Twins and how twins that face each other in the womb wind up as a mirror image of each other, and decided it must be from the early 1900s.
The dialog (Torchy McGee??) told me it was an old Lucy and Ethel episode from the 60s, but then the references to Nike and hip replacement surgery confused me yet again.
Finally, the literary cliches caused me to give up on it altogether; I no longer cared who killed the celebrities or why. Yikes.

This is the first book I have read by this author, and I can't say I was impressed. There are some funny moments and some cute dialog between the two cousins, but overall, it was a somewhat boring read. The story got old quick and I had a hard time paying attention to what was going on, or even caring for that matter. The one plus is it is a nice book for someone who would prefer not to slog through a lot of useless, gratuitous sex and vulgar language. I guess to be fair, I need to try another of this series before I judge too harshly. If you are looking for a fast paced, exciting, sit on the edge of your seat mystery, this is not the one