That Way Murder Lies: A Mitchell and Markby Mystery (Meredith and Markby Mysteries) [Hardcover]

Ann Granger (Author)

Book Description

Series: Meredith and Markby Mysteries | Publication Date: December 9, 2004

Meredith Mitchell is delighted when an old friend from her consular days, Toby Smythe, turns up on leave between foreign postings. But Toby has a problem---or rather his relative Alison Jenner has---and Toby wants to enlist the help of Meredith's fiancé, Detective Superintendent Alan Markby. Alison has been receiving anonymous hate mail in which reference is made to a time twenty-five years earlier when she stood trial for the murder of her aunt, Freda Kemp, but was acquitted. Who is the writer, and how does he or she know about this secret in Alison's past?

Markby is reluctant to become involved, not least because Toby is hardly his favorite person. Besides, he and Meredith are planning their wedding, and distractions aren't welcome. But inquiries into a poisoned pen campaign soon turn into a murder investigation.

With the help of Inspector Jessica Campbell, a new member of Markby's team, and the non-professional but enthusiastic assistance of Meredith and Toby, the inquiry unravels a twenty-five-year-old mystery and its dreadful legacy of violence.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

When Meredith Mitchell looks up from her foreign-service desk in London and sees her old friend Toby, back from a posting in Beijing, she is not pleased to hear him ask for a favor--not just of her but also of her fiance, Dectective Superintendent Alan Markby. Alison Jenner, a relative of Toby's, is receiving poison-pen letters referring to the death of her aunt decades before--a murder for which Alison was accused and acquitted. While Meredith and Alan think about their upcoming wedding, another murder brings the old one to the fore, and they find themselves hip deep not only in the investigation but also in the garden, country, pub, and family life of a particular English village. Granger has a winning way with color and structure, and although both characterization and plot get a bit shrill at the end, her latest is an absorbing and well-paced village mystery. GraceAnne DeCandido
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About the Author

Ann Granger, like Meredith Mitchell, has worked in British embassies in various parts of the world. She met her husband, who was also working for the British Embassy, in Prague, and together they received postings to places as far apart as Munich and Lusaka. They are now permanently based in Bicester, near Oxford. That Way Murder Lies is Granger's fifteenth Mitchell and Markby mystery.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Minotaur Books (December 9, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312338279
• ISBN-13: 978-0312338275
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.8 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #721,401 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Enjoyable Read, March 14, 2005

By 

Laurel Presser (New Jersey) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: That Way Murder Lies: A Mitchell and Markby Mystery (Meredith and Markby Mysteries) (Hardcover)

I was eagerly awaiting the next installment in this series, and I was not disappointed. This was a very enjoyable and satisfying read, even if, as others have pointed out, the ending was a little rushed. If you haven't read any of the earlier Mitchell and Markby mysteries by Ms. Granger it may take you a little while to understand the relationships among the repeating characters, but that won't detract from the story and shouldn't stop you from starting with this book. I suspect that when you're finished you'll want to read the earlier ones as well.

I'm looking forward to the next book in the series, and hope there's not as much time between books as there was between this and the previous one.

I have just one quibble. Did others notice the several typographical errors throughout the book? I think editors and proofreaders are relying too heavily on computerized spelling and grammar checkers, and not enough on carefully reviewing the actual text.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Looking for a solid mystery with really good characters, pick this one up!, March 19, 2007

By 

Liz at reviewedbyliz.com "Because life is too... (Cedar Springs, Michigan, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: That Way Murder Lies: A Mitchell and Markby Mystery (Meredith and Markby Mysteries) (Hardcover)

The most interesting thing about this book is the very natural and realistic relationships between the people and the events that unfold as a result of these relationships. The characters act out because of their shame, fear, loyalty, envy, ambition, sloth, etc. They all have unique characters and world views and all act accordingly. It seems an odd thing to say, but it seems very organic and believable. I think Granger must be a great student of human nature.

I quite like the main characters, too. Meredith Mitchell works for the Foreign Office and her fiancé Alan Marksby is in the police. In their 30's and 40's, they are a strong couple who are willing to compromise to be together and tolerate each other's baggage. Like Toby Smythe, a friend and co-worker of Meredith's who Alan doesn't care for, and who gets them involved in their current unpleasantness - poison pen letters which are being sent to his aunt.

Another thing I liked about this book is that Granger doesn't have Mitchell and Marksby competing to solve the crime before the other does. I find it so annoying when the unofficial detective messes up evidence and conceals information from the police. Instead, she investigates background information that the police don't have the time or inclination to pursue and then turns over what she finds to Marksby. It is a pleasing, cooperative effort that doesn't grate on the nerves.

Did I guess it? Sort of. If you are looking for a solid mystery with really good characters, pick this one up. This is a long series and I plan to go back and read the others, too.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A village mystery that has some realism., February 28, 2005

By 

A. Christie "bibliofiend508" (Plano, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: That Way Murder Lies: A Mitchell and Markby Mystery (Meredith and Markby Mysteries) (Hardcover)

Detective Superintendent Alan Markby and his fiancé Meredith Mitchell have been asked to look into the source of some poison pen letters by Toby Smythe , a friend and colleague of Meredith's . Meredith and Toby have been friends for years and both work for the Foreign Office. Toby's uncle, Jeremy Jenner's second wife has been receiving hateful letters alluding to a murder trial in which she was the defendant twenty years ago. She was cleared of the charges, but it seems someone wants to embarrass her. Before Markby and Merideth's investigation has barely started, Jeremy Jenner`s daughter is found murdered made to look like the murder so many years ago.

Ann Granger can be counted upon to produce a really good cozy mystery. Her characters are a bit more realistic and dimensional than the traditional cozy. The plot was well constructed. The clues came at a quick enough pace to keep suspense high without it being a book that could not be put down. I look forward to the next Markby and Mitchell mystery.