Theft on Thursday (Lois Meade Mystery) [Mass Market Paperback]

Ann Purser (Author)

Book Description

Series: Lois Meade Mystery | Publication Date: November 4, 2008

A friend has asked working-class mother and housecleaner Lois Meade to help crack a case. It looks like the handsome new choirmaster may have been poisoned. Soon, Lois finds herself untangling a web of secrets, bigotry, and intrigue-and can't let the culprits get away clean.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

For Anglophiles and fans of the British cozy, Purser's latest entry in her Lois Mead series is just the ticket. The book, which is liberally sprinkled with wry British humor, offers a realistic look at English village life and the travails of a typical English working-class family. Lois has been busy managing her successful housecleaning business since her last encounter with policeman Hunter Cowgill (when she helped solve the kidnapping of two neighbors).Now Cowgill wants Lois' help to uncover a local gang of Satanists. Lois already has plenty to worry about--her mother suffers a life-threatening case of flu, and not one but two of her employees appear to be having an affair with the vicar's godson. But her troubles pale when the parish verger dies in mysterious circumstances and a fire at the local vicarage kills the vicar's godson. Suspicion points to the Satanists. Clever, engaging, and suspenseful, this is Purser's best Lois Mead adventure yet. Recommend it heartily to all village cozy fans. Emily Melton
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Ann Purser lives in England.

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

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Berkley (November 4, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425207471
• ISBN-13: 978-0425207475
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #473,254 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not the best in my opinion, July 26, 2005

By 

Donna G. Davis (Rockford, IL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Theft on Thursday -Lib -Op/065 (Lois Meade Mysteries (Hardcover)) (Library Binding)

I had preordered this book after reading all the other books in the series, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. Couldn't wait for "Theft on Thursday" - but I was disappointed. It just didn't hold my interest like the other three. Too disconnected with people jumping from satanism, the KKK, taking old medications and getting sick or dying.

Gran was the best of the lot. Not too many redeeming qualities in most of the other charaters. It's hold no interest to me that the author is trying to somehow romantically connect Inspector Cowgill with Mrs. Meade - it would be just as interesting without that. I like to see young people respecting one another (at least some of them) and not jumping in to bed as if that is the thing to do. I know it's the norm in this world - but in my opinion that doesn't make it right and I don't care to read about it.

I'd much prefer a good "old fashioned" cozy and clean mystery. One I can get lost in reading and feel like I haven't wasted my time waiting for it to get better. Sorry, I hope if there's a next one it's a 5 star. Bascially I like Mrs. Meade and her "New Brooms" brood. Also, this book let too many years go by between events in the village. I was surprised that all the main characters had changed so much.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Too Dry, May 29, 2008

By 

Andrea "Readaholic" (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Theft on Thursday (Lois Meade Mystery) (Mass Market Paperback)

Lois Meade, the main character, is the supervisor and founder of her cleaning company. This book takes place in England. People die - will the mysteries be solved?

This book is the 4th book in this series. This book did not have the charm that the first 3 had. In the first 3 - which I gave 5 stars to each - I felt like I was in a charming English village, with purple freesias, birds singing, and childrens' laughter. I actually felt I was there, and felt comfort in the warmth and coziness of it all.

This book, however, was dry and boring; the first 100 pages could have been condensed into 20; nothing really exciting happened until into the second half of the book. I got so sick of hearing about choir practice. Only so much can be said about choir practice. This book did not hold my attention; I will probably not read anymore of this series.

Nonetheless, this was a good story idea with clever pieces and ideas that all fit together in the end. The presentation of these ideas were boring and not charming. I really got bored while reading this book. It did have potential, however.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Delightful, however improbable, May 21, 2008

By 

Atheen M. Wilson "Atheen" (Mpls, MN United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Theft on Thursday (Lois Meade Mystery) (Mass Market Paperback)

This is actually the first Lois Meade mystery that I read, and why I decided to read others. The plot was very complex, but as with the other two I've read, just what I would have expected.

On the whole, I found that the plot was not quite as believable as the other two, but it is definitely intriguing. Like the others, the characters, especially those of Lois's staff at New Brooms, are marvelously well crafted. The relationships among them and among Lois's family are so engaging that one can hardly fail to find them satisfying. Certainly the on going semi-romance with Inspector Cowgill is, as always, titillating even if neither acts upon the impulse. Lois's husband, Derek Meade, while he's a little jealous and irritable lately, is definitely a dear. In general I find it as satisfying reading about the people as trying to figure out who killed whom and why.

As usual the motives abound, and the things people decide to say or not say, do or not do delightfully confuse the issue. I doubt that I've read anyone short of Collin Dexter who could so thoroughly baffle me by the end of the story.

Delightful story, however improbable.