Murder at Monticello: A Homer Kelly Mystery (Homer Kelly Mysteries) (Paperback)

by Jane Langton (Author) "Homer Kelly, is that you?..." (more)
Key Phrases: Thomas Jefferson, Tom Dean, Chief Pratt (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Despite an annoying hero who should have grown up by the 15th book in a popular and long-running series (The Dante Game; etc.), Langton delivers another solid effort. As Charlottesville, Va., prepares for a presidential visit celebrating the anniversary of Thomas Jefferson's election as U.S. president, a serial killer in the area is stalking female victims. At Monticello newly hired researcher Fern Fisher is trying to burnish Jefferson's tarnished reputation, while in the surrounding woods discontented med student Tom Dean has illegally set up camp. Tom joins Fern in her researches, arguing that sponsoring Lewis and Clark's Voyage of Discovery was Jefferson's only real achievement. As the two pursue their shared interest, the killer sets his sights on Fern. When the body of another woman turns up, Tom faces a murder charge. Enter sleuthing professor Homer, who undertakes to clear Tom's name and expose the real killer. The plot is as twisting and complex as the upper reaches of the Missouri River, and the book teams with likable characters, with two exceptions--the murderer and Homer, with his bag of quirks and foibles. Fortunately, the strong historical background, which includes descriptions of Jefferson's innovations at his home and chapter headings from the explorers' journals, more than compensates. The author's own pen-and-ink drawings add to the charm. (Feb. 19)Forecast: Langton received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Bouchercon 2000 mystery convention. If booksellers publicize that honor, and give healthy display to this book, which carries a nifty cover of Jefferson looking downright puzzled, this could prove to be Langton's most popular Homer Kelly to date.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

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

From Library Journal
Harvard sleuth Homer Kelly (The Thief of Venice) stumbles across a complex case when he visits Jefferson's plantation for a bicentennial celebration. Police think an anti-Jeffersonian trespasser camped on the grounds is a serial murderer, but Homer proves otherwise. A fine addition to the series.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics) (January 29, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0142000264
• ISBN-13: 978-0142000267
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,112,716 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

• This is item 15 in The Homer Kelly Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars 2 1/2* Very Disappointed, October 24, 2002

By	M. Allen Greenbaum (California) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

The elements of a great mystery are here. A book that interweaves the issue of slavery, the questions around Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings, and the imperatives of the Lewis and Clark expedition with a story about a serial killer sounds promising, but the book does not deliver...There's simply not enough suspense or mystery here, the writing is often annoying, and the characters aren't very interesting. Perhaps some will enjoy this as a light read. Not recommended.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Another Twist in the Tale, October 23, 2002

By	Louis M. Perdue (Amsterdam, the Netherlands) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I am always impressed by the ability Jane Langton shows in each of her books to encompass varying subject matters in such details. This book uses the expedition of Lewis & Clark to intertwine various lives and loves. As usual with Homer Kelly books, the reader knows the culprit, or at least knows who did NOT do the crime(s). This book contains some rather brutal murders, although the subject is handled in the usual Langton finesse. Homer and Mary do not figure so very much in this episode, with much of the action centering on guest characters. It is, as always, well-written, and, also as always, the pencil drawings by the author add to the enjoyment of reading this book. All in all, this is a fine addition to the series and I am looking forward to reading the next.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Murder at Monticello Review By Falynne Kagy, May 15, 2001

By	Fal (Bloomville, OH, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Murder at Monticello (Audio Cassette)

Jane Langton has once again provided us with another gripping Homer Kelly Mystery. This, the fifteenth in the Homer Kelly series, is by far the best one that I have read. It has all of the twists and turns that you'd expect from Langton. Fern Fisher, an overweight, personality-challenged woman in her mid-twenties serves as the main character. Her purpose in the nocel is to write a book for the Thomas Jefferson of Monticello Society, which will clear all of the hurtfull rumors of the late President's affair with Sally Hemings and his views about slavery. The supporting characters include Tom Dean, a man caught trespassing in the woods surrounding the home of our third President, and George Dryer, a demented serial killer who is out to get revenge on all women who remind him of his ex-girlfriend, Jeannie. The book is very well written, and leaves the reader hanging on to the edge of their seat, waiting to see who the next victim will be, or if Dryer can be caught in time by Homer and the Charlottesville, Virginia Police Chief. The book was ordinary in the sense that it was very predictable when it came to the murder case. I knew before I even read that Fern was going to be one of the last people that George would try to kill, and that, most likely, he would not succeed. I would reccomend this book to any reader who likes the classic murder mystery, and has the time to read the book in a short amount of time, as it becomes confusing the longer you wait between reading sessions.