In Big Trouble (Tess Monaghan Mysteries) (Mass Market Paperback)

~ Laura Lippman (Author) "Tess Monaghan hated surveillance work, something of a problem for someone who made her living as a private investigator..." (more)
Key Phrases: triple murders, San Antonio, Gus Sterne, Espejo Verde (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

When Baltimore PI Tess Monaghan receives an envelope postmarked Boerne, Tex., containing a photo of Crow, her former musician boyfriend, and a scrap of newspaper headline reading "in big trouble," a day's outing to visit Crow's parents in Charlottesville, Tex., turns into a road trip to unknown territory. Tough and street savvy in her hometown, the former reporter feels lost in the land of the Alamo. Crow seems to have disappeared with a mysterious blonde singer, and as Tess searches for them, she encounters a wall of family secrets behind which may lie the reason for the body count rising around her. Lippman's (Charm City) colorful charactersAespecially the proprietor of Tess's temporary no-tell motel, and homicide detective Al GuzmanAadd amusement to this gripping mystery. (Sept.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"Smart, sassy and wildly funny." -- The San Antonio Express-News

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Avon; First edition (September 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0380798476
• ISBN-13: 978-0380798476
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #378,937 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

• This is item 4 in The Tess Monaghan Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lippman Does it Again, May 25, 2000

By	New Momma (USA) - See all my reviews

Tess Monaghan shines in Lippman's new novel, IN BIG TROUBLE. Tess is portrayed, as always, as a completely believable and yet extremely strong female character. Finding her ex-bofriend Crow, and solving the murders that surround him, make for a very interesting and entertaining read. Lippman's writing style also lends to the enjoyment of this book. I highly recommend it; however, if you've never read Lippman you should probably start at the beginning of the "Tess" series.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Well Done, August 30, 2001

By	nobizinfla "nobizinfla" (Windermere, Florida USA) - See all my reviews

"In Big Trouble" is very well written, carefully plotted and full of good characters.
As I am reading the Tess Monaghan series in order, this is my 4th Laura Lippman read. This is easily her best mystery in the whodunit and plotting categories. Lots of red herrings and plenty of possible suspects.
It is her first one that takes place outside of Baltimore, and that was a minus for me. Having lived in Baltimore, I find her a great voice for that great city. Her books give me my Baltimore fix...so with 95% of the action Texas I was disappointed.
That said, this is a strong work and well worth reading. It truly shows how the author has grown as a mystery writer.
So, if Texas locations are what you like, this is a spectacular read.
I look forward her "The Sugar House" shortly.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best of the series (so far!), September 6, 2001

By	Kristin Brown (Leesburg, VA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I love that Lippman is willing to let her characters learn from life. Maybe it's because I'm close to both Tess's age (30) and place in life (what do I do when I grow up?), but I really liked this book. As with previous books, I do think Lippman tends to throw in one too many unexpected surprises toward the end, but it doesn't keep the reader from enjoying the good story or the excellent characterizations. For those of you who read this series for Baltimore, don't let the Texas setting throw you off - Lippman's love of geography is just as evident here as in previous Tess books. A good read!