Death at the Alma Mater
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Product Description
St. Michaels College is prestigious, stately - and in frightful disrepair. To replenish the Cambridgeshire School's dwindling coffers, the College Master plans a fundraising weekend for wealthy alums. But all goes awry when the wealthy and gorgeous Lexy Durant is found viciously strangled to death. Drama queen Lexy inspired jealousy, envy, and spite in everyone. As Chief Inspector St. Just weighs clashing egos and likely suspects - Lexy's debt-ridden Latino lover, her ex-husband who jilted her, a hot-tempered Texan once rejected by the victim - he discovers unsavoury secrets ...and a shocking twist.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The third book in this marvelous mystery series finds Detective Chief Inspector Arthur St. Just investigating a murder at St. Michael's College at Cambridge University. The most unusual thing about this assortment of former students who have been invited back to St. Mike's is that they have all been very successful financially, but there is also a lot of past history tying these people together. Now the Master and the Bursar look forward to this weekend with the hope of convincing them to make much needed financial contributions. The old place is crumbling down and some serious repairs need to be made. Unfortunately, the guest list includes Sir James Bassett, his current wife India and his former wife Lexy Laurant. Everybody knows that combination will spell trouble of some kind. When one of the potential donors is found murdered St. Just and Sergeant Fear must forsake their time off to find the culprit.
Once again a mystery by G. M. Malliet gives lovers of detective stories a really good, difficult mystery to solve while also including her trademark tongue in cheek presentation of the classic Golden Age novel. The plot of the story, the actual mystery, was very well done. I certainly did not foresee the twist presented at the end. There are appearances by Portia De'Ath (from Death and the Lit Chick: A St Just Mystery (Book 2) (St. Just Mysteries) - the second book in the series) who is supposed to be spending her summer at St. Mike's working on her thesis but is in reality getting more of her mystery novel written. The relationship between St. Just and Portia has progressed to an understanding between them, but St. Just is adamant about not allowing Portia to become involved in this investigation in order to protect her and also to keep his private life and his profession separate. I can't help but wonder if this author is going to be able to continue along that path for much longer. It just seems that these two characters are meant to investigate crimes together.
This was a very satisfying read for me. I enjoyed it very much and appreciate the growth I see in these characters from one book to the next. Even Sergeant Fear's darling little daughter Emma is back with her programming abilities for his cell phone. If you have not read either of the other two books in the series, don't worry, this is very definitely a stand alone book. Any spoofing of the "cozy" mystery or the standardized "police procedural" is done in a very gentle, warm way. This book has been released in the States for several months now and there are already quite a few reviews there. One complaint mentioned is the final twist in this novel. I agree that it was not the best solution for explaining how this crime was committed. What I do think is that my overall enjoyment of the book was not diminished by the choice the author made for that explanation. If you don't want the solution revealed to you, I would advise using caution when reading the reviews from AmazonUS because one review gives the entire solution. G. M. Malliet does give the readers a list of the cast of characters, a diagram of the College grounds, chapters with honest-to-goodness titles, and a mystery written in a style which takes me back to "the good old days". A cracking fine novel for me.
Once again a mystery by G. M. Malliet gives lovers of detective stories a really good, difficult mystery to solve while also including her trademark tongue in cheek presentation of the classic Golden Age novel. The plot of the story, the actual mystery, was very well done. I certainly did not foresee the twist presented at the end. There are appearances by Portia De'Ath (from Death and the Lit Chick: A St Just Mystery (Book 2) (St. Just Mysteries) - the second book in the series) who is supposed to be spending her summer at St. Mike's working on her thesis but is in reality getting more of her mystery novel written. The relationship between St. Just and Portia has progressed to an understanding between them, but St. Just is adamant about not allowing Portia to become involved in this investigation in order to protect her and also to keep his private life and his profession separate. I can't help but wonder if this author is going to be able to continue along that path for much longer. It just seems that these two characters are meant to investigate crimes together.
This was a very satisfying read for me. I enjoyed it very much and appreciate the growth I see in these characters from one book to the next. Even Sergeant Fear's darling little daughter Emma is back with her programming abilities for his cell phone. If you have not read either of the other two books in the series, don't worry, this is very definitely a stand alone book. Any spoofing of the "cozy" mystery or the standardized "police procedural" is done in a very gentle, warm way. This book has been released in the States for several months now and there are already quite a few reviews there. One complaint mentioned is the final twist in this novel. I agree that it was not the best solution for explaining how this crime was committed. What I do think is that my overall enjoyment of the book was not diminished by the choice the author made for that explanation. If you don't want the solution revealed to you, I would advise using caution when reading the reviews from AmazonUS because one review gives the entire solution. G. M. Malliet does give the readers a list of the cast of characters, a diagram of the College grounds, chapters with honest-to-goodness titles, and a mystery written in a style which takes me back to "the good old days". A cracking fine novel for me.
Format:Paperback
I have read the two previous novels ("Death of a Cozy Writer" and "Death and the Lit Chick"). I loved the first one and liked the second one.
However, I am not at all keen on this latest book. Firstly, this book sounds like a copy of the last one, just in a different setting. And secondly, the story is rather muddled in many places and riddled with inconsistencies.
Also, Ms. Malliet is using both US and English terms in the same book, which I find somewhat irritating.
In this latest book, Ms. Malliet uses US sizes for clothes (Lexy Laurant thinks to herself that she is a size 4).
What the heck is a size 4? I am not familiar with those sizes, and I am sure, neither was Lexy, being from the UK.
Also, just as an example, the word 'travelling' was written both the English and the American way, and both the English term 'Mobile Phone' and the American term 'Cell Phone' is used. In fact, St. Just was 'thinking about Seb's cell phone' in one instance.
And why did Ms. Malliet use a many-syllable GERMAN word like "Oberbürgermeister" in her story? Only someone who speaks German would know what she is talking about. And what does ZAFTIG mean? Apparently, St. Just thinks that word applies to Portia. What language is ZAFTIG? It's not English and it's not German. The closest I can get to a German word is Saftig, with an 'S', which means 'Juicy' in English. But I can't imagine that's what St. Just meant.
Another thing I have noticed is that Ms. Malliet writes in an old-fashioned style, but the story plays in the present. I can't remember when I last heard anyone under the age of 75 using the word "Jolly" (and "rum", unless they are talking about the alcoholic variety). That's very "Jeeves and Wooster", and sounds completely wrong in this modern world story.
In fact, I would have much preferred it if Ms. Malliet's stories were set in the early 1900s, especially with her style of writing.
Right after I found out who the killer was, this book landed straight in the bin.
However, I am not at all keen on this latest book. Firstly, this book sounds like a copy of the last one, just in a different setting. And secondly, the story is rather muddled in many places and riddled with inconsistencies.
Also, Ms. Malliet is using both US and English terms in the same book, which I find somewhat irritating.
In this latest book, Ms. Malliet uses US sizes for clothes (Lexy Laurant thinks to herself that she is a size 4).
What the heck is a size 4? I am not familiar with those sizes, and I am sure, neither was Lexy, being from the UK.
Also, just as an example, the word 'travelling' was written both the English and the American way, and both the English term 'Mobile Phone' and the American term 'Cell Phone' is used. In fact, St. Just was 'thinking about Seb's cell phone' in one instance.
And why did Ms. Malliet use a many-syllable GERMAN word like "Oberbürgermeister" in her story? Only someone who speaks German would know what she is talking about. And what does ZAFTIG mean? Apparently, St. Just thinks that word applies to Portia. What language is ZAFTIG? It's not English and it's not German. The closest I can get to a German word is Saftig, with an 'S', which means 'Juicy' in English. But I can't imagine that's what St. Just meant.
Another thing I have noticed is that Ms. Malliet writes in an old-fashioned style, but the story plays in the present. I can't remember when I last heard anyone under the age of 75 using the word "Jolly" (and "rum", unless they are talking about the alcoholic variety). That's very "Jeeves and Wooster", and sounds completely wrong in this modern world story.
In fact, I would have much preferred it if Ms. Malliet's stories were set in the early 1900s, especially with her style of writing.
Right after I found out who the killer was, this book landed straight in the bin.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
14 reviews
12 of 15 people found the following review helpful
The third DCI St. Just novel is another winner!
25 Dec 2009
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
The third book in this marvelous mystery series finds Detective Chief Inspector Arthur St. Just investigating a murder at St. Michael's College at Cambridge. The most unusual thing about this assortment of former students who have been invited back to St. Mike's is that they have all been very successful financially, but there is also a lot of past history tying these people together. Now the Master and the Bursar look to this weekend with the hope of convincing them to make much needed financial contributions. The old place is crumbling down and some serious repairs need to be made. Unfortunately, the guest list includes Sir James Bassett, his current wife India and his former wife Lexy Laurant. Everybody knows that combination can only spell trouble. When one of the potential donors is found murdered St. Just and Sergeant Fear must forsake their time off to find the culprit.
Once again a mystery by G. M. Malliet gives lovers of detective stories a really good, difficult mystery to solve while also including her trademark tongue in cheek presentation of the classic Golden Age novel. The plot of the story, the actual mystery, was very well done. I certainly did not foresee the twist presented at the end. There are appearances by Portia De'Ath (from Death and the Lit Chick: A St. Just Mystery - the second book in the series) who is supposed to be spending her summer at St. Mike's working on her thesis but is in reality getting more of her mystery novel written. The relationship between St. Just and Portia has progressed to an understanding between them, but St. Just is adamant about not allowing Portia to get involved in this investigation in order to protect her and keep his private life and his profession separate. I can't help but wonder if this author is going to be able to continue along that path for much longer. It just seems that these two characters are meant to investigate crimes together.
This was a very satisfying read for me. I enjoyed it very much and appreciate the growth I see in these characters from one book to the next. Even Sergeant Fear's darling little daughter Emma is back with her programming abilities for his cell phone. If you have not read either of the other two books in the series, don't worry, this is very definitely a stand alone book. Any spoofing of the "cozy" mystery or the standardized "police procedural" is done in a very gentle, warm way. I have read some criticism of the method this author chose in the "twist" at the end which I mentioned before. While I agree that it would probably not have been my choice for how the murder happened I can honestly say that it did not diminish my enjoyment of the book in any way. We get a list of the cast of characters, we get a diagram of the College grounds, we get chapters with honest-to-goodness titles, and we get a well plotted mystery. A cracking fine novel for me.
Once again a mystery by G. M. Malliet gives lovers of detective stories a really good, difficult mystery to solve while also including her trademark tongue in cheek presentation of the classic Golden Age novel. The plot of the story, the actual mystery, was very well done. I certainly did not foresee the twist presented at the end. There are appearances by Portia De'Ath (from Death and the Lit Chick: A St. Just Mystery - the second book in the series) who is supposed to be spending her summer at St. Mike's working on her thesis but is in reality getting more of her mystery novel written. The relationship between St. Just and Portia has progressed to an understanding between them, but St. Just is adamant about not allowing Portia to get involved in this investigation in order to protect her and keep his private life and his profession separate. I can't help but wonder if this author is going to be able to continue along that path for much longer. It just seems that these two characters are meant to investigate crimes together.
This was a very satisfying read for me. I enjoyed it very much and appreciate the growth I see in these characters from one book to the next. Even Sergeant Fear's darling little daughter Emma is back with her programming abilities for his cell phone. If you have not read either of the other two books in the series, don't worry, this is very definitely a stand alone book. Any spoofing of the "cozy" mystery or the standardized "police procedural" is done in a very gentle, warm way. I have read some criticism of the method this author chose in the "twist" at the end which I mentioned before. While I agree that it would probably not have been my choice for how the murder happened I can honestly say that it did not diminish my enjoyment of the book in any way. We get a list of the cast of characters, we get a diagram of the College grounds, we get chapters with honest-to-goodness titles, and we get a well plotted mystery. A cracking fine novel for me.
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Not as good as the others
12 July 2010
Format:Paperback
I have to say that this book is nowhere near as good as the other two St. Just mysteries.
I agree with another reviewer who said some of the American characters are straight out of an Agatha Christie book-that's exactly what I thought when I was reading it.
Portia is becoming annoying too, almost as annoying as her last name.
As for how the murder was committed, that was so laughable and you could have driven a truck through the holes in the plot.
SPOILER ALERT!!
A blow-up doll? He never thought someone could actually see them both outside and join them? No one saw him dismantle the doll?
I'll definitely go to the library for the 4th installment of the St. Just mysteries . . . definitely not worth buying.
I agree with another reviewer who said some of the American characters are straight out of an Agatha Christie book-that's exactly what I thought when I was reading it.
Portia is becoming annoying too, almost as annoying as her last name.
As for how the murder was committed, that was so laughable and you could have driven a truck through the holes in the plot.
SPOILER ALERT!!
A blow-up doll? He never thought someone could actually see them both outside and join them? No one saw him dismantle the doll?
I'll definitely go to the library for the 4th installment of the St. Just mysteries . . . definitely not worth buying.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Cozy Mystery
19 July 2010
Bravo, well written and forces one to drive through reading. Great book for an exciting evening mystery read. Author is very creative and challenges the reader to keep guessing "What's Next". Highly recommended reading for Mystery followers. AGG
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