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Before going further, let me mention that this book contains lurid details of sexual misbehavior by men towards women. If such things upset you, this book may not be the right one for you. The book also refers to lesbian sexual relations, but leaves out any details that would offend sensitive readers.
The book evolves from the perspective of Dr. Emily "Blue" McCarron, who is a social psychologist. That field allows you to determine the probabilities of events occurring, and provides an interesting perspective on how to fight crime. Normally, she employs this skill to help lawyers prepare for jury trials. Her partner in this consulting business is Dr. Roxanne Bouchie, a forensic psychologist who practices at a local prison. The two women have a loving relationship, and in all other ways the story builds on the theme that opposites attract. In their unconventional lives, they seek out honesty, commitment, and caring that makes them very appealing characters.
The set-up of the book gets you into the depths of the story quickly, and prepares you for a gradual peeling of the onion to first determine if there has been a crime . . . and if so, how was it accomplished? I will not provide any more details because they would only reduce your enjoyment of this very original plot.
Seldom does the mystery genre develop a major new twist. The Last Blue Plate Special combines more new elements into a mystery than any other one I can recall reading. If books were rated only on originality, this one would exceed five stars. On the other hand, the desire to cover new territory sometimes takes the book into realms that are too much of a stretch, which weakens its appeal. Readers who are sensitive to details will wonder why so many dangerous, and unpleasant impulsive actions are taken by the characters. Clearly, Ms. Padgett has overdone her points unnecessarily in the process. Despite the improbabilities, you will feel intellectually and emotionally rewarded by this book in ways that most other mysteries do not provide.
The Last Blue Plate Special considers the nature of human love, commitment, responsibility, and caring in an extraordinary number of dimensions. Readers are left to draw their own conclusions, but the book suggests that helping without harm is the core of what all should seek. The book also explores the connection between fundamentalist religion, sexual urges, and morality. "We are our brother's keeper" is an important theme for this book.
With all of this richness of material, The Last Blue Plate Special also delivers a deliciously complex, unusual mystery about a serial killer. The mystery develops around the hub of psychology, medicine, and symbolism in a very satisfying way. Generous clues are scattered in all directions, allowing you the possibility of solving the mystery from anyone of several clues. Even the red herrings are built in so that they help establish the trail to the killer.
After you finish enjoying this wonderful book, I suggest that you think about how your loving relationships can be more rewarding for those you love.
Share your feelings in ways that build a finer life for those you love!
Two state politicians, Senator Mary Grossinger and Assemblywoman Dixie Ross, died of cerebral hemorrhages two weeks apart. Blue and Roxie realize that the odds of the two women dying like this in such a short time are astronomical. A maniac, The Sword of Heaven, is murdering females in high profile positions with the only link between the two legislators' death being having plastic surgery at the same place. However, suspects are plentiful, but impetuous Blue decides to risk her life to flush out the Sword of Heaven killer.
THE LAST BLUE PLATE SPECIAL is a very fine laid out mystery due to a horde of suspects, a land mine of red herrings, and dexterously unexpected twists and turns. Abigail Padgett uses a relationship drama starring two individuals who love and care for each other against all the odds of their making it together o crate a wonderful mystery. Though obviously targeted for fans of medical, psychological, and gay mysteries, the novel provides a mainstream appeal.
Harriet Klausner
As you may know if you read the predecessor book, "Blue," these two women make a formidable duo. In this book, scoping out the cause of death doesn't mean they can prevent future deaths or even eliminate the risk to themselves. But with the help of a refreshingly non-stereotypical police detective, progress is made. This novel holds surprises down to the end.
Too much has been made, I think, of "The Last Blue Plate Special" as a lesbian novel. "Rubyfruit Jungle" may be a lesbian novel; this one is not. The women are intimate and we know they make love but graphic descriptions are omitted. Heck, even in the Fifties Mickey Spillane was more graphic about sex.
I liked "The Last Blue Plate Special" better than "Blue." I thought it had better coherence and flowed better. Part of this may simply be that the author did not have to extensively introduce two ambitious and compassionate women with extremely erudite credentials, at least not to the extent as before. I also noticed less irritating "guppiedom"; Blue still has to juggle work, commute to and from her desert home, spend quality time with Rox, and take care of a Doberman, but she doesn't seem to sweat the details quite so much.
This is very much a novel of the turn of OUR century, and to me one significant theme is life without walls. Blue knows she has a great deal of freedom in life--but the Midwesterner in her also knows she pays for what she gets. Her relationship with Rox comes at a price, as does living in the desert. Sleuthing, as opposed to merely being a professorial type or a consultant, comes with huge risks, but she loves them. The novel threatens a huge upheaval in Rox and Blue's lives, but Blue seems ready to deal with that. She has instant communication, but with that comes 24/7 on-call status. Gone are the days when Philip Marlow could hole up in a bar all afternoon and figure things out.
I read a fair number of mysteries and I think "The Last Blue Plate Special" is quite good. If the book would be ruined for you by a couple of pages' worth of "this is contemporary lesbian life" ruminations sprinkled through the book, and maybe five lines of mere allusion to lesbian lovemaking, don't buy it. I had hoped the American public was more mature, but I know there are exceptions.
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