Jerusalem Inn: A Richard Jury Mystery, Book 5

Very high up. I enjoyed listening to West's narration almost as much as I do Davina Porter... may Her Voice never fail.. <br/><br/>The narrator is crucial to enjoying a book. One of my all time favorite books is Heinlein's THe Moon is a Harsh Mistress. However, the narrators voice was so mechanical I could not finish listening, even for the story.<br/><br/>So thank you Mr. West for being one of the good guys.

Martha Grimes wrote a great series of books featuring Richard Jury (cerebral detective from Scotland Yard), and his ensemble of friends--each of whom has their own distinctive (often amusing) personalities. Among them all, there is the ever-solid Melrose Plant--who has voluntarily given up his aristocratic titles to live a freer lifestyle--to the great consternation of his American aunt Agatha (who generally supplies the comic relief in the stories) and his butler Ruthven. Plant tends to be Jury's unofficial assistant in most of the mysteries.

In this one, among her best in my opinion, Jury independently meets a woman who will soon be murdered. Melrose Plant & friends separately decide to spend Christmas at an old stately home where murder will occur again. Both would initially appear unrelated, but of course, they are not. And the Jerusalem Inn (aptly named since this occurs around Christmas time, and the attempts there to produce a nativity scene would in some ways underscore the themes of family which appear all through the story) provides a key central point for all the further action.

The narrator is very good, and the story equally so. This was originally published in 1984, so it is still echoing much of the vintage british mystery genre. (It is difficult to believe that Grimes is actually an American author!). I love all her books--and this is 5th in the series, and she is really hitting her stride at this point. Well worth reading!

I am listening to the Richard Jury books in order, and this one is the best one so far. Steve West's narration is skillful, the cast of characters was large enough to offer several different motivations for the murder(s) being solved. I really enjoyed this one, and I'm looking forward to the next Richard Jury mystery.

Another fine story from Martha Grimes. I really enjoy the Richard Jury series. Always something more going on behind the scenes. A Christmas who done it Well worth listening to.

Love the characters

Richard Jury and friends are great well developed characters. And Martha Grimes understated British humor is everywhere. One of the few authors that makes me laugh out loud.