The Ambiguity of Murder

Rating:
Summary: Witty and clever--sip and savor
Review: A retired Bolivian diplomat is found dead at the bottom of his swimming pool and Inspector Alvarez is called in to investigate. Alvarez finds a number of suspects--the diplomat had been sleeping with another man's wife, refusing to pay a builder, engaging in shouting matches with several people, and generally not a likable man. Still, which of them actually killed him?

Prodded by his wife and his boss, Alvarez continues his search for justice, free brandy, and a decent meal (not necessarily in that order).

Author Roderic Jeffries must have loved writing this fine novel. His Inspector Alvarez is a slow moving, heavy drinking, and funny man. Jeffries's dialogue is witty, his insights into humanity ring true, and he writes a fine mystery too.

I found myself savoring each drop of this short novel--much like enjoying a fine--uh, brandy.

Rating:
Summary: An atmospheric mystery that is a good read
Review: On the Island of Mallorca, though the case is outside his jurisdiction, Inspector Alvarez agrees to investigate when the local law enforcement official dumps the homicide on him. Apparently, the doctor on the scene feels someone killed retired Bolivian diplomat Guido Zavala, leaving the corpse to float inside the man's swimming pool. Inspector Alvarez agrees that murder most likely occurred.

As Alvarez makes inquiries into the former diplomat's background, he finds a person who made many enemies, who would relish dispatching Guido to hell. Not only did many people have motives; most of them also had the opportunity. Alvarez knows he is getting closer to the killer because someone telephonically begins to threaten him. However, when he turn to his superior for help, Salas says no. This leaves the Inspector either turning to his own family, dropping the investigation, or going it alone.

Though not as excellent as last year's brilliant AN ENIGMATIC DISAPPEARANCE, the latest Inspector Alvarez police procedural retains the fun of the previous books. The who-done-it is enjoyable especially as Alvarez investigates in his way. However, this time around the hero seems to need more siesta time than usual. That somewhat slows down a very clever police procedural that still contains much of the Mallorca charm that readers expect from Roderic Jeffries long running series.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: Another Inspector Alvarez mystery
Review: The main problem in this novel is determining where and when you are at different points in the story. The author starts with a man being released from prison somewhere, at some point in time, and then skips forward to Majorca at another point in time with different people. The author apparently knows where and when he is - it would be nice if he shared that information with his readers. Other authors put dates and places at the chapter headings.

Inspector Alvarez finds himself involved with another murder. This time it is a former diplomat who is not particularly well liked, and who may have been involved in drug dealing. A number of people had reasons to kill him. As the story winds to a conclusion, it finally draws together the loose ends.

The part of the plot about the auto accident is not entirely original (see Martha Grimes earlier novel, "I am the Only Running Footman"), but a variation has been used. Alvarez is his usual indolent self, drinking too much and looking forward to fine dining. Dolores shows she can use methods of her own when her family is threatened.

Rating:
Summary: Another Inspector Alvarez mystery
Review: The main problem in this novel is determining where and when you are at different points in the story. The author starts with a man being released from prison somewhere, at some point in time, and then skips forward to Majorca at another point in time with different people. The author apparently knows where and when he is - it would be nice if he shared that information with his readers. Other authors put dates and places at the chapter headings.

Inspector Alvarez finds himself involved with another murder. This time it is a former diplomat who is not particularly well liked, and who may have been involved in drug dealing. A number of people had reasons to kill him. As the story winds to a conclusion, it finally draws together the loose ends.

The part of the plot about the auto accident is not entirely original (see Martha Grimes earlier novel, "I am the Only Running Footman"), but a variation has been used. Alvarez is his usual indolent self, drinking too much and looking forward to fine dining. Dolores shows she can use methods of her own when her family is threatened.

Rating:
Summary: A DEAD MANS FLOAT
Review: YES, AS A YOUNG BOY I WAS INVOLVED IN A BIT OF MOCTEROOF, KNOWN AS "TOPPING UP". I WORKED IN A LOCAL MEAT MARKET WHERE OLD ITEMS WERE TOPPED UP TO LOOK FRESHER. BUT THOSE DAYS ARE BEHIND ME, I HAVE REFORMED. SO IF I TELL YOU A TALE ON AMAZON, YOU WILL KNOW IT IS TRUE. HAVE YOU EVER DRIVEN A "SHOOTING BRAKE"? I HAVE. IN THIS BOOK, AN INSPECTOR ALVAREZ MYSTERY BY ME FRIEND RODWEIC JEFFERIES, A ASTRA SHOOTING BRAKE [ SMALL STATION WAGON IN EUROPE] IS KEY TO A MYSTERY. ROD AND HIS WIFE LIVE IN MALLORCA WHERE MOST OF HIS THREE DOZEN MYSTERIES TAKE PLACE. [HE HAS YET TO INVITE DOTTIE AND I OVER]. HIS INSPECTOR IS A BRANDY LOVING, SLOW MOVING, JERK AT TIMES. BUT HE IS LOVABLE. AND HE NEVER FAILS TO GET HIS MAN. IN THIS STORY, A BOLIVIAN DIPLOMAT IS FOUND DOING A DEAD MANS FLOAT IN HIS SWIMMING POOL. IT SEEMS HE HAD PLENTY OF ENEMIES. EVEN I DID NOT LIKE THE S.O.B. THE DEEPER THE INSPECTOR DELVES IN THE CASE, THE MORE DANGER HE FACES. SO HE WIMPS OUT, FOR A BIT. WITH JUST A JOT OF HELP, HE GETS BACK ON THE CASE, AND GETS THE KILLER. A DELIGHTFUL MYSTERY WITH A GREAT ENDING.

Rating:
Summary: A DEAD MANS FLOAT
Review: YES, AS A YOUNG BOY I WAS INVOLVED IN A BIT OF MOCTEROOF, KNOWN AS "TOPPING UP". I WORKED IN A LOCAL MEAT MARKET WHERE OLD ITEMS WERE TOPPED UP TO LOOK FRESHER. BUT THOSE DAYS ARE BEHIND ME, I HAVE REFORMED. SO IF I TELL YOU A TALE ON AMAZON, YOU WILL KNOW IT IS TRUE. HAVE YOU EVER DRIVEN A "SHOOTING BRAKE"? I HAVE. IN THIS BOOK, AN INSPECTOR ALVAREZ MYSTERY BY ME FRIEND RODWEIC JEFFERIES, A ASTRA SHOOTING BRAKE [ SMALL STATION WAGON IN EUROPE] IS KEY TO A MYSTERY. ROD AND HIS WIFE LIVE IN MALLORCA WHERE MOST OF HIS THREE DOZEN MYSTERIES TAKE PLACE. [HE HAS YET TO INVITE DOTTIE AND I OVER]. HIS INSPECTOR IS A BRANDY LOVING, SLOW MOVING, JERK AT TIMES. BUT HE IS LOVABLE. AND HE NEVER FAILS TO GET HIS MAN. IN THIS STORY, A BOLIVIAN DIPLOMAT IS FOUND DOING A DEAD MANS FLOAT IN HIS SWIMMING POOL. IT SEEMS HE HAD PLENTY OF ENEMIES. EVEN I DID NOT LIKE THE S.O.B. THE DEEPER THE INSPECTOR DELVES IN THE CASE, THE MORE DANGER HE FACES. SO HE WIMPS OUT, FOR A BIT. WITH JUST A JOT OF HELP, HE GETS BACK ON THE CASE, AND GETS THE KILLER. A DELIGHTFUL MYSTERY WITH A GREAT ENDING.