Richard Lockridge (1898–1982)

Someone is placing want ads in newspapers in the name of Dr. Orpheus Preson, a paleontologist. The police think it’s a “crack-pot” and aren’t able to offer him much hope. Preson unburdens himself to his publisher, Jerry North, and his wife, Pam. The Norths are unable to make any sense out of things, either. Then Dr. Preson dies, seemingly by his own hand. Or was it murder? Everyone near Dr. Preson seems to have a guilty secret – his siblings, his niece and nephew, and his show more professional colleagues. Will the Norths figure out who among the suspects is a killer before they become the next victims?

This entertaining crime novel set in mid-twentieth century New York is perfect escape reading on a dreary winter day. The climactic scene in the institute is so vividly depicted that it seemed as if I was watching a classic movie farce. The quality of the writing is as good as any I’ve encountered in this genre:

Pamela began to read. The cat Martini wriggled around the book and lay over it. People whom cats have honored are not supposed to have other interests. Pamela moved Martini, who voiced an opinion better not translated from the original cat, and crawled back into a position to obstruct.

My dog would agree with this sentiment! I’ll be reading more of the North’s adventures, if my dog will allow. show less

Featuring the ever engaging Mr. and Mrs. North, their excellent cats (Martini, Gin & Sherry), and their friends Lieutenant and Mrs. Weigand, this was a typical Lockridge whodunnit, with plenty of possible suspects, one significant clue dropped carelessly into the plot, and most of the detecting done at a desk, or over martinis in front of a fire. Not for the thrill seeker, despite the rather lurid covers these books sported in their paperback versions in the late '40's and early '50's. There show more is virtually nothing of a sensational nature in here, and not much in the way of true suspense, usually, although the authors do occasionally put their heroine in some peril. On the other hand, these are not exactly what you'd call "cozy mysteries", because that term just doesn't quite work for the sophisticated New York crowd that dresses for lunch at the Algonquin, and has a housekeeper in a one bedroom apartment. Maybe we need a new term--a "sophie"? show less

Just so much fun to spend time with Mr. and Mrs. North. This is a relatively late entry in the series (1960), and Pam is in the market for a kitten, having fairly recently lost her sweet Siamese, Martini. A judge of both cat shows and tennis matches makes enemies, and ends up dead in his own apartment, possibly bashed with a scratching post, or a racquet in its press. Lots of irate suspects, all guilty of something, but murder? Weigand knows better than to dismiss Pam's intuition, but show more Mullins finds it all screwy, as usual. show less

The sparkling, clever, intuitive Pam North takes center stage in this fifth entry in this irresistible, sophisticated mystery city set in 1940s New York City. With husband Jerry off to Texas to lure a writer expected to write the next Gone With the Wind to go with Jerry’s publishing company, Pam goes to visit her flamboyant but good-hearted Aunt Flora Buddie. Aunt Flora has summoned Pam to discover who tried to poison her a week or so ago. But Pam’s barely installed at her aunt’s huge show more mansion when Aunt Flora’s discarded fourth husband, an oily petty criminal, turns up dead.

Needless to say, Pam summons her friend, Lieutenant Weigand, and together they look into the much-married Aunt Flora’s children and grandchildren, their alibis and possible motives. The characters and plot in Hanged for a Sheep are some of the best I’ve ever read. Even though authors Frances and Richard Lockridge play quite fair, littering plenty of clues, I never guessed the murderer or the motive. This is probably my favorite Mr. and Mrs. North book — and that’s a high recommendation, indeed! show less