Poor Tom Is Cold

The third book in Jennings’ Detective Murdoch books, Poor Tom is Cold tells the story of a police officer who is found after an apparent suicide. After the verdict is decided, some new evidence comes to light that shows that this may not be a suicide, but may actually be a murder. Detective Murdoch is on the case, trying to get to the bottom of things.

Meanwhile, at a house only a few doors down from where the dead police officer is found, the third wife of an older gentlemen (with children the same age as his third wife) is ushered to the insane asylum, after she is convinced that his children killed her own son and are out to get her next.

The Review
Oh, I do love Murdoch. I do also love Jennings’ Victorian Toronto! I really like show more that it isn’t romanticized and that we do see the dirty parts of Victorian Toronto – like the asylum in this one, and how its patients are treated. Having women strapped into baths for hours on end as a form of treatment? Not the worst of treatments people used to get, definitely, but long after the water has gone cold and whatnot? Hmm, not fun and still somewhat disturbing.

But the character of Murdoch is as wonderful as always, and I love his inner struggles – they totally endear him to me. I like characters that aren’t perfect, and you can totally see that with how he’s trying to work out everything in his head in relation to women, and faith and yes. He’s just figuring some things out, and it’s adorable. As I’ve mentioned previously, I also really do love the way Jennings’ portrays a very Catholic Murdoch in a very Protestant Toronto.

I found the end of the book to be a bit fast-paced… things were starting to draw to a close and it seemed that all of a sudden, the book was finished. Too soon, I think. I wish the ending had been drawn out a little bit more instead of the rush to the finish.

The Bottom Line
Definitely a solid book in the Murdoch series. Loved it, and I didn’t know how things were going to end up by the end of the book – it was definitely very cool to have been kept guessing. Cannot wait until I get a chance to read the fourth book. show less

This is #3 in the Detective Murdoch series. "Maureen Jennings' first two novels, Except the Dying and Under the Dragon's Tail, impressed readers with their vivid portrayal of Toronto at the turn of the 20th century. In this third adventure featuring the amiable detective William Murdoch, be becomes involved with the apparent suicide of Constable Oliver Wicken - a man who was the sole support of his mother and invalid sister. The evidence, according to the coroner, is irrefutable. Wicken was shot in the temple with his own revolver, and a farewell note has been found beside the body. When new and disturbing evidence is brought to light, however, Detective Murdoch is asked to investigate further. His inquiries take him far afield and he show more begins to suspect the suicide was not what it seemed. Whether describing a tooth extraction, the unquestioning prejudice towards the few Chinese immigrants in the city, or the well-intentioned but bizarre treatment of the mentally ill, Maureen Jennings once again brings the period vividly to life." - McClelland and Stewart jacket notes.
The atmosphere is noir, with many interesting historical details and unexpected events that kept me wondering what would happen next. Some characters are well-meaning, others incompetent and others truly malevolent, and some suffer a pitiable fate, trapped by poverty and circumstances beyong their control. This is a good mystery novel, and an intriguing series. show less

Jennings has done something wonderful by taking the murder mystery and setting it in 1890s Toronto. She carefully describes the era in detail, not only the physical descriptions of settings but gets into the moods and thoughts of the people of the time. Poor Tom is Cold was the third book featuring William Murdoch as he investigates the apparent suicide of a fellow officer. While the corner finds the evidence to be irrefutable, Murdoch follows the leads to find the situation is not what it seems to be.

http://tinyurl.com/lj2dvt7

PLOT OR PREMISE:
Constable Oliver Wicken is dead -- the result of an apparent suicide while on duty. But Murdoch doesn't buy it, so he starts to investigate only to find a woman who claims to have just jilted him, hence the suicide. He still isn't satisfied, but with nothing else to go on, what can he do? Then another woman comes forward to say SHE was his girlfriend -- a second one and neither had ever been mentioned to his mother with whom he lived!
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WHAT I LIKED:
I liked the investigation trail and the confusing leads. As well, a little more development on the social side for Murdoch is well-written.
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WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:
The social side is a little too introspective, not enough activity, and the links to a sub-story is poorly done, hence show more the death is explained but not well justified by the storyline. The treatment of some mentally unbalanced people is not particularly well done, and not just in terms of being politically incorrect.
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BOTTOM-LINE:
A good initial premise, but poorly executed.
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DISCLOSURE:
I received no compensation, not even a free copy, in exchange for this review. I am not personal friends with the author, nor do I follow her on social media. show less

Oddly, quite a sudden ending. We saw it coming, but the usual summing-up never happened. True, it wasn't needed, but one is used to having it, that's all.

Enjoyed this one a lot, everything seemed to come together. Looking forward to the next in the series.