“Amanda Cross” is the pen name of Carolyn Gold Heilbrun (1926–2003), an American feminist author and Columbia University English professor who wrote a popular series of academic mystery novels. You can’t get more academic than James Joyce so this mystery mixes murder with the structure of one of Joyce’s best books. “Each chapter is cleverly named after a story from James Joyce’s Dubliners, and the plot weaves in literary puzzles, academic wit, and subtle nods to Joyce’s work.”
Kate Falser, an English professor like her writer, goes to the Berkshires for the summer to sort through the literary correspondence of an American publisher and James Joyce. But literary work is put on hold when Mary Bradford, an obnoxious and gossipy local farmer’s wife, is shot dead. The weapon belongs to the household, turning Kate’s guests and circle into prime suspects.
If you’re in the mood for a clever mystery blended with literary clues, The James Joyce Murder (1967) provides an academic puzzle that will challenge you. GRADE: B+
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
- Prologue
- Chapter 1: The Sisters
- Chapter 2: An Encounter
- Chapter 3: Araby
- Chapter 4: Eveline
- Chapter 5: After the Race
- Chapter 6: Two Gallants
- Chapter 7: The Boarding House
- Chapter 8: A Little Cloud
- Chapter 9: Counterparts
- Chapter 10: Clay
- Chapter 11: A Painful Case
- Chapter 12: Ivy Day in the Committee Room
- Chapter 13: A Mother
- Chapter 14: Grace
- Chapter 15: The Dead
- Epilogue
I met Heilbrun briefly nearly a quarter of a century ago, spending about an hour with her and our joint friend Kate Mattes. She was a quiet person, friendly, yet a force of nature, with a fierce intellect that fitted her image as one of the earliest and influential academic feminists. Carolyn kindly signed several Kate Fansler mysteries and WRITING A WOMAN’S LIFE for me. Less than a year later she was dead by her own hand, something that took me completely by surprise. There was no illness, or tragedy, or depression that led up to it, just a personal recognition that life could go on too long and that suicide was a viable option; the suddenness of the act, however, surprised her family and her best friends. She was just a person who entered my life for a moment or two, but I don’t think I have ever forgiven her. She loved dogs and bats and once told her children that she would disown them if they ever started smoking or worked in advertising. I still haven’t brought myself to reading any of the “Amanda Cross” books.
Thanks for the memory, Jerry. I did read the early Fansler books, six I believe. I didn’t realize how many more there were.
I did remember that she killed herself. At 77, I don’t feel that way at all.
Jeff, at 77 I don’t feel that way at all either.
Jerry, I was as shocked as you were when I heard about Carolyn Heilbrun’s suicide. She was the first woman to earn tenure at the conservative Columbia University English Department. Still waters run deep…
I’ve read and enjoyed some of her books. I didn’t remember her suicide. At 76 I wonder what the future holds. Living in San Diego with the POS in the white house seeming to offer SD & LA up for destruction, if the Dems don’t take the house and Senate our country may be doomed.
On a more positive note, the Lincoln returned to great happiness for the crew and their family and friends.
Maggie, Jerry and I were shocked by Carolyn Heilbrun’s suicide. Losing your Will to Live has to be a hideous state. Glad the LINCOLN is safe in sound in San Diego. Hope Iran doesn’t take up Trump’s invitation to attack you and LA!
Always enjoyed her books.
Patti, I liked the Amanda Cross books, too. The academic aspects were fun to enjoy!