Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Review: The Girl in the Green Raincoat

The Girl in the Green Raincoat


Author: Laura Lippman
Publisher/Format: Harper Collins Advanced Reader'se-proof, 176 pages 
Characters:Tess Monagham, Crowe, assorted dogs
Subject: missing persons
Setting: Baltimore
Series: Tess Monagha
Genre: private detective mystery
Source: e-galley down loaded courtesy of NetGalley

A great way to start the new year....a novella featuring one of my favorite private sleuths, Tess Monagham of my hometown, Baltimore MD.  In this one we find Tess pregnant, confined to total bedrest, and absolutely unhappy about life in general, lack of wine, lack of sleep, lousy food, and not being able to stick her nose into everything she's used to doing.  As she stares out the window each day, she notices a Girl in a Green Raincoat walking a greyhound, and becomes fixated on her.  When this mysterious green lady doesn't show up, and the dog is running loose, Tess' fertile mind spins all kinds of scenarios.

In a story reminiscent of the Hitchcock thriller Rear Window, and the Josephine Tey story Daughter of Time, Tess sets out to solve the mystery, directing her minions from her sickbed.  The ending is spectacular, surprising and edifying.  It's a quick read--originally published as a serial in the New Yorker.

Many thanks to Harper Collins for making this available through Net Galley.

6 comments:

  1. I'm putting this on my list right now!

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  2. Will have to check this out! I love the Rear Window angle.

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  3. this is on Net Gallery?
    {{off to see if I can 'get' a copy}}

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  4. This sounds good. Reminds me of Nero Wolfe as well as Rear Window.

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  5. This sounds terrific. I love Rear Window and enjoyed my first Laura Lippman recently. Tess Monagham wasn't in it but she's grabbed my attention in another reviews and I cannot wait to read one of Lippman's books featuring Tess!

    ~ Amy

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