Rating: 
Summary: A mendacious rant disguised as a novel
Review: The Grave Maurice isn't really a mystery novel; it is a long winded, ill-informed rant against Premarin, a prescription medication that saves women's lives. I know what I'm talking about - this drug was the only thing that helped me after an emergency surgery to save my life left me with a severe hormone imbalance.Back to the book: shallow, unbelievable characters, too many coincidences and too many dangling threads at the end. One murder and its solution are tossed around like an inconvenient afterthought, and the motivation for the main kidnapping/prisoner/torture scenario is too weak for words.
Rating: 
Summary: Well worth the read.
Review: I was almost put-off from reading the The Grave Maurice by some of the reviews I read here. I'm glad I wasn't. While perhaps not Ms. Grimes' strongest outing, it was not so far off the mark that I felt slighted or that my time was wasted. Although this book can stand on its own as an enjoyable read, it probably more closely links to its predecessor (The Blue Last) than most other books in the Jury series. Some nuances of character attitudes and motivations in The Grave Maurice are directly tied to this last outing, and I recommend that The Blue Last be read first if possible. Along these same lines, a few recurring characters from the past are given only minor involvement or mention. This seems perfectly natural, however, considering that I believe this is Ms. Grimes' 19th book of the Jury series and to catch long-term readers up on everyone with whom we have some familiarity would likely serve to treble book's length without adding to its plot. My advice to newer readers of the series is not to be distracted by these references, since I view them more as nostalgic nods to past cases for those of us that have been with the series from the outset. In The Grave Maurice, Ms. Grimes has once again spun an interesting mix of emotions and attitudes. I applaud the manner in which she deals with the sensitivities of homicides (and those who are touched by them) along with a topical social issue, while at the same time providing us a supporting cast with light-hearted (albeit, a bit exaggerated) idiosyncrasies. It's a blend that makes me keep coming back for more.
Rating: 
Summary: One of my favorite Martha Grimes books
Review: I love the Richard Jury series - but, like everyone else, some books more than others. This one is one of my favorites. Exciting with excellent character development, it really kept my interest. One and only one complaint -- what happened to happy endings? Looking forward to the next....
Rating:
Summary: A Grave Bore
Review: What has happened to Martha Grimes? I could barely Last through The Blue Last, but decided to give Grimes another shot with The Grave Maurice. What a Grave waste of time.
The so-called plot plodded along. The members of the Ryder family were one-dimensional. And Melrose Plant, usually the most interesting character in the Jury series, was given the short shrift as were the amusing characters in Long Pidd.
As for Jury, that bullet he took in The Blue Last has made him go off his nut. He should have stayed in hospital during the duration of the mystery and continued to battle the head nurse.
Grimes fans who don't want to spend the bucks for the hardcover, should definately wait for the paperback.
Rating:
Summary: Grimes continues a-pace!
Review: As much as anything else, "The Grave Maurice" answers the question so loudly issued in
"The Blue Last," the previous Richard Jury mystery. In that exciting and well-written episode, the
final pages closed with a bang and the readers could only wonder: will our hero survive? And now
we know, thankfully--and with really not much of a surprise--that Superintendent Jury does live and
he's on to No. l8 in Grimes' immensely popular police procedural mystery series. He's still in
hospital, but a mystery opens up to him (as Grimes says, ala Josephine Tey and "The Daughter of
Time") and he sets out to solve it, bandages, headache, scars, and all.
A 15-year-old daughter of his physician has been missing for two years and presumed dead.
Of course, the doctor and the family have not given up hope and this is where Jury, ably assisted by
Melrose Plant and the Long Pid gang, comes in. Taking all the known facts, they begin to splice,
glue, cut, and paste the parts extraordinaire into a viable, working case. The girl, Nell Ryder, was
abducted, along with a famous race horse she was attending. No clues and no ransom note either.
The scenario is intrigue for his soul (and mind) and Jury, with his Dr. Watson (Melrose) wanders
into the very lucrative business of horse racing and breeding. He is mesmerized by the personality
of Nell, who was described by one of the trainers as "a filly dressed up in a girl costume," so
complete was her love for horses. As the local police have virtually given up on the case (after all,
there were no active clues for past two years!), it appears that the effort would be futile; yet, as Jury
acknowledges, there are a few elements that don't add up.
And, of course, Grimes, through the efforts of Jury, Plant, et al., races on, heading for the
final furlong and then, finally, at breakneck speed. With the author's usual style, grace, and
timing, the book is more than a photo finish--it's a clear winner, another "winners circle"
appearance for Grimes. That said, however, "The Grave Maurice" is clearly intended for the
legions of Grimes fans. Without having read previous Jury books, treaders will quickly find
themselves somewhat confused over references to previous episodes. Grimes must know this, of
course, but this book is not a "dead cert." New readers will not find it so captivating and they can
only be urged to start at the beginning ("The Man with a Load of Mischief" and "The Old Fox
Deceived" and the best of the early Grimes "Jerusalem Inn"). Small price to pay, of course, as
Grimes is quite an odyssey--if nothing else just to see which actual pub she uses as the title of each of
these books!) "The Grave Maurice" may not be win-show-or-place, but it goes the full length. Tally
ho! ...
Rating:
Summary: PLOTLESS
Review: I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT MS. GRIMES EVEN WROTE THIS BOOK! THERE IS
NOTHING HERE THAT SOUNDS LIKE HER OR READS LIKE HER EAR;IER GGOD
MYSTERIES. A VERY POOR BOOK----- SHE SHOULD REFUND EVERYONE'S MPNEY!
Rating: 
Summary: Certainly Not the Strongest Grimes!
Review: I didnt' think this book was as bad as some of the other review stated, but it isn't Martha Grimes' strongest effort. I still enjoyed the story. The story was a little different since there was really no crime to solve at first, and when a murder did happen it wasn't integral to the story. Then somewhere about 2/3 of the way through the book, stuff starts happening, but again there is no real mystery, as there is no intended murder. Anyway, the book is still good because Ms. Grimes is such an accomplished author. I would have liked to see more hilarious antics of Melrose Plant and his eccentric Long Piddleton crew, but maybe next time.
Rating:
Summary: Bury This One Deep
Review: This latest Grimes effort has hit the bottom.Instead of the great descriptive British cozies She used to write we now get overbearing psychological portrayals of even the most minor characters.I guess Ms. Grimes's "End of the Pier" was the end of mystery as a topic of Her interest, Ruth Rendell She's not.I hope She puts DCI Jury in his GRAVE and spares him any more embarressment.
Rating:
Summary: Very good.........but.........
Review: I liked this book a lot.....I just wish it had more of Melrose and his hilarious antics in it....his part just kind of fizzled away this time....too bad. But, other than that....it was a very good book, in my opinion.
Rating: 
Summary: Mopey Maurice
Review: I was very disappointed in this latest (and apparently rushed to publish) installment by Ms. Grimes. Can't anyone be happy in her books anymore? Please, let Jury put himslef out of his misery and give Melrose a chance to shine. While the information on Premarin was interesting, there was no closure on that plot line other than the heroine coming to grief. I did like the way she portrayed the equine thoughts - that reminded me of the old Martha Grimes wit and why I so liked her earlier books. I have been such a fan of this series of mysteries but I have to say that I will wait until her next one is out in paperback and I find it used. I can't see paying good money for the hard cover version anymore. Did I find this hard to put down? Very, but mostly because I was hoping it would get a lot better.
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