Rating: 
Summary: An excellent read
Review: Although I'm not as fond of this book as of the previous (In Big Trouble), it's definitely an excellent read. The mystery here is one of Lippman's best, and as with her previous novels, Lippman isn't afraid to put her characters in situations where they're forced to learn something about themselves. I'm looking forward to the next in the series.
Rating: 
Summary: Solid Stuff
Review: As a mystery writer with my first book in its initial release, I genuinely admire Laura Lippman, an author who is clearly at the top of her game. SUGAR HOUSE is Lippman's first hardcover mystery, and it is a fabulous novel. Lippman's protagonist, Tess Monaghan, agrees to her father's request and attempts to identify a nameless dead girl whose murderer himself was murdered. To accomplish this task, Lippman takes us on a tour of the Atlantic coast. Tess journeys from her usual stomping grounds of Baltimore to Annapolis, Philadelphia, and Maryland's Eastern Shore. Lippman continues to develop her Tess character, as well as several supporting characters. SUGAR HOUSE's plot is first-rate, and Lippman's writing is smooth. It is difficult to believe that it has taken five paperback books for Tess to reach hardcover. SUGAR HOUSE is a great mystery, and I recommend it highly.
Rating:
Summary: It's About Time Tess Made Hardcover
Review: As a mystery writer with my first book in its initial release, I genuinely admire Laura Lippman, an author who is clearly at the top of her game. SUGAR HOUSE is Lippman's first hardcover mystery, and it is a fabulous novel. Lippman's protagonist, Tess Monaghan, agrees to her father's request and attempts to identify a nameless dead girl whose murderer himself was murdered. To accomplish this task, Lippman takes us on a tour of the Atlantic coast. Tess journeys from her usual stomping grounds of Baltimore to Annapolis, Philadelphia, and Maryland's Eastern Shore. Lippman continues to develop her Tess character, as well as several supporting characters. SUGAR HOUSE's plot is first-rate, and Lippman's writing is smooth. It is difficult to believe that it has taken five paperback books for Tess to reach hardcover. SUGAR HOUSE is a great mystery, and I recommend it highly.
Rating:
Summary: Solid Stuff
Review: For those who enjoy mysteries this is a good book. It is not a great book, but it is very good. The characters, including the main character Tess, are believable people. No character strikes me as implausible. The detective work is solid also. Tess follows leads in a plausible and practical way. One small flaw is that she spots a car she was looking for by luck. It takes a while to fine a car. That small point aside, this book is well-written, fair to all of its characters and entertaining.
Rating:
Summary: The Absolute Best Ever From Lippman
Review: I have been following the story and career of Tess since the very beginning and I must say that The Sugar House is the very best novel in the series to date. It is a fascinating journey leading through the Locust Point section of South Baltimore to the eastern shore. Tesser, along with her boyfriend Crowe, and best friend Whitney never have a dull moment. A fantastic read for those of you with a tie to Baltimore and a great read for those of you who don't. I highly recommend The Sugar House. I just could not put this one down.
Rating:
Summary: Great mystery. Most enjoyable
Review: I just discovered this author and enjoyed this book very much. You don't have to read the first Tess books to enjoy this one which is always a plus with a series. The plot was unusual and the characters were realistic. I liked Tess and I was interested in her city and the situation. Lippman gave me some points to ponder as well as some medical conditions that I have researched a bit. That's always good to have someone stretch your mind a bit and that's what Lippman did with me. I recommend this book to folks who like mysteries and folks who read for pleasure as well as to learn a little something every now and then.
Rating:
Summary: Laura Lippman's Best Work to Dat
Review: I think this is the first time that a Laura Lippman novel has been published in hardback. The extra money was well spent as we follow "Tesser" thru another exciting mystery. Other reviewers have outlined the story but I wanted to say that this is Laura Lippman's best novel to date. Tess seems mellower yet still spunky as she weaves her way thru corruption and murder in Baltimore. The storyline is interesting and very readable. I hated to see it end. If you are a fan you won't want to miss this wonderful additon to the Tess Monahan Mystery series.
Rating:
Summary: The Sugar House
Review: I was a great fan of Travis McGee until we lost John MacDonald.
Now I have enjoyed the "A is for".....series with Kinsey Millhone
as our female P.I.
But, to find Tess Monaghan is a delight!! She comes very close to Travis [in the interesting department] and far exceeds Kinsey
in the story/plot area.
I am so happy to have just discovered this wonderful author,
Laura Lippman. I highly recommend this to all Travis McGee [character] fans!!
Rating:
Summary: Great mystery
Review: If you love Baltimore, you'll love this book. It's a bit less direct than her earlier books and this is probably an improvement. She's getting better at spinning together more complicated plots with more complicated narratives.
Rating:
Summary: Great mystery
Review: In Baltimore, like many cities, it is not always one's abilities but whom you know that earns a person a job filled with perks and privileges. City native, private detective Tess Monaghan knows that first hand because her well connected father toils as a state liquor board inspector. That might bother some people, but not Tess who remains close to her father.Her father asks Tess to take on the case of Ruthie Dembrow, a woman who believes that the family of her sibling's victim assassinated him in jail. Tess starts by trying to identify the Jane Doe Henry killed since the deceased's fingerprints were not on file and no missing person's report matched. After intensive legwork, she concludes that the dead woman is Gwen Schiller, daughter of a wealthy, prominent family. However, the Schillers are unaware that Gwen is dead, making it more evident that her client's brother was killed in just another jailhouse incident. Tess still has some unanswered questions that will soon place her in the unenviable position of scrutinizing people she cares about and probably will hurt. Laura Lippman's love for Baltimore comes shining through THE SUGAR HOUSE as the author pays homage to her city. The fascinating mystery contains many red herrings and false trails that compel readers to continue the novel until the plot answers all the questions. This hardcover debut continues the standard of excellence that the author established with her first novel but the scope has widened to appeal to a mainstream audience. Harriet Klausner
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