Rating: 
Summary: Missing Susan-Over And Over Again
Review: This sprightly mystery will be a jolt to readers only familiar with Ms. McCrumb's much acclaimed ballad series. "Missing Susan" is part Agatha Christie-spoof, part England tour, and part very sharp character study. The star is not Elizabeth MacPherson, forensic anthropologist, but Rowan Rover, silver-tongued, down on his luck, tour guide. I was reminded of Stanley Holloway, the rascally father of Eliza in "My Fair Lady." The supporting cast of characters are lively individualists. Rowan is hired to 1) conduct a two-week Murder Mystery tour through England and 2) to eliminate one of the members of his group. Now Rowan is not normally a lawbreaker, but he has three ex-wives, a son in an expensive preparatory school and a rundown houseboat that he calls home. Fortunately for all concerned Susan, the proposed victim, is unlikable enough that all the tour members have murderous thoughts involving the best way to rid themselves of Susan. It is a near thing whether Rowan will do the deed or will one of the tour members beat him to it. Susan is from Minneapolis. Before I read this book, I had nothing but admiration for this fine city. After hearing Susan compare everything from airports to monuments unfavorably with Minneapolis, I could cheerfully go a long time without hearing Minneapolis mentioned again. That's what Susan does to you. The novel tidily begins and ends with a Jack the Ripper tour through Whitechapel. You may think you have everything figured out, but Ms. McCrumb has a few surprises in store for you. A good, fast enjoyable read.
Rating: 
Summary: Side Split howl of a mystery!!
Review: This was the first Sharon McCrumb I read (definitely, not the last), was given to me in a promotion set of 10 mysteries. This is the only one I recall, and with just cause. Starting from the title, this book is just the opposite of what you expect. It is fresh, with a dry humour that is so engaging. Since reading this, I am a dyed in the wool McCrumb fan, and this is one of her best!! This is the 6th Elizabeth McPherson novels. This time, she is on a tour of England, with a motley crew, and one really aggravating heiress, Susan. Susan's uncle has paid the tour guide to bump his niece off somewhere along the trip...only one problem - he keeps missing Susan. It is so funny, a mystery where you are rooting for the bad guy to succeed!! McCrumb has taken the typical mystery and set it on its ear!!
Rating:
Summary: Side Split howl of a mystery!!
Review: This was the first Sharon McCrumb I read (definitely, not the last), was given to me in a promotion set of 10 mysteries. This is the only one I recall, and with just cause. Starting from the title, this book is just the opposite of what you expect. It is fresh, with a dry humour that is so engaging. Since reading this, I am a dyed in the wool McCrumb fan, and this is one of her best!! This is the 6th Elizabeth McPherson novels. This time, she is on a tour of England, with a motley crew, and one really aggravating heiress, Susan. Susan's uncle has paid the tour guide to bump his niece off somewhere along the trip...only one problem - he keeps missing Susan. It is so funny, a mystery where you are rooting for the bad guy to succeed!! McCrumb has taken the typical mystery and set it on its ear!!
Rating:
Summary: Side Split howl of a mystery!!
Review: This was the first Sharon McCrumb I read (definitely, not the last), was given to me in a promotion set of 10 mysteries. This is the only one I recall, and with just cause. Starting from the title, this book is just the opposite of what you expect. It is fresh, with a dry humour that is so engaging. Since reading this, I am a dyed in the wool McCrumb fan, and this is one of her best!! This is the 6th Elizabeth McPherson novels. This time, she is on a tour of England, with a motley crew, and one really aggravating heiress, Susan. Susan's uncle has paid the tour guide to bump his niece off somewhere along the trip...only one problem - he keeps missing Susan. It is so funny, a mystery where you are rooting for the bad guy to succeed!! McCrumb has taken the typical mystery and set it on its ear!!
Rating:
Summary: Missing Susan hits the target
Review: Warning; If you've never been to England,"Missing Susan" will take you there! First it will make you feel like you've been there, then you'll suddenly find yourself booking the tickets... Seriously, folks, the characters are believeable, and, for the most part, likeable. The only thing that could have made this book better, would have been to have Geoffrey Chandler along for the ride. I can just imagine the conversations that he and Rowan Rover could have...I wish Sharyn McCrumb would bring Rowan back in a future volume, I'd love to know what he is up to! While on a recent trip to England I got to "walk" in Elizabeths' footsteps when I went shopping on Bath's famous bridge, what a thrill! I was a tour escort on that trip and learned my lesson from Rowan Rover - I gave my people loads of time to shop! I wish they would make this book into a movie, (but only if the screenplay could be written by Sharyn McCrumb herself, it's too good a story for a hack writer to get a hold of) Maybe it could star Ian McShane the tour guide from "If it's Tuesday, this must be Belgium..."
Rating:
Summary: Missing Susan hits the target
Review: Warning; If you've never been to England,"Missing Susan" will take you there! First it will make you feel like you've been there, then you'll suddenly find yourself booking the tickets... Seriously, folks, the characters are believeable, and, for the most part, likeable. The only thing that could have made this book better, would have been to have Geoffrey Chandler along for the ride. I can just imagine the conversations that he and Rowan Rover could have...I wish Sharyn McCrumb would bring Rowan back in a future volume, I'd love to know what he is up to! While on a recent trip to England I got to "walk" in Elizabeths' footsteps when I went shopping on Bath's famous bridge, what a thrill! I was a tour escort on that trip and learned my lesson from Rowan Rover - I gave my people loads of time to shop! I wish they would make this book into a movie, (but only if the screenplay could be written by Sharyn McCrumb herself, it's too good a story for a hack writer to get a hold of) Maybe it could star Ian McShane the tour guide from "If it's Tuesday, this must be Belgium..."
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