The Hangman's Row Enquiry (An Ivy Beasley Mystery)

by Ann Purser

Book Overview

A new series and a new sleuth from Ann Purser-author of the Lois Meade mysteries Ivy Beasley, the beloved cantankerous spinster from the Lois Meade mysteries, has found a silver lining in her golden... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0425234738
• Release Date: May 2010
• Publisher: Berkley
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 6.7" x 0.8" x 4.2"

Customer Reviews

A series to look forward to...

I really enjoyed this book, though I did feel the plot meandered and was basically of little importance. I mean, what did the murdered lady mean to any of the sleuths, really? But the gathering of these characters was good reading and I liked them all. Especially Roy, the 86 year old who is as lively as any of them. A fun read, and I look forward to more because I would like to keep up my acquaintance with the four in 'Enquire Within'....their village, the retirement home, the background on Gus, Deirdre's romantic future, Roy's crush on Ivy, etc. A couple of things bothered me; the police were nowhere in the investigation and this seemed unrealistic. Even Miss Marple has her consults with detectives. And the investigation took weeks when in reality, the police would have been all over this murder to wrap it up fast. Maybe if there had been some doubt about it being murder, or if one of the sleuths got personally involved with the corpse or suspects--something to tie them to the need to investigate. If they are for hire, good. But in this they decided not to let anyone know they were investigating, yet people did...and even knew the name 'Enquire Within'. Still, I really look forward to the next installment. Love her Lois Meade books...and am also awaiting #3 in the second series.

Enjoyable cozy

Sometimes I'm in the mood for a relaxing read. This Ann Purser cozy fills the bill nicely. I didn't think it would work with several geriatric sleuths but the characters are reasonably realistic and entertaining and the story held my interest. I look forward to more books in this series and also the author's Lois Meade series.

delightful spin-off cozy

For years cantankerous spinster Ivy Beasley ruled the English village of Round Ringford with a nurturing iron first. The townsfolk respected her, but did not care about her. When her cousin Deirdre asks her to move near her, Ivy agrees and relocates in the assisted living community Springfields in Barrington. Still filed with vinegar and energy, Ivy needs something to occupy her time. She thinks she may have found just the thing when she meets Augustus "Gus" Halfhide at church. He has recently moved here and seeks something to excite his time too. They along with Deirdre open up an investigative agency. Their first case they choose as it interests them involves the death of a woman in one of the cottages on Hangman's Row. The cottage belongs to Theodore Russell whose ancestors once owned most of the village, but he became a recluse who used an agent Miss Bailey to conduct his affairs. Ann Purser provides a delightful spin-off from her Lois Meade mysteries starring former series support player the silver haired crabby Ivy, her cousin, and their new friend. Fans will enjoy the dynamic trio as they investigate the murder of Gus' neighbor with zest and vim as they display energy that a person half their age will admire. With Gus adding enigmatic denouements, Deirdre a bit of fear, and Ivy vinegar of course, fans of the Meade English cozies will want to read this senior citizen murderer investigation. Harriet Klausner