The Sugar House

by Laura Lippman

Book Overview

New York Times bestselling author Laura Lippman's Tess Monaghan must solve one of the most baffling murders in her PI career. When Tess Monaghan agrees to talk to Ruthie Dembrow, she senses she'll regret it. If there's anything Tess has learned in her work both as a newspaper reporter and then as a PI, it's to trust your instincts. Still, she can't deny she's intrigued when Ruthie asks her to investigate the fatal stabbing of her brother, Henry, while...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0380978172
• ISBN13: 9780380978175
• Release Date: August 2000
• Publisher: William Morrow & Company
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 1.37 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.1" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

The Absolute Best Ever From Lippman

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.

It's About Time Tess Made Hardcover

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.

More than 5 stars - OUTSTANDING!

Laura Lippman keeps proving to the world that she is a fantastic writer. With SUGAR HOUSE, she has even topped herself - which isn't easy! This is a must-read, and a sure award-winner. Lippman's characters are real, breathing beings, even secondary characters walk around on the pages of this novel, demanding to be noticed. A tour de force by one of mystery fiction's best!

Blue collar heroine in a wonderful mystery

Tess Monaghan is a blue collar woman in Baltimore, the ultimate blue collar city. She agrees to take a case for a friend of her father's--trying to find out why the friend's brother died in prison. Her investigation leads her into both the upper reaches of society and down to a strange underworld of prostitution, unethical centers for treatment of eating disorders, and crooked politicians.Laura Lippman has surrounded Tess with a charming assortment of friends and family members. Their obvious affection for Tess makes her more compelling to the reader. As Tess steps more and more deeply into danger, you'll find yourself turning the pages faster and faster. The mystery is well crafted and Lippman dangles clues, one by one, leaving the reader like Tess certain that there is a way of connecting them without actually able to do it.This book is especially popular in Maryland which is great--as a longtime resident of Maryland I felt at home reading it--but it is far to good to be missed out on by the rest of us.THE SUGAR HOUSE may be the best mystery you read this year.

Sugar House Dominates Balto Skyline

One of the many charming aspects of Baltimore City is the harbor view of the "Domino Sugars" neon sign that stands outlike an icon over the inner harbor. Most real Baltimoreans would not dream of buying any other brand of granulated sugar. It is perceived as a local product.Laura Lippman, who is rapidly becoming another Baltimore icon, has hit another home run with her latest book, "Sugar House". I read it cover to cover in one long day. And while it was rather pricey for a one day read, it was excellent. It amuses me that she persists in referring to "The Sun" as the "Daily Blight". There are those locally who view our world famous newspaper as a blight. The sites and scenes she describes are vividly accurate especially the descriptive detail of the "Locust Point" neighborhood and the pinnacle of that area, "Fort McHenry" where the "Star Spangled Banner" was born during the War of 1812.The incidence of illegal pay phones is as real in Baltimore as it most likely is in other urban centers around the nation. The problem of eating disorders is genuine and overshadowed only by the lack of something to eat that so many more suffer. Homelessness and poverty are even more noticeable throughout the city than is bulemia and anorexia nervosa.I strongly recommend "Sugar House" to any and all mystery fans. For Baltimoreans and Marylanders, it is a "must read." Read all of her books, for sure.