Trouble in the Town Hall

by Jeanne M. Dams

Book Overview

A lovely old building hides a nasty crime... A Shereby resident for a year now, American Dorothy Martin is still learning her way around the charming English cathedral town. But she recognizes a dead body when she sees one. As town debate rages over what to do about the decaying town hall, Dorothy is at that very site when the body of an unknown young man is found. Her passion for mysteries is as hot as ever, of course. Despite warnings from her dear...

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0061011320
• ISBN13: 9780061011320
• Release Date: January 1998
• Publisher: HarperTorch
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 4.2" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

Nicely done cozy

Dorothy Martin has decided to buy and repair a home in her adopted town of Sherebury, England but first she needs the approval of the Sherebury Planning Committee. Before she can do that, she stumbles across the body of a young man who has been murdered in the old Town Hall. Since the Planning Committee is involved in the effort to renovate Town Hall this causes problems for everyone concerned, including Dorothy and so she decides to investigate. This is a nice cozy series with an interesting cast of characters and even a little romance between Dorothy and Alan Nesbitt, chief constable. The first book in the series is The Body In The Transept.

TransAtlantic cozy

Jeanne M. Dams first book in this series, "The Body in the Transept" won the Agatha for best first novel. This book, the second in the series is a solid follow-up. (Reading of the first book is nice but isn't necessary.)The book starts with the discovery of the body of a young stranger in the deserted town hall. Our heroine, retired teacher/American living in England - Dorothy Martin - just "happens" to be in on the discovery of the body. From there on, her sense of justice and curiosity won't rest until the killer is found. The town hall is in the middle of a tempest about it's future. Was the murder related to the feud between the preservationists and the developers? As Dorothy digs further, there are some other ties between the suspects that may matter.... The solution comes together nicely - not the obvious guess but not a total surprise either.Half the fun of the book is seeing English village life through Dorothy's adoring American eyes. Leaky roof problems are annoying but also part of the "experience." Roundabouts on the highway are a menace. I also find myself liking Dorothy even if she is a terrible snoop. I'm particularly fond of her growing relationship with Alan Nesbitt, the chief constable. We don't get much "senior" romance in books and it's about time.

Dorothy does it again

Dorothy Martin is my favorite housewife-private eye.....She is elegant, although rather nosy, and meanders through this beautiful Cathedral town, hunting for clues, talking with people, making friends and hunting down her lunch partner Constable Alan Nesbitt who seems to be just crazy about her. Even with her constant questions the townsfolk seem to really like her..forgiving her nosiness because "she is an American" and can't help it. This really makes me laugh...This is a delightful cozy book...I have read the first two and just ordered all her others...I just wish I could read them all at one....and I highly recommend them....Lawscotch@aol.com

A good rainy day mystery

My first Dorothy Martin book. Will look for others in the series. It's a quick read and very enjoyable. If you like cosies, you'll like this book.

Here comes Dorothy; amiable, resourceful village sleuth

Now then, put on your most comfortable lounging clothes, settle into your favorite oversized chair and make sure sustenance is nearby - tea and cookies would be appropriate. Get ready to let a delightful, middle-aged mystery-solving lady take you to her picturesque cathedral town in rural England. As the tale begins, our heroine just happens to be passing by the Town Hall at the right moment to be in on the discovery of a body. And she is off and running. This second Dorothy Martin mystery makes it certain-sure that we have a genuine addition to the best in this particular genre. Dorothy is a believable and well-rounded village sleuth whose trademark is her collection of very noteworthy hats - she never goes without one. Recently widowed, she is a voluntary transplant to England, anxious to embrace all that is truly English - from her chosen home (an historical landmark that she is obligated to maintain in its original appearance) to her traditional English garden, the cultivation of which she finally turns over to a local expert, discovering as so many of us do that her gardening thumb is more grimy than green! She has the insight into human nature that puts her in the category of Jane Marple. Dorothy says to Alan, "When you're as old as I am, feelings about people are perfectly legitimate evidence in themselves. They're always based on experience." She has the warm, sensitive and caring nature reminiscent of Jessica Fletcher. Alan points out to her, "You have a greater capacity for worrying about people you don't even care for than anyone else I know." And she has a gentle, self-deprecating sense of humor that charms us. Dorothy is a skilled and resourceful snoop who carefully organizes her thinking onto pieces of paper in a manner suggesting a professional. As she makes her way about the village (not a simple matter in a land where everyone drives on the "wrong" side of the road!), investigating everyone and everything that might bear on the mystery! of the body in Town Hall, we become better acquainted with this witty, intelligent and perceptive lady. When a second murder is committed and it becomes obvious that Dorothy herself could be in danger, tensions mount and Dorothy must redouble her own efforts to solve the crime. Sherebury has become so real to me while reading this book, as has Dorothy and her village friends, that it is surprising to remember that this is fiction. I hope Dorothy is here to stay. I can't wait for more.