I received this book for free from the library in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Source: the library
In Big Trouble
by
Laura Lippman
It is part of the Tess Monaghan #4 series and is a suspense in a paperback edition that was published by Orion Books on November 2, 2000 and has 309 pages.
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Other books in this series include [books_series]
Other books by this author which I have reviewed include The Girl in the Green Raincoat, Baltimore Blues, Charm City, Butchers Hill, Games Creatures Play
Fourth in the Tess Monaghan mystery series normally set in Baltimore but taking place in San Antonio, Texas this time.
In 2000, In Big Trouble won the Anthony Award for Best Paperback Original and the Shamus Award for Best PI Paperback Original while it was nominated for the Edgar Award for Best Paperback Original. In 1999, it was nominated for the Agatha Award for Best Novel.
My Take
This one is complex as there are layers within layers within layers all boiling down to a very simple plot. Crow has become involved in something but it’s deep within those layers. Right now the most critical question is why has Crow stopped calling his parents.
It’s so frustrating when you think how much less trouble there would have been from the start if people would simply tell the truth…
I am curious to discover just how far Tyner’s new relationship with Aunt Kitty goes…
The Story
A torn bit of newspaper is all the warning Tess has of trouble facing Crow. Determined to ignore it, her first contact with his parents, Felicia Kendall and Chris Ransome, causes her to change her mind and head to Texas. It takes a bit of detective work and help from Maury but eventually Tess tracks Crow down right after she finds her first murder victim.
This is followed by a visit with Marianna Barrett Conyers, the owner of the property where the first victim is found. The woman who is also related to the singer with whom Crow is involved. A singularly unhelpful woman whose words send Tess on a tour of the various bars in San Antonio as Tess searches for more information on the whereabouts of Emmie and Crow.
But finding Crow isn’t really satisfying as he blows hot and cold on Tess. Tess’ only comfort is her belief that Crow is no longer romantically involved with Emmie but there is…something. Something is going to happen in the next week for Crow is too adamant about needing to be available in that time. And Tess’ research only results in another dead body. And the evidence making Crow out to be the murderer just keeps piling up.
The Characters
Tess Mongahan is a rower, former journalist and now a PI; Esskay her rescued greyhound.
Tyner Gray is a wheelchair-bound lawyer who won an Olympic silver in rowing and now provides Tess with encouragement in her new profession and serves as her initial clearing for new clients. Aunt Kitty runs a bookstore, Women and Children First, and rents the upstairs apartment to Tess. She also has a long history of taking up with very young, very handsome men. Jackie is a former client and adopted young Laylah (see Butcher’s Hill).
Edgar “Crow” Ransome is still in Texas pursuing his music career with the singer he’s met, Emily “Emmie” Sterne. Emmie has had a very chequered past. Or, at least, she takes great delight in trading on peoples’ belief that she’s damaged by it. For Emmie was found as a bloodied baby at the scene where her mother and two others were murdered.
Three people were murdered in what police believe was a robbery gone wrong: Frank Conyers, Lollie Sterne, and Pilar Rodriguez, the family cook. Marianna Barrett Conyers is Frank’s widow and the only relative whom Emmie feels understands her; Dolores is her very protective maid. Gus Sterne is the man who raised Emmie along with his son Clay.
Sheriff Kolarik is Tess’ first police encounter in Texas while Al Guzman is the detective in obsessed with the original murder; Steve Villanueve is a city patrolman obsessed with the case.
Darden and Weeks are ex-cons released from jail who are found horribly murdered.
Rick Trejo is a highly successful criminal lawyer who takes on Crow’s case; Kristina is the woman he loves, with whom he fights, and who owns an antiques shop in town. Mrs. Nguyen is the Vietnamese manager of the cheap hotel, La Casita, Tess is staying at and Esskay’s babysitter. Keith is an old friend of Aunt Kitty’s and he and his son Maury own a bookstore in Austin.
The Cover and Title
The cover is purple brick with a blued-out negative of a building facade as an inset picture.
The title is true on several levels for Crow is In Big Trouble with his new singer.
