Problems with the novel

Poor AKG!

She is a little fru-fru though. It's ok, I've read lots of "stinkers" and this one isn't even all that bad. It's got a good plot anyway.

I am HOPING it's not the plot doesn't go the way of Murder in the Rue Morgue, which honestly was dumb. People don't go around losing murderous monkeys.

The introduction to my copy says something to the effect that this book was wildly received because she was the first woman American mystery author (with the footnote that there were documented women writing mystery stories in cheap periodicals long before...so, I guess not), and AKG went on to write 30 more novels, mainly of the romance variety. However, the intro notes, this book has lost favor among the literary whathaveyou's and only sells a few copies a year without much explanation.

Here's why I think this has happened:

- The storyline, while very interesting, is poorly written. Every time I turn a page, I think back to my college writing professor yelling, "Show! Don't tell!" Her character descriptions are painfully detailed, and often conflicting. She first describes the secretary as agitated and fidgety, but then later notes that he is always cool and collected (and, of course, his behavior during the inquest proves otherwise).

- Her narrator spends too much time as the lovesick puppy, and not enough time working through the case. The fact that her writing later turns to romance novels doesn't surprise me in the least. Once again, the writing is spotty - does he love Eleanore or Mary? His conversations with himself point to Eleanore; his actions point to Mary.

- AKG wrote this novel after being fascinated by her father's legal work, not after actually working in the legal field herself. This explains a few of the legal holes.

- This is obviously written by a period woman. The only believable descriptions are of the women.