Old Stuff #1
It’s no secret I’m a big fan of Kathleen Kalb’s. The fact that her maiden name was actually Marple might be reason enough to love her, but she’s also an incredibly adept and enjoyable cozy writer. She kicked off her career with an historical fiction series featuring an opera singer, but she’s written various cozies, one based on her actual profession (radio host), one featuring a secret hit woman, and this latest one featuring historical society head and antiques expert Christian Shaw.
Kalb’s cozy heroines are usually juggling being a mother of young kids and in this case, Christian is a mom of Henry, and a widow. Christian has a great support system in her tiny Connecticut town, however, and seems to be managing her life pretty capably. The book opens with a movie shoot in the local synagogue, which is located in an old historic church. The movie is a remake of The Scarlet Letter and the scene being filmed features the main character up in the pulpit delivering a fire and brimstone sermon. Unfortunately, during the sermon/performance, the star falls out of the pulpit and dies of a head injury. Or is there more to it?
Well of course there’s more to it, this is a mystery novel! Christian is able to do something I always love in any mystery – bring her actual expertise to bear on the solution. In this case, her expertise, illustrated in different ways throughout the book, relates to the historical objects (the “stuff” of the title) that she’s in charge of at the historical society. As it happens two of “her” objects – a bible and an antique pewter tankard – were used in the movie star’s penultimate scene.
She’s helped in her sleuthing by none other than the handily single state’s attorney, one Joe Poli. He’s asking her things that relate to the investigation but it’s clear to the reader and to Christian’s friends that there’s more going on here. The romance is gentle, and it’s really the mystery part that’s front and center.
There are several reasons I’m such a big fan of Kalb’s writing. One is her way with specific, memorable characters; one is her sense of humor, and laser sharp societal observations; and one is her way with a tricky plot. You may think you know who the perps might be, but believe me, there’s more to the story. The romance for me is a nice bonus. As far as cozies go, these books are pretty much top of the heap. Her voice, pacing and storytelling ability are just terrific. I can’t recommend her books more highly. — Robin Agnew