I do enjoy a good Richard Jury mystery, even though it takes him a while to solve his cases. As usual he recruits a few of his friends to help, and even requires assistance from a dog and a cat or two. ( )

"Several weeks have passed since Richard Jury was left bereft and guilt-ridden after the tragic accident of Lu Aguilar. Now she lies in a coma, and Jury wants to stay near her. Instead, he has been tossed a case outside his jurisdiction, in the village of Chesham, where a beautiful young woman has been murdered in the grounds of a pub called the Black Cat. And the only witness to the murder is the black cat.

" 'Did you see anything?"

"Jury tried to send the cat a message.

" 'Tell me.

"The black cat closed its eyes and told him nothing.

"Given her gown -- Yves St. Laurent -- and her shoes -- Jimmy Choo -- Jury wonders. Was she rich or wed to riches? She carries no identification, and no one in the village has a clue who she is.

"Then in London, another murder, another beautifully got-up woman, this time shoes by Louboutin. And then a third. Jury is stumped: he knows these killings are connected, but if this is a serial killer in London, why commit a murder in Chesham?

"Meanwhile, Jury's nemesis, the brilliant (and crazy?) Harry Johnson continues to delight in goading Jury, leading him into a maze of possibilities or impossibilities. And Johnson, along with hie preternaturally smart dog, Mungo, just may be the key to it all."
~~front flap

As always, a charming little mystery, and one successfully solve in the end. But the relationship between Jury & Melrose Plant has changed -- they don't seem as close as they were at the beginning of the series, and consequently this book doesn't delight as much as the first books did. ( )

Yves Saint Laurent dress, Jimmy Choo shoes, Alexander McQueen handbag — not the usual dress for Chesham. Not the expected dress for a murder victim either. There is no ID on her and no witness, except for a black cat that lives at the pub where the victim was found.

It’s not Richard Jury’s jurisdiction, but her finds it’s his case. Along with the next similar murder that occurs in London. This time the shoes are Louboutin. It’s a case where identities are not what is presented.

Two women leading double lives. Why? Do they know each other? Who is the link? It must be more than the expensive clothes and shoes.

Sergeant Wiggins assists on the case and displays an ability to acquire quite a bit of knowledge in the matter of high end women’s shoes. Melrose Plant is also shanghaied to serve as an animal napper in the matter of dogs and cats. Both characters bring some good humour to the plot.

Once again Martha Grimes doesn’t disappoint! ( )

british-detective, murder-investigation, friendship, law-enforcement

Three single women discreetly living double lives are murdered and the only connection seems to be the nature of the second job and the wearing of pricey designer shoes. The investigation is twisty and convoluted enough, but there is a side issue with a couple of dogs and some look alike black cats. If you like listening to the conversations among cats and dog, this will suit very well. ( )

Much improved over the previous Richard Jury novel, the Black Cat pairs Richard against Harry Johnson again in a battle of wits. Mungo the dog and Morris the Cat try to communicate with Jury all over a case involving high-end shoes such as Jimmy Choos. ( )