Elizabeth Spann Craig Review

(2009) Pretty Is As Pretty Dies

Myrtle Clover, an 80-something retired English teacher, is unhappy with her son Red, the police chief in Bradley NC, when he signs her up as a church volunteer. He’s trying to keep her occupied and out of his hair. But if he thinks volunteering is going to keep his mother out of his police investigations, he’s got another think coming. In fact, on her first venture into the church, she discovers the body of Parke Stockard, beaned with a collection plate. This is just what Myrtle has been waiting for: an opportunity to show Red and everyone else in Bradley that she’s not ready to be put on the shelf just because she’s old.

One of the hallmarks of classic cozy mysteries is a victim who is little known or especially obnoxious … and in Parke Stockard, Ms. Craig has created a truly splendid victim. Absolutely no one liked her. That means Myrtle has a lot of suspects to choose from … so many that she decides she must enlist her very own Dr. Watson to do some of the grunt work of investigation. She opts for a new neighbor, a handsome older gentleman (although at least a decade younger than Myrtle) whom all the ladies in town are openly flirting with.

Although I love older women as protagonists, I hate stereotypes. Myrtle is certainly NOT a stereotypical little, old lady. She’s more Agatha Raisin than Jane Marple … a curmudgeon who doesn’t suffer fools gladly. And she recognizes the benefits of being an older woman and is not above playing the “old lady card” to get her way. She’s oblivious to the rolling eyes she leaves in her wake. What a great leading lady!

Pretty Is As Pretty Dies is a wonderful cozy mystery: solidly written, well plotted and funny. Long live Myrtle Clover!

By Diana. First published in Mystery News, August-September 2009 issue.