Book Review: Closer Than the Bones

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Closer Than the Bones     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Dean James
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Woman Main Character   Amateur Sleuth
Series: Ernie Carpenter # 2
Silver Dagger, May 2001, $13.95, 202 pp.
Trade Paperback

In Tullahoma, Mississippi, retired sixty-year old school teacher Ernestine "Ernie" Carpenter enjoys solving problems. Being single, Ernie, who works from her home, relishes helping people with their troubles. She has quickly earned a reputation for results.

However, even Ernie is a bit taken aback when venerable wealthy icon Mary McElroy comes to Ernie's home for assistance. The elderly patron of Southern Belle Letters hires Ernie to uncover the identity of the individual who murdered writer Sukey Lytton six months ago in a reported accidental drowning. Since the same group will be at Mary's home, Ernie joins them on the pretense of helping Mary write her memoirs. Ernie quickly learns that Sukey's final manuscript is missing and wonders if that is the cause of the murder; that is if someone actually killed the author. Ernie also wonders if murder did indeed occur, and it is not the ramblings of a senior citizen, will the murderer strike again if the amateur sleuth gets too close to the truth?

This Ernie Carpenter tale, CLOSER THAN BONES, is an engaging mystery starring a fabulous lead protagonist. The story line moves forward in a genteel way as expected from a Southern cozy, but never slows down or looks back. Ernie is a great character and the support cast, especially the writing group provides the audience with an insightful novel that readers will enjoy while demanding Dean James return quickly with his heroine.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner