THE LIMPING DOG is a good, old-fashioned murder mystery—and I mean that in the most flattering way. To emphasize, it is a DAMN GOOD murder mystery. If it were a movie, it is the kind of thing you could easily imagine Alfred Hitchcock doing back in the 40s or 50s, before he turned to more horror-oriented storylines.
Atmospheric, suspenseful, cleverly plotted (with all sorts of twists and red herrings), and peopled with colorful, multi-layered characters the reader quickly grows to care about and will want to see more of (the good guys, that is). In other words, all the right ingredients—including a blossoming romance amidst the mayhem and murder—are here. And in the skilled hands of Lindermuth they are prepared and served up as a very satisfying dish indeed.
Lindermuth is the author of the popular Sticks Hetrick mysteries and has also begun a second series featuring 19th century sheriff Sylvester Tilghman. Both of these are set in Lindermuth's native Pennsylvania—the Hetrick books in current times, the Tilghman series in the 1890s—and both have new titles due out in the coming months.
DOG is set in coastal New England (captured very convincingly by the author) and I, for one, surely would not mind it being the beginning of a third series from John. In the meantime, though, enjoy THE LIMPING DOG as it is, and don't waste any more time about it. It's a terrific read, one you are sure to enjoy.
Highly recommended.
Persevere --- WD
Thanks for the book recommendation, Wayne.
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