Murder Crossed Her Mind by Stephen Spotswood

(14. - 1257.) Murder Crossed Her Mind by Stephen Spotswood - Mr. William Selnes, the originator and primary writer of this blog, said he instantly thought of me, Nero Wolfe, when he began reading Murder Crossed Her Mind. He advised me that the sleuthing team of Ms. Lillian Pentecost and Miss Willowjean “Will” Parker of Pentecost Investigations are characters very much like myself and Archie Godwin.

While I respect Mr. Selnes, I told him “pfui!” Archie and I are sui generis. Nevertheless, I purchased a copy of the book and read it at my desk during my daily reading periods.

While I have been wrong, though I cannot remember the last time it happened, Ms. Pentecost and Miss Parker are the female equivalents of myself and Archie. I was astounded. Mr. Selnes invited me to put down my thoughts about our connections and the book.

Ms. Lillian Pentecost is about 50. I am but a few years her senior. She is formidable in demeanour and intelligence. I respect, not a word I use often, the intelligence of Ms. P.

Ordinarily, I would eschew describing her by an initial but it seems the preferred form of reference. Never let it be said I am inflexible. It does grate upon me that Miss Parker does not insert a period after P. in her reporting. If there is a period after Ms. I follow the principle there should be a period after P.

Each of us spends most of our time in our brownstones. While I simply abhor life beyond the brownstone door Ms. P. has multiple sclerosis.  Since she does get out periodically I believe we could have a satisfactory conversation over a fine meal at my home. 

I am blessed to have a sturdy constitution but still find the rigors of thinking through an investigation demanding. I admire Ms. P. for her dedication to investigating while living with multiple sclerosis.

We maintain the standard that a suit is to be worn in the office. I admit Ms. P. has the advantage in style. Where I am content with brown suits and yellow shirts she shows her flair at the critical office meeting:

…. an English wool two-piece that must have been dyed twice to get it so black. With her white silk shirt, blood-red tie, and matching silver stickpins (one for the tie, one skewering the center of her braids), she looked like the Grim Reaper if he had a better tailor.

I am grateful that my Fritz is not as determined as her Mrs. Campbell who is constantly providing her with healthy meals. 

We differ in an important physical characteristic. I have never been so distracted by an investigation that I forget to eat. Should I be able to meet Ms. P. I would advise it is heresy to skip meals.  

Miss Parker is a young woman with grit, determination, a quick sarcastic tongue and a talent for finding trouble. All are characteristics she shares with Archie. They even spend their evenings alike by pursuing romance with the women of New York.

I was intrigued by them being hired by criminal defence attorney, Forest Whitsun, to find out what had happened to Miss Perseverance Bodine. Miss Bodine’s title had been personal secretary to the namesake partner of Whitsun’s firm though her eidetic memory meant she contributed far more than secretarial work. She was a valued member of the firm. 

Considering the exceptional memories of myself and Ms. P. we understand the burdens as well as the benefits of Ms. Bodine’s memory. 

I could relate to Ms. Bodine who had retired a few years ago and rarely left her apartment building. As referenced above, it takes an emergency to get me out of my home.

I was dismayed that Ms. Bodine became a hoarder in her retirement. It supports my determination to never retire.

I was intrigued by Ms. Pentecost using the third floor of her brownstone for archives, including a comfortable armchair. While I could not bear to give up my orchids I would love to have a whole floor of archives.

An awkward, in my case prickly, relationship with the New York City Police Department seems inevitable for elite private investigators. While Ms. P.’s foil, Lieutenant Nathan Lazenby, is less confrontational than Inspector Cramer, he is equally frustrated with Ms. P. and Miss Parker. I expect the NYPD, a contraction I usually avoid, will never appreciate us solving crimes that are beyond their abilities to resolve.

I did find the sub-plot with Miss Parker pursuing a pair of muggers discordant.

I appreciated Ms. P. calling the suspects and police together for a meeting in her office to identify the guilty. I savour such gatherings. I could see the tension rising in the room as Ms. P. masterfully set out the evidence.

I felt there was a twist too many in the plot and regretted that it was found by accident.

As I reached the end of the book I was planning to invite Ms. P. for dinner and a visit with the orchids but confound it, a cliffhanger will deny me the pleasure of her company. I may reach out to Miss Parker. I believe the situation exceeds her skills.

I am glad that Ms. P. joins myself and The Old Man in the Corner from the stories of Baroness Orczy as sitting sleuths. The world needs more people sitting and thinking.