I thank NetGalley and Atlantic Monthly Press for an advance reader copy of “The Red Queen.” All opinions and comments are my own. This is a rather tidy entry in the Richard Jury series, with a lot of dialog, discussions of participants, incidents and clues coming together for a genteel ending that’s practically forecast from the start. Melrose Plant helps, barely. Can’t have a Jury story (this is the 26th) without his contribution. The other “regulars” are ticked off the list, here and there. Aunt Agatha has a low profile in this one, thank goodness. And as always, there’s the usual witty, introspective musings within the characters. There’s a subplot that involves Sgt. Wiggins and his long-missing sister – which has a connection to the big story, natch. And a goat-naming contest. And piglet-saving operation. A little something for everyone, it seems. And while the mystery involves quite a bit more than a murder -- much more – it all ambles along to a rather anticlimactic ending.

Great Scott! Martha is 96!! Her last published book was The Old Success (2019). For those of us who have enjoyed the series for years this is a nostalgic trip among many of the staple characters and humor, but the writing itself is a bit flat. However, it does make me want to go back and reread some of the older books. I requested and received a free temporary uncorrected digital galley from Grove Atlantic | Atlantic Monthly Press via NetGalley. Avail Jul 01, 2025 #The Red Queen #RichardJuryMysteriesBk26 by Martha Grimes #richard.jury.cid @groveatlantic #barnesandnoble **** Review #booksamillion #bookshop_org #bookshop_org_uk #kobo #Waterstones #England #Procedural #murder #investigation #retiredCoppers