Paula99
01-26-2002, 08:36 PM
The first book in a series by D.R. Meredith, "Murder In Volume" is an easy, quick read, written with a delicious sense of humor, and a tight plot. The narrator of the story is Professor Ryan Stevens (hereafter called Ryan), curator of history at the Panhandle-Plains Museum on the campus of West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas. He calls himself "Megan's Watson." The Megan in question is Dr. Megan Clark...no not a medical doctor...a Dr. of Forensic Anthropology and Archaeology. He is the forty-five year old father of Megan's best friend, who has become her new best friend and side-kick in some rather hair raising athletic adventures. The additional cast of characters includes Police Lt. Jerry Carr, an old friend of Megan's, and a former student of Ryan's. The rest are two numerous to list, but are indivudually interesting. The first part (perhaps third) of the book serves as an introduction of those who are to be players in the entire series.
The story begins when Megan informs Ryan that she has signed them both up for a mystery discussion group to be held at the Time and Again Book Store. The discussions become rather heated from time to time, and just after the third session, as Ryan and Megan are leaving the store after locking up for Agnes, the proprietress, he literally trips over a dead body...that of a woman who has been hateful and abrasive to everyone else in the group. Lt. Carr is called in, and the fun of detection begins. Anymore will give the story away, so I'll stop here.
NOTE FROM THIS READER: This book literally had me laughing out loud at times, wiping away the tears. The mystery itself is tight and well plotted. The cast of characters is delightful. I'm really looking forward to reading the second in this series..."By Hook Or By Book."
The story begins when Megan informs Ryan that she has signed them both up for a mystery discussion group to be held at the Time and Again Book Store. The discussions become rather heated from time to time, and just after the third session, as Ryan and Megan are leaving the store after locking up for Agnes, the proprietress, he literally trips over a dead body...that of a woman who has been hateful and abrasive to everyone else in the group. Lt. Carr is called in, and the fun of detection begins. Anymore will give the story away, so I'll stop here.
NOTE FROM THIS READER: This book literally had me laughing out loud at times, wiping away the tears. The mystery itself is tight and well plotted. The cast of characters is delightful. I'm really looking forward to reading the second in this series..."By Hook Or By Book."