Monday, December 14, 2020

Bluff by Jane Stanton Hitchcock

 

First Line: October 10, 2014. Death is colorful in the fall.

Maud Warner is convinced that accountant Burt Sklar stole her mother's fortune and left her family in ruins, but she can't prove it, and no one will listen to her. So one day she dons secondhand designer duds and bluffs her way into a swanky New York restaurant. When she leaves, a man has been shot, and "Mad Maud" is on the run.

In the years following her family's collapse, Maud has become accustomed to flying beneath the radar, especially since older women tend to be invisible. But she's learned that she has a knack for playing poker, and as a result she can turn weakness into strength and take advantage of people who think they are taking advantage of her. She's made the first move in her high-stakes plan for revenge. She fully intends to take down her enemies and get justice for their victims. Her success depends on her continuing ability to bluff. 

Will she be able to win?

~

I've said more than once that I'm a character-driven reader, and when I picked up Jane Stanton Hitchcock's Bluff, I hit the jackpot. Main character Maud Warner's witty, satirical voice grabbed me on the very first page, and the story she told enthralled me. How deep was I under Maud's spell? I stayed up until 5:30 AM to find out how it all came down, that's how deep.

The unfolding of Bluff's plot is delicious. Part comedic heist, part social commentary, Maud's voice makes readers feel as if they're right in the heart of the action... but they're not. Maud's a poker player, and she plays her cards close to her chest. One surprise after another lays in wait, and I'm pretty sure I had a smile on my face most of the time as I read this book.

As we read, we hear Maud being called "Mad Maud," "the D.B. Cooper of little old ladies," "Grandma Moses," and an "AARP pinup," but Maud is simultaneously telling us her side of the story, so we know those epithets are the furthest thing from the truth.

Burt Sklar is the villain you want to tie to the railroad tracks. From his overuse of adverbs (that made me want to slap him each time he did it) to the repetition of his name... Sklar, Sklar, Sklar... I came to think of him as a festering wound on the rump of humanity. I was completely invested in Maud's plan for bringing him down. To continue the railroad analogy, once Sklar was tied to the tracks, I would gladly shovel coal into the boiler while Maud blew the whistle and aimed straight for this despicable excuse for a human being.

From the brilliantly designed cover to the very last word on the very last page, I loved Jane Stanton Hitchcock's Bluff. My advice? Get your hands on a copy, get your nest made, and start reading.

 
eISBN: 9781464210709
Poisoned Pen Press © 2019
eBook, 308 pages
 
Thriller, Standalone
Rating: A+
Source: Purchased from Amazon.

12 comments:

  1. Well, you've sold me, Cathy. Maud sounds like a fantastic character, and I really like the premise. Sometimes quirky stories like that really are well done, and it sounds as though this is one that pulls you in. Glad you loved it!

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    1. I can really see why this won the Hammett Prize from the International Association of Crime Writers.

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  2. I now have it on order from the library. I had to smile when I pictured you in a railroad cap earnestly shoveling coal into the boiler and Maud in her cap blowing the whistle. Enjoyed your review.

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    1. Thanks, Lynn. I only hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

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  3. OK, now I know I have to have this one. I'm still grinning at wanting to slap Sklar for the adverb crimes!

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    1. I have a feeling you might join me if you get a chance to read the book! ;-)

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  4. Is this a cozy? Couldn't figure it out.
    I liked Maud from your description.
    Since it's fun, I may get it or see if the
    library has it on Overdrive.

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    1. No, it's not a cozy. When in doubt, take a look at the fine print at the very bottom of each review. It lists all sorts of information, including what type of book it is as well as my rating.

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  5. I always look at your rating, not so much at the very bottom. I see it's a Thriller. Looks good.

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  6. Well, I'm on page 93 and smiling or laughing constantly. I would call it a mur-com or a mur-sat, rather than a thriller: murder-comedy or murder-satire. I think the book has a lot to it, one of them being a satirical look at the wealthy and their pretensions and snobbery. The writer knows how to turn a phrase into a witticism. I would not have picked up this book, as I don't like to read about the idle rich, but your review got me interested. And since I stayed up all night smiling and laughing, it's definitely worth it.

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    1. I'm so glad you're enjoying Bluff, Kathy. I think one of the reasons why this book is so good is that Hitchcock actually lived through part of it. If you haven't watched the Poisoned Pen event with her, you might want to since she talks about it there.

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