Except the Dying by Maureen Jennings

First Line: They started with the boots, which looked new.

It is bitterly cold in Toronto in the winter of 1895, and the nude body of a servant girl has been found frozen in the snow on a deserted path. Acting detective William Murdoch is assigned the case, and he hopes that he can solve it quickly and with distinction. After all, he's been an acting detective for three years, and unless someone is transferred or dies, it looks as though his career is stalled. But the more he investigates, the longer his suspect list becomes-- and the more he has to contend with bigoted superiors on the police force.

I originally read this book because I've become a devoted fan of the Canadian television series based upon Maureen Jennings' work. So many times when I sample a book (or series of books) that has been turned into a television series, my reading pleasure is greatly diminished. That definitely was not the case with Except the Dying. Jennings' historical accuracy and her main character transform what could well have been a conventional murder mystery. While William Murdoch shows himself to be a compassionate man of principles who's still mourning the death of his fiancée, I was also taken with Jennings' turn of phrase-- one woman is described as being "as neat as a nuthatch" and someone else was so hungry he "could eat moss off a rock." The book also opens with a scene that immediately put me in mind of Dickens' A Christmas Carol.

Writing style, main character, historical accuracy... I am so glad that I introduced myself to Maureen Jennings' books. I'll definitely be reading more.

Except the Dying by Maureen Jennings

ISBN: 9780771043314

McClelland and Stewart © 2010

(Originally published 1997)

Paperback, 360 pages

Historical Mystery, #1 Detective William Murdoch mystery

Rating: A

Source: Paperback Swap

Scene of the Crime with Author Maureen Jennings!

Like almost everyone else I don't just read mysteries, I also watch them-- "Inspector Morse," "Lewis," "Endeavour," "Castle," "NCIS," "Elementary"... the list of favorites is a long one. But for quite some time now, a Canadian mystery series has been right at the top of my favorites list. "Murdoch Mysteries" is set in 1890s Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and from the sets to the actors to the stories, I really enjoy it. Now usually when I watch a mystery series, I don't bother reading the books that it's based on. I know how things can change during the transformation from book to screen. But "Murdoch" was different, so I tracked down the very first book (Except the Dying-- you'll be reading my review in the next post). In the process I discovered that the author, Maureen Jennings has written a couple of other series as well. After reading the first Murdoch mystery, these other books have gone on my wish list.

Maureen Jennings

It's only natural that while I was looking up all her books I found a few links to share with you as well. I hope you'll all take the opportunity to learn more about this talented writer.

Maureen's website

Maureen on Facebook

Maureen's books

Want to get to know her better? Good! It's time for the interview....

What was the very first book you remember reading and loving? What makes that book so special?

Probably the Enid Blyton stories. (several) I loved the notion that there was another world we could step into.

Outside of your writing and all associated commitments, what do you like to do in your free time?

Train my dog. Watch British TV shows, mysteries and documentaries.

If I were to visit your hometown, where would you recommend that I go? (I like seeing and doing things that aren't in all the guide books.)

Don Valley Brick Works

Walking around Cabbagetown streets.

Walking in the Humber river park.

The Don Valley Brick Works. It's brilliant. 

You have total control over casting a movie based on your life. Which actor would you cast as you?

Helen Mirren

Yikes. As I am now more or less...Helen Mirren or Meryl Streep. They've got real faces.

Who is your favorite recurring character in crime fiction?

So many. Women...Kinsey Milhone. Harriet Vane. Men...Sherlock Holmes. Wallander. Campion.

If you could have in your possession one signed first edition of any book in the world, which book would that be? Why that particular book?

The Hound of the Baskervilles. I am a huge lover of Conan Doyle.

How did you celebrate when you first heard you were to be published?

Went out for dinner with my husband.

What did you do the first time you saw one of your books on a shelf in a bookstore?

Grinned a lot. Took out the book and patted it.

Name one thing on your Bucket List.

To have a play I wrote, produced professionally. It is called The Weeping Time and concerns Sir Thomas More and his jailor.

You've just received a $100 gift card to the bookstore of your choice. Which bookstore are you making a bee-line for?

Book City. An independent store not far from us. They have been always supportive.

AVAILABLE NOW!

Thank you so much, Maureen, for spending this time with us. It was a pleasure to be able to get to know you a little better.

May your book sales do nothing but increase!

~~~~~~~~~~~~

My review of Maureen's very first book to be published, Except the Dying, follows this interview. I hope you're now intrigued enough to check out her books as well as the excellent television series, "Murdoch Mysteries," which Americans can watch via Netflix or Amazon (if you're a Prime member).

To end this interview, I couldn't resist posting a photo of Maureen that I fell in love with. It shows her hard at work in Scotland. Happy Reading!