Mary MacDougall and the Gitche Gumee Murder

D.R. Martin

4/6/2002

Reviewed by Molly

Jeanette Harrison and her twenty-two-year old second cousin face a startling mystery in 1903. Mary MacDougall and Jeanette are not enthralled find themselves caught up in the mystery surrounding a man's death in the Gitche Gummee, Lake Superior, area. First the pair must try to unravel whether the death is only an accident or perhaps is something more sinister.

Mary's brother Jim is a ne'er do well wanted by the police and may play a part. But what part, and in what context is something neither woman is sure. Before long Mary realizes herself to being stalked by a strange fellow. She 'borrows' young Maggie to give her cousin and herself a bit of 'cover.' As Mary and Jeanette broaden their search for answers the two women travel from the wilderness shores of the lake to poorest areas of Manhattan in this narrative of conspiracy and intrigue. In addition to the conundrum surrounding the death of the man found out in the woods Mary must also deal with how to answer the gentleman who has made his interest in her obvious.

Mary MacDougall and the Gitche Gumee Murder is an entertaining read embodying the best of Agatha Christie machination with a bit of Holmes and Watson conniving thrown in. MacDougall's opionionated thoughts about how and what to do with her inheritance provides added grist for the narrative. MacDougall is an outspoken, savvy heiress paired with a poor but dear widowed cousin Jeanette. The pair prove to be quite the detective duo. Mary MacDougall and the Gitche Gumee Murder is a well crafted tale filled with enough cabal, intrigue and puzzlement to keep the reader turning the page and enough jocularity to bring a chuckle now and then.

Mary MacDougall and the Gitche Gumee Murder is a delightful work. The account is as perfect for a dark stormy evening in front of the fire as a long lazy summer afternoon sitting in the porch swing. Mary MacDougall and the Gitche Gumee Murder pulls the reader right into the tale from the outset and keeps that reader turning the page to see what will happen next right on to the last paragraph.

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Reviewed first for Word Weaving