A mystery novel featuring academic investigator Lindsay Gordon, in which a trade union conference turns into a hotbed of gossip and murder.
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Union Jack
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From Publishers Weekly
In 1984, after the traumatizing death of her closest friend, amateur sleuth and former reporter Lindsay Gordon left England for California. Nine years later, she finds herself back in her homeland, gathering data for her doctoral thesis. At a journalists' union conference in Sheffield, Lindsay reluctantly reenters the bullying, back-stabbing world of union politics. Shortly after she quarrels with the controversial, homophobic union boss Tom Jack, he tumbles out of her hotel room window, and the anonymous editor of the conference newspaper names Lindsay the murderer. To save her skin, Lindsay and her American girlfriend, Sophie, must unravel intricate union politics to catch the killer, who may have ties to the suspicious death that sparked Lindsay's departure years before. McDermid's (Report for a Murder, etc.) confusing plot is filled with obtuse union rhetoric, and her characters lack the quirks and complexities necessary to elevate them above stereotype. The ending provides a good surprise, but the killer's implausible motive ruins the novel's credibility. This is an unusually weak showing by McDermid, whose The Mermaids Singing won Britain's Golden Dagger for Best Crime Novel of 1995.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Kirkus Reviews
Lindsay Gordon (Report for Murder, 1998, etc.), a Scottish teacher of journalism now based in California, has returned to Sheffield, England, to attend a journalists conference concerned mostly with the business of unions. There's much to remind Lindsay of a conference in Blackpool nine years beforesoon after the death from cancer of her lover Frances Collier. At that meeting Lindsay's friend and fellow editor Ian Ross had died in an auto accident soon after his breakup with longtime mistress Laura Craig, who's in attendance at Sheffield nowchic and sharp-tongued as ever. Lindsay's more at ease after the arrival of Dr. Sophie Harley, her latest lover, who's to give a lecture. The entire assemblage is intrigued by the appearance every night of a gossipy newsletter that, among other things, accuses Laura of being a spy for anti-union forces and accuses Tom (Union) Jack, General Secretary of the Amalgated Union of Media Workers, of skimming union funds. All this takes a backseat when Lindsay, returning to her room one night, discovers her window smashed and the body of Tom Jack on the ground ten floors below. With Lindsay a prime suspect but not yet charged, Lindsay and Sophie proceed to play detective, using endless questions, hypnosis, break-ins, the study of secret documents, etc. Their mostly dull, repetitive moves do finally pin down the killer and even uncover the author of the infamous newsletter. Long on talk, short on suspense: McDermids fuzzy plot and the uninspired characters fall far short of some of her previous efforts. -- Copyright ©1999, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
By jsdunk
Format:Paperback
Lindsey Gordon isn't a detective, but she is one of these characters who is constantly getting embroiled in murder investigations. This is the fourth such experience for the British lesbian and former journalist who has been transplanted to the US where she now teaches Journalism.
When Lindsey returns to the UK to complete research for her dissertation, she finds herself not only involved in UK trade union politics, but also a murder suspect. Intent on clearing her name and ensuring that she can return to the States, Lindsey and her girlfriend dive head first into solving one, or maybe two, murders.
This is a great whodunnit with well developed and likeable characters and a plot that keeps you guessing right up until the very end.
A final comment I'll add is that while the book is about trade unions, there was remarkably little politics and what was included actually served the story -- unlike some novels that seem to be more politics than plot.
If you've ever enjoyed any lesbian mystery novel in the past, you're likely to enjoy this one.
Format:Paperback
Lindsay Gordon is a former journalist who returns to the United Kingdom to attend a trade union conference that will provide material for her doctoral dissertation. She is not a stranger to these meetings since she used to work as a trade delegate ten years ago. Nothing has changed in a decade. There is hypocrisy, prejudice, sexual harassment and debauchery among the attendants. Somebody is also writing a newsletter that is making accusations on the members of the conference.
To make matters worse Tom Jack, a union boss, dies when he falls out of Lindsay's tenth floor hotel room. The police are quick to suspect on Lindsay due to her animosity towards Jack as well as it being her hotel room. In order to clear her name she decides to investigate the death with the help of her lover, Sophie Hartley. What they discovered is an ugly blackmail and embezzling scheme involving several people at the trade union.
I liked reading this novel with its satire and quick wit. The plotting is well done and the story ends well. I am aware that this is not the first Lindsay Gordon novel but I will try to read the others. I am enjoying Ms. McDermid's novels and characters.
Format:Paperback
Lindsay Gordon is a former journalist who returns to the United Kingdom to attend a trade union conference that will provide material for her doctoral dissertation. She is not a stranger to these meetings since she used to work as a trade delegate ten years ago. Nothing has changed in a decade. There is hypocrisy, prejudice, sexual harassment and debauchery among the attendants. Somebody is also writing a newsletter that is making accusations on the members of the conference.
To make matters worse Tom Jack, a union boss, dies when he falls out of Lindsay's tenth floor hotel room. The police are quick to suspect on Lindsay due to her animosity towards Jack as well as it being her hotel room. In order to clear her name she decides to investigate the death with the help of her lover, Sophie Hartley. What they discovered is an ugly blackmail and embezzling scheme involving several people at the trade union.
I liked reading this novel with its satire and quick wit. The plotting is well done and the story ends well. I am aware that this is not the first Lindsay Gordon novel but I will try to read the others. I am enjoying Ms. McDermid's novels and characters.
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