Fruits of the Poisonous Tree (Mass Market Paperback)

Brattleboro VT police detective Joe Gunther's very special lady friend of fifteen years (Joe is nothing if not a careful man), Gail is brutally raped over a three-hour period not long after Joe has left her house. Joe is enraged, guilt-stricken, and stunned. Gail is shattered, but fortunately is being taken care of by her highly experienced women's group. Though Gail can barely speak, she indicates she wants Joe in charge of the case. The majority of his fellow policemen and all of his superiors try to discourage him from attempting this dual role as clear-eyed, impartial cop and Gail's distraught comforter.

After some brilliant police work, a clear trail leads to a thoroughly despicable scumbag who has all the right credentials. A search of his house solidifies his guilt. An aborted arrest attempt leaves Joe in a coma after suffering abdominal stab wounds from the suspected man. To add to this unfortunate turn of events, it is found the warrant was improperly served and the assailant cannot be tried for the rape. (A silver lining, of course, is that he CAN be tried for attempted murder.) After Joe staggers back on duty, it begins to look as if the rapist must be someone else. Joe is further knocked about, bounced on his head, and shot, but justice is eventually served.

The book is very tightly and skillfully written. I had a few qualms about Joe and Gail. They were so lofty in their sentiments, understanding and goals, they seemed to me to belong on pedestals in the park rather than ordinary (if superior) people. I was as dubious as everyone else in Brattleboro about the propriety of Joe taking the lead in the investigation. Think a lot less mayhem would have ensued with Joe being left on the bench. Then there were Joe's remarkable recuperative abilities. I couldn't help but wince every time he tore his stitches out anew while grappling with the bad guys.

This is one hard-boiled mystery that I admire the craft more than the probability. Grade: B-

If you are a mystery fan, I am sure that you will enjoy the entire series as much as I have. If you are a student taking a course in creative writing, I don't think that you will find a better word artist than Archer Mayor.

Like all of Mayor's Gunther novels the police work is believable as are the characters. The dialog is well done and Mr. Mayor has a way of grounding us in place in Brattelboro Vermont and shows us how a small town really works. If you like a good mystery and especially police procedurals this whole series is good with this book perhaps the pick of the litter.