Book Review: A Dark and Stormy Night

A Dark and Stormy Night, by Jeanne Dams
Published by Severn House 2011
ISBN-10: 1847513158
Reviewed by Jacqueline Corcoran

Jeanne Dams authors a long-standing cozy mystery series about Dorothy Martin, an elderly American elderly sleuth who lives in England with her British ex-detective husband. In her fifteenth installment, A Dark and Stormy Night, Jeanne Dams employs the classic English manor setting in which a snowstorm keeps the guests all housebound while old – and then new – murders are discovered.

Though I enjoyed reading the story, I found it confusing at times, especially the connection between the two bodies in the past and the murders and mishaps in the present. The ending was somewhat predictable and I admit to figuring out “who done it,” but, in all, I enjoyed the classic “ten little Indians” set-up and the relationship between sleuth and her husband; it is refreshing to see an older couple that still have passion for each other.

I was so pleased to see that Jeanne Dams came out with this latest mystery after a long gap in her Dorothy Martin series. I am also glad to see that she has been adopted by Severn House, which specializes in mysteries that are no longer being picked up by the big six New York houses. I am looking forward to reading the next Dorothy Martin installment, which I have noticed just came out this year.

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