tEdwin of the Iron Shoes was a fairly solid mystery. By that I mean while I did figure out whodunit, it was only slightly (a few chapters) ahead of the lead character (Sharon McCone). However, I did enjoy watching things unfold as clues were revealed. tCertain attitudes and aspects of this book were dated but that's understandable given it's original publishing date in 1977. The mystery itself, was as I stated earlier fairly solid - with enough to keep me guessing and putting the clues together and I think the author did a pretty good job with the mystery side of things. The writing isn't particularly "pretty" (and by that I mean it isn't flowery and doesn't bring strong imagery or atmosphere. It is more straightforward and to the point) but it gets across okay (in most cases). One particular part confused me - the saying used to describe Lt. Greg Marcus: "A wolf in misogynist's clothing." tThis just made no sense to me. If it made sense to you could you please explain it to me? tIn this book the clues were fairly easy to follow along - you can notice because while the author generally doesn't give much description to things/whats going on when she does it is probably a clue (in some form or another, though it may not hit you at the time).Maybe it was just me. There is one deus ex machina in this book (not at the end) but when Sharon gets into trouble with a thug working for one of the "bad guys". tThe characters were okay. I've got to give them time to grow on me. Sharon McCone the lead female character was a fairly decent lead, but not really stand out (though I suppose it may have been different had I read this in 1977, of course I wasn't born then so I couldn't be sure). She made some decisions that had me questioning her intelligence and restored my faith in her with others. At least she is not totally incompetent (though there are some moments I wondered) and manages to handle herself well given the situations she finds herself. So I like her, but didn't develop a strong attachment to her.tAs for the "romantic interest" and detective on the case Greg Marcus. I'm still on the fence about him, we don't get a lot of time with him and in the beginning it is mostly his unappealing aspects and his hate-hate relationship with Sharon (which of course, turns into a hate-love one). Honestly he has yet to strike me as a competent cop - a belligerent one yes (okay so not always) but competent - not quite.tAs for the side characters, some of them were interesting and I wouldn't mind seeing more of them - like Hank Zahn and Charlie Cornish. Even Joan the original murder victim was an interesting character that I felt we got to know fairly well. But others were there one page and gone the next. Or they didn't come across as I believe they were intended too - the "bad guys" in particular. We never really got a wrap up regarding one particular "bad guy" and his goon - they just kind of disappeared from the story at the end (we don't know what happened with them and their involvement - were they arrested?)tOverall, taking into when it was written it was a fairly good mystery and I liked reading it, so 3.5 stars.
#1 Sharon McCone, PI, San Francisco; cosy PI.This first of the Sharon McCone series (and Ms. Muller's first novel) is surprisingly good, with a tight, well-constructed plot, a fast-enough pace, and interesting characters, all set in a seedy, run-down part of San Francisco in the mid-1970s (the book was originally published in 1977). Sharon McCone investigates the death of an antiques/junk dealer in a poor neighborhood ripe for demolition and real estate speculation. Along the way she tangles with a sleazy bailbondsman (and his ferret-y henchman), a socialite with a love of art and of power, an expensive antiques dealer with many, many sides to him, and a handsome cop with a tough demeanor. Many of these characters have become stock over the years, but here Ms. Muller infuses them with nice touches and believable experiences. A gentle sense of humor meanders through the story, and Sharon shows toughness of her own, which was a welcome sight in 1977, and still rings true, although younger readers coming to this story now might not understand just how ground-breaking both the novel and the character of Sharon were to young women in the mid-1970s and, indeed, she may seem to be very cosy rather than a tough PI, but standards for such have changed markedly since then. She was one of the very first "tough gal" (as opposed to "tough guy") detectives on the mystery/PI scene, pre-dating Sue Grafton's Kelsey Milhone by several years. And even though the two seem rather similar, at least in their earliest novels, each has a distinct personality and, more importantly, each grows over the years to become very interesting women. And while IMO Ms. Muller has also grown over the years as a novelist and anthologist, her first novel is a very good one, and I look forward to #2, ASK THE CARDS A QUESTION, 1982.
What do You think about Edwin Of The Iron Shoes (1990)?
I know I am in the minority in only thinking this book was - eh. Okay. I see it has an average of over 4 stars here, and by the sheer volume of her books on the shelves I know she is very popular. I will persist in this series hoping it becomes more multi-dimensional and fleshed out as it continues because I do see potential in this heroine and her (obvious from the first meeting) cop beloved. No real explanation was given for his change from obnoxious mcp to kind understanding supportive resource except that it was clear that she was going to end up with him so he had to become more likable and that isn't enough for me. But I will go ahead and reserve #2 in the series.
—Cynthia
Marcia Muller is one of the grande dames of the contemporary mystery genre, up there with Sue Grafton and Sara Paretsky. Muller's female P.I. Sharon McCone has been p.i.ing long before most mystery writers writing today were in diapers. "Edwin of the Iron Shoes", published in 1977, is the very first McCone mystery. Set in her home town of San Francisco, "Edwin" starts off with the murder of a beloved owner of an antiques store. McCone is called in to investigate and quickly runs up a list of suspects. She also quickly uncovers a conspiracy of European art-thieves. It's a fun, quick page-turner of a mystery that is all the more fun if you know a little bit about San Francisco, as the beautiful city is a character as well. Clearly, Muller was just getting her feet wet in this one, as it is a pretty simple murder mystery with some stilted dialogue and the occasional murder mystery cliche, but obviously Muller improved, as her several dozens of bestsellers that followed have proven.
—Scott Rhee
This is the first book in the Sharon McCone Mystery series by Marcia Muller, but I read Ask the Cards a Question first. Both books were quick reads and decent brain candy. I really like Sharon and would like to read more of the books in this series. Some of the dialogue in this book seemed a bit forced and clunky, but otherwise, it was an entertaining tale. I liked the art theme, especially, and was fascinated by the explanation of fake antiques. Overall, a fun book to read on a trip.Until I read the reviews here, I had no idea that this book was written over 30 years ago. Sheesh! I knew it was an older book, but I didn't know it was almost as old as I am. That explains a lot about the lack of technology, the commune-style law firm and the stereotypes about women.
—Dolly
