Marjorie McClelland lives a quiet life in Ridgebury, a small town – think Jessica Fletcher’s hometown from Murder, She Wrote – where nothing exciting has happened in years. As a fairly successful mystery novelist, Marjorie’s profession and independent streak often put her at odds with some of Ridgebury’s more traditional residents. Under pressure to finish her latest book, Marjorie is thrilled with the arrival of a true novelty – the wealthy and worldly Creighton Ashcroft, a British heir with money and time to burn, both unusual attributes in the middle of the Great Depression. Creighton is immediately smitten with Marjorie, but when the two of them discover a body on the grounds of his newly-purchased home, she won’t give him the time of day once she meets the handsome investigating detective. Determined to win her, Creighton refuses to give up, and his amateur sleuthing partnership with Marjorie forces them to spend a great deal of time together. But their efforts to unmask a killer whose crimes have been buried for five years brings them closer to danger than either would’ve dared dream, and it’s a race to discover the truth before the killer can turn them into the next victims.Million Dollar Baby is proof that Amazon is way too familiar with my reading habits and preferences. Meade’s debut novel showed up recently as a “suggestion,” and when I read a review likening Marjorie and Creighton to Dorothy Sayers’s detectives Peter Wimsey and Harriet Vane, I knew I had to give the book a try. The Depression-era setting and a British sleuth named Creighton (love that!) prove to be an irresistible combination. Meade’s characters and storytelling style have an old-fashioned feel that makes it easy to visualize classic Hollywood actors like Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant, or Myrna Loy and William Powell bringing Marjorie and Creighton to life on the silver screen. The way Marjorie and Creighton constantly needle each other, exchanging quips galore while dancing around the issue of their mutual attraction is the heart and soul of the novel and is very reminiscent of the screwball comedies of the 1930s. I really enjoyed Meade’s gently sarcastic sense of humor, and I absolutely loved watching Marjorie and Creighton’s relationship develop. The novel is paced fairly well, but it was the characters that kept me turning pages, not the mystery itself. Like Loy and Powell and their Thin Man movies, the Marjorie/Creighton relationship is what makes this book tick. The mystery is serviceable enough, with a few twists and turns that I didn’t necessarily see coming. But what kept me turning pages at a rapid-fire pace was the fun in watching Marjorie and Creighton establish their often prickly, always funny relationship. Million Dollar Baby is a trifle overly long, and there are a couple of spots where some judicious editing could’ve tightened the plot and pacing of the story, but those are relatively minor issues that didn’t detract from my overall enjoyment of the novel. If you’re a fan of Agatha Christie or Sayers, or the tone and pace of classic Hollywood films like The Thin Man, you’re in for a treat with Meade’s debut. Like the escapist filmmaking of the 1930s, Meade does a good job evoking classic Hollywood gloss and balancing that with an acknowledgment of the economic realities of the time. I’m hooked, and if Million Dollar Baby is any indication, Meade’s subsequent McClelland mysteries should hold great promise.
Recommend, with reservations:tMillion Dollar Baby is a cosy-romantic read rich in the glamour of the 1930s, though poor in regard to its history and mystery. It probably won’t satisfy the most discriminating readers, but it is an easy and enjoyable story for those who don’t expect too much.tMarjorie McClelland, a 20-something moderately successful mystery writer, debuts in the first of this series from Amy Patricia Meade. Creighton Ashcroft, an Englishman with a million-dollar fortune and a 1929 Rolls Royce Phantom II, is immediately smitten, and readers should be too. With both.tSeveral of the characters are equally attractive – Mrs. Patterson, with whom Creighton boards as the 27-room mansion he’s just bought has been empty since the previous owner’s death five years earlier and needs extensive renovations; Det. Robert Jameson, with matinee idol appeal; and a few other residents of the small town of Ridgebury, Conn. Others, including the widow who previously owned the mansion, and the local bookseller, are appealingly repulsive.tRidgebury isn’t the problem, nor the scenes in New York City. The difficulty is in setting – and keeping – the story in the 1930s. Writing historical fiction is a challenge, and, while Meade does better than many first-time writers, the story still comes up short. The dialogue occasionally betrays her, and Creighton sometimes “forgets” to speak British English. (The Brits have gardens, whether consisting of flowers, lawns, or vegetables, but they do not have yards surrounding their homes.) For the most part, the characters do possess the morals of the ‘30s, but the exceptions are, for those discriminating fans of historical fiction, simply egregious. It’s debatable whether Creighton would or would not deign to sit in the kitchen rather than be served in the dining room. Artistic license should give Meade the benefit of the doubt here.But, it is utterly impossible for a respectable young woman like Marjorie to accept a gift of clothing from a man other than her husband. It is absolutely impossible for a gentleman like Creighton to offer them, and it is wildly beyond the realm of reason for Mrs. Patterson to urge Marjorie to forego pride and accept the gown, shoes, bag and fur! My own mother, who was a mere infant at the time depicted, still doesn’t approve of girls receiving gifts of clothing from boys.The plot gets tangled at about this point in the story, and the mystery gets lost in the process. The enlightenment leaves a bit to be desired. And, from beginning to end, the characters occasionally act irrationally and in ways that jar. None of this will sit well with the discriminating reader, but those who are eager to be entertained will find enough here to amuse them.NOTE: I received an advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest and independent review. This review reflects my own opinions.
What do You think about Million Dollar Baby (2006)?
*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in return for an honest review*As I do not mind the detailed descriptions in thriller or mystery books I do not often read cozy mysteries. I should pick one up more often though as I enjoyed reading this book. The light tone made the whole 'there is a dead body' experience less significant and pays more attention to interaction between the characters. At points the wittiness became a bit annoying but that is probably more because I am not used to it.The development in the story is done nice. I found it hard to puzzle along with the mystery. I had expected to be able to puzzle more as most of the investigation is seen trough the eyes of Marjorie and Creighton. There are some surprising twists and turns that keep the story fresh. The love story impressed less though I had a good laugh about Creighton's actions to try and get Marjorie's attention.Marjorie is a very witty personality. I am not really sure I like her though. At some points she is naive in a charming way but I could not shake the feeling that it was fake. Specially the way she was treating Creighton disturbed me a lot.Creighton is having a similar problem only his is with being a son from a wealthy family and growing up in society. Despite the fact he retired in his early thirties and wants to retreat to a mansion in the country he does not like the whole I am rich and know people in the New York society thing. Though he seems to pull it of throughout the book I still had a hard time feeling it.I liked Detective Jameson and would not have mind to have a peak in his head. He is a real policeman but has his funny side that shows sometimes.
—Ciska
Million Dollar Baby is a rollicking read, filled with witty repartee, slapstick humor, engaging characters and a clever mystery that keeps the reader guessing. Marjorie and Creighton are a dashing pair of amateur sleuths, who insinuate themselves into the investigation of a dead body found on Creighton's estate. Marjorie is a mystery writer with a fertile imagination. Creighton is charming layabout with gads of money, a quick wit, and a desire to impress the woman of his dreams. The latter often steals the scene with his wry humor and ability to think on his feet - a talent amply suited to getting the duo out of sticky situations.The pair shine as they seek the connection between a the suicide of a rich man and the murder of his gardener. Set against the backdrop of a US slowly trying to edge out of the Great Depression, Million Dollar Baby is a superb period mystery that is fun to read.If you love quick banter ala Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn, period mysteries, or are simply looking for an entertaining way to pass an afternoon, Million Dollar Baby is the book for you.I look forward to more humorous and romantic escapades starring Marjorie and Creighton.Million Dollar Baby is currently an Amazon Kindle Exclusive.I received Million Dollar Baby from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
—Crittermom
As a teenager I used to go to antique stores and buy books from the 1920s and 30s and immerse myself in that time period. (Yes, I miss Dorothy Sayers.) Amy Meade is a modern author who has written her book right, from the language to the clothing. Her heroine, Marjorie McClelland, is an intellegent, independent mystery writer making a decent living in the early 1930's. She has everything a reader could want, wit and humor, a rich suitor, morals, understanding of human nature, and charm. It's a delightful step into the past done. This is a series of books, the mysteries in each books are uneven in their intrigue, but the fun romance and characters are the real reason for delving between the covers.
—Kris
