Martha Grimes

The Blue Last is the 17th book in Martha Grimes's Richard Jury Series.

"Once again, Grimes hooks her readers with the engaging Jury and friends and with skillful tucking of hints into unexpected corners."--Publishers Weekly (starred review)When three women die of "natural causes" in London and the West Country, there appears to be no connection--or reason to suspect foul play. But …

A young friend pulls Scotland Yard’s Richard Jury into the life—and death—of a wealthy bachelor. The once-charismatic Billy Maples was last seen in a club named Dust, before his murder in a trendy London hotel. Proving as inscrutable, and challenging, to Jury as the case is the beautiful chief inspecting officer. …

The rainy day on which they meet sets the tone for Jury’s romance with a mysteriously troubled widow named Jane Holdsworth. The passionate affair comes to a crashing halt when Jane is found dead. As an investigation ensues—with Jury a suspect—he realizes how little he knew about Jane, her teenage son, and her …

When a dismembered corpse is found in the compartments of an antique secretaire a abattant, Marshall Trueblood, recipient of the precious piece of furniture, is the first to protest: "I bought the desk, not the body, send it back." Who would want to kill Simon Lean, the greedy nephew of the wealthy Lady Summerston? …

Bad tidings come to Scotland Yard's Richard Jury and sidekick Melrose Plant when clues from two corpses lead them to a remote country inn-where holiday cheer turns to holiday fear.