The Father's Day Murder is the 11th in a series of holiday-themed murder mysteries by Lee Harris that feature ex-nun (and amateur detective) Christine Bennett. This begins when one of the students in Christine's poetry class calls her for help. It seems that the girl's grandfather found one of his old friends -- a bestselling author -- murdered and is about to be accused of the crime.
The Morris Avenue Boys
Christine's student, Janet Stern, is concerned about her grandfather. He belongs to a group of late Middle-aged men who call themselves the "Morris Avenue Boys." The "boys" all grew up together on the same street in the Bronx in the 40s and 50s and have done rather well for themselves. One is a prominent New York doctor, one a best-selling novelist, one a prize-winning researcher, and another a high school teacher who works with troubled youth. Each year the group meets to reminisce and to catch up with one another. This year the "boys" and their wives are meeting on Father's Day at a New York City restaurant.
Murder Among Friends
The reunion dinner seems to be a success until Dr. Stern, Janet's grandfather, discovers writer Arthur Wien lying on the floor of the men's room. He has been stabbed to death with an ice pick. Can it have been a random act or is one of their own a murderer?
As Christine learns more about the lives -- and pasts -- of these friends, she uncovers a myriad of secrets -- everything from adultery to blackmail to deceit. It seems that more than one of the "friends" had reason to want Arthur dead. But which one? And, was it a coincidence that the murder took place on Father's Day?
The Father's Day Murder is another well-crafted cozy mystery by Lee Harris that combines a tight plot with a likeable (and human) main character. If you haven't tried this series yet; give this one a try. Unlike many a cozy mystery series, Ms. Harris' novels stand well by themselves, so it doesn't really matter where in the series you start.
About Lee Harris
Lee Harris is the author of a series of murder mysteries, featuring Christine Bennett and revolving around holidays. The first in this series, The Good Friday Murder, was nominated for an Edgar Award. The most recent of these is the 2007 Cinco de Mayo Murder. Ms. Harris also writes the Manhattan Mystery series.
