Miss Pym Disposes
by Josephine Tey: A Review by Warren Bull
Image from Getty Images
Miss
Pym Disposes, written by Josephine Tey, was published in 1948. It was the
third of Tey’s novels. Of course, Elizabeth MacKintosh AKA Josephine Tey, had
previously written under the name of Gordon Daviot, best known as a
playwright. Once Tey entered the world, Daviot faded away.
The novel is a demonstration of
excellence in writing. The novel is set in a girls’ physical education college,
rather than somewhere exotic. The observer is the writer of a popular
psychology book who gives a lecture at the request of an old friend who is now
Principal of the college. Tey takes the reader along at a leisurely pace,
giving her reader the chance to get to know and care about students and staff. The
everyday events held my interest because of the quality of the writing. The
murder happens well past the mid point of the book. It is even more shocking than
if it had occurred early on.
Each character is fleshed out and
interesting on her own. I was concerned about every one. I
give this novel my highest recommendation.
Another book I'll have to put on my list of books to read, Warren. Thanks for the review.
ReplyDeleteI need to revisit Ms. Tey. Long ago, the PBS Mystery featured her books and because of that, I read them. Thanks for a great look.
ReplyDeletetime to rummage around the basement and locate all these books.
ReplyDeleteSometimes it's nice to have a mystery with a more leisurely pace, instead of always opening with the murder or its aftermath.
ReplyDelete