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The Black Cat: A Richard Jury Mystery Hardcover – April 6, 2010

by Martha Grimes (Author)
4.4 out of 5 stars 1,543 ratings
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The inimitable Richard Jury returns in a thrilling tale of mystery, madness, and mistaken identity

Three months have passed since Richard Jury was left bereft and guilt- ridden after his lover's tragic auto accident, and he is now more wary than ever. He is deeply suspicious when requested on a case far out of his jurisdiction in an outlying village where a young woman has been murdered behind the local pub. The only witness is the establishment's black cat, who gives neither crook nor clue as to the girl's identity or her killer's.

Identifying the girl becomes tricky when she's recognized as both the shy local librarian and a posh city escort, and Jury must use all his wits and intuition to determine the connection to subse­quent escort murders. Meanwhile, Jury's nemesis, Harry Johnson, continues to goad Jury down a dangerous path. And Johnson, along with the imperturbable dog Mungo, just may be the key to it all.

Written with Martha Grimes's trademark insight and grace, The Black Cat signals the thrilling return of her greatest character. The superintendent is a man possessed of prodigious analytical gifts and charm, yet vulnerable in the most perplexing ways.
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  1. Book 22 of 25
    Richard Jury Mysteries
  2. Print length
    336 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Viking Adult
  5. Publication date
    April 6, 2010
  6. Reading age
    18 years and up
  7. Dimensions
    6.42 x 1.21 x 9.56 inches
  8. ISBN-10
    0670021601
  9. ISBN-13
    978-0670021604
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

At the start of bestseller Grimes's muddled 22nd Richard Jury mystery (after Dust), the body of an unidentified woman, who reminds Jury of a Pre-Raphaelite beauty, lies in a mortuary in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. Shot outside the Black Cat, a local pub, the victim was wearing expensive clothes, decorous yet sexy. The Thames Valley police wonder why Jury, a Scotland Yard superintendent, is intruding on their turf. The victim proves to have been a professional escort, the only witness to her murder the pub's black cat. Cats and dogs can share their thoughts, mostly mundane, with one another, but, alas, not with humans. More escorts get killed. Unresolved cases from Dust and its predecessor, Old Wine Shades, complicate the plot to little purpose. Off-kilter details jar. No London copper would ask a London cabbie if the cabbie knows a particular street. This subpar effort from one of mystery's major stars will appeal mainly to fans of the talking animal subgenre. 8-city author tour.(Apr.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Bookmarks Magazine

Many reviewers felt obliged to note that a Martha Grimes novel requires a taste both for the British "cozy" mystery and Britain's particular brand of tongue-in-cheek humor. But it was a taste that all those critics seemed to share; Patrick Anderson of the Washington Post wrote that he would gladly set down more superficially thrilling fare for any of Grimes's books. While some critics raised eyebrows at some of Grimes's odder touches (like the telepathic color commentary by the local dog and cats) and plot twists, all of them recommended The Black Cat and the rest of the Richard Jury series to new readers. Meanwhile, they hinted that longtime fans should be satisfied with how Grimes ties up certain loose ends from previous books.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Viking Adult; First Edition (April 6, 2010)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 336 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0670021601
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0670021604
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 18 years and up
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.32 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.42 x 1.21 x 9.56 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 1,543 ratings

About the author

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Martha Grimes

Martha Grimes

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Martha Grimes is the bestselling author of twenty-one Richard Jury novels, as well as the novels Dakota and Foul Matter, among others. Her previous two Jury books, The Old Wine Shades and Dust, both appeared on the New York Times bestseller list.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
1,543 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoy this Richard Jury mystery book, praising its intriguing story lines and well-developed characters, with one review highlighting the brilliant portrayal of Harry Johnson as the antagonist. The book features delightful animal characters, and customers find the writing excellent, with one noting particularly effective dialogue. While customers find the book intelligent, some mention it can be hard to follow.

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53 customers mention "Mystery story"38 positive15 negative

Customers enjoy the mystery story's progression and intriguing plot lines, with one customer noting the surprise ending as the best part.

"...'s done best and what made her famous--the clever, witty, and intriguing story lines, giving her characters a chance to carry the story, full force..." Read more

"...Her signature style (excellent, effortless storytelling; great descriptions of a rather grim-looking England; nice touches everywhere about customs..." Read more

"...A thoroughly enjoyable mystery just as I've grown to expect from Martha Grimes." Read more

"...I liked the premise and the set-up of the story. Unfortunately, after that it was pretty much downhill for me...." Read more

51 customers mention "Readability"51 positive0 negative

Customers find the book delightful and consider it a great addition to the Richard Jury series.

"...Grimes also gives us a good lesson in high fashion, from Jimmy Choo and Christian Louboutin shoes to Yves St. Laurent dresses--yes, these escorts..." Read more

"...Still, I find it a good read. Ms. Grimes is very generous in peopling her novel with quirky characters...." Read more

"...Her signature style (excellent, effortless storytelling; great descriptions of a rather grim-looking England; nice touches everywhere about customs..." Read more

"...It's the opposite of a black Scandinavian mystery but well done in presenting, pursuing and then solving the mystery of who killed the three escorts...." Read more

29 customers mention "Humor"29 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the humor in the book, finding it lighthearted and amusing, with one customer noting it provides worthwhile examples of comic relief.

"...Grimes returning to what she's done best and what made her famous--the clever, witty, and intriguing story lines, giving her characters a chance to..." Read more

"...Still, a very enjoyable read and the starring role played by the black cat does make that one volume..." Read more

"...but a scene that takes place at his club, Boring's, is very entertaining. What can I say?..." Read more

"...The plot is well developed and the atmosphere of the book is superb. I totally enjoyed this book." Read more

28 customers mention "Character development"25 positive3 negative

Customers enjoy the characters in the book, finding them interesting, with one customer particularly praising the brilliant and crazy antagonist Harry Johnson.

"...Again, Jury with an admirable cast of old friends and new ones gets to work, putting the pieces (and clues) together...." Read more

"...Still, I find it a good read. Ms. Grimes is very generous in peopling her novel with quirky characters...." Read more

"Great plot - very intricate and darkly twisting. Good to revisit the old characters again as well as some new villains." Read more

"...The dialogue is terrific and the interactions between the main characters are true to form...." Read more

17 customers mention "Writing quality"14 positive3 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, with one customer specifically noting the excellent dialogue.

"The narration is indeed third person, but sometimes it's third animal...." Read more

"...The dialogue is terrific and the interactions between the main characters are true to form...." Read more

"...The mysteries are always attention-grabbing and so well written. Ms. Grimes is never disappointing...." Read more

"...I remember laughing out loud in areas; Martha Grimes is just a wonderful author...." Read more

9 customers mention "Animal content"9 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the animal content in the book, particularly the delightful inclusion of the dog and cat, with one customer noting that the animals are more observant than humans.

"...I am glad I did because it was an enjoyable read. The animals take a leading role in this case and I always enjoy it when Martha Grimes focuses on..." Read more

"...cast of somewhat eccentric characters, amazing children and delightful animals...." Read more

"...The cat makes an interesting and surprising contribution to this book. May Richard nor Martha ever retire!" Read more

"...I was most pleased with delightful inclusion of the dog and cat; a lot of fun." Read more

9 customers mention "Reader comprehension"6 positive3 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the book's readability, with some finding it intelligent while others say it's hard to follow.

"...intelligent and worthwhile examples of quality comic relief..." Read more

"...I found it a bit hard to follow at times." Read more

"...more subtlety than any other modern writer I've read; she keeps the reader guessing and has not yet allowed us to enjoy his eventual..." Read more

"...back Jury as we've come to know him over the years - melancholy, introspective and intelligent...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Billy J. Hobbs
    5.0 out of 5 stars Grimes returns with a winner!
    Reviewed in the United States on April 11, 2010
    Verified Purchase
    Martha Grimes is back. Yes, THE Martha Grimes! In her latest Richard Jury mystery, The Black Cat, we find Ms Grimes returning to what she's done best and what made her famous--the clever, witty, and intriguing story lines, giving her characters a chance to carry the story, full force and full stop.
    This is Richard Jury's 22nd installment and what a winner this one is. A murder mystery? You bet. And early on Jury finds himself involved in not one but three murders--and are they related? Of course they are, as the reader (and Jury) knows early on. All three deaths of of women of the evening, or rather, professional escorts. What is the connecting link? And, of course, "who done it"? The Black Cat becomes "the black cats," as Grimes incorporates Morris, a black cat indeed, and brings back the dog Mungo (from earlier books), which provides a clever--and interesting--sidebar story, although they figure prominently in the case's solution. Grimes also gives us a good lesson in high fashion, from Jimmy Choo and Christian Louboutin shoes to Yves St. Laurent dresses--yes, these escorts are "high end."
    Again, Jury with an admirable cast of old friends and new ones gets to work, putting the pieces (and clues) together. Grimes has left (we hope for good) Jury's "romantic episodes" (please--just get on with solving the crime, Richard, we're not interested in your sex life!) and reverted to earlier venues: exciting literary allusions (they're chockablock full here!), intelligent and worthwhile examples of quality comic relief (Grimes can't and shouldn't forget about Melrose Plant, once again coming to the rescue as a supporting cast member); Grimes leaves out Aunt Agatha (okay!) and doesn't spend much time with the Long Pid group of friends (again, okay). And only a perfunctory reference to Superintendent Racer and the office cat.
    Another trademark of Grimes seems to be the precocious 11-year-old girl character (this one never changes, only the name does), which adds a bit of sass. And Jury is still caught up with the "un-solved" case with Harry Johnson, going back a couple of books. "You won't let that go, will you," Harry asks Jury at their favorite wine bar, The Old Wine Shades.
    The plotline is plausible and Grimes is in total control, no actual red herrings and no O. Henry or Agatha Christie "surprise" endings, although her conclusions are not always easy to figure out. Reading "The Black Cat" was such a refreshing, enjoyable time--well, done, Ms Grimes!
    As readers know, the Jury books are all titled after the names of actual pubs/bars, and it's been a personal delight actually to pay those in London a visit.
    16 people found this helpful
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  • The Skeptic
    4.0 out of 5 stars Martha Grimes Does it Again!
    Reviewed in the United States on April 1, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    The narration is indeed third person, but sometimes it's third animal. Hearing the thoughts and conversations of dogs and cats is one of the hallmarks of Ms. Grimes's more recent mysteries. I'm not objecting to this; there's a certain charm to it, but some people may object. Anyway, I like this story. I read Martha Grimes for the stories, not the writing. I believe this is the first novel in which Ms. Grimes creates a psychopathic character. She does so with more subtlety than any other modern writer I've read; she keeps the reader guessing and has not yet allowed us to enjoy his eventual (and I hope inevitable) comeuppance.

    I do find the plot difficult to grasp in places; there is some very intricate weaving of story line across time that I'm still not sure I have fully grasped. Still, I find it a good read. Ms. Grimes is very generous in peopling her novel with quirky characters. Jury, while occasionally idiosyncratic, remains at heart a good man doing a difficult job with a good heart and sharp mind. I wholeheartedly recommend this book and all the Richard Jury novels.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • B. Moret
    5.0 out of 5 stars It really is cat-centric ;-)
    Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Ms. Grimes dedicated this volume to her black cat and the portrayal of the black cat shows all of the affection, admiration, and irritation that cat lovers everywhere have for their favorite companions. I particularly love the part when the dog that currently shares the house with the cat keeps feeling envious at the way the cat can tuck in her front legs so neatly, making them disappear under her chest and looking so comfortable...
    With all that, the reader gets an excellent mystery, if perhaps one of the more complex (and thus feeling faintly artificial) ones written by the author. Her signature style (excellent, effortless storytelling; great descriptions of a rather grim-looking England; nice touches everywhere about customs, color, and behavior; and a generally depressed, both morose and meditative, tone) is very much present.
    I don't think this is her best, or second-, or even third-best, but that's mostly because by now most of the characters have become overly predictable caricatures of themselves, lacking the freshness they had in the first half-dozen volumes. This may well be truer to life than constant change, but for readers it gets too familiar, perhaps even somewhat stale.
    Still, a very enjoyable read and the starring role played by the black cat does make that one volume (towards the end of her series of Richard Jury novels) a bit different from its neighbors in the list.
    7 people found this helpful
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  • Lilly Hi Way
    5.0 out of 5 stars Light Hearted Mystery
    Reviewed in the United States on October 9, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Martha Crimes injected a bit of comedy in this mystery. We have the kidnapped cat and the talking dog and cat for instance. It's the opposite of a black Scandinavian mystery but well done in presenting, pursuing and then solving the mystery of who killed the three escorts. A thoroughly enjoyable mystery just as I've grown to expect from Martha Grimes.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Debbie
    5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable for animal lovers
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 18, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Have read all of the Martha Grimes Richard Jury and Melrose Plant books, thoroughly enjoyed them all. This one continued that with the added twist of the black cat and of course mungo.
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  • T. Stegmann
    5.0 out of 5 stars The Black Cat
    Reviewed in Germany on October 11, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    Bin sehr zufrieden, denn das Buch kann ich mitnehmen in den Urlaub . Ich hab es auch noch nicht in deutscher Sprache gelesen . Sehr preisgünstig auch !
    I am very content with this article !
    Thomas Stegmann
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  • Teresa-Lee Cooke
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Martha Grimes mystery.
    Reviewed in Canada on September 18, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Martha Grimes is a master of setting a scene and writes colourful descriptions which make a reader feel they are part of the setting. Her way with words is so original - makes me think twice before using over-used cliches. Most of all, her characters are quirky individuals, for the most part, that make me dread finishing the book and leaving them all for a little while till I purchase my next Grimes mystery. I am a captivated fan of the Richard Jury Mystery series and The Black Cat is one of the best.
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  • Zalewski Valerie
    4.0 out of 5 stars Toujours si bien
    Reviewed in France on May 16, 2011
    Verified Purchase
    Je suis fan de Martha Grimes depuis son premier Richard Jury roman. je trouve ce dernier de la série tout aussi bon que les autres. Ce n'est pas mon préféré, mais l'histoire est toujours bien ficelé. Le dénouement, quoique trouvable suite à quelques références pointues dans le livre, est, néanmoins, intéressant. Jury et Plant sont égaux à eux-mêmes. Il n'y a qu'une chose qui m'a légèrement irritée: l'idée de communication télépathique entre un chien et un chat.
    A lire si on aime Martha Grimes.
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  • Penny Waugh
    4.0 out of 5 stars Definitely quirky!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 26, 2011
    Verified Purchase
    I've just finished The Black Cat, having read the entire series as a reading Challenge for 2011. I enjoyed this latest book, though maybe it did not quite reach the heights of some of the other entries. Hope this one will not be the last.
    The series has always been quirky, interesting and informative; the last few books spending quite a lot of time on subjects like quantum mechanics and (in this one) the novels of Henry James. Many of the characters carry on right through the series and she has a plethora of undeniably cute dogs, cats and children, many of the latter one would really not wish to meet in real life.
    The early books had some rather wild British geographical and other bloopers but lately my only gripe, and it applies to this one, is the language. I can take the Americanisms in the narrative, even the ubiquitous and ever jarring 'gotten', but dialogue should be right and she puts some words in the mouths of British people that they would never utter. No Englishman, for one example, would call a car exhaust a 'muffler'.
    Minor quibbles aside I thoroughly enjoyed The Black Cat, and the rest of the series.
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