"The Turquoise Shop"

The southwestern corner of the United States is an area with many stunning natural beauties. Many artists have been attracted to the area to live and work. A mysterious disappearance - perhaps - and a murder - probably - prove to be a dangerous challenge for the people  In the fictional artists' colony of Santa Maria, New Mexico, in Frances Crane's 1941 mystery, "The Turquoise Shop." It's the subject of this week's Classic Mysteries podcast review, and you can listen to the whole thing here.

"The Turquoise Shop" is noteworthy for introducing readers to the soon-to-be husband-and-wife team of Pat and Jean Abbott. In this one, Jean is still Jean Holly, the proprietor of The Turquoise Shop, a small gift shop on Santa Maria's main street. When a dead, unidentifiable body is discovered in the desert outside of town, Jean becomes involved in the investigation - even more so when private detective Pat Abbott comes into town. He says he wants to learn to be an artist. Jean's not convinced.

There will be another murder, and a pretty interesting assortment of characters and clever plot twists. The looming threat of World War II adds some additional complications to the plot. It's an enjoyable mystery, from an interesting time period and set in a fascinating community. It makes for a good summertime read.

Comments

[R. Yocum]

I first discovered Frances Crane around 1979 or 80, I think and always meant to get around and read and re-read them. I was happy to listen to your great podcast review of the Turquoise Shop this Monday because I finished reading it on Sunday. Recently I began to finally track down Crane as well as Phoebe Atwood Taylor and Stuart Palmer - authors I had also discovered in the eighties and always meant to get around to reading. Somehow I always thought they would be easily found at my library - I should have known better because I worked there and knew that the dreaded "weeding" would one day have to happen - even if those mysteries were better than many newer authors you find on those shelves today. I love your podcast reviews and keep them to use as a reading wish list.

[Les Blatt]

I'm really glad that you enjoy the reviews. Rue Morgue Press has been reprinting some of the Crane books - their catalog lists "The Golden Box" and "Thye Yellow Violet," neither of which I've read yet, so I'm looking forward to that. They also have republished a lot of Stuart Palmer titles. Last time I checked, most of the Phoebe Atwood Taylor books, both with Asey Mayo and Leonidas Witherall, are still available in paperback, so if the library doesn't have them, you can probably find some inexpensive copies. Again, thanks for your comment!