The Busy Body by Kemper Donovan
I was on the prowl for a light detective story and after reading the summary of “The Busy Body” in January, 2024 “Library Reads,” I decided this new mystery sounded perfect!
First, I must praise those responsible for the creative book cover. At first glance, I saw a tuxedo, but I took another look after starting the story and suddenly there appeared a fountain pen, dripping blood, not ink, and in the center of the pen’s nib the profile of a woman’s shadow, finger to her lips: SHHHHHH! Loved it!!!
I appreciate the style of this chummy-chatty, sometimes snide, always appealing locked-room, modern Agatha-style mystery. I can think of no one better to write this type of novel than Kemper Donovan, the host of an Agatha Christie podcast.
I loved the busybody ghostwriter and her employer, the intrepid busybody and busy “body,” former Senator, and presidential candidate Dorothy Gibson. They make a terrific pair of amateur sleuths!
The plot pacing was perfect; there were plenty of clues and red herrings; the setting was well-described; and the romantic subplot was underplayed enough so that I was not put off.
The only thing I might change in future novels in the series is the author’s nose fixation. First, the title. It refers to the two major characters, the ghostwriter and Dorothy, who are natural nosy parkers, perfect for hunting down a killer.
Then the novel starts with the following words from the ghostwriter:
“I tell other people’s stories for a living.
You can call me a ghostwriter, though usually I just say I “freelance,” which is vague and boring enough to put an end to strangers’ polite inquiries. Among friends I call myself a “lady Cyrano,” which is meant to be self-deprecating. (I have an unusually large nose.)” [p. 3]
On p. 118, the author offers:
“My third-grade teacher, Mrs. Carney, used to say the best punishment for bad-tempered people was being stuck with themselves, and I believe this adage applies to no one more than SI Locust. He was a magnificently disgruntled man, which is why when I picture him, it’s his great beak of a nose that comes to mind more than anything else. I swear that schnozz could have done Shakespeare, it was so expressive — always up to something, whether scrunching in disgust, flaring in annoyance, or quivering impatiently. Like a product hawked on television late at night, the possibilities were endless.”
I thought this passage was hysterical and hoped it marked the end of the nose jokes. However, the size of someone’s nose pops up later as a clue in the mystery of who-done-it! The clue helps Dorothy and the ghostwriter “sniff-out” the suspect! I know, sorry! I rest my case!
Other than this minor annoyance, I enjoyed “The Busy Body.” Well done Kemper Donovan and Kensington’s John Scognamiglio Books. I cannot wait for the next in the series.
