Tue 13 Dec 2016
A Christmas Review by William F. Deeck: MANNING LONG – Vicious Circle.
Posted by Steve under Reviews[4] Comments
William F. Deeck
MANNING LONG – Vicious Circle. Duell Sloan & Pearce, hardcover, 1942. Croyden (#1), digest-sized paperback, 1945.
When Liz Parrott and her husband, Gordon, are invited to spend Christmas with Gordon’s snobbish Aunt Hester and her family in Upper Cutting, New York, Liz does not want to go. There is, though, more to the invitation, for Aunt Hester apparently wants Gordon’s detecting skills more than she wants him and his wife for social purposes. Of course, once the Parrotts arrive, Aunt Hester won’t discuss whatever problem she had in mind. Even after the murder, she remains mum.
I have read only one other Liz Patron novel, without Gordon, and it was a good one. This fairish-play book may appeal to husband-and-wife-team fanciers, if they don’t mind childish jealousy and a fair number of tantrums by all concerned, and to those who enjoy biblio mysteries (the biblio part is a best-selling study of the Soviet Union). The only sensible character here — even Gordon stupidly puts Liz in jeopardy, and Liz just as stupidly compounds his folly — is the cat I-Am, who unfortunately has no control over circumstances and has an undeservedly rough time.
Bio-Bibliographical Notes: Says Al Hubin of Manning Long in Crime Fiction IV: “Her husband Peter Wentworth Williams was a noted ceramist who designed the Mystery Writers of America’s Edgar Award.” Bill Deeck’s review of the other book he mentioned might be that of Short Shrift, which you can find here, and where you can find a list of all the Liz Parrott novels. In the comments, Bill Pronzini adds some additional information about both Liz and Gordon Parrott, including the fact that the latter is an investigator with the NYC District Attorney’s office
December 14th, 2016 at 5:29 pm
Sounds a far cry from the Charles, the Norths, the Troys, the Marshalls, the Duluths and others, In fact sounds closer to the McNeils or the Abbots, which isn’t a good thing really.
December 15th, 2016 at 12:03 am
Based on Bill’s reviews, that’s about where I’d rank them, too.
December 16th, 2016 at 10:40 am
Hey! I’ve been upstaged again. I had this Manning Long book lined up for Christmas Eve blog post. I was disappointed that it really has nothing to do with Christmas except as an excuse to get a motley group together under one roof. There’s one gift exchange, but other than that zero Christmas atmosphere. Winter weather plays a part as there is some business with skiing worked into the plot.
Bill’s review is harsher than mine. I agree that Liz is a bit petulant here and there is a comic element that is overplayed, but the first part of the book I see as a screwball comedy which Bill tends to dismiss as stupid rather than silly and fun.
I enjoy Liz Parrot. She’s a fine contribution to headstrong female amateur sleuths. The first book HERE’S BLOOD IN YOUR EYE (reviewed on my blog) is much better than this one. I’m slowly working my way through the series and hope to find more well plotted mysteries. I thought the mystery here was stronger than BLOOD even if the overall way the novel was told was weaker than the first. Also, the primary weakness of the first book is that the culprit is a bit obvious, while in VICIOUS CIRCLE the revelation of the killer comes as quite a surprise.
IMO Liz and Gordon rank alongside the Jeff and Haila Troy. I can’t stand Pam and Jerry North. Compared to Long and “Kelley Roos” the Lockridges write mediocre books with atrocious writing, ersatz wit, and phoney urbanity. While VICIOUS CIRCLE may show Long dipping a bit too deeply into farce in this one and playing up the cattiness and bitchiness between Liz and another female character that’s no reason to write off the entire series. The books are smart. This plot dealing with plagiarism has some well done touches and interesting commentary on the creative mind of writers and the pursuit of fame over all else. It also has a lot to do with preserving family reputation similar to Ross Macdonald mystery novels.
My more favorable review will be posted on Christmas Eve. Stay tuned.
December 16th, 2016 at 12:28 pm
John
Second opinions always welcome, especially those as long and meaty as this one. I don’t know how soon it will be before a Manning Long book finds its way into my hands, but when it does, I’m really ready now to give it a try.
Should I also mention that my opinion of the Pam and Jerry North books is 180 degrees opposite to yours? I guess I just did. I find them well-written, witty and urbane. Nothing forced or fake about them, as far as I’m concerned. The plots are never ultra-complicated, I agree, but the taste of a certain layer of Manhattan society they provide I always find deliciously satisfying.