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debjazzergal's review against another edition
4.0
A well-written tongue in cheek mystery. I really enjoyed this being set at a stodgy ivy league college. Well worth the time as the language is very enjoyable.
jeathhp's review against another edition
4.0
Apologies for this herky-jerky babble. First coffee of the day. Just finished this novel this morning as I couldn't quite do it last night. Had to know how it ended.
W. Bolingbroke Johnson of Rabbit Hash, Kentucky was really Morris Bishop, scholar, historian, essayist and translator. This is the only mystery he wrote, more's the pity. Yes, it's a bit dated (1942) perhaps that's part of why I liked it. You know, this could easily be a period play along the lines of "Good News". It would be a stretch to work in the jitterbug in lieu of the Varsity Drag as the story hardly leaves the library. Hmm. Maybe some clever playwright could make it into a murder mystery musical. Singing in the stacks like prisoners in Jailhouse Rock? I can see it. It sure feels like a play.
The story takes place in a university library (presumably Cornell; Bishop was the university historian). The central character is a plucky librarian, Gilda Gorham. Gilda is a keen observer, clever, and gutsy. Despite some undertones of sexism (the assumption at the end is she must marry a professor--it seems inevitable and almost arbitrary, as though she could just pull a name from a jar and be satisfied with the result) Two professors are found dead and a cherished manuscript is stolen. Gilda is no wilting hothouse flower. She solves the murders and confronts the killer with an admirable level of confidence.
The mystery withholds much information, so it's unlikely that one could unravel the whodunnit or at least the underlying motive before it is revealed. The motive is a bit of a surprise; can't say I've run across this explanation before. It's a good one. Would it hold up in modern times? I wonder.
One of the satellite professors in Gilda's world is a limerick fancier, so the book is dusted with clever limericks-- a perk if you like them and these are playful, not overly bawdy.
Conclusion: This would appeal to mystery lovers who enjoy an academic setting. I didn't know "bibliomystery" was a sub-genre. This is a fun one.
Bravo Otto Penzler for bringing it back for new audiences.
W. Bolingbroke Johnson of Rabbit Hash, Kentucky was really Morris Bishop, scholar, historian, essayist and translator. This is the only mystery he wrote, more's the pity. Yes, it's a bit dated (1942) perhaps that's part of why I liked it. You know, this could easily be a period play along the lines of "Good News". It would be a stretch to work in the jitterbug in lieu of the Varsity Drag as the story hardly leaves the library. Hmm. Maybe some clever playwright could make it into a murder mystery musical. Singing in the stacks like prisoners in Jailhouse Rock? I can see it. It sure feels like a play.
The story takes place in a university library (presumably Cornell; Bishop was the university historian). The central character is a plucky librarian, Gilda Gorham. Gilda is a keen observer, clever, and gutsy. Despite some undertones of sexism (the assumption at the end is she must marry a professor--it seems inevitable and almost arbitrary, as though she could just pull a name from a jar and be satisfied with the result) Two professors are found dead and a cherished manuscript is stolen. Gilda is no wilting hothouse flower. She solves the murders and confronts the killer with an admirable level of confidence.
The mystery withholds much information, so it's unlikely that one could unravel the whodunnit or at least the underlying motive before it is revealed. The motive is a bit of a surprise; can't say I've run across this explanation before. It's a good one. Would it hold up in modern times? I wonder.
One of the satellite professors in Gilda's world is a limerick fancier, so the book is dusted with clever limericks-- a perk if you like them and these are playful, not overly bawdy.
Conclusion: This would appeal to mystery lovers who enjoy an academic setting. I didn't know "bibliomystery" was a sub-genre. This is a fun one.
Bravo Otto Penzler for bringing it back for new audiences.
arisbookcorner's review
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
I have discovered I really enjoy bibliomysteries and this was recommended as a classic of the genre. It didn't disappoint, the list of suspects was sizable enough to keep me guessing but not overwhelming with possibilities and most of the secondary characters were satisfactorily developed with the exception of Sandys. The book is very clearly of its time which led to me approaching it also as a historical fiction mystery and I enjoyed learning more about academia and libraries in the 1940s. Although much of the book pokes fun at the quirks of university academia and those who chose to pursue it as a profession rather than focusing on educating the reader about the ins and outs. Which was completely fine by me. What was less fun was the internalized sexism present in Gilda which was annoying, most of it present in how she views her female underlings. It was disappointing to read but shouldn't have been unexpected. And of course the mystery is very white. But if you're prepared for all that going in this is still a diverting read that concludes with the discovery of a murderer with a fascinating motivation. I'm not sure if it would hold up today but it also didn't seem implausible.
Gilda was a well developed main character although the introduction of her potential love interest was not handled well and made me glad this didn't continue as a series because I would have been extremely skeptical at the authenticity of the relationship. I was surprised by the somewhat risqué limericks and innuendos dropped in casual conversation, having been led to believe everyone was prudish and stuffy at the workplace during this time. Discovering this was not the case was amusing and added some additional gusto to the mystery. There's also an incompetent police force to contend with which was hilariously portrayed.
THE WIDENING STAIN is an inventive, sardonic and entertaining 1940s bibliomystery that stars an enterprising Chief Cataloguer who turns into an amateur sleuth and investigates an eccentric suspect list. Occasionally the narration switches which was initially confusing and while I eventually got used to it I think it could have been written more smoothly. And aside from the whiteness and sexism of the novel I did want Gilda to have a woman confidant in her life but that wasn't the case. The ending was a true surprise and I particularly relished the celebration post reveal because it was unexpectedly charming and sweet. The grand reveal itself was also engaging and felt authentic to Gilda. This was the ideal covid read, a book that allowed me to think but also to be wholly swept away to a different time and appreciate the journey and historical detail.
Gilda was a well developed main character although the introduction of her potential love interest was not handled well and made me glad this didn't continue as a series because I would have been extremely skeptical at the authenticity of the relationship. I was surprised by the somewhat risqué limericks and innuendos dropped in casual conversation, having been led to believe everyone was prudish and stuffy at the workplace during this time. Discovering this was not the case was amusing and added some additional gusto to the mystery. There's also an incompetent police force to contend with which was hilariously portrayed.
THE WIDENING STAIN is an inventive, sardonic and entertaining 1940s bibliomystery that stars an enterprising Chief Cataloguer who turns into an amateur sleuth and investigates an eccentric suspect list. Occasionally the narration switches which was initially confusing and while I eventually got used to it I think it could have been written more smoothly. And aside from the whiteness and sexism of the novel I did want Gilda to have a woman confidant in her life but that wasn't the case. The ending was a true surprise and I particularly relished the celebration post reveal because it was unexpectedly charming and sweet. The grand reveal itself was also engaging and felt authentic to Gilda. This was the ideal covid read, a book that allowed me to think but also to be wholly swept away to a different time and appreciate the journey and historical detail.
susiem02's review
slow-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Good story, but ending was lack-luster and old fashioned.
amphipodgirl's review against another edition
3.0
I found this so-so as a mystery, but some of the little satires on college life were quite amusing. And as an alumna of Cornell I quite enjoyed trying to figure out which buildings the various bits were sent in.
waywithwords's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
abookishtype's review against another edition
3.0
Originally published in 1942, The Widening Stain is a mystery that flirts heavily with satire. W. Bolingbroke Johnson (the pseudonym for Morris Bishop) spends just as much time creating eccentric academics as he does planting clues for the murders of two professors at an unnamed American university. Our detective is Gilda Gorham, a cataloger, is part of what drew me to this book. I can’t resist a mystery investigated by a librarian...
Read the rest of my review at A Bookish Type. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley, for review consideration.
Read the rest of my review at A Bookish Type. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley, for review consideration.
vesper1931's review against another edition
4.0
1942 After a university President's party, Chief Cataloguer Gilda Gorham discovers a body in the library. Later another body is discovered in a locked room. Is there a connection, what could be the motives, and who is the guilty party. Gilda seems determined to find the answer.
Overall an enjoyable tongue-in-cheek murder mystery, with its likeable characters and a cast of suspects.
ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Overall an enjoyable tongue-in-cheek murder mystery, with its likeable characters and a cast of suspects.
ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.