THE THIRD BLONDE

by M.S. Craig ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 1, 1985

Craig shows steady improvement--this story's way ahead of the not-bad Gillian's Chain (1983). Reclusive young Angle Bromley and 50-ish, warmhearted busybody Nina Haywood work together in the dead-letter department of a metropolitan post office, trying to trace owners of credit cards, keys and other odds and ends thrown into mailboxes. Nina is at work on a photo case--which holds pictures of three different blondes--when she takes her afternoon break, trudges to the coffee shop owned by her gruff, loving fianc‚ Charlie B., and is found murdered two days later. Angie's shock isn't eased by the loutish behavior of Nina's greedy son Kenny, a break-in at Nina's house, and the (maybe accidental) death of photographer Perry Wheeling, a longtime enemy of Nina's. Angie's would-be boyfriend banker Bruce Edgar provides some comfort. So does Red Riley, a government accountant looking into Edgar's bank. Then, robbery in her own apartment indicates someone's desperate search for something. The denouement, when the smoke clears, is logical and surprising. Angie makes some dumb moves for a smart girl; some loose ends stay untied, but this is a suspenseful, intriguing puzzle unhampered by its low-keyed romance.

Pub Date: Sept. 1, 1985

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Dodd, Mead

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 1985

Categories: FICTION