Belle Ruin by Martha Grimes (2005, Hardcover)

As a longtime time of the Grimes Richard Jury novels, I checked this out at the library as I had devoured everything else of hers. I was a little reluctant to do so, as I secretly feared that her magic shone through only in the environs of Long Piddleton. However, this was an absolute gem and one of the best books I've read in a long, long time. I quickly forgot that I was even reading a Grimes novel, and immediately stopped looking for comparisons/contrasts to her fabled Jury series and lost myself in the delights of this quirky novel. A precocious twelve year old girl fancies herself a budding investigative reporter and sets out to discover the truth of what happened to an old hotel in the vicinity and the missing baby mystery from years back. Emma delights the reader with her insights and opinions on the customers in the hotel and restaurant her family runs, the people in her town, and her extended family. The book is witty and insightful and the characters fleshed out and completely engaging. Grimes treatment of characters and attention to detail are exceptional. For example, Emma's mother is a cook in the hotel and the book's description of the meals she creates will leave the reader's mouth watering. After finishing this delightful treat, I will now purchase the other two books in this series, including Cold Flat Junction and Hotel Paradise, as well as this remarkable novel, to add to my permanent library. I urge you to do the same. If you're considering this, I highly recommend it!