Fans of Martha Grimes will definitely enjoy this latest Richard Jury. These novels always lighten the day because while there's a murder to start things off (in this case of a couple), there's also a cast of unique and entertaining characters. Jury finds himself trying to untangle why a couple he met and liked are shot to death in front of a casino by a man who then carjacks a cabbie. Yes a bit of this is out there (the kids who form a band similar to the Baker Street Irregulars for one) but it's lively. You'll learn a bit about tanzanite and travel around the world with Jury. No spoilers. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC.

As David and Rebecca Moffit exit a cab in front of an exclusive club/casino/art gallery called Artemis, they are tragically shot to death. The shooter then jumps in the cab, points a gun at the cab driver, Robbie Parsons, and tells him to drive.

Det. Superintendent Richard Jury becomes involved in the murder case due to the fact that he had met the victims two days before their death and felt an instant bond with David. He’s determined to find the murderer as the investigation moves from London to Reno, Nevada to Tanzanian gem mines and even to Africa.

While I don’t often read cozy mysteries any longer, Martha Grimes is one author that I always return to. I’ve read each of her books and it was quite a pleasure to once again spend time with her unique, eccentric characters. This book also introduced us to a gang of young children, particularly the clever Patty Haight, who were all delightful. Ms. Grimes’ books are character and humor driven and are unlike any other mystery series. From Richard Jury to his aristocrat friend Melrose Plant to dear Wiggins, Marshall Trublood, Carole-Anne, Diane and Vivian and even the mischievous cat Cyril, all such beloved characters. I did miss Aunt Agatha in this particular book. Logic and believability may be lacking in the mystery department but her books more than make up for it in the character department.

Recommended as are all of Martha Grimes’ books.

When I hear the name Martha Grimes, like most I automatically think Richard Jury. I fall in love with him a little each time I read a new book. With the books, I have like some better than others. Consistently however, he is the highlight in the books for me. Some may prefer one of his quirky friends who often help him such as Melrose Plant or Marshall Trueblood. Or that usually Ms. Grimes has a unique plot with smart clues but always clever characterization.

In The Knowledge, Martha Grimes has outdone herself by including a “Holmes Baker Street Irregulars” like gang. There is plenty of suspense and mystery with murder, missing persons, Tanzanian gem mines, and a Reno casino. It is definitely an international case for the Scotland Yard Detective. It has a flowing narrative, iconic characters and an extraordinary plot that takes the reader through fascinating twists and turns to an amazing finish.

An ARC of the book was given to me by the publisher through Net Galley which I voluntarily read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was my first Richard Jury novel. Therefore, I can vouch that it can easily be read as a stand alone. An entertaining cozy mystery. But, for me, too many leaps of faith and unrealistic scenes to bring me back to this series again.

Another stellar mystery from Martha Grimes! Richard Jury is a fine companion for all discerning lovers of fine mysteries!

Another strong entry in the Richard Jury series and I've read them all. All the books are named after pubs, and The Knowledge is a very well hidden pub whose location is known only to the cab drivers of London. If a stranger asks to be taken there, they'll be driven to pubs with similar names until they give up in frustration.

As always, the regular cast of characters is back and they're delightful. Besides Jury, Melrose Plant, Wiggins, Diane and the rest of regulars from Long Piddleton arrive to help Jury solve his latest mystery, the murder of an American professor. Jury has his own "Baker Street Irregulars", a group of kids who can get around London and get information.

The book is well plotted and the writing is crisp and eloquent. I highly recommend this book!

Thanks to Grove Atlantic/Atlantic Monthly Press and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I am pursuing this series from both ends at this time, reading older books as well as being lucky enough to read the newer ones as they come out. I do not count this series as a brilliant one from any angle, but it is different. There is a unique presentation of the randomness of the tales. This particular book is no different. 

We are given extra views into the case, with multiple angles being handled by Jury's team of non-police help.Jury is becoming an old man though, and the tone of conversation does not seem to have the same speed of the first few books ( this last part might be in my head alone). A london Taxi driver is entertaining his fare and after he drops them off, everything goes haywire. Explanations of what the ongoing confusion is entangled in parts when we are given more information, with the passing of the story. Jury had happened to meet with the victims and got some insights which he decides to use to aid in the solution of the case. We have the london Taxi drivers on one side, a spy placed in the midst of the crime scene, a trip to the african safari ( which had the more hilarious bits in it) and an oddball group of children. The killer and his/her motives have multiple dimensions and it was hard to predict the outcome because of this irregularity.

HATED IT So disappointing and inept..Thete is a limit to suspending ones beliefs.This was rediculese.

I hadn’t read Grimes before. What a mistake. Exquisitely written, , spanning continents and as much a novel of manners and humor as a mystery, The Knowledge is for those who are looking for as much novel as mystery in their mystery novels.

Welcome back Richard Jury and Co!
After reading The Man with a Load of Mischief, I always looked for books in this series. Then, I moved away from them...not sure why, the books or me. But, I will tell you that I very much enjoyed The Knowledge. All of the trademarks are here; characters including Wiggins, Melrose Plant, Diane, etc. and of course the preternaturally smart, cunning and ingenious child(ren). On top of this there is Africa, Art, Astrophysics, the Stars and murder, all of which line up as perfectly as an eclipse. If you enjoy traditional British style (author is American) mysteries with a twist, read this novel!

I am a huge Martha Grimes fan, and been dedicated to the series for years--and the latest is again, a terrific plot, and feels like a visit from old friends. My only negative is the fact that the latest book really stretched the limits of disbelief--I just didn't buy the fact that a young girl could literally traipse around the world, and honestly get by without a scratch--but having said that, I still loved every page, and say hurrah once again.

"The Knowledge" is a riotous race through the streets of London with cabbies, Porsches and police cars. At times barely credible and seemingly "tongue in cheek" the plot races along across Africa and the UK. The characterisation is a delight and the dialogue witty and intelligent.
At times, Grimes makes the reader work hard in linking the action but it is an enjoyable experience respecting our intelligence.
As with any good book, we learn something new along the way and the title is one piece of such "knowledge". Loved it!

5 stars

We begin our story with the kidnapping of Robbie Parsons, a Black Cab driver. After driving around the city with a posh couple in his backseat, he winds up outside of the Artemis Club a casino and art gallery. Suddenly, a menacing man shoots the man and woman and jumps into the backseat of Robbie’s cab. Told to drive, he drives all over the city. He finally drops the shooter off at the Waterloo Station. The man is very polite and leaves him a large tip.

We then meet a gang of kids with their pulses on the beat of the city. They track the bad guy for Robbie all the way to Heathrow. They are armed with cell phones and a phenomenal knack for tracking and networking among themselves. Ten-year old Patty Haigh is tracking him at Heathrow and finagles her way onto the plane. But as the plane is about to leave for Dubai, she is in a near panic. She hasn’t received instructions and the plane is about to leave. Is she stuck on her way to Dubai? She goes with the man to Nairobi, Kenya.

The book describes the origin and ethos of The Knowledge, a bar for Black Cab drivers only.

Superintendent Richard Jury is glancing at the paper when he sees the story of the two people shout outside the Artemis. He knows them. He met Dr. David Moffit and his wife Rebecca. He was an American teaching at Columbia in New York. His wife had dual citizenship, British and American. They became fast friends over a philosophical talk about theoretical physics over dinner. He has plans to meet up with them again the following Saturday.

Superintendent Jury suspects something is going on at the Artemis Club when he learns of someone shot outside the owner’s club in Nevada. Also, he has a large collection of Tanzanite on the premises. He sends Marshall Trueblood to the club to be their new dealer. At the same time, Melrose Plant goes to Africa. There he meets up with the irrepressible Patty Haigh.

Patty and Melrose learn an interesting fact about the mysterious BB, the killer of the Moffit’s. When Melrose reports back to Jury, Jury is astounded.

With astute police work and perseverance, the case begins to come together. They have the name of the killer. Or do they just think that they do? Suddenly, the case all comes together.


This book is very well written and plotted as are all of Martha Grimes’ novels. It is filled with colorful, delightful and (mostly) likeable characters. The tension in the story begins immediately with the shooting of the Moffit’s and the kidnapping of Robbie Parsons, a Black Cab driver. It continues throughout the story as we follow Patty’s journey in Africa and Jury’s investigation of the crime. The characters are delightful, unique and engaging. Like a meeting of old friends: Jury, Melrose, Wiggins and Marshall, and some new ones: Patty and Robbie, they’re all here. It’s Martha Grimes at her best. I simply loved the book. I will continue to read Ms. Grimes as long as she continues to write.

I want to thank NetGalley and Grove Atlantic/Atlantic Monthly Press for forwarding to me a copy of this wonderful book to read and enjoy.

Martha Grimes seems never to disappoint. In The Knowledge she brings her familiar characters to a new sort of mystery that is convoluted and fun. While some parts of it stretch the imagination, including little Patty Haight and her adventures in Kenya, The Knowledge delivers a satisfying storytelling that is better told than most others available today.

I am a long time fan of this series and was really happy to meet again Richard Jury, Melrose Plant and the entire cast of characters.
Even if the plot is somewhat unusual compared to the older books, it was really engaging and a page turner.
I can be read as a stand alone but those who read the previous books will appreciate the references to past stories. I hope this will not be the last instalment in this series and a new one will be out soon.
Many thanks to Grove Atlantic and Netgalley

OTT

As far as I am concerned, Martha Grimes and Richard Jury can do anything that they want to, but I must say that this twenty-fourth Richard Jury mystery seems to be a bit of a lark to give all the old characters one last run. Is this the swan song? It feels like it. The Africa jaunt is preposterous. The motive for the murder is convoluted and very dark. The ride past the pubs liked to old cases is pure nostalgia. The ending with the lost pub is plain cruelty. Richard Jury is an unlikely man and that's why we like him so much.

I received a review copy of "The Knowledge: A Richard Jury Mystery" by Martha Grimes (Grove Atlantic) through NetGalley.com.

I totally love this series with its intricate plots and quirky characters, and this is one of the most unusual books in the series. It truly is a cut above any other mystery series and I highly recommend it.

I had forgotten how much I love Richard Jury, Melrose Plant, Marshall Trueblood, Vivian Rivington, Joanna Lewes, Diane Demorney and the Jack and Hammer. This is Grimes at her vintage best. Welcome back, Ms. Grimes, you have been deeply missed. Dumbest move by any publisher ever? Letting Martha Grimes go. Her fans will sweep her back into their lives and hope for lots more Jury novels in the years to come. If they're as terrific as The Knowledge, I think she'll be picking up some new fans along the way.

Martha Grimes is a master. Her newest novel delivers on every level: plot, character, sense of place. A pleasure.