A disjointed mystery with far too many characters and plot lines. Given the multiplicity of characters and extraneous plot lines, there is no time to develop any character in depth and, as a result, one meets the revelation of the murderer with apathy. An extremely uninteresting horse racing subplot occupies is extraneous yet occupies too many pages. This was a tedious and unfocused book.

I've enjoyed The Richard Jury series from inception and this episode has all of the expected characters, but the story seems to lack the luster of the earlier titles. Hopefully this will be ironed out in a last edit, because the bones of the plot are good and the characters all reliable. Thanks for the opportunity to read this! #TheOldSuccess #NetGalley

*Many thanks to Martha Grimes, Grove Atlantic and Netgalley for arc in exchange for my honest review.*
I have read several crimes stories with Richard Jury, so I knew what to expect. Another good offering by Ms Grimes with an intriguing mystery you do not solve after reading 20 pages, set in a beautiful English scenery, and with some very English feel. There are too many characters, however, and keeping track of all of them was what prevented me from enjoying this read to the full. Martha Grimes continues to entertain!

SO happy to have a new Martha Grimes to read! I have loved Richard Jury and his band of offbeat friends since the beginning. The Old Success proves that the author is still writing with her own very special inimitable dry humor. I'd be very happy with a new one every year.