The Winds Of Change: A Richard Jury Mystery

Written by Martha Grimes

Reviewed by Rebecca R., BCCHS student

(*This book can be found at your local library or bookstore.)

Are you into mystery fiction books with curiosity increasing with every turn of a page? If you are, then I would recommend Winds of Change to you. Winds of Change is a 407-page novel by Martha Grimes. If you love this book, then you will surely enjoy knowing there are another eighteen books in the series. This book costs $22.95 dollars in stores but if you don't plan on buying it you can always get it at your local library.

This book is about the disappearance of a young girl named Flora whose case is somehow connected to the murder of an elderly woman. Richard Jury is the main character, the Superintendent of Scottland Yard, a detective who is trying desperately to put the pieces together in this strange puzzle that will lead him to a startling revelation.

There are some downfalls to this book such as its frequent change of view, its slow beginning, and the British accents of the characters. For example, "Split the lark and you'll find the music". Although this book has some downsides, it has many positive factors:  It has a great main character, it's a page-turner, it is very mysterious and sure to arouse your curiosity, and it has an amazing ending. "You said her eyes were the same shade as her dress she was wearing...I'm wondering how you knew that...you couldn't have seen the dress because it was...the same day she disappeared." This book is like a nonstop current in a river, you don't know where it will lead or how fast it will go. It keeps you thinking.

I chose to read this book because it had all the qualities I look for in a book such as mystery, crime, detective stories and adventure. If you do too then you'll love this book. The whole concept is a detective doing his job by solving mystery cases, but this case is like no other. In the writing of this book, everyone has a British accent, which indicates that it takes place in England.  I, myself would have preferred it without that given accent, but it is still a great book.

The overall book is amazing, but not the best work I have read so far. I would rate this book a four out of five because it is a great book with some downfalls. I would recommend this book to all readers who love mystery or crime novels. Although, it would be better for you to start off with the first of its series called "The Man with a Load of Mischief". I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did.