"It's got a dead baby in it, but I think you'll like it," my friend disclaimed as she handed me this book recently.
WRONG.
It really wasn't the baby, although that didn't help. I'm not much of a fan of the new genre of Amish Culture Fiction that's so popular in Christian circles (and outside them, too) these days, but it really wasn't even that. Why then, you ask, did I nearly throw this one out without reading the ending (gasps of horror echo throughout the mystery-novel-loving readership)?
This book is a perfect example of a crime against my favorite form of literature (I use the term somewhat loosely).
I love murder/mystery/detective fiction so much that I really have to make myself read other stuff so I can continue to be the well-rounded individual that I am. But it's got to be well-written or it's just not worth the time.
There are a few simple rules (excerpted from Twenty Rules for Writing Detective Stories, by S.S. Van Dine) that make a detective novel worth reading, and Ms Picoult breaks some of my favorites:
1) The reader should have the same opportunity as the detective to solve the crime.
This may have been the most annoying thing about the book (notice Mr. Van Dine makes it rule number one in his list). You're finally at peace with the justice of the solution presented to you and then in the last three paragraphs of the book- BAM. Switcheroo.
2) The detective should not have a love interest.
While there are some notable exception to this rule (for example, Dorothy Sayers' detective, Lord Peter, carries on a lovely relationship for several novels that in no way detracts from the plot), Ellie Hathaway's on-again-off-again relationship in this novel is distracting, annoying and in no way furthers the plot.
3) The villain must be found by logical deduction, not luck, accident, or unmotivated confessions.
Ms Picoult really murders this one (I know, I know, stupid pun). But seriously, that scene in the kitchen at the end, where we find out who really killed the baby? I just about threw the book across the room…
If you're looking for a good detective story to curl up with on these cozy fall evenings, let me suggest a few of my favorites, that will not leave you with the urge to break something:
Detectives in the church:
Father Brown (G.K. Chesterton)
Brother Cadfael (Ellis Peters)
Retro-detectives:
Simon Templar, a.k.a. 'The Saint' (Leslie Charteris)
Perry Mason (Eric Stanley Gardener)
Amature Detectives:
Police Detectives:
Roderick Alleyn (Ngaio Marsh)
Thomas Lynley (Elizabeth George)
There, that should keep you busy and un-tempted by Jodi Picoult and her ilk for quite some time. I have done my civic duty for the day. (*dusts hand on jeans in a self-satisfied manner*)
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Elisa reads, writes, crafts, brags about her babies and occasionally waxes eloquent about life and other important things at her blog, Herb of Grace.
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Wow. It's too bad you didn't like this book. I read it many, many months ago and got a completely different out take on it. I enjoyed the book. As someone who lives close to the Amish community, I didn't feel this was so much as detective fiction as it was a look at a lifestyle many people don't understand. It helps to already have an understanding about the Amish and their way of living before reading a book like this.
Jodi Picoult is a rather good writer in my opinion. I've read nearly every one of her books. Also, when it comes to writing, I think everyone has their own voice and way of telling a story. Simply because she didn't follow one author's views on how mysteries should be written doesn't make it a bad book, especially since S.S. Van Dine's article on the rules was written in 1936 – A far cry different from today's more modern mystery fiction.
Soooo with you on this! I hate reading a good mystery and having to repeatedly flip back at the cover to make Fabio isn't on it. And my #1 pet peeve with pop-novels? Being able to tell what the plot/murderer/twist/ending will be after the first chapter.
Thought this one was pretty good. I did not like The Tenth Circle by Picoult.
I really like Robert Witlow books. Have you read any of his? Christian mystery stuff.
Did you go into it with the wrong frame of mind maybe??? I am a huge crime/mystery/detective fan but I would never go near Piccoult, to me that's "chick lit" a genre to be avoided at all costs.
She might have tried to write a detective story, but it's still chick lit. 
Preach it, sister. I felt the same way about the only two JP books I've read. Gehhhh.
Nichole, I worked for five years as a midwife in an Amish community before marriage/kids. I still didn't like the book. But, to each his own. And you're right, my taste in detective fiction is a bit old-fashioned– witness the recommended reading list above.
Francie, Melissa, who are your favorite detectives? Are any of them ones on my list, too? We could be book buddies!
Beth, Robert Whitlow sounds, veeery familiar. I may have read his stuff and forgotten his name. I do that a lot.
Deb, honestly, my frame of mind was more apprehension about the infanticide. But to be fair, it was billed to me as "a great mystery novel" so perhaps my expectations were a bit off. I really hate "chick lit", too.
Elisa,
Thanks for the review on the book. From the dead baby to the poor romance parts it seems like one book I will not read. I like classic mystery. I would recommend, "The Cat Who…" mystery series. They are a bit silly at times, but won't "leave you with the urge to break something".
Wow, I couldn't disagree MORE! This is my favorite Piccoult book, and I have read just about all of them. It might not be for you, which is fine, but I encourage readers to check out some other reviews for the book before totally swearing it off!
This book was truly irritating! All along I was thinking the mom or someone else could have killed the baby. The explanation provided by the police and the court arguments had huge gaps and were so simpleminded. I was dumbfounded by all the possibilities that had been ruled out or explained away over nothing, but VERY simple assumptions. One should never make assumptions in a mystery, because it is just that a MYSTERY.
Also, this book completely failed at leading the reader to solve the problem on their own as they progressed through the story line. Picoult’s book The Tenth Circle was a much better read by far!! It carried you away into the mystery and was a great pleasure to unravel and figure out.
As far as love interests, I have no problem with them being included in mystery novels. Picoult often writes "double mysteries." Her readers enjoy solving a romantic "mystery," alongside the actual mystery. She caters to her readers and is cashing in by writing outside of the literary mystery box. With this being said, I have to say (again!) that the romantic mystery in the Tenth Circle was also written and woven into the story line more successfully than in the Plain Truth.
And now to the most problematic part of the book: the shameless capitalizing on the Amish people. I am so tired of the cliché writings concentrating on Amish and Mennonite communities and families. Many times most of the writings are not even close to the truth! As a child I often visited Lancaster and Ohio Amish country. I now live near many Mennonites and my boss is one. Even one of my old friends grew up Amish and many of my students were Mennonite. This seems like just one more way to exploit something that had already been VERY overwritten. Maybe this is just the cultural anthropologist in me speaking? But a new topic would be greatly appreciated form modern writers.
Wow, my paragraph lines did not stick. Just imagine 4 different paragraphs:)
Elisa, you're the only other person I've met who didn't like this book! I thought it was contrived and frustrating. Thanks for the review as well as for the book suggestions — have you ever read Still Life by Louise Penny?
"…will not leave you with the urge to break something"
I like Van Dine's list of rules, too. My favorite list of rules for writing fiction comes from Kurt Vonnegut:
Eight rules for writing fiction:
1. Use the time of a total stranger in such a way that he or she will not feel the time was wasted.
2. Give the reader at least one character he or she can root for.
3. Every character should want something, even if it is only a glass of water.
4. Every sentence must do one of two things — reveal character or advance the action.
5. Start as close to the end as possible.
6. Be a sadist. Now matter how sweet and innocent your leading characters, make awful things happen to them — in order that the reader may see what they are made of.
7. Write to please just one person. If you open a window and make love to the world, so to speak, your story will get pneumonia.
8. Give your readers as much information as possible as soon as possible. To heck with suspense. Readers should have such complete understanding of what is going on, where and why, that they could finish the story themselves, should cockroaches eat the last few pages.
Perhaps that last one doesn't apply so well to the mystery genre.
Nancy, I totally love Koko and Yum-yum! I should add them to the list above, for sure. Thanks for bringing up "The Cat Who…"
Teale, it's so funny that so many people either loved it or hated it! A controversial book, indeed
Hannah, I actually agree that romance in a detective novel is okay– as long as it's done well! And the whole Amish exploitation thing was another issue I had with the book, but just didn't get into in this review. Maybe another day…
Holly, nope, haven't read it, but I'll have to give it a try!
J, love the Vonnegut list
Especially number 7 
I haven't read any of her books, and now have no desire to. I love classic mysteries – Agatha Christie is my favorite! I really like Nora Roberts' (JD Robb's) Eve Dallas series, although there is a little too much profanity.
I own this book, so I tried to find it on my dedicated Jodi Picoult shelf (she has her own shelf, since she is my favorite author). Apparently this one is currently in the hands of someone else, so I can't re-read the last three paragraphs that angered you so.
However, in Picoult's defense, I'd like to write like her when I grow up. I've read a few excellent books on writing (Lamott's Bird by Bird and King's On Writing, for example). I can deconstruct the writing styles of some authors, but with Picoult, within a few pages, I've happily fallen into the plot and characters, never to be seen again until I close the book with a satisfied sigh. I've recommended her to many friends, who have all enjoyed her books as much as I have. I am particularly amazed by the books in which she writes from multiple points of view, changing language and thought processes for each (see Vanishing Acts, My Sister's Keeper, and her latest, Change of Heart).
Elisa, I suppose you and I will have to agree to disagree on "Jodi Picoult and her ilk."
But, how did you really feel about the book? lol No, seriously, I've never read this book, but I've read quite a few by Picoult, and I think maybe your issue with this book was going into it thinking of it as a murder/mystery story. That's not really what she writes, she writes dramas with murder and/or other twists. It's more "soap operaish" than it is murder/mystery, you know? Still, I can totally see why it would irk you as a die hard fan of the genre! I get that way with books too! lol
Karina, I believe you may have hit the nail on the head there! But, I have to add, there were also some issues with style, construction and characterization that bothered me a bit.
However, my upbringing requires me to be charitable and compliment honestly whenever I criticize, so I will say that perhaps the proof of the pudding lies in who actually has published books! She does have a devoted following, indeed. Thank you all who have rallied to her defense! I have enjoyed the discussion and all the comments.
Thank you for participating! I hope you will make my posts a regular part of your week in the future!
This is the first I've heard of ANY Jodi Picoult book being referred to as "mystery" or "detective" lit. She writes enjoyable stuff for women, which often includes plot twists…..but she is not a mystery writer.
Sounds like whoever recommended this book to you pretty badly mis-represented it! No wonder you were disappointed.