Review of Arsenic and Old Men

[Nusaybah Kazi]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Arsenic and Old Men" by Glenn Ickler.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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Arsenic and Old Men by Glenn Ickler is a 'Mitch and Al mystery' book. When investigative reporter Warren Mitchell, with his friends Al and Dave, visit Martha's Vineyard, because of the death of Dave’s uncle due to heart failure, they are informed that the old man's death might not be so natural after all. Followed by the murder of someone who happened to know the dead man, it doesn't look like Mitch and his friends would be leaving the island anytime soon.

With every day bringing a new adventure and every page putting forth a new question, the book was enough to keep me wanting to read till the very end. Murders, stories, questions, police, and even natural disasters keeping them from being at home with their respective wives, when they are so sure they'll make it this time, is rather comical. To me, the characters, the plot, the crime, and the mystery seem three-dimensional and genuine. With each of the characters having their personality and ideas greatly built, it was interesting to finally let the suspects be, and learn the real murderer and his motives.

The thing I liked the most about the book is its light-heartedness and the way it is not conveyed too intensely. The intended puns and humour in the dialogues in the trickiest of the situations were hilarious. Also witnessing their friendship and many instances like them calling themselves The three musketeers when they do something great and then calling themselves the three stooges when they are not so sure anymore is fun. It would be a lie to say I'm greatly impressed by the writing style when I'm absolutely in love with it. The story is given a lot of time to develop since the beginning and is a little rushed in the end, which is rather good. This kept me from giving up with reading, both in the first and the second half.

I'd give this book a perfect 4 out of 4 stars. With its captivating plot, I couldn't think of something I did not like. And with a writing style as such, I'll bet the author is already greatly acknowledged. Still, I would very much like to acknowledge the book myself.

I would recommend this book to everyone who is a fan of great, while not too intense, but perfect mystery novels which get their plot across. And if you think you'd enjoy a humorous and fun trio who works for a newspaper, trying to solve a murder mystery on their own on a vacation, this book is for you.

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Arsenic and Old Men
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