Granddad, there's a head on the beach: a Jimm Juree mystery

Book Cover
Average Rating
Series
Publisher
Minotaur Books
Publication Date
2012.
Language
English

Description

In rural Thailand, former crime reporter Jimm Juree must grapple with her quirky family, a mysterious mother and daughter on the lam and the small matter of a head on the beachWhen Jimm Juree’s mother sold the family house and invested in a rundown 'holiday camp' at the southern end of Thailand on the Gulf of Siam, the family had little choice but to follow. Jimm Juree, who was well on her way to achieving her goal of becoming the primary crime reporter for the major daily newspaper in Chiang Mai, is less than thrilled to have lost her job as a reporter and to be stuck in the middle of nowhere where little of interest happens. So it is with mixed feelings that she greets the news that a head has washed up on the beach. It’s tragic, of course, but this could be the sort of sensational murder that would get her a byline in a major daily and keep her toehold on her journalism career. Now all she has to do is find out who was murdered, and why.

More Details

ISBN
9780312564544

Discover More

Also in this Series

  • Killed at the Whim of a Hat (Jimm Juree mysteries Volume 1) Cover
  • Granddad, there's a head on the beach: a Jimm Juree mystery (Jimm Juree mysteries Volume 2) Cover
  • The axe factor (Jimm Juree mysteries Volume 3) Cover

Excerpt

Loading Excerpt...

Author Notes

Loading Author Notes...

Similar Series From Novelist

NoveList provides detailed suggestions for series you might like if you enjoyed this book. Suggestions are based on recommendations from librarians and other contributors.
Jimm Juree uses skills learned as a crime reporter to investigate crimes in rural Thailand. Izzy Spellman works for her family's PI firm in San Francisco. Both well-characterized series, featuring independent female protagonists and wacky families, offer plenty of humor. -- Shauna Griffin
These mystery novels feature unusual characters with everything from OCD to bizarre hobbies. Both series are witty, amusing, and lighthearted, set variously in San Francisco and Thailand. Readers will enjoy the odd adventures of the books' unconventional detective protagonists. -- Mike Nilsson
In these quirky and witty mystery series newly divorced women spend almost as much time dealing with their eccentric families as they do investigating crimes. Each series contains compelling mysteries lightened with humorous dialogue and colorful characters. -- Derek Keyser
Likable protagonists narrate these witty, engaging, and offbeat series.The Jimm Juree Mysteries introduce a reporter in rural Thailand who's always looking for a big scoop; The Hop-Ciki-Yaya Mysteries star a transvestite night club owner (and amateur sleuth) in Istanbul, Turkey. -- NoveList Contributor
Like the Jimm Juree mysteries, the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series sets solid mysteries in a setting unfamiliar to most Western readers (Botswana), and spices its female protagonist's adventures with humor and fascinating characters. -- Shauna Griffin
Unlikely sleuths -- a journalist in rural Thailand, a Feng Shui specialist from Singapore -- investigate unusual crimes in these engaging, witty mystery series. A strong sense of place lends atmosphere, while a quirky supporting cast provides comic relief. -- NoveList Contributor
These series have the appeal factors strong sense of place and atmospheric, and they have the genre "mysteries"; the subjects "murder investigation," "murder," and "murder suspects"; and characters that are "likeable characters" and "well-developed characters."
These series have the appeal factors strong sense of place and atmospheric, and they have the genre "mysteries"; and the subjects "murder investigation," "women amateur detectives," and "murder suspects."
These series have the genre "mysteries"; and the subjects "murder investigation," "murder," and "murder suspects."

Similar Titles From NoveList

NoveList provides detailed suggestions for titles you might like if you enjoyed this book. Suggestions are based on recommendations from librarians and other contributors.
These books have the appeal factors strong sense of place and atmospheric, and they have the genre "mysteries"; the subjects "murder investigation," "murder," and "murder suspects"; and characters that are "sympathetic characters."
These books have the appeal factors strong sense of place, richly detailed, and atmospheric, and they have the genre "cozy mysteries"; the subjects "murder investigation," "murder," and "women amateur detectives"; and characters that are "likeable characters" and "well-developed characters."
These books have the genre "mysteries"; the subjects "murder investigation" and "women amateur detectives"; and characters that are "likeable characters."
These books have the appeal factors amusing and strong sense of place, and they have the genre "cozy mysteries"; the subjects "murder investigation," "murder," and "women amateur detectives"; and characters that are "likeable characters" and "well-developed characters."
These books have the appeal factors strong sense of place and atmospheric, and they have the genre "cozy mysteries"; and the subjects "murder investigation," "murder," and "women amateur detectives."
Murder at the house of rooster happiness - Casarett, David J.
These books have the appeal factors amusing, upbeat, and strong sense of place, and they have the genre "mysteries"; the subjects "women amateur detectives," "serial murders," and "serial murder investigation"; and characters that are "likeable characters."
These books have the appeal factors amusing and strong sense of place, and they have the genre "cozy mysteries"; and the subjects "murder investigation," "murder," and "women amateur detectives."
These books have the appeal factors richly detailed, and they have the subjects "murder investigation," "murder," and "women amateur detectives."
NoveList recommends "Spellman files" for fans of "Jimm Juree mysteries". Check out the first book in the series.
NoveList recommends "No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" for fans of "Jimm Juree mysteries". Check out the first book in the series.
NoveList recommends "Adrian Monk novels" for fans of "Jimm Juree mysteries". Check out the first book in the series.
NoveList recommends "Cat DeLuca mysteries" for fans of "Jimm Juree mysteries". Check out the first book in the series.

Similar Authors From NoveList

NoveList provides detailed suggestions for other authors you might want to read if you enjoyed this book. Suggestions are based on recommendations from librarians and other contributors.
These authors' works have the appeal factors strong sense of place, and they have the genre "mysteries"; and the subjects "murder investigation," "murder," and "communists."
These authors' works have the appeal factors strong sense of place, evocative, and richly detailed, and they have the subjects "murder investigation," "murder," and "murder victims"; and characters that are "sarcastic characters."
These authors' works have the appeal factors strong sense of place and richly detailed, and they have the subjects "murder investigation" and "communist countries."
These authors' works have the appeal factors strong sense of place, and they have the genre "mysteries"; and the subjects "murder investigation," "murder," and "asian history."
These authors' works have the appeal factors strong sense of place, and they have the genre "mysteries"; and the subjects "murder investigation" and "murder."
These authors' works have the appeal factors strong sense of place and evocative, and they have the genres "mysteries" and "thrillers and suspense"; and the subjects "murder," "suicide investigation," and "vietnam war, 1961-1975."
These authors' works have the appeal factors irreverent, sardonic, and strong sense of place, and they have the genre "mysteries"; and the subjects "murder investigation" and "sonchai jitpleecheep (fictitious character)."
These authors' works have the appeal factors strong sense of place, and they have the subjects "murder investigation," "murder," and "communists."
These authors' works have the appeal factors strong sense of place, and they have the genre "mysteries"; and the subjects "murder investigation" and "murder."
These authors' works have the appeal factors irreverent, darkly humorous, and witty, and they have the genre "mysteries"; the subject "murder investigation"; and characters that are "sarcastic characters."
These authors' works have the genre "mysteries"; and the subject "murder."
These authors' works have the appeal factors cinematic and strong sense of place, and they have the genre "mysteries"; and the subjects "murder," "communists," and "communism."

Published Reviews

Booklist Review

*Starred Review* The second Jimm Juree mystery opens as Jimm discovers a severed head washed up on the beach of the ramshackle resort she and her family operate in southern Thailand. Still hoping to reestablish herself as a crime reporter, Jimm enlists the help of her grandfather, formerly Thailand's most dedicated traffic cop, and his elderly but well-connected pals. Matters are complicated when Jimm learns that the head belonged to a Burmese refugee. There is also the question of the two, seemingly well-to-do, but highly mysterious ladies who are staying at the resort. Why are they there? The fast-paced plot finishes with a particularly tense climax (broadcast live online!), as Cotterill masterfully blends real-world issues (the terrrible condition endured by Burmese refugees in Thailand) with appealing cozy elements and his trademark humor. Series readers will be thrilled with this installment and anxious for the next one. Must reading.--Moyer, Jessica Copyright 2010 Booklist

From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Powered by Syndetics

Publisher's Weekly Review

Cotterill effortlessly merges murder and mirth in his second light mystery featuring crime reporter Jimm Juree (after 2011's Killed at the Whim of a Hat). Juree, who has reluctantly joined her eccentric family in rural Thailand, channels Bertie Wooster on making a grim find: "It's always a bother to decide who to tell when you find a head on the beach." Soon after her discovery, she runs afoul of two thugs from the Southern Rescue Mission Foundation, a questionable charitable organization "whose duty it was to facilitate the journey of the soul to a better place." The SRMers remind Juree that she didn't see anything, a threat that only emboldens her to dig deeper. Impressively, the author manages to insert a serious human rights problem amid the larking around without hitting a false note, and is on track to duplicate the acclaim and commercial success of his Dr. Siri series (Slash and Burn, etc.). (June) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Powered by Syndetics

Library Journal Review

When 34-year-old journalist Jimm Juree stumbles upon a human head on the beach behind her family's dilapidated resort, she tells her grandfather, a retired cop. Within hours of reporting the finding to the local headman, shady, knife-wielding characters terrorize Jimm's family. Not one to back down, Jimm learns that the victim was probably Burmese and that the Burmese are performing something akin to slave labor in Thailand. Jimm formulates a plan to bring justice to the Burmese, but she needs help. Her transgendered sibling, Sissi (a renowned computer hacker), and assorted boat captains ensure a redemptive conclusion. VERDICT While readers new to this series will laugh and enjoy Cotterill's madcap and zany mystery, I recommend first reading the initial title (Killed at the Whim of a Hat) to appreciate fully Jimm's family and community. The author's natural gift for irony, well demonstrated in his earlier Dr. Siri series (Slash and Burn; The Merry Misogynist), is to be relished. (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Powered by Syndetics

Booklist Reviews

*Starred Review* The second Jimm Juree mystery opens as Jimm discovers a severed head washed up on the beach of the ramshackle resort she and her family operate in southern Thailand. Still hoping to reestablish herself as a crime reporter, Jimm enlists the help of her grandfather, formerly Thailand's most dedicated traffic cop, and his elderly but well-connected pals. Matters are complicated when Jimm learns that the head belonged to a Burmese refugee. There is also the question of the two, seemingly well-to-do, but highly mysterious ladies who are staying at the resort. Why are they there? The fast-paced plot finishes with a particularly tense climax (broadcast live online!), as Cotterill masterfully blends real-world issues (the terrrible condition endured by Burmese refugees in Thailand) with appealing cozy elements and his trademark humor. Series readers will be thrilled with this installment and anxious for the next one. Must reading. Copyright 2012 Booklist Reviews.

Copyright 2012 Booklist Reviews.
Powered by Content Cafe

Library Journal Reviews

When 34-year-old journalist Jimm Juree stumbles upon a human head on the beach behind her family's dilapidated resort, she tells her grandfather, a retired cop. Within hours of reporting the finding to the local headman, shady, knife-wielding characters terrorize Jimm's family. Not one to back down, Jimm learns that the victim was probably Burmese and that the Burmese are performing something akin to slave labor in Thailand. Jimm formulates a plan to bring justice to the Burmese, but she needs help. Her transgendered sibling, Sissi (a renowned computer hacker), and assorted boat captains ensure a redemptive conclusion. VERDICT While readers new to this series will laugh and enjoy Cotterill's madcap and zany mystery, I recommend first reading the initial title (Killed at the Whim of a Hat) to appreciate fully Jimm's family and community. The author's natural gift for irony, well demonstrated in his earlier Dr. Siri series (Slash and Burn; The Merry Misogynist), is to be relished.

[Page 84]. (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Powered by Content Cafe

Publishers Weekly Reviews

Cotterill effortlessly merges murder and mirth in his second light mystery featuring crime reporter Jimm Juree (after 2011's Killed at the Whim of a Hat). Juree, who has reluctantly joined her eccentric family in rural Thailand, channels Bertie Wooster on making a grim find: "It's always a bother to decide who to tell when you find a head on the beach." Soon after her discovery, she runs afoul of two thugs from the Southern Rescue Mission Foundation, a questionable charitable organization "whose duty it was to facilitate the journey of the soul to a better place." The SRMers remind Juree that she didn't see anything, a threat that only emboldens her to dig deeper. Impressively, the author manages to insert a serious human rights problem amid the larking around without hitting a false note, and is on track to duplicate the acclaim and commercial success of his Dr. Siri series (Slash and Burn, etc.). (June)

[Page ]. Copyright 2012 PWxyz LLC

Copyright 2012 PWxyz LLC
Powered by Content Cafe

Reviews from GoodReads

Loading GoodReads Reviews.

Staff View

Loading Staff View.