Gay Toltl Kinman’s “Murder and Mayhem at The Huntington Library” reviewed.

I bought Gay Kinman’s short story collection because I have visited the location (as well as the Botanical Gardens) many times and love it’s beauty, art, historical exhibits, and plants. Each of these stories covers one or more of these aspects.

In the first five stories Jane Jillson – the new investigator for the Huntington Library – examines (and solves) murders involving rare books, rare plants, wild life, and some pretty shady people. The murders are all “off stage” and the tone is very light; very family friendly.

The next four stores are about a bumbling, softhearted thief who attempts to steel rare plants, rare art, rare “teeth” and a rare earth “sculpture.” Most of his tales – his name is Spyder – are written with a bit of slapstick. He’s actually, well, kind of lovable. Two of…