Redsteve's Reviews > The Tell-Tale Corpse

Probably the darkest of the four EAP Mysteries by Schechter, and not just because Poe is having to come to terms with the fact that his beloved wife is dying of consumption - and probably sooner rather than later. The villains are horrific, which is saying something considering that the previous book's murderer was famous 19th Century cannibal "Liver Eating Johnson." Complicated plot, but not unduly so. Although, and I don't think that I'm giving too much away here, if your murder suspect dies in a way that conveniently disfigures his face, maybe hold off on closing that case file. Interesting choice of a young Louisa May Alcott as Poe's investigation partner n this one - usually, it's someone with enough ass-kicking skills (Davy Crockett, Kit Carson) or at least able to call in same (PT Barnum) to protect Poe when the going gets tough, as, despite his claims to pugilistic skill, Poe generally proves pretty hopeless in a fight. Although he does beat up Henry David Thoreau at one point in this book. Also, I learned from the Author's Notes that before she became famous, Louisa May Alcott was a writer of stories of murder, violence and revenge - so maybe she wasn't such a strange choice afterall.