The Knowledge: A Richard Jury Mystery by Martha Grimes

This is another author I read regularly.  Her Richard Jury mysteries are always intriguing.  He has his buddy who is a lord help him out.  This story is even better because it has a small gang of children who help.  They will pick your pockets or spy on people for you.  They see everything but they are too small to be noticed.  And one of the smallest ones is one of the most brave...

Atlantic Monthly Press and Edelweiss allowed me to read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published April 3rd.

This one was even better than usual.  The killer shot two people, climbed in a cab and then went home by a roundabout way.  The children watched him and tracked him when he went by their stations.  Each had an area they worked.  The girl that saw him last stole a boarding pass and went on the trip with him.  He even bought her a better class ticket.  She's quite something.  She can change her appearance with clothing and wigs.  She knows how to manipulate people.  And she can talk herself into anywhere and easily steal tickets or reservations.  She ends up in Africa with him.  It's a long way from home but she doesn't mind.

In the meantime, Melrose (the Lord), is journeying, too.  They run into each other in Africa and he's amazed at where she's been and what's she done.  She's not done doing yet.

The Knowledge is the name of a pub that no one can find except taxi drivers who served their apprenticeship and can prove they have the knowledge of city streets to qualify.  That's where the taxi driver went so the cops can't talk to him because they can't find it.  But Jury finds others he can question.  And he knows someone is lying.  But how can he prove it?

I loved the children's part in the story.  They are formidable, brave and they're very good at what they do.  They even have a party for them to thank them for their part.  That was appropriate.  There was danger on the ground and in the trees in Africa...