Figure Away

Figure Away is a 1937 detective novel set in the small town of Billingsgate on Cape Cod. The story centers on Asey Mayo, known locally as the "Codfish Sherlock," who investigates mysterious events surrounding the town's Old Home Week festival. When an antiques dealer is murdered during the festival meant to save the town from bankruptcy, Mayo must sort through a complex web of local characters and summer visitors. The investigation is complicated by strange occurrences involving mannequins on the victim's lawn and apparent attempts to sabotage the town's celebrations. The novel combines elements of classic detective fiction with a distinctly New England setting and atmosphere. Through Mayo's investigation, the story explores themes of small-town dynamics, the tension between locals and outsiders, and the challenges of maintaining community traditions in difficult economic times.

Most readers rate Figure Away as an entertaining but not exceptional entry in the Asey Mayo mystery series. Reviewers describe it as a light, fast-paced mystery with humorous moments. Readers appreciated: - The Cape Cod setting and local color - Mayo's folksy personality and dialogue - Multiple twists in the investigation - The fast pace and short chapters Common criticisms: - Too many characters introduced quickly - Some plot points feel contrived - The ending wraps up too neatly - Less depth than other books in the series Average Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (15 ratings) LibraryThing: 3.5/5 (8 ratings) Review quotes: "Fun but forgettable" - Goodreads reviewer "The middle section drags with repetitive questioning of suspects" - LibraryThing review "Mayo remains an engaging detective but this isn't his best case" - Vintage Mystery blog Limited review data exists for this title compared to other books in the series.

Death of a Gossip by M.C. Beaton The first Hamish Macbeth mystery shares the small-town fishing village setting and features a local detective navigating community dynamics while solving crimes.

Murder in a Cape Cottage by Maddie Day Set in a coastal New England town, this mystery captures the same regional atmosphere and small-town festival backdrop as Figure Away.

Murder at the Lobstah Shack by Shari Randall The coastal New England setting and integration of local customs mirrors the environment of Billingsgate in Figure Away.

Murder in an English Village by Jessica Ellicott Features the same examination of small-town relationships and tensions between locals and outsiders during a murder investigation.

Murder at Plimoth Plantation by Leslie Wheeler Set in coastal Massachusetts, this mystery incorporates regional history and community dynamics similar to Figure Away's Old Home Week storyline.

🔍 Asey Mayo's nickname "Codfish Sherlock" reflects Cape Cod's fishing heritage while paying homage to literature's most famous detective 📚 The novel, published in 1937, came during America's Golden Age of Detective Fiction, alongside contemporaries like Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler 🌊 Phoebe Atwood Taylor wrote 24 Asey Mayo mysteries between 1931 and 1951, all set on Cape Cod, making her one of the most prolific regional mystery writers of her era 🎭 The use of mannequins as a plot device was innovative for its time, predating similar themes in later psychological thrillers and horror novels 🏘️ The book's focus on a town's financial struggles during "Old Home Week" reflects the real economic hardships many New England communities faced in the 1930s post-Depression era