John Putnam Thatcher Mystery

Emma Lathen mysteries featuring SVP of the Sloan Guaranty Trust, John Putnam Thatcher, who gets to the bottom of things by cutting through divorce, carryings on, dog shows, and more to examine the financial motives and nail the killer. A humorous romp for those who like humor and good writing in their mysteries. Called the American Agatha Christie and Nero Wolfe with Portfolio, by the New York Times.

The Parajian family owns the largest oriental rug company in the US. They are having a generational battle for stock control of the company. John Putnam Thatcher, SVP of the Sloan, solves the 2 murders by following the money

The Sloan receives a request for an advance against a trust that does not permit it. John Putnam Thatcher gets involved by one heir, Arthur Schneider, President of Schneider Manufacturing, and grandson of the founder who left a trust for his grandchildren upon the death of all of their parents. The last parent is about to die from natural causes. One heir is missing and Thatcher, Trinkam, and Nicholls, all Emma Lathen regulars work to find the missing heir. Soon they learn a murder is involved and it takes Thatcher to unravel the Gordian knot. Emma Lathen at her best.

The hottest fast food franchise is acquiring a staid insurance company and murder intercedes. John Putnam Thatcher intercedes to save the Sloan's $12 million loan by peeling away from the emotions to get to the money issues.

The Archdiocese decides to close and sell a small parochial school that is losing money. This causes commotion in the neighborhood with a protest committee created and a murder occuring. Does it relate to the protest or is it something else. John Putnam Thatcher figures it out and makes the Sloan money in part by doing so.

Government Projects in which the Sloan gets involved with the Kiel Canal, the EU, murder, and retribution. John Putnam Thatcher cuts through the emotions to solve the murder based on money motives. The usual witty, informative, lovely Emma Lathen cast of characters from the Sloan.

Political backbiting, populist movements, and conflict in DC. A modern version of ancient political battles from Julius Caesar on.

A discount airlines is considering going from a profitable commuter line to a major coast to coast airline, taking on the big guys. An internal fight breaks out, the Sloan is involved through a loan, and stock in a trust they manage, so John Putnam must get involved with his henchmen, Gabler as auditor and Trinkham as insighter. Great fun, deals with many pieties, so a must read.

A brewery introduces a non alcohol beer that stirs up trouble with a lobbying group that believe the NA beer will lead children to drink beer as minors. Congressional hearings, congressman, lobbyists, a lawsuit, riot, and more create wonderful goings on for readers with John Putnam Thatcher identifying the murderer.

A merger & acquisition mystery where an Assistant Division Manager of the acquiring company wants the Division Manager job of the acquired company but has the wrong skill set. The fun starts there and John Putnam Thatcher solves it.