I have been a fan of the author for many years and have enjoyed both of his series. As far as I was aware I had read up to date on them both but when II have been a fan of the author for many years and have enjoyed both of his series. As far as I was aware I had read up to date on them both but when I found this one and checked it out on FantasticFiction I was delighted to learn that Slonsky has made another appearance on the darkened streets of Prague too.
I think that it is a great achievment for the author to have two series both successful and yet so different. From a Czeck detective to an old lecturer at Leiden University at the end of the 1600s, both full of character and the latter has taught me everything that I know about Dutch history and has filled in blanks in our own too in a much more enjoyable way than any history lesson from my school days.
This series is written as by the old Master Mercurious as he dictates it, as his memoires, to his long suffering secretary/scribe Van der Meer.
This one concerns another call on his services by Stadhouder William and his journey to Moers where he is to become temporary Governor as part of a larger plan.
On the face of it this doesn't sound readworthy but the author makes it so even without the regular asides to Van de Meer. At one stage when the scribes cough at some self praise a note is inserted "Van der Meers cough is troubling him once more. I have recommended the juice of a pound of rhubarb every day. It won't cuure him but given what rhubarb does to ones bowels,he won't dare cough again" The wit is not saved for Van der Meer but, for example, the kitchen master at the University, Albrecht, well known for his overcooked food is described as"a man who can flambe a salad".
We learn how Mercurious handles the calls of the job apparently so far from his comfort zone with much tact, wisdom and humour while in the wider world the British throne is changing hands.
As with most series you will get more out of this if you go back to the beginning although if they are not available this would work as a stand alone too.
The 11th in this brilliant series and one with a very unexpected turn of events.
I would advise anyone who knows the series to just read this one on trThe 11th in this brilliant series and one with a very unexpected turn of events.
I would advise anyone who knows the series to just read this one on trust as any precis or review of the story is likely to give away the suprise that awaits and that would spoil it.
There is excitment and suspense but perhaps not in its usual form from this master storyteller.
Part of the back story to the series surfaces at the very end with a telephone call leaving an inviting cliffhanger for the next.
I like solving puzzles, cracking codes and doing cryptic crosswords and so as soon as I saw the trailers for this book I knew that it would be one forI like solving puzzles, cracking codes and doing cryptic crosswords and so as soon as I saw the trailers for this book I knew that it would be one for me. Please don't let that put you off if your interests don't match mine as this scores top marks from me as a murder mystery, too.
The novel shows the authors love and fascination with words and their derivations. Each chapter is titled with an appropriate word along with its meaning and origination (noun 1150-1500: the act of starting or developing something) and the story itself is peppered with words that will expand your personal lexicon. Most are accompanied by an explanation but just occasionally the online dictionary was brought into use. I found myself noting down several for future use.
I believe that authors are told to write about what they know and as well as her knowledge of the language, our author undoubtedly draws on her time working at the Oxford English Dictionary for the setting of the story.
As a murder mystery the story had an intriguing plot, deftly introduced with a few well placed red herrings and a well defined group of workmates to solve it. As a first novel it promises much for the future. For me, it read really easily and I found that I had a good clear picture of all the characters and action without having to resort to notes or even concentrate too hard. A pleasure to read. My wife sometimes uses the phrase "well written" and for me this was.
Another reason that I enjoyed it so much, perhaps, was that I had the guilty party worked out although I had the Chorus wrong....more
Several years ago when I first started writing my thoughts on books on Goodreads, I was very anti short storiCheringham --The Secret of Combe Castle
Several years ago when I first started writing my thoughts on books on Goodreads, I was very anti short stories. Since then although there have still been those that I believe were a total waste of time, I have learnt that for some, there is a place. This series of Cheringham books is a good example. These were written as a series of self contained stories and were released monthly only in eBook format but seem almost like chapters of the same book. The characters are now well established and have their own back story running throughout. Cheringham, as a location for all the stories, is by now as familiar to its readers as their location is to any TV soap fan. Each individual story is just long enough and have sufficient detail. to be interesting, albeit without that much depth.
I have not yet read them all but they have helped changed my negative view on this means of storytelling.
As a series, most enjoyable and each just about right for completing in one session....more
It must be longer ago than I had thought that I last read about our Breton Commissaire Dupin. It was either that or I must have missed one, as I can'tIt must be longer ago than I had thought that I last read about our Breton Commissaire Dupin. It was either that or I must have missed one, as I can't remember him having a serious girl friend. Also I have to admit that the picture I have of him needed tweaking somewhat as I couldn't imagine my Dupin stretching out in this swimming trunks on a towel on a beach for even a short period.
Yes, in this instalment, Dupin and his girl friend Claire are on holiday albeit still in his adopted Brittany. It has been a combined effort with everyone in his office, his doctor and Claire insisting he takes a complete break.
However, when a few small local crimes are committed, how can he resist trying to help out. However, trying to keep his efforts away from those insisting on his complete rest turns this into a bit of a French farce.
For me, it detracted from the investigation of the crimes which soon developed into more substantial matters.
Perhaps I was too distracted by this subterfuge but I missed fairly obvious hints at what had been going on which should have meant me getting to the culprit first.
Maybe this one was written a bit tongue in cheek but for me it lacked some of the substance that the others had built up. Not as good as the previous ones in my opinion but won't stop me finding the next....more
I'm not sure how this landed on our shelves but when I asked my wife for her comment on it, she said that I would enjoy it. Thst was good enough for mI'm not sure how this landed on our shelves but when I asked my wife for her comment on it, she said that I would enjoy it. Thst was good enough for me.
I saw somewhere that this was like Miss Marple meets your typical hard nose LAPD cop. And so it turned out - but it was so much more than that.
I thought that there was going to be some humour in it when Penny (the Miss Marple character) is in her local tea shop "enjoying a cup of what these days was described as 'English Breakfast Tea' or, as it used to be known, tea.", but that wasn't the way the story would develope.
The story is told through the chapters of several books and covers several cases, all seemingly interlinked. I wouldn't even dare try to unravel the most complex book that I have read for a long time. As the several chapters interlace from different viewpoints you go from being totally immersed in the story to a third party witness.
Added to the complexity is the feeling from both Penny and Lieutenant Johnny Hawks (her LAPD Cop) that their memory is playing tricks on them, as they both partially remember odd things from their past but without context. (Maybe some older readers will know the feeling and now have another explanation).
Although I admit to finding some difficulty in keeping all the characters placed correctly, I kept up with the story until....... To say that I never saw that coming would be a massive understatement. The story is turned on its head. To say that it all becomes clear would be wrong but at least you get to understand it a little more.
As in a lot of good detective books, the final couple of chapters return to the beginning and the scene of a first crime. Although I didn't spot the clue that Penny did, I , at least had the guilty party.
There have been a few films that you want to watch again once you know the twist. Shutter Island was one and The Sixth Sense is a prime example of another. This book could be like that. Knowing at the beginning what I know at the end would I have noticed anything else? Perhaps I never will reread this one but it has certainly put the author on my watch list.
An original idea cleverly played out with fine detail. I am left with the feeling that it should be a 5* and that it was my lapse of concentration that results in only a 4. See what you think....more
My third in the Mysterious Scotland series and although another enjoyable read, I didn't enjoy it as much as the Loch Ness Deception. Obviously this iMy third in the Mysterious Scotland series and although another enjoyable read, I didn't enjoy it as much as the Loch Ness Deception. Obviously this is a personal view and is one on which my wife and I differ.
I found this one more difficult to follow and one penny didn't actually drop until reading the 'Editorial comment' at the end when a bit more of the jigsaw was completed. Or maybe it was just me being too slow.
I like the authors style in these books in taking real objects and crafting a story round them using 'scientific' facts or calculations as a basis for the fiction of the story as if it is true but without ever actually sharing enough detail with us to give us a chance to argue.
In this story past and future really collide when an archaeological dig and a hightec futuristic scientific company seem to have common factors.
May be after three of these books we could be about to be getting into the real story which has been bubbling in the background. It looks as if Gill is about to take on a new role.
This series is certainly different and a change from my Murder/Mystery diet. I look forward to seeing where the series takes us....more
Having read The Bone Trap, the first in this series, last month and been surprisingly totally taken with it, this one just had to follow at the earlieHaving read The Bone Trap, the first in this series, last month and been surprisingly totally taken with it, this one just had to follow at the earliest opportunity. Gill, our editor of Mysterious Scotland is now around Loch Ness and of course Nessie, or Lucy as she is also known, comes into the story.
When I first heard about this series and more especially when I saw this title, I was put off. I admitted in my review of the last book that I was wrong. It was a good story, very well written and as different a mystery as I have read in a long time.
This one is even better.
Gill is now an established character with an aged father with whom he has recently been reconciled and even perhaps a love interest.
Although the thought of Loch Ness provokes an initial reaction of, 'Oh no, not again'. Don't be fooled. This story is different and is far more complex and, a bit like The Bone Trap, is so well told as to make it feel very plausible.
There are peaks of excitement liberally dotted throughout as good as you would find in any adventure yarn. There is also an interwoven account of terrifying dreams linked to a supernatural twist,only some of which has been explained so far... And still the production deadline was achieved.
As well as the main story, the author here has set the scene for further developments in the next book. I am not sure how he is going to improve on the 5* I feel this deserves but I can't wait to find out.
Unusually, I am moving straight on to it now....more
I was looking for something a bit different and this one seemed as if it would fit the bill. I am not someone to give anything away about a plot which I was looking for something a bit different and this one seemed as if it would fit the bill. I am not someone to give anything away about a plot which would be a problem here anyway but just before halfway, I felt that I could see how the story was going to develope. May be I was right -- or perhaps not.
However, this was only part of this very complicated tale within a tale (within a tale?) The story was so complex with different branches seemlessly interwoven in the text with the same names recurring that I gave up trying to unravel it as I went along and just read it to see how it would end.
The author is applauded for her originality of idea and I would dearly love to see the character map that she used to kept track of everyone.
The one big question I was left with is, was my halfway stage guess at the ending right or not?
For me a three and a half but because I am still thinking about the story and trying to find answers, I am rounding up.
After reading the Thursday Murder Club and scoring it well I was waiting for this new series with interest and curiosity.
I wanted to.like it but alas,After reading the Thursday Murder Club and scoring it well I was waiting for this new series with interest and curiosity.
I wanted to.like it but alas, I didn't. I have no doubt that Osman has enough fans to make it a success and he may even get another film out of it too but it wasn't for me.
I want to say that it was all too unbelievable and I accept that this is fiction after all and that The Thursday Murder Club had parts that seemed illogical. However, this stretched the imagination just too far while itself ridiculing some of the action in Max Highfields stunts in his Rampage films yet sharing their unreality.
The main characters here almost seemed caricatures of themselves and it was impossible to have an empathy towards any of them. Theres the octogenarian nymphomaniac with unlimited money , boring old Steve , high action Amy handy with firearms and her international high rolling partner who is Steves son and these were just the good guys.
There was a master villian who hid behind his ChatGPT generated disguise and used people to move huge sums of money across the world without knowing what they were carrying but then killed them anyway. He is not to be confused with the crime boss who wants the old writer killed for something she wrote in one of her books.Someone wants Amy killed too. Maybe that's the person hiding behind the name of a little known charactor from Max's favourite film. Are you keeping up?
Who was the master villain? By that stage I didn't really care. When many of the characters were killed or were killers or both, the odds on choosing the right one at random were considerably enhanced.
In his acknowledgements the author points to his use of everyday items in the script such as Twix, Greggs and Lee Child as if he is trying to link back to reality. It would take more than that for me.
I was alerted to this one on my ever expanding 'to read' shelf when I read the publishers blurb about the next in the series. I have enjoyed these in I was alerted to this one on my ever expanding 'to read' shelf when I read the publishers blurb about the next in the series. I have enjoyed these in the past but there was something about this one that didn't hit the mark for me.
Difficult to explain but I didn't feel involved in the story at all and it was just 'reading a story'. The story itself seemed more violent than its predecessors at first although this phase passed.
There is no doubt that Mr Edwards is an accomplished storyteller and some of his characters here are well established from previous books. There is the enigmatic beauty of the heroine with her entourage of friends/servants from her former life on Gaunt Island , her ardent admirer, the young reporter and the diligent hard working police inspector who owes her for solving previous cases for him. However, for this story there are others and plenty of them and I'm afraid that some didnt create a sufficient impression to be clearly established in my mind's eye.
The case at the centre of the story is quite a spectacular suicide and from there the story spreads its arms widely indeed. Somehow though, for me, it failed to produce the excitement that a couple of the scenes deserved and maybe that goes back to my earlier statement that I didn't feel involved in the story but was merely reading it. The author himself calls it a thriller but, for me, it didnt thrill.
One of the reasons that I came to read this book was that I was reminded that there was the Author's Cluefinder at the end. I had enjoyed this 'Golden Age' addition to books where the author spells out all the clues with which he has peppered his story. Its a chance to see what you have missed. I had enjoyed these in other books of this series but this time, maybe because as the author says, "Sepulchre Street is as much a thriller as a detective story", it didn't have the same impact.
Maybe its time for me to leave this series and go back to the author's Lake District Cold Cases series....more
Having recently read two other books by this author, I thought I knew what I was in for. I was wrong. This isn't like the others (.'Everyone in my famHaving recently read two other books by this author, I thought I knew what I was in for. I was wrong. This isn't like the others (.'Everyone in my family has killed someone and 'Everyone on this train is a suspect)' This is much as its 'blurb" describes.
A host of a popular late night chat show kills himself live on air and his twin brother asks Jack Quick to investigate it as a murder.
The book is the second of the series and unusually I have not read the first. If I had I might have been less surprised by the opening location or the frequent reference to Quick's eating disorder.
I think it was a good story as the background was uncovered and the tale was unwrapped. At the end as it was all explained you realised that there were a good many pointers that, I admit, I missed.
Maybe it was because of the way that the story was told by Quick and that was the way the character thought. I regret that I found it difficult to follow sometimes. I also thought that some of his important deductions/conclusions that he came out with seemed to come out of the blue.
I liked the final part and probably because I had no idea who the guilty party was, I didn't forsee it or the excitement it generated.
I'm not sure if Quick's final act in the story was supposed to be one that the reader knew or whether it was supposed to be left open ended. I know what I think.
I am not sure if I will read more from this author although 'Everyone this Christmas has a secret' looks interesting....more
Its a long time since I read a Vera story or, for that matter, watched one of the TV series "based on characters by Ann Cleeves". I do, however, rememIts a long time since I read a Vera story or, for that matter, watched one of the TV series "based on characters by Ann Cleeves". I do, however, remember the episode where Holly was killed.. This story takes over from there with Rosie joining the team.
I remember starting to read this series many year ago and forming a picture in my mind of Vera and then being disappointed by the choice of Brenda Blethyn for the TV role. However, she soon became the character much as the late John Thaw became Morse.My mental picture of Vera soon changed to her too.
It was with this image of Vera in mind that I read this story. The authors ability to draw me in to a story with a subject matter that I didn't think I really wanted to read about is to be applauded. I was soon hooked and although not a prolific reader found myself reading more often and for longer than is my norm. The author turns what could be boring 'police procedural' into a gripping race to find a missing girl.
A good plot all carefully explained at the end.. Needless to say, I was nowhere near naming the guilty parties.
Perhaps there were a couple of 'but would they do that?' moments but a thoroughly good read from an author still at the top of her game.....more
I'm not sure how I would categorize this one or how to write about it.
There was a suspicious death a few years ago which the police have made little hI'm not sure how I would categorize this one or how to write about it.
There was a suspicious death a few years ago which the police have made little headway with. There is an old father who mourns and who wants to know what happened to his son. Then there is a photo of an old skull, like that of a horse but larger with what could have been a place for a single horn. So we could have a cold case murder story with hints of a unicorn skull to which, we add into the mix, a couple of islanders with the gift of second sight. Lets not forget a bit of supernateral too.
All this drops into the lap of disgraced archeaologist who is taken on as a new reporter for Mysterious Scotland, a periodical just prior to its opening edition.
There was so much here that said it wasn't my sort of read and I am not really sure why I picked this one rather that one of the dozens of hand chosen books on my shelf for next read.
I have to say, with not a little surprise, that I was glad I did. It was certainly different and in places even a little thought provoking. The story was well told and I had good clear puctures of the main characters and the Scottish landscape where it is set. It has its exciting episodes and a few unanswered questions but all in all, I enjoyed it. I will add the next in the series to my shelf although as this seems to be about the Loch Ness monster it looks as if that book is moving from fiction to fact for, as we all know, that really does exist, doesn't it?...more
This is the 7th and, for another four or five months, the latest in this most enjoyable series about a retired Met Murder Squad D.I. now a Private InvThis is the 7th and, for another four or five months, the latest in this most enjoyable series about a retired Met Murder Squad D.I. now a Private Investigator in Florence. The second name in the series title is that of Oscar the Labrador friend of our Florentine Private Eye.
Sometimes dogs work in these sort of books in others they don't. Here Oscar does and is the vehicle for the author to bring some light heartedness into the narrative that, although good for the many, is particularly 'in' for Labrador (or any dog breed) owners.
A strange start to the story sees Dan visited and offered a job by a woman who only a few years ago he had sent to prison.
The case involves a stay at a Naturist's camp where practical difficulties soon emerge as Dan dresses (or undresses) to mix in. Well, where can you put a notebook and pen? An easy to follow narrative although a bit repetitious in parts, with more tempting Italian cuisine. Not particularly one for the armchair detective although in this case it doesn't really matter.
Once again Dan finds it useful to call up friends from his past for information from God down.
Just what you need from a cozy read with an Italian flavour.
A complaint about my copy was that it finished at 88% and then went on to start another. The idea of a taster for a forthcoming book isn't new but why on earth is it necessary for it to be the first of the series of which this is the seventh book?
Roll on to November and a trip to Portofino...more
One of the things that I have liked about the series is the way that we have been iStained with Blood.
This is #7 and latest of this excellent series .
One of the things that I have liked about the series is the way that we have been introduced to the whole team working with DCI Craven. This gives the stories more depth as each of them have their own lives and problems that can overlap both with each other and with the main story as needed.
As I started readed this one, a couple of things were mentioned which put the idea into my head that this wasn't going to be my sort of story. When I realized this I remembered that I had felt the same way with a previous book but I had been wrong then and once again here the authors turned the story another way - almost knowing my thoughts.
I have recently been introduced to Robin Knox's 10 Commandments for writing Detective fiction.from 1929. After finishing this story, I referred back to the Commandments and was pleased to see that almost 100 years later all were being observed although #10 was a bit close.
The story starts at a re-enactment of a local battle from the Wars of the Roses where the visiting local MP is shot. The story reaches much further afield with Ravens family along with team members and their partners with parts to play.
I didn't spot the villain and was convinced by the wrong person. Plenty of Red Herrings fair enough but a coincidence near the end was stretching it a bit I thought.
One bit made me smile and made me wonder if Becca and Raven aren't closer to our age that they are supposed to be. We have similar conversations to., Raven says, "Hey, isn't that......." " I think so" said Becca, "The Right Honourable what's-his-name, MP for somewhere or other".
From some of the earlier books in the series, I remember those cliff hanger endings preparing the canvas for the next episode. Out of the blue, we have another now, showing how much forward planning goes into a series like this.
I needed a break after reading ' Everyone in my family has killed someone'. I gave it a 4* but wasn't really sure what to make of it. My wife had trieI needed a break after reading ' Everyone in my family has killed someone'. I gave it a 4* but wasn't really sure what to make of it. My wife had tried it, ditched it, read this one and gone back to the first. But I couldn't stay away for long.
This one is still different and as well as a murder mystery is again the story about an author inside a story that he is trying to write. An armchair detective can have no complaint as the author not only sticks closely to Robin Knox's Ten Commandments of Detective Fiction but also points them out as he does. He also gives out other clues through the book -outside the story,- such as how many times the killers name is used.
As you might expect the end of the story isn't the end of the book and the Epilogue is more a must read than usual. I liked the book advert after it and I wonder if I was the only one who, in view of the authors other tricks, looked for something else in the extra-elongated list of names in the acknowledgements.
So did I enjoy it? Most certainly. It is different. It is clever.The characters are all well described and easy to picture. The plot is realistic although very complex. The 'first person' writing style is easy to follow. All these taken into account I am wonderiing why for me its a 4 and not a 5? Maybe the plot is too complex and maybe there were a few of those "why didn't he do/ask that!' or 'how could they have done that?"
If Ernest Cunningham (or even Juliette) writes another, will I want to read it? Of course I will and in the meantime I will also look out for Benjamin Stevensons other books and of course there's always 'Life, Death and Whiskey'
I have read and enjoyed the previous two books by this author. They were both completely different to anything before. I am always willing to try 'difI have read and enjoyed the previous two books by this author. They were both completely different to anything before. I am always willing to try 'different' and eagerly sought this one out.
Well, it certainly was different. I am not sure in what genre I would class it. Maybe sci-fi or fantasy or post apocalyptic and, after all, it is a murder mystery too.
I felt that the Special Acknowledgement, immediately after the end of the story, was most appropriate and It seemed to speak directly to me. See what you think.
I am not going to try to explain either the setting of the story or the plot. That is not particularly because it is not my style nor because I don't want to spoil it for anyone but because I am not 100% sure that I understood it all myself.
Although not a page turner (at least until the very end), I was definitely intrigued and had to continue reading. There was never a thought of ditching it.
The author brilliantly created the setting for the story much as Tolkien did MiddleEarth, but here Turton only let us see parts of it at a time and even after the ending, you are left wondering if there was something else.
Somehow, even though his main characters were well described, I had problems following them. Was this why I felt that I had no chance of pre guessing the ending, or was it because it was all a bit confusing? I am not sure. Sometimes it doesn't really matter, here it felt important, maybe even a vilification of staying with the story to the end.
I still have faith in the author and look forward to his next which, in his message to me at the end, he promises will be "a more contemporary thriller thing"...more
My next instalment in this Italian flavoured dog lovers cozy murder mystery series.
Once again we are treated to the description of some mouth wateringMy next instalment in this Italian flavoured dog lovers cozy murder mystery series.
Once again we are treated to the description of some mouth watering dishes. This time they are prepared by a famous French chef who has been hired and flown in to a secluded Pisan reggia to cater for the small group of financially powerful men. Dan has been hired to ensure that the meeting is secure from hidden microphones and cameras.
As usual his past experience as Det. Super. in London's Murder Squad is called into play as are his connections with some of Italy's senior policemen.
Oscar, the Labrador, plays a prominent part in the story as well as bringing inside humour to those who know the breed. I quote one example......"
" Unsurprisingly, the first thing he had done was to hunt down and devour the fallen , hard boiled egg – shell and all – so as soon as the Inspector had left , I hastened to take him out for a quick walk. I knew from experience that a Labrador who has been eating boiled eggs can very quickly produce enough toxic gas to render an enclosed environment uninhabitable.”
Against my usual rules, I let myself be influenced by the advertising of the sequel to this one. It was one of those 'if you liked that you will love Against my usual rules, I let myself be influenced by the advertising of the sequel to this one. It was one of those 'if you liked that you will love this' and I had appreciated the authors quoted, and so became interested. I saw this one came first and grabbed a copy.
Well, it was certainly a different way to tell the story. I'm not that sure how to describe it with the authors own notes both to the reader and to his editor, appearing throughout the story. There was certainly humour and I don't normally quote but this one certainly rang a bell as a retired Bank Manager. "This was the 90's, when the banks had a full army of neckerchief-wearing young women behind perpex windows instead of one besuited university graduate with an iPad and the audacity to make you do things yourself"
On the plus side, this style of writing meant that I had a very clear impression of all the characters through the chapters dedicated to each. I have to admit that my charactor map helped in the early chapters. The setting was a family reunion on a remote skiing resort later cut off by the weather. The author within the author wouldn't have liked this stereotype.
The plot is perhaps the most intricate that I have come across and it isn't obvious at the outset but unwinds very gradually. Its a bit like pealing an onion. Just when you think that you have it sorted, another layer starts to appear. As the author helpfully reminds you, keep an eye on the corner of your reader for %read, but is100% really the beginning?
The author also is determined to play fair with us, the reader, and is a believer in The 10 Commandments of Detective Fiction by Ronald Knox from 1929 which he quotes at the beginning.
While he as the author does that, I as the reader, refer to my own copy of '10 things the Armchair detective needs to remember'. This gave me the 'Black Tongue' before he/she/it was uncovered, although it also produced a total innocent as the guilty party to the earlier action.
Did I enjoy the book? I'm not sure. I feel as if I should have done but a few times I felt confused. At the end I would have loved a full 'Golden Age' explanation of everything. Perhaps its to the books credit that even after I have finished reading. I am still trying to follow through my understanding of events to see if they stack up. Did the editor take out too much?
May be I need to read the next to decide if I enjoyed this one and if/when you read my review of that you will know. ...more
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