The Song of Names (2019)
Movie Watch
Tim Roth and Clive Owen star in François Girard’s (Hochelaga, Land of Souls) latest sweeping...
Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated House of Thieves in Books
Feb 21, 2018
I admit that I was expecting a little more of a mystery element after reading the blurb, but even without the mystery this book takes you on an enjoyable trip to the past. The story takes place in New York, 1886, and is rich with descriptions of society life, rat baiting, etiquette, gambling dens, and almost anything else you might want to know about the time period. I did like the way that almost every member of Johns family, without his knowledge, flaunted tradition and expectations to pursue happiness in their own way, even though to be found out would have meant their ruin and social outcast. It was hard not to root for them even when you knew they were doing wrong.
If you are a fan of historical fiction (or if you enjoyed the movie Gangs of New York), then I highly recommend this one.
Note: I was provided with a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
A Christmas Carol Murder (A Dickens of a Crime #3)
Book
The latest novel from Heather Redmond’s acclaimed mystery series finds young Charles Dickens...
Historical Mystery
Lindsay (1717 KP) rated The Keys of the Watchmen in Books
Sep 7, 2017
The author does a wonderful job of tell the story of the of the historical facts. You get to feel as if you are part of it. You want to help the characters. You learn about christianity though this book as well. The Archangel Michael and Lucifer (Satan, Devil) and one of the fallen angels that is mention in the book is Abdon.
The book is about good and evil and saving the mount. We have a fallen angel Abdon and Nicolas and Katelyn. We are mostly in the year of 1424. We have Jean and Katelyn and Nicholas who are called Watchman but will they save Mount Saint Michael?
So Great a Crime
Book
"Well-loved national hero, or predatory paedophile? So Great a Crime tells the true story of...
Nemesis: The First Iron Warship and Her World
Book
The Nemesis was the first of a generation of iron-clad, steam-powered naval vessels that established...
The Anatomy of Ghosts
Book
The Anatomy of Ghosts is a gripping historical mystery from the bestselling author of The Ashes of...
The Italian Secretary: A Further Adventure of Sherlock Holmes
Book
Mycroft Holmes, charged with ensuring the personal safety of Queen Victoria, calls on his brother...
Faeries, Elves and Goblins: The Old Stories and Fairy Tales
Book
Faeries, elves, goblins, leprechauns, brownies, spriggans and many other supernatural beings leap...
So, not a contemporary (at the time of Cornwell's writing) set mystery, then, with a heavy slant towards nautical matters.
Yet that is precisely what this is.
While I can't comment on the accuracy (or otherwise) of the naval segments - other than to say they seemed plausible to this land-lubber - I have to say, I also found this to be rather predictable fare, with it startlingly obvious - at least to me - just who stole the priceless Van Gogh (the McGuffin that provides the drive for the plot) further early on, not long after that character is introduced.
Sorry, Mr Cornwell: not your best effort.