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thenovelbook's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting thing about Anne Perry books is that most of her characters have a certain introspective, poetic profoundness to their speech, which takes away from the realism occasionally, but, on the bright side, it does provide some genuinely good use of language.
valefimbres's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
rosalindm1's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
A slow trip to an unsatisfying resolution, but the writing is excellent
tobyyy's review against another edition
3.0
Unread shelf project 2021: book 99.
So. Do not read this book if you’re in the mood for a fast-paced murder mystery. I thought I was used to Perry’s leisurely, world-building, atmospheric writing but this book took it to a whole new level. The depiction of England just prior to the start of World War I was lovely, and this book is nothing if not atmospheric, but as such, the plot is very leisurely and the story felt very character-driven rather than action-driven.
Still — a good story, just not quite what I had anticipated. I do plan to read the next 2 books in the series at the very least, as I do own them.
So. Do not read this book if you’re in the mood for a fast-paced murder mystery. I thought I was used to Perry’s leisurely, world-building, atmospheric writing but this book took it to a whole new level. The depiction of England just prior to the start of World War I was lovely, and this book is nothing if not atmospheric, but as such, the plot is very leisurely and the story felt very character-driven rather than action-driven.
Still — a good story, just not quite what I had anticipated. I do plan to read the next 2 books in the series at the very least, as I do own them.
git_r_read's review against another edition
4.0
BOT, very good. Not in her usual cast of characters or era. This takes place WWI.
abrswf's review against another edition
3.0
Meh. Highly dramatic, in a way that reminded me of stage melodramas, and a very implausible plot. Lovely descriptions of English countryside and good evocation of the plummet into WWI. The author’s high minded tone felt saccharine and somewhat nauseating as I am aware that before she assumed this pseudonym, she and her teenaged BFF murdered her friend’s mother by bludgeoning, for no good reason. For real.
plattin's review against another edition
3.0
I just can't make up my mind about Anne Perry. Her characters are interesting, the time period/subject matter fascinating, the setting lush and engrossing but her plots drag. This was a really interesting look at England on the eve of the Great War. However, the political intrigue that the main characters are caught up in was less than enthralling. I'll probably read the next book in the series, but if it isn't any more compelling than this one, I am moving on.
judyward's review against another edition
3.0
What? An Anne Perry book that doesn't take place in Victorian times? I was a little skeptical I must admit but I really enjoyed this book and I'm looking forward to this new series that takes place during World War I.
crafalsk264's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
At the end of Summer 1914, Joseph Reavley was playing in a cricket match at Cambridge. His brother,Matthew, is an agent in the British Intelligence. Matthew arrives to tell him that their parents have been killed in a car accident. After collecting his brother, Matthew proceeds to the Police Department for identification and retrieval of personal effects. His father was racing to bring Matthew a secret document that would supposedly disgrace England and destroy the world as they know it. The brothers begin a frantic search for the “document” while handling the practical matters related to their parents’ death.
All of this happens the week after the Austrian archduke is assassinated and tensions are ramping up that may lead to war. A student at Cambridge College where Joseph is faculty is murdered in a “locked room” type scenario. Investigating these two mysteries keep the brothers busy for the rest of the book. Meanwhile Matthew is being led by a mastermind who provides guidance for his inquiries.
I read several books years ago by Anne Peery and enjoyed them. This is the first book in a 5-book series called “World War I” which follow members of the Reavley Family. I had forgotten how good Peery was at developing characters, creating suspense, and complex plots that explore courage and cowardice and bravery and fearfulness. This book was a prime example of both. The entire series was a departure from her other detective series (Thomas Pitt, William Monk). I look forward to reading the rest of the series. Recommend to readers of mysteries, thrillers, historical, WWI, and British Literature.
PS Anne Peery died on April 10, 2023. She was an unusually prolific writer with the detective series. She also wrote an annual Christmas novel with the last one “A Christmas Deliverance“ in December 2022. It is now on my Kindle and my TBR.
ms_aprilvincent's review against another edition
3.0
The murderer wasn't who I thought it should be.