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captain_moon's review against another edition
It had a weird structure that i couldn't get around
lisamshardlow's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
Stopped reading at 41%.
wunkymatts's review against another edition
3.0
I bought this book mostly for the setting and I was not disappointed. Martin conjures up late eighteenth century York perfectly. You really can see the work and research that went into setting the scene. York is a city very close to my heart so I really enjoyed it being brought to life like that.
The story didn't really excite me though. It was a bit meandering, and although there were some interesting characters they weren't really fleshed out well enough for me. The ending also felt a bit rushed and unsatisfying.
The story didn't really excite me though. It was a bit meandering, and although there were some interesting characters they weren't really fleshed out well enough for me. The ending also felt a bit rushed and unsatisfying.
novemberninth's review against another edition
3.0
An interesting murder mystery, unfortunately the writing style isn't for me. I found it hard to focus while reading it.
jmatkinson1's review against another edition
4.0
Fletcher Rigge is in debtors prison in York. His father gambled away his estates and then committed suicide, Fletcher is clever but without money or support. Then a mysterious proposition is made. Fletcher will be released from gaol, his debts paid for one month, he must solve a murder and if he does so his debts will disappear forever. This benefactor is Captain Harvey son of the late victim, an artist who specialised in silhouettes, or shades as they are known. Fletcher realises that the clues to the orders identity lie in the last set of shades that Harvey created and so he is thrown into society in York and latterly London.
This is a clever book, written in the form of different notes or papers and with a number of different narrators. All of this means that the plot is not quite as clear cut as it could have been with a more straightforward single narrator. However, this is to the book's benefit, as one of the strengths is the complexity of the plot and the way that no single narrator is completely truthful, different perspectives of the same events are interpreted in different ways. In this way the metaphor about shades continues through the story. I loved the descriptions of life in Georgian York and the little details about the different characters added such a depth to the novel.
This is a clever book, written in the form of different notes or papers and with a number of different narrators. All of this means that the plot is not quite as clear cut as it could have been with a more straightforward single narrator. However, this is to the book's benefit, as one of the strengths is the complexity of the plot and the way that no single narrator is completely truthful, different perspectives of the same events are interpreted in different ways. In this way the metaphor about shades continues through the story. I loved the descriptions of life in Georgian York and the little details about the different characters added such a depth to the novel.
hippyteareader's review
adventurous
informative
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
3.0
victoria80's review against another edition
4.0
4.5* Thoroughly enjoyable read! Would highly recommend.
maccymacd's review against another edition
2.0
What a surprising disappointment. There was so much potential with this story. I loved the idea of it - a man named Matthew Harvey who's occupation is 'cutter of shades' is murdered with a pair of scissors. There don't seem to be any suspects, but then Matthew's son decides to release a man from debtor's prison named Fletcher Rigge, and gives him a limited amount of time to find his father's murder. He must do so by tracing the last 6 sitters that interacted with him. His forfeit is that he will be sent back to the prison and not released.
What a great idea!! But in fact it's pretty dull, the characters all seem to merge into one, and the story goes on for (in my opinion) double the amount of time I think it should. When the end came I couldn't understand it, I didn't understand (even then) who had committed the crime - I must've been suffering with amnesia. The perks of the book however, were that the pages were smudged with (what was supposed to be) soot, and the cover is pretty cool.
What a great idea!! But in fact it's pretty dull, the characters all seem to merge into one, and the story goes on for (in my opinion) double the amount of time I think it should. When the end came I couldn't understand it, I didn't understand (even then) who had committed the crime - I must've been suffering with amnesia. The perks of the book however, were that the pages were smudged with (what was supposed to be) soot, and the cover is pretty cool.
micrummey's review against another edition
2.0
An unusual plot in that Fletcher Rigge in order to be released from a York debtor prison has a month to solve a murder.
Told from various view points through, letters, testimonials and diaries we follow the investigation that becomes tedious and with no real jeopardy involved.
There are some humorous moments which might have come from a Carry On film and the ending as we find the killer's identity was more like a shrug of the shoulders.
I liked the scenes within a York theatre, Martin managed to create some atmosphere, not enough however to increase my liking for this novel. Should have been so much better.
Told from various view points through, letters, testimonials and diaries we follow the investigation that becomes tedious and with no real jeopardy involved.
There are some humorous moments which might have come from a Carry On film and the ending as we find the killer's identity was more like a shrug of the shoulders.
I liked the scenes within a York theatre, Martin managed to create some atmosphere, not enough however to increase my liking for this novel. Should have been so much better.
caitlinjsmith's review against another edition
3.0
The multiple forms intrigued me when picking up this book and they did not disappoint. Overall the story was interesting and undeniably reminiscent of 18th century England as was the intention. My only qualm, however, is that I found it difficult to pick up. I am not sure whether this is down to a lack of time management on my part or if the plot itself was persuading me against wanting to read. The ending seemed lack lustre for me as I was looking forward to a finale of great triumph and climax, where instead there was more of a slow droll and fizzle.
I would however recommend this book to someone looking to get into historical crime novels or even someone well versed in the genre.
I would however recommend this book to someone looking to get into historical crime novels or even someone well versed in the genre.