The Colours of Corruption

by Jacqueline Jacques

First in the Archie Price Mystery Series. "Are you serious, Archie Price? Did you say I didn't go with the painting?" Mary, a desperately poor cleaner, is a witness to murder. Archie, one of the first artists to work for the police, draws the man she says she saw. Fascinated by her 'face full of bones' Archie persuades her to sit for a portrait, but the man who buys the picture would rather buy Mary herself. He doesn't realise the jeopardy his art has placed them in. Archie has no idea how this one woman links his wealthiest clients, the grimmest slums, dangerous secrets, and a violent obsessive man who will stop at nothing to get what he wants. As her gripping thriller uncoils, Jacqueline Jacques paints an intricate, vibrant picture of the myriad layers of Victorian London, where the poor are commodities, criminals have nothing to lose and the rich can buy almost anything.

Genres: Book Club

376 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Ann Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was attracted by the cover - from a painting by John Singer Sargent - and found within a vibrant and engrossing tale, very well written. I enjoyed The Colours of Corruption from the first page to the last.
This Victorian thriller set in the London suburbs of the late 19th century, portrays human and convincing characters struggling against greed and corruption. Here are emigrants fighting for survival, being conned by fear and poverty into slavery - and ordinary locals trying to walk a straight path in the midst of it all - very modern themes.
But what made it special for me was the way the story unfolded, the truth about the artist's model peeling away like layers of clothing. The artist, Archie Price, is not the stuff of which heroes are made - and yet he proves a hero in the end. The author very cleverly left us guessing until the final page - and throughout showed a true appreciation of what motivates artists, and - of course - the art of the period. Wonderful stuff and a real page-turner - I loved it! Now looking forward to her next book...

[Johanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gritty realism and a decent plot but the writing style seemed a bit overblown and in the end it became a barrier rather than an aid to reading. Trying too hard to reproduce the style associated with its setting.

[Chrystyna · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Colours of Corruption by Jacqueline Jacques - OK

Another of my Tea and Mystery Sweep winnings, number five I think.

Set in Victorian London, an artist, Archie, is asked to help the police by drawing a poster of a wanted man from a witness's description. He's entranced by the bedraggled washerwoman before him, he can see her beauty under the grime and wants to paint her. He creates a beautiful painting of her but it could also be interpreted that she is a prostitute. The painting is bought by a rich collector of art....but also of women, and he wants to buy her to add to his collection too.

Back to the crime, she has actually witnessed a man, already wanted for murder, outside a shop which was burnt down...in the charred remains they found the body of the owner and realise he was murdered.

Things start to get complicated as the various people in the book become interrelated with each other and with various crimes. In the process, Archie and the people he loves, are put in danger and it is up to him to help the Police solve the crimes.

Quite enjoyable, good page turner, but I felt that it placed modern moral values on a time that wasn't quite so bothered about such things. Glad I read it, but won't be searching any more of the series, or by the author, out.

[Linda Hartley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in the Victoria era in the late 1800's. As artist Archie paints he finds the 'Irish Mary'. She changes his life as he becomes infatuated with her and having been a witness to murder she is searched out by a horrible type who wants to capture her with the worst of motives.
Ordinary people engulfed with poverty in the midst of evil. Archie in his plight to save Mary uncovers a horrible world behind the corridors and cellars of Walthamstow.
Dark storyline but good.
Three and a half stars but not quite a 4.

[Sue Shave]

Jacqueline Jacques will be giving a talk at Woodford Green Library, Essex, on 18th sept. Contact the library for details!

http://www2.redbridge.gov.uk/cms/leis...

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good story, but somehow I didn't find the writing style particularly engaging.