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Black Art
"I would have married her before I went away to war too, just to make sure that someone else didn’t. She was beautiful. It started in her eyes and spread to the set of her mouth and the tilt of her chin. In both pictures there was a confidence, a courage, a spirit of defiance... Not the “smile though your house is rubble and you’re sleeping in a tube station” spirit of the Blitz, but real steel. The kind of backbone that would make you do extraordinary things. Things that the rest us of wouldn’t do."
Arty Shaw, a genealogist working on a peculiarly British island in the English Channel, is asked by a television company to research Helen Valentine's family tree. The award-winning British actress wants to know the truth about her grandmother's wartime exploits and Arty is her choice to do the digging; which is just fine by Arty. When a beautiful blonde like Helen Valentine asks, you don't say no.
Arty’s investigation reveals that Helen’s grandmother, Kay Marett, was half-Jewish and running resistance ops against the German forces occupying her Island. When Kay disappears in 1942, a concentration camp seems to be her likely destination, until Arty uncovers a trail stretching from the Island, across Europe, to Cold War Dresden. As Arty learns more about Kay’s extraordinary wartime adventures, obstacles to the truth begin to appear in the form of a star of the Island’s amateur theatre, and two menacing East Europeans in suits. Arty must challenge his deepest beliefs to discover what happened to Kay.
Written in the hard-boiled, noir style of detective fiction from the 1940's, Arty Shaw is the kind of investigator you want on your side. Transsexual and proud of it, with a moral code that means breaking the rules now and again, and a world weary cynicism that takes nothing at face value, Arty won't stop until the truth is out. And that can make you unpopular with the wrong sort of people.
Arty Shaw, a genealogist working on a peculiarly British island in the English Channel, is asked by a television company to research Helen Valentine's family tree. The award-winning British actress wants to know the truth about her grandmother's wartime exploits and Arty is her choice to do the digging; which is just fine by Arty. When a beautiful blonde like Helen Valentine asks, you don't say no.
Arty’s investigation reveals that Helen’s grandmother, Kay Marett, was half-Jewish and running resistance ops against the German forces occupying her Island. When Kay disappears in 1942, a concentration camp seems to be her likely destination, until Arty uncovers a trail stretching from the Island, across Europe, to Cold War Dresden. As Arty learns more about Kay’s extraordinary wartime adventures, obstacles to the truth begin to appear in the form of a star of the Island’s amateur theatre, and two menacing East Europeans in suits. Arty must challenge his deepest beliefs to discover what happened to Kay.
Written in the hard-boiled, noir style of detective fiction from the 1940's, Arty Shaw is the kind of investigator you want on your side. Transsexual and proud of it, with a moral code that means breaking the rules now and again, and a world weary cynicism that takes nothing at face value, Arty won't stop until the truth is out. And that can make you unpopular with the wrong sort of people.
254 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 22, 2012
2 people are currently reading
146 people want to read
About the author
V.T. Davy
3 books29 followersBorn in London, Vic Tanner Davy now lives in the Channel Islands. When not working in an office crunching numbers, Vic is a writer.
Vic has been writing since 1995 when his first play, And Our Dear Channel Islands.., about the Occupation and Liberation of Jersey premiered.
Vic’s first novel, Black Art, featured Arty Shaw, the world’s first female-to-male transgender detective. It was named one of Kirkus Reviews’ top 100 books of 2012. Vic’s second novel, A Very Civil Wedding, was a finalist in the 2014 Next Generation Indie Book Awards (Fiction: GLBT). Vic’s third novel, The Hystery App, received an honorable mention in the 2015 Rainbow Awards.
Since 2014, Vic has dedicated his spare time to the Jersey charity, Liberate, of which he is honorary CEO. He has delivered hundreds of training sessions and public speaking engagements on its behalf, educating and engaging with people on the subject of equality, diversity and inclusion.
Vic has an MBA from the University of Durham and is a member of the Institute of Fundraising.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 14, 2016
Black Art is a perfectly well-constructed piece of noir, a Jengalike masterpiece of clues that lead to more shocking clues before finally culminating in a payoff and solution that was actually worth the buildup. (I'm often frustrated by fiction where the resolution, whether romantic or suspenseful, doesn't stand up to the power of the scenes leading up to it. This was not that.) I was really impressed with how deftly the author laid out the road map to higher and higher stakes, never getting ahead of himself. The plot starts out with a famous but mysterious actress (the most noiriest tropiest character in the book) searching for her roots, namely, her grandmother who may have been captured by the Germans during the second world war.
I'm a big fan of the idea that marginalized groups previously excluded from representation in all the great beloved forms of fiction should get to have their day with gloriously tropey tropes. After all, it's incredibly demoralizing to be shut out of things that are supposedly "universal." The narrator/MC, like the author, is a trans man living in the island of Jersey. His transness isn't the topic of the story but figures as color--for example, using other people's reaction to finding out as a way to learn more about their character--and a way to make the mustache-twirling supervillain seem like even more of a schmuck (there is misgendering for the sake of insult, but the narrator handles it with the offhand suaveness you'd expect from James Bond.) Most people on the island itself know but don't seem to care, so if you're after that kind of reading experience, it's pretty satisfying.
I have to say, this was not an easy book for the granddaughter of Shoah refugees to read. It's not that the book itself or its narrative is antisemitic. Far from it. I've just never seen a villain this antisemitic and he was fucking terrifying. There was also a lot of talking about Nazis and WWII-era Germany and camps and since I knew the book was set in present-day it caught me off guard. Don't let this keep you from the book but I think I'm saying that if this is the kind of thing you need extra emotional armor to read, go grab it? Do not take this paragraph lightly.
This is not "a romance", although the MC has sex with more than one of the tropey female characters and I'm pretty sure that the MC did wind up with one of them at the end. It's primarily a James Bond/noir type story that happens to have some hooking up in it because most of those types of stories do.
I just have to say again how impressed I was with the construction of this thing. I feel like most multimillion dollar summer blockbuster movies of this type aren't this well laid out, honestly. They lead up to something unrealistic and bombastic like someone trying to "take over the world" or "destroy the internet" and that just makes me feel like they think I'm five.
TW for some references to tragic lesbians in the past.
I'm a big fan of the idea that marginalized groups previously excluded from representation in all the great beloved forms of fiction should get to have their day with gloriously tropey tropes. After all, it's incredibly demoralizing to be shut out of things that are supposedly "universal." The narrator/MC, like the author, is a trans man living in the island of Jersey. His transness isn't the topic of the story but figures as color--for example, using other people's reaction to finding out as a way to learn more about their character--and a way to make the mustache-twirling supervillain seem like even more of a schmuck (there is misgendering for the sake of insult, but the narrator handles it with the offhand suaveness you'd expect from James Bond.) Most people on the island itself know but don't seem to care, so if you're after that kind of reading experience, it's pretty satisfying.
I have to say, this was not an easy book for the granddaughter of Shoah refugees to read. It's not that the book itself or its narrative is antisemitic. Far from it. I've just never seen a villain this antisemitic and he was fucking terrifying. There was also a lot of talking about Nazis and WWII-era Germany and camps and since I knew the book was set in present-day it caught me off guard. Don't let this keep you from the book but I think I'm saying that if this is the kind of thing you need extra emotional armor to read, go grab it? Do not take this paragraph lightly.
This is not "a romance", although the MC has sex with more than one of the tropey female characters and I'm pretty sure that the MC did wind up with one of them at the end. It's primarily a James Bond/noir type story that happens to have some hooking up in it because most of those types of stories do.
I just have to say again how impressed I was with the construction of this thing. I feel like most multimillion dollar summer blockbuster movies of this type aren't this well laid out, honestly. They lead up to something unrealistic and bombastic like someone trying to "take over the world" or "destroy the internet" and that just makes me feel like they think I'm five.
TW for some references to tragic lesbians in the past.
November 11, 2012
I was honoured to have been sent a promotional copy of this novel in return for my honest review. In actual fact, I was sent the first 20 chapters first to review, and then a copy of the paperback when it was launched - I couldn't wait the two weeks for the paperback to find out what happened at the end and promptly purchased the full digital copy from Amazon to find out what happened with no delay!
What a novel it is! It's just that good. The author's imagery dances across the page in the form of elegant and confident prose, waltzing the story of a good British tale, swathed in rich and opulent historical fact. I do particularly enjoy an author, like V.T. Davy, who knows when, where and how to use a good semicolon! It was also a really refreshing change to read a mystery that wasn't completely centred on murders and their investigations; I find those kind of books to be a bit 'samey', after reading so many, and this was a breath of fresh air!
Set in the Chanel Islands, the protagonist, genealogist Arty, has been commissioned to look into the ancestry of actress Helen Valentine for a television programme, Roots (which I gather is not unlike our own `Who do you think you are?'). I enjoyed the subtle revelations of character for both Arty and Helen, dealing delicately and interestingly with the idea of Arty being transgender. The story explores the period of the Second World War and the occupation of the Chanel Islands, where Helen's ancestors lived at the time. Delving into the subterfuge and espionage that surrounded those that stood against the Germans in any way they could get away with, the novel digs into the mystery behind what happened to Helen's grandmother, Kay, a resistance member who disappeared seemingly into the ether after being questioned by the Nazis and escaping. The tale takes us to Dresden, chasing the story of a brave woman who tried to thwart the Nazi's attempts to hoarde priceless artworks, and discover a hidden bravery to the protagonist, Arty, that I never would have imagined.
The text itself is full of delightful English colloquialisms, all woven neatly into the tapestry of the story. I really enjoyed the writing style, which was very easy to read, but due to carefully and artfully crafted sentences as opposed to a simplicity. Without being overtly funny, the writing itself seems to allude to a humorous tone that I can't quite describe accurately; I found the turns of phrase making the corners of my mouth twitch a little with inclination to smile.
I would sincerely recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good mystery, anyone who likes a good British novel, or who enjoys a fantastically written book with intriguing and engaging characters.
What a novel it is! It's just that good. The author's imagery dances across the page in the form of elegant and confident prose, waltzing the story of a good British tale, swathed in rich and opulent historical fact. I do particularly enjoy an author, like V.T. Davy, who knows when, where and how to use a good semicolon! It was also a really refreshing change to read a mystery that wasn't completely centred on murders and their investigations; I find those kind of books to be a bit 'samey', after reading so many, and this was a breath of fresh air!
Set in the Chanel Islands, the protagonist, genealogist Arty, has been commissioned to look into the ancestry of actress Helen Valentine for a television programme, Roots (which I gather is not unlike our own `Who do you think you are?'). I enjoyed the subtle revelations of character for both Arty and Helen, dealing delicately and interestingly with the idea of Arty being transgender. The story explores the period of the Second World War and the occupation of the Chanel Islands, where Helen's ancestors lived at the time. Delving into the subterfuge and espionage that surrounded those that stood against the Germans in any way they could get away with, the novel digs into the mystery behind what happened to Helen's grandmother, Kay, a resistance member who disappeared seemingly into the ether after being questioned by the Nazis and escaping. The tale takes us to Dresden, chasing the story of a brave woman who tried to thwart the Nazi's attempts to hoarde priceless artworks, and discover a hidden bravery to the protagonist, Arty, that I never would have imagined.
The text itself is full of delightful English colloquialisms, all woven neatly into the tapestry of the story. I really enjoyed the writing style, which was very easy to read, but due to carefully and artfully crafted sentences as opposed to a simplicity. Without being overtly funny, the writing itself seems to allude to a humorous tone that I can't quite describe accurately; I found the turns of phrase making the corners of my mouth twitch a little with inclination to smile.
I would sincerely recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good mystery, anyone who likes a good British novel, or who enjoys a fantastically written book with intriguing and engaging characters.
June 25, 2016
Review of Black Art – launch sample – read 9.10.12
The delectable Helen Valentine was a very successful actress, and the television company she was working with at the time, requested the expertise of Arty Shaw, a genealogist with the Heritage Service, incorporating the archives, museum and sites of historic interest, on the island of Jersey. They needed him to help trace Helen’s grandmother, who disappeared during the war when the Germans occupied the Island. The television crew, run by King, thought there was a good human interest story to be told, but he wanted the information quickly…
Helen’s grandmother, Katherine (Kay) Marett was a good looking young woman when she married Clarence LeSueur, but Clarey was killed during the Battle of Britain, and as the Germans invaded Jersey, in June of 1940, Kay was in the hospital, having just given birth to a daughter Clarey would never meet.
This information Helen could give Arty, but she knew very little more. Arty began his searching through the archives, and turned up very little. But he discovered Kay had been sentenced to 3 months imprisonment for distributing leaflets of a banned nature in August of 1942, but she seemed to disappear around that time, leaving her 2 year old daughter (Helen’s Mum) behind.
When Arty’s boss, Sloman, a brilliant historian, told Arty to discontinue the searching for Helen’s grandmother, the reason being a lack of money, Helen immediately put up the funds…she needed to know. But Arty was wary, there seemed to be more to this than met the eye. Was Helen being up front with him?
He continued searching, coming across a propaganda leaflet from 1941, and meeting up with an old neighbour of the Marett family, Flo, who had some memories of the time Kay went missing. She said the Germans took Kay in for questioning to the Albert College, but then she just disappeared. Arty spoke to Ph’lip Marett, who’s Dad, also Ph’lip, was Kay’s cousin, and he added a little more information. Slowly a picture was beginning to form. Arty wished he had met Kay, as she seemed to have been a very brave young woman.
But Arty was being followed, and when a note turned up at the archives, he felt extremely uneasy. Was it a warning? Was he in danger?
I thoroughly enjoyed this, the first 20 chapters of Black Art, and definitely want to read the rest! The author has a great way of describing each scene, so I could picture it all…I felt I was there. I want to find out what happened to Kay, and why Arty feels something isn’t quite right……
The delectable Helen Valentine was a very successful actress, and the television company she was working with at the time, requested the expertise of Arty Shaw, a genealogist with the Heritage Service, incorporating the archives, museum and sites of historic interest, on the island of Jersey. They needed him to help trace Helen’s grandmother, who disappeared during the war when the Germans occupied the Island. The television crew, run by King, thought there was a good human interest story to be told, but he wanted the information quickly…
Helen’s grandmother, Katherine (Kay) Marett was a good looking young woman when she married Clarence LeSueur, but Clarey was killed during the Battle of Britain, and as the Germans invaded Jersey, in June of 1940, Kay was in the hospital, having just given birth to a daughter Clarey would never meet.
This information Helen could give Arty, but she knew very little more. Arty began his searching through the archives, and turned up very little. But he discovered Kay had been sentenced to 3 months imprisonment for distributing leaflets of a banned nature in August of 1942, but she seemed to disappear around that time, leaving her 2 year old daughter (Helen’s Mum) behind.
When Arty’s boss, Sloman, a brilliant historian, told Arty to discontinue the searching for Helen’s grandmother, the reason being a lack of money, Helen immediately put up the funds…she needed to know. But Arty was wary, there seemed to be more to this than met the eye. Was Helen being up front with him?
He continued searching, coming across a propaganda leaflet from 1941, and meeting up with an old neighbour of the Marett family, Flo, who had some memories of the time Kay went missing. She said the Germans took Kay in for questioning to the Albert College, but then she just disappeared. Arty spoke to Ph’lip Marett, who’s Dad, also Ph’lip, was Kay’s cousin, and he added a little more information. Slowly a picture was beginning to form. Arty wished he had met Kay, as she seemed to have been a very brave young woman.
But Arty was being followed, and when a note turned up at the archives, he felt extremely uneasy. Was it a warning? Was he in danger?
I thoroughly enjoyed this, the first 20 chapters of Black Art, and definitely want to read the rest! The author has a great way of describing each scene, so I could picture it all…I felt I was there. I want to find out what happened to Kay, and why Arty feels something isn’t quite right……
November 23, 2012
Intensely gripping and fascinating this complex mystery is a spectacular historical masterpiece!
Black Art by V T Davy I clearly envisage as this years bestseller as it is something that is completely original, fresh and a truly inspired narrative. The mystery and secrets are shrouded beneath an intricately woven veil that carefully is unraveled bit by bit as you uncover more about each character; their distinctive past and the history that is connected to it. Written in first person the reader follows the protagonist Arty Shaw (a genealogist working on a peculiarly British island in the English Channel), who begins to delve into the infamous actress Helen Valentine’s family tree. Whilst uncovering the past about her grandmother Kay Marett, one soon learns that there is more than meets the eye as her disappearance in 1942 turns into the most fascinating exploration adventure. The search to uncover the truth stretches throughout Europe and Cold War Dresden, with more wartime questions to ensue than Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code can shake a stick at. This 1940’s detective fictional work is as thrilling as reading about Sherlock Holmes on a case, with the jumble of puzzle pieces to slowly fall into place as the quest begins.
I was given the opportunity of a preview of the first two chapters of this novel, in return for an honest and candid review of my thoughts prior to the book’s publication. It only takes a few pages for you to loose yourself within this most remarkable, astonishing and quite extraordinary tale that keeps you hooked to the page as the tension begins to build. The detailed imagery and descriptions brought the story vividly to life before your very eyes, written in such a fluid and undeniably adept way as to profess a great talent. “…The granite cobbles of museum yard glowed like the tops of a whore’s well-corseted breasts after a steam bath.” Another part that also demonstrated this was, “…Smelled of one hundred years of furniture polish and well-bleached lavatories and groups of children sucking fruit drops.” I am very impressed by this mesmerizing and surprising novel that which I do hope to be able to read in its complete form, having as yet only read a portion of the storyline. It is something that I would recommend to many readers who are looking for something quite atypical and innovative, which exudes all that is cherished within mystery and suspense literature with a well-researched historical backdrop.
Black Art by V T Davy I clearly envisage as this years bestseller as it is something that is completely original, fresh and a truly inspired narrative. The mystery and secrets are shrouded beneath an intricately woven veil that carefully is unraveled bit by bit as you uncover more about each character; their distinctive past and the history that is connected to it. Written in first person the reader follows the protagonist Arty Shaw (a genealogist working on a peculiarly British island in the English Channel), who begins to delve into the infamous actress Helen Valentine’s family tree. Whilst uncovering the past about her grandmother Kay Marett, one soon learns that there is more than meets the eye as her disappearance in 1942 turns into the most fascinating exploration adventure. The search to uncover the truth stretches throughout Europe and Cold War Dresden, with more wartime questions to ensue than Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code can shake a stick at. This 1940’s detective fictional work is as thrilling as reading about Sherlock Holmes on a case, with the jumble of puzzle pieces to slowly fall into place as the quest begins.
I was given the opportunity of a preview of the first two chapters of this novel, in return for an honest and candid review of my thoughts prior to the book’s publication. It only takes a few pages for you to loose yourself within this most remarkable, astonishing and quite extraordinary tale that keeps you hooked to the page as the tension begins to build. The detailed imagery and descriptions brought the story vividly to life before your very eyes, written in such a fluid and undeniably adept way as to profess a great talent. “…The granite cobbles of museum yard glowed like the tops of a whore’s well-corseted breasts after a steam bath.” Another part that also demonstrated this was, “…Smelled of one hundred years of furniture polish and well-bleached lavatories and groups of children sucking fruit drops.” I am very impressed by this mesmerizing and surprising novel that which I do hope to be able to read in its complete form, having as yet only read a portion of the storyline. It is something that I would recommend to many readers who are looking for something quite atypical and innovative, which exudes all that is cherished within mystery and suspense literature with a well-researched historical backdrop.
December 16, 2017
Confusing
There was a lot of confusing language. The mc speaks a few times about their feminine vs their masculine traits, which seems an almost elementary break down of gender (the feminine traits are always more emotionally based and the masculine seems "oonga boonga sex and anger"). For something that tries to tackle transness, it just felt very odd. I'm not sure if the author is trans or not, so I don't want to go too far with my review of that matter. But I will say I've read books that dealt with it much much better and if you'd like some recommendations I love to spread around good books.
The mystery was thin and slow moving up until the end. Helen was a boring character who's motivations were supposed to be intriguing but weren't. Inge was vastly more complex and I feel rather heroic. She gptnhalf the screen time of Helen, and I got a little tired of reading about how extremely attractive every woman was. I get it. Women are wonderful. But also, i can only read about hips and breasts and lips and sweaty collars so many times.
Over all the story was ok, but disappointing for what if been sold on it for. I don't not recommend it, but read it with an open mind. (There is also some weird politics going on about Communism and poor people and stuff that feels on the line for a poor American getting crushed under capitalism.)
There was a lot of confusing language. The mc speaks a few times about their feminine vs their masculine traits, which seems an almost elementary break down of gender (the feminine traits are always more emotionally based and the masculine seems "oonga boonga sex and anger"). For something that tries to tackle transness, it just felt very odd. I'm not sure if the author is trans or not, so I don't want to go too far with my review of that matter. But I will say I've read books that dealt with it much much better and if you'd like some recommendations I love to spread around good books.
The mystery was thin and slow moving up until the end. Helen was a boring character who's motivations were supposed to be intriguing but weren't. Inge was vastly more complex and I feel rather heroic. She gptnhalf the screen time of Helen, and I got a little tired of reading about how extremely attractive every woman was. I get it. Women are wonderful. But also, i can only read about hips and breasts and lips and sweaty collars so many times.
Over all the story was ok, but disappointing for what if been sold on it for. I don't not recommend it, but read it with an open mind. (There is also some weird politics going on about Communism and poor people and stuff that feels on the line for a poor American getting crushed under capitalism.)
November 29, 2021
Excellent cosy mystery
Thoroughly entertaining and enlightening cosy mystery that focusses heavily on a mystery involving WW2 and Nazi pows.
I particularly loved the Raymond Chandler-esque phrasing in a modern context.
Thoroughly entertaining and enlightening cosy mystery that focusses heavily on a mystery involving WW2 and Nazi pows.
I particularly loved the Raymond Chandler-esque phrasing in a modern context.
October 4, 2018
History, gender variance, mystery and some sexiness all in one book? Yes!
November 11, 2012
noir: "crime fiction featuring hard-boiled cynical characters and bleak sleazy settings"
( http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/noir )
I can SO picture Humphrey Bogart (if he were still alive and in his prime) in the role of Black Art's lead character, Arty Shaw! OK, instead of a hard-nosed detective, our lead character is an archivist. He's British, rather than American. Oh, and he was actually born with paired XX chromosomes and was referred to as "she" for a number of years, but medical science is in the processing of correcting that issue for him.
[Please refer to my review of the first 20 chapters - below - for additional thoughts.]
I am very glad that the author V. T. Davy selected me to provide a review of their book (at no charge, in return for posting honest feedback), and I am looking forward to his next work, whether sequel or independent.
=======================
This was the review that I wrote after receiving a preview of the first 40% of the book:
I've read a partial preview of this upcoming book - the first 20 chapters. Which, of course, leaves a certain frustration when reading a mystery, knowing that I won't be able to find out "the answers" for another few weeks. (The book will be released on 01 november.)
It is nice to read a mystery that does not revolve around a murder(s) - at least we haven't had one yet! The book has an archivist and a celebrity searching for secrets about her ancestry - and perhaps about secrets in the lives of the archivist and the celebrity, as well.
On the Amazon (UK) site, the box is checked for "Lesbian" ... perhaps it's true, BUT it is misleading because the book is certainly not about sexuality. Perhaps it will come into play later, perhaps it is simply that we have a book where a character's sexuality is just one aspect of their personality, rather than THE defining item around which anything else in their day-to-day existance takes a back seat.
Am looking forward to the rest of the book!!
( http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/noir )
I can SO picture Humphrey Bogart (if he were still alive and in his prime) in the role of Black Art's lead character, Arty Shaw! OK, instead of a hard-nosed detective, our lead character is an archivist. He's British, rather than American. Oh, and he was actually born with paired XX chromosomes and was referred to as "she" for a number of years, but medical science is in the processing of correcting that issue for him.
[Please refer to my review of the first 20 chapters - below - for additional thoughts.]
I am very glad that the author V. T. Davy selected me to provide a review of their book (at no charge, in return for posting honest feedback), and I am looking forward to his next work, whether sequel or independent.
=======================
This was the review that I wrote after receiving a preview of the first 40% of the book:
I've read a partial preview of this upcoming book - the first 20 chapters. Which, of course, leaves a certain frustration when reading a mystery, knowing that I won't be able to find out "the answers" for another few weeks. (The book will be released on 01 november.)
It is nice to read a mystery that does not revolve around a murder(s) - at least we haven't had one yet! The book has an archivist and a celebrity searching for secrets about her ancestry - and perhaps about secrets in the lives of the archivist and the celebrity, as well.
On the Amazon (UK) site, the box is checked for "Lesbian" ... perhaps it's true, BUT it is misleading because the book is certainly not about sexuality. Perhaps it will come into play later, perhaps it is simply that we have a book where a character's sexuality is just one aspect of their personality, rather than THE defining item around which anything else in their day-to-day existance takes a back seat.
Am looking forward to the rest of the book!!
November 14, 2012
I was part of the 100 launch ambassadors for this book, which was provided to me by the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review.
There are many perils associated with reviewing a book without having finished it in it's entirety. Books can shift on a dime, and often if a book's ending is poor the entire book suffers and lessens the enjoyment of it. However, from what I have read so far, I'm willing to say that that won't happen.
I will say this about my attitude going into this novel. I'm so used to "indie" fiction being bad (come on, we all think it), that I was perhaps a tad reserved about having to review it afterwards. No more.
The prose is intelligent, and doesn't club you over the head with stuff proclaiming it to be Noir fiction. It does what all good fiction should: show, not tell. At times I missed a few colloquialisms, for I'm not British, but I must say that some of the fun was in identifying them and learning what they meant!
I would highly recommend this book to anyone.
There are many perils associated with reviewing a book without having finished it in it's entirety. Books can shift on a dime, and often if a book's ending is poor the entire book suffers and lessens the enjoyment of it. However, from what I have read so far, I'm willing to say that that won't happen.
I will say this about my attitude going into this novel. I'm so used to "indie" fiction being bad (come on, we all think it), that I was perhaps a tad reserved about having to review it afterwards. No more.
The prose is intelligent, and doesn't club you over the head with stuff proclaiming it to be Noir fiction. It does what all good fiction should: show, not tell. At times I missed a few colloquialisms, for I'm not British, but I must say that some of the fun was in identifying them and learning what they meant!
I would highly recommend this book to anyone.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews