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Painting the Darkness
In Robert Goddard’s third novel, a bestseller in the United Kingdom and now back in print, is a masterful exercise in suspense set in Victorian-era England. On a mild autumn afternoon in 1882, thirty-four-year-old husband and father William Trenchard sits smoking his pipe in the garden of his comfortable family home. When the creak of the garden gate announces the arrival of an unexpected visitor, he is puzzled but not alarmed. He has no inkling of the destruction this man will wreak on all he holds most dear.
The stranger offers his name as James Norton, but claims he is in reality Sir James Davenall, the man to whom Trenchard’s wife Constance had once been engaged, and who had supposedly committed suicide eleven years ago. Davenall’s mother and younger brother, who has since inherited the family’s baronetcy, refuse to recognize this stranger as one of their own, and they soon force Trenchard—who fears the loss of his wife’s affections and his own sanity—into an uneasy alliance against him. But Trenchard must plumb the depths of his own despair before the dark secrets of the Davenall family can finally, shockingly, be revealed.
The stranger offers his name as James Norton, but claims he is in reality Sir James Davenall, the man to whom Trenchard’s wife Constance had once been engaged, and who had supposedly committed suicide eleven years ago. Davenall’s mother and younger brother, who has since inherited the family’s baronetcy, refuse to recognize this stranger as one of their own, and they soon force Trenchard—who fears the loss of his wife’s affections and his own sanity—into an uneasy alliance against him. But Trenchard must plumb the depths of his own despair before the dark secrets of the Davenall family can finally, shockingly, be revealed.
608 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1989
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1077 people want to read
About the author
Robert Goddard
111 books874 followersIn a writing career spanning more than twenty years, Robert Goddard's novels have been described in many different ways - mystery, thriller, crime, even historical romance. He is the master of the plot twist, a compelling and engrossing storyteller and one of the best known advocates for the traditional virtues of pace, plot and narrative drive.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 164 reviews
January 22, 2008
Goddard creates what is, for me, the perfect take-me-away fiction, combining sufficient character development, extremely complicated/interesting plot, and a historical background that's usually pretty informative. I've been on a spree with his novels lately. This one is about a guy who supposedly committed suicide in the 1870's who shows up 11 years later and is trying to prove that he is who he says he is. Definitely lots of twists and turns. If I had to compare Goddard to someone, I'd say Ruth Rendell, but with a less dark view of human nature.
March 23, 2012
Robert Goddard's novels continue to confound me: I'm not sure what attracts me to them, but attract me, they do! I always hated history in high school; it was always kings, queens, battles, wars, dates -- all the stuff that was boring and irrelevant to a teenage boy. I'm not one who enjoys historical drama of the sort that the BBC is always praised for, because I seem to be more sensitive to the inequities of the British class system than most -- even those, who, like me, spent their formative years living there -- despite the fact that I don't think I suffered much of its effects. I'm also one who dislikes pretension -- perhaps that's one reason why I'm so sensitive to that class system.
So, along comes Robert Goddard, who seems to specialize in historical fiction involving dysfunctional, often dissolute, upper-class /aristocratic families, living (usually) in the 19th century or early 20th century. He writes in a rather flowery way, using an above average number of words I have to look up (and I consider my vocabulary to be reasonably good); perhaps he does so to represent the English of that period. Normally, I would react against it, but I don't seem to. Not to mention that he often portrays main male characters who are in many respects weak and not worthy of respect -- but some improve as the book progresses. His female characters are usually not weak, and vary from the romantic and idealistic to the cold, calculating, remote and utterly dislikeable.
But he draws me in every time. Grabs me, even. It's really the plots, which are complex, mysterious, and full of unexpected twists and turns, not to mention quite a number of red herrings -- so that you think you're getting a clue about what's happening, but then you don't.
These plots take some concentration to keep track of what's happening, and to keep the characters straight in your mind.
Highly recommended!
So, along comes Robert Goddard, who seems to specialize in historical fiction involving dysfunctional, often dissolute, upper-class /aristocratic families, living (usually) in the 19th century or early 20th century. He writes in a rather flowery way, using an above average number of words I have to look up (and I consider my vocabulary to be reasonably good); perhaps he does so to represent the English of that period. Normally, I would react against it, but I don't seem to. Not to mention that he often portrays main male characters who are in many respects weak and not worthy of respect -- but some improve as the book progresses. His female characters are usually not weak, and vary from the romantic and idealistic to the cold, calculating, remote and utterly dislikeable.
But he draws me in every time. Grabs me, even. It's really the plots, which are complex, mysterious, and full of unexpected twists and turns, not to mention quite a number of red herrings -- so that you think you're getting a clue about what's happening, but then you don't.
These plots take some concentration to keep track of what's happening, and to keep the characters straight in your mind.
Highly recommended!
April 16, 2021
Robert Goddard is a master of atmosphere and plot twists. I shall read more of his books with great pleasure.
April 24, 2021
Malgré une longueur qui aurait pu amener quelques flottements dans le récit, Robert Godart s’attache avec succès à retracer la vie d’une famille aristocratique de la fin du XIXe siècle. Son style ainsi que l’emploi régulier mais maîtrisé de l’imparfait du subjonctif y est pour beaucoup.
Ce livre dresse un paysage familial basé sur des secrets enfuis, des rancœurs sous-jacentes et des regrets entre les membres de la famille. L’arbre généalogique présenté avant le récit est bien utile pour se rendre compte que chaque branche n’est pas exempt de tout reproche. L’auteur parvient par ce biais à maintenir l’intérêt du lecteur jusqu’à la fin.
J’ai aimé l’ambiance « british », le charme de l’Angleterre bourgeoise de l’époque ainsi que le contexte historique. Un pari réussi pour un auteur dont l’objectif est de dresser la critique de cette société prête à tout pour protéger ses intérêts.
Ce livre dresse un paysage familial basé sur des secrets enfuis, des rancœurs sous-jacentes et des regrets entre les membres de la famille. L’arbre généalogique présenté avant le récit est bien utile pour se rendre compte que chaque branche n’est pas exempt de tout reproche. L’auteur parvient par ce biais à maintenir l’intérêt du lecteur jusqu’à la fin.
J’ai aimé l’ambiance « british », le charme de l’Angleterre bourgeoise de l’époque ainsi que le contexte historique. Un pari réussi pour un auteur dont l’objectif est de dresser la critique de cette société prête à tout pour protéger ses intérêts.
January 15, 2015
Probably my least favourite Goddard book so far, this suffers from interminable length, a lack of sympathetic characters and a dearth of the great twists we have come to expect from this writer. Special mention must be made of the worst-written female characters in his books; most of them are supposedly so seductive and/or beautiful they drive men to murder, rape and doom-laden betrayal but come across as vapid and personality-free on the page. The period atmosphere and convincing dialogue goes some way towards redeeming the book.
April 2, 2017
Exciting with the usual plot twists and multiple lines of character development of which Goddard is a master. As usual, the ending was less than satisfying -- but I'm never sure whether it's the book that disappoints me or the truth he makes me aware of. As with a couple of other novels by him that I've read, this one is set in an earlier century (the 19th) and makes excellent use of the historical context.
January 5, 2012
Hell hath no fury as a woman scorned....... And there is the key to this whole tale.
William Trenchard is a successful man and happily married to Constance and with a lovely daughter. Constance was to be married to another but he abandoned her (at the alter as it were) and disappeared, declared dead after 7 years missing. So, was the stranger at the Trenchard gate the disappeared James Davenall? Constance thought so and this sent her into an emotional turmoil. The Davenall family were unequivocal in denying that he was and so a celebrated court case began to decide the true identity of the stranger. A lot was to be had - the Baronetcy was to pass from Gervase to James Davenall but in the event passed to Hugo. One could loose all he had, the other could rise from obscurity to unimagined wealth.
In the process we learn the sad, sorry, sordid and uncomfortable truth about the Davenall Family and see the slow mental destruction of William and see how easily others are taken in. Or are they?
The final resolution of the case -long after the court has declared its view - leads to no satisfaction for anyone. No one wins but all loose. All that is except the woman scorned.
I found this book so complex and difficult to read that I very nearly gave it up as a bad job. The Christmas holiday gave me the opportunity to spend more time at a sitting reading it and that saved the day. This books really needs your attention and reading spell of an hour or more at a time (not my usual 20 minutes)to get the most out of it - and you will be rewarded.
This could be a 4 part TV mini series quite easily
William Trenchard is a successful man and happily married to Constance and with a lovely daughter. Constance was to be married to another but he abandoned her (at the alter as it were) and disappeared, declared dead after 7 years missing. So, was the stranger at the Trenchard gate the disappeared James Davenall? Constance thought so and this sent her into an emotional turmoil. The Davenall family were unequivocal in denying that he was and so a celebrated court case began to decide the true identity of the stranger. A lot was to be had - the Baronetcy was to pass from Gervase to James Davenall but in the event passed to Hugo. One could loose all he had, the other could rise from obscurity to unimagined wealth.
In the process we learn the sad, sorry, sordid and uncomfortable truth about the Davenall Family and see the slow mental destruction of William and see how easily others are taken in. Or are they?
The final resolution of the case -long after the court has declared its view - leads to no satisfaction for anyone. No one wins but all loose. All that is except the woman scorned.
I found this book so complex and difficult to read that I very nearly gave it up as a bad job. The Christmas holiday gave me the opportunity to spend more time at a sitting reading it and that saved the day. This books really needs your attention and reading spell of an hour or more at a time (not my usual 20 minutes)to get the most out of it - and you will be rewarded.
This could be a 4 part TV mini series quite easily
March 11, 2018
Robert Goddard has excelled himself in this convoluted Victorian melodrama . I must say I was intrigued from the beginning and vacillated along with Richard Davenall in my belief or otherwise in the man who turns everyone's lives upside down. Lyrical and evocative descriptions contributed to this atmospheric mystery.
All Goddard's books are meticulously researched as to time, place and theme Goddard succeeds in rousing the reader's emotions on behalf of his characters. Painting the darkness is no exception. There were times when I felt angry, frustrated, shocked, desperately sad, etc etc. An emotional roller coaster in fact and interesting too how Goddard was able to turn the reader's initial revulsion for some characters into a more sympathetic viewpoint once the full facts were finally known.
In this sense his stories can help to make the reader more compassionate, think more deeply, and realise that there is always more to learn, to understand about a person.
Painting the darkness is a story which uncovers layer upon layer of secrets and lies. Typically the deepest most shocking secret is not revealedr until near the end. Yet that secret is the one that has set everything in motion.
I loved listening to Michael Kitchen's interpretation of the book. I found his restrained, almost detached reading somehow enabled me to feel more deeply the unexpressed emotions.
All Goddard's books are meticulously researched as to time, place and theme Goddard succeeds in rousing the reader's emotions on behalf of his characters. Painting the darkness is no exception. There were times when I felt angry, frustrated, shocked, desperately sad, etc etc. An emotional roller coaster in fact and interesting too how Goddard was able to turn the reader's initial revulsion for some characters into a more sympathetic viewpoint once the full facts were finally known.
In this sense his stories can help to make the reader more compassionate, think more deeply, and realise that there is always more to learn, to understand about a person.
Painting the darkness is a story which uncovers layer upon layer of secrets and lies. Typically the deepest most shocking secret is not revealedr until near the end. Yet that secret is the one that has set everything in motion.
I loved listening to Michael Kitchen's interpretation of the book. I found his restrained, almost detached reading somehow enabled me to feel more deeply the unexpressed emotions.
July 2, 2014
Love the plot twists. Thought I had it figured out---several times.
September 23, 2018
23 SEP 2018 - Very Good!
October 2, 2019
Encore du grand Goddard.
Avec L’Héritage Davenall, son nouveau bébé de plus de 700 pages, le roi du polar britannique nous offre une nouvelle fois un de ses grands romans rempli de mystères dont il a le secret.
.
1871. James Davenall disparaît subitement après avoir écrit un mot qui laisse entendre qu’il va mettre fin à ses jours.
1882. Alors que Constance, l’ex fiancée de James, est devenue l’épouse de William Trenchard, ils reçoivent un soir la visite d’un individu se faisant appeler James Norton mais prétendant être en réalité le James Davenall disparu depuis 11 ans et dont on n’a jamais retrouvé le corps...
.
Si le postulat de départ laisse supposer une lecture mystérieuse mais à la finalité forcément simple (il sera prouvé que l’homme en question est ou n’est pas James Davenall), Robert Goddard nous prouve une fois de plus qu’il n’en est rien et qu’il n’y a pas de petits sujets chez un grand auteur.
Car, dans cette histoire, rien n’est simple.
.
Qui a tort, qui ment, qui cache quoi, à qui, pourquoi, ne sont que quelques-unes des très nombreuses questions dont cette histoire regorge, pour le plus grand plaisir du lecteur.
.
Comme toujours avec cet auteur, on ne s’ennuie pas une seule minute durant ces 700 pages.
.
Les personnages sont, comme à son habitude, complets et complexes à souhait. Si bien que, du début à la fin on ne sait à qui se fier.
Quant à l’ambiance, c’est encore et toujours un des grands points forts de Mr Goddard. Le bruit des calèches, le clair soleil de certains après-midi de campagne et l’humidité du brouillard londonien deviennent notre décor quotidien autant que celui des protagonistes.
Et nous nous laissons prendre avec délectation, les nombreux faux-semblants des uns et des autres.
.
Un seul tout petit bémol (sur plus de 700 pages rappelons-le) porte sur l’une des toutes dernières révélations qui va pour moi trop loin dans la noirceur de l’humain. Mais ce n’est qu’un minuscule bémol au milieu d’un millier de ravissements.
.
Donc, si vous aimez les mystères à rebondissements, les personnages forts, les ambiances palpables, et bien évidemment les plumes ensorcelantes, n’hésitez pas à vous perdre dans cet excellent nouveau polar !
Avec L’Héritage Davenall, son nouveau bébé de plus de 700 pages, le roi du polar britannique nous offre une nouvelle fois un de ses grands romans rempli de mystères dont il a le secret.
.
1871. James Davenall disparaît subitement après avoir écrit un mot qui laisse entendre qu’il va mettre fin à ses jours.
1882. Alors que Constance, l’ex fiancée de James, est devenue l’épouse de William Trenchard, ils reçoivent un soir la visite d’un individu se faisant appeler James Norton mais prétendant être en réalité le James Davenall disparu depuis 11 ans et dont on n’a jamais retrouvé le corps...
.
Si le postulat de départ laisse supposer une lecture mystérieuse mais à la finalité forcément simple (il sera prouvé que l’homme en question est ou n’est pas James Davenall), Robert Goddard nous prouve une fois de plus qu’il n’en est rien et qu’il n’y a pas de petits sujets chez un grand auteur.
Car, dans cette histoire, rien n’est simple.
.
Qui a tort, qui ment, qui cache quoi, à qui, pourquoi, ne sont que quelques-unes des très nombreuses questions dont cette histoire regorge, pour le plus grand plaisir du lecteur.
.
Comme toujours avec cet auteur, on ne s’ennuie pas une seule minute durant ces 700 pages.
.
Les personnages sont, comme à son habitude, complets et complexes à souhait. Si bien que, du début à la fin on ne sait à qui se fier.
Quant à l’ambiance, c’est encore et toujours un des grands points forts de Mr Goddard. Le bruit des calèches, le clair soleil de certains après-midi de campagne et l’humidité du brouillard londonien deviennent notre décor quotidien autant que celui des protagonistes.
Et nous nous laissons prendre avec délectation, les nombreux faux-semblants des uns et des autres.
.
Un seul tout petit bémol (sur plus de 700 pages rappelons-le) porte sur l’une des toutes dernières révélations qui va pour moi trop loin dans la noirceur de l’humain. Mais ce n’est qu’un minuscule bémol au milieu d’un millier de ravissements.
.
Donc, si vous aimez les mystères à rebondissements, les personnages forts, les ambiances palpables, et bien évidemment les plumes ensorcelantes, n’hésitez pas à vous perdre dans cet excellent nouveau polar !
October 17, 2011
Another historical mystery epic from a master of the genre. After reading 4 of his books, I'm pretty sure that Goddard is more comfortable writing of bygone times; like many authors who existed in the periods his tales spend a lot of time in (or all the time in this case), Goddard is light on characterisation but lavish on story and setting. That's not a criticism, although it won't be to everyone's liking.
Goddard likes to flit between characters and time periods as his tales unfold, initially to confuse the reader, then to confuse the reader some more and finally to slowly explain what it all meant... well, in a fashion. In Painting the Darkness, he really lets loose; characters and time jumps come thick and fast and the reader has to concentrate to keep up. Eventually I got to know who was who (and when was when) and settled down to enjoy the story.
The plot twists and turns and keeps the reader guessing as one theory after another is dashed. The tale concerns James Norton, who turns up in 1882 claiming to be an heir who supposedly killed himself 11 years earlier. As always with Goddard, the reader is given the impression that things aren't quite what they seem. Almost the entire cast goes through some sort of turmoil or other, often with disastrous consequences. As the book drew to a close, it seemed to me that Goddard had to a few options that might suit an ending, but (not for the first time!) discarded them all and settled on one that few readers would have guessed. I found it to be a somewhat disappointing conclusion to this sprawling epic.
So, excellent story telling, but not Goddard's best. A solid 3.5 stars if it were possible, I can't bring myself to give it 4 stars, so 3 it is.
Goddard likes to flit between characters and time periods as his tales unfold, initially to confuse the reader, then to confuse the reader some more and finally to slowly explain what it all meant... well, in a fashion. In Painting the Darkness, he really lets loose; characters and time jumps come thick and fast and the reader has to concentrate to keep up. Eventually I got to know who was who (and when was when) and settled down to enjoy the story.
The plot twists and turns and keeps the reader guessing as one theory after another is dashed. The tale concerns James Norton, who turns up in 1882 claiming to be an heir who supposedly killed himself 11 years earlier. As always with Goddard, the reader is given the impression that things aren't quite what they seem. Almost the entire cast goes through some sort of turmoil or other, often with disastrous consequences. As the book drew to a close, it seemed to me that Goddard had to a few options that might suit an ending, but (not for the first time!) discarded them all and settled on one that few readers would have guessed. I found it to be a somewhat disappointing conclusion to this sprawling epic.
So, excellent story telling, but not Goddard's best. A solid 3.5 stars if it were possible, I can't bring myself to give it 4 stars, so 3 it is.
April 4, 2018
Pseudo-Victorian writing from the '80s, this book has just enough mystery to keep you reading. I got tired, fairly quickly, however, of the outdated morales, the "drama" that mainly consisted of "this is shocking because Victorians were prudes" (with a few exceptions), and the characterization. The way that women are idealized or mistreated in this novel was annoying. The woman everyone keeps falling in love with is fallible in that she never got over her first boyfriend, but is beloved mostly because she's beautiful. Also, slightly, because she is so "moral" (although that seems a bit of an afterthought), which seems to translate into boring. The man she falls in love with simply because he looks like her first boyfriend is the "cool" guy who remains unruffled and smokes cigarette after cigarette - and might be lying about who he is (won't give away the answer, since that's the premise of the novel). There is a twist at the end of the novel, but honestly, by the time it comes, you barely care.
Verdict: Mediocre novel; don't recommend (though I seem to be in the minority on this one, based on Goodreads rating).
Verdict: Mediocre novel; don't recommend (though I seem to be in the minority on this one, based on Goodreads rating).
June 21, 2017
I just finished reading Painting the Darkness by Robert Goddard. It's bit of an involved plot, but I'll try to explain it. One mild autumn day in 1882, William Trenchard sits smoking his pipe in his family home. When a stranger approaches him, he is puzzled but not overly worried. Trenchard cannot know what havoc will be wrought on his life and all he holds dear.
The stranger announces he is James Norton - but is, in reality Sir James Davenell - former fiance of Trenchard's wife, Constance. He disappeared 11 years ago and was declared a suicide. Now he's back to claim his inheritance and Constance. Sir Hugo, James' brother, and his mother Lady Catherine, are convinced that James Norton is an imposter and force Trenchard - who fears the loss of his wife - into an uneasy alliance against him. But Trenchard must plumb the depths of his despair before he can uncover the shocking secrets of the Davenell family.
I thought this book was really well-written, although the plot was very convoluted it was very good. I give this story an A!
The stranger announces he is James Norton - but is, in reality Sir James Davenell - former fiance of Trenchard's wife, Constance. He disappeared 11 years ago and was declared a suicide. Now he's back to claim his inheritance and Constance. Sir Hugo, James' brother, and his mother Lady Catherine, are convinced that James Norton is an imposter and force Trenchard - who fears the loss of his wife - into an uneasy alliance against him. But Trenchard must plumb the depths of his despair before he can uncover the shocking secrets of the Davenell family.
I thought this book was really well-written, although the plot was very convoluted it was very good. I give this story an A!
September 1, 2016
This is my second Goddard - both books I have listened to the audio versions.
These books are in many ways unique to Goddard in that they are cross-genre often involving intrigue, treachery, murder, lies and deceit, with some history, politics and romance thrown in!
This one follows the story of a young couple who have been married several years when the earlier fiancee of the wife returns having previously apparently committed suicide. The 'pretender' attempts to prove his identity but his rich and titled family dont believe him - yet his lover (the young wife) from years earlier does. The novel follows the wife's viewpoint, a cousin (a lawyer's) viewpoint, and various members of the pretender's family - meaning we get conflicting ideas and clues as to who is deceiving who and who is hiding crucial information etc As usual all is not as it seems and the author skillfully manipulates the reader back and forth between belief and denial of the 'pretender' almost to the end. Is he the real thing or not?
I enjoyed this so much I have ordered several more Goddard books.
These books are in many ways unique to Goddard in that they are cross-genre often involving intrigue, treachery, murder, lies and deceit, with some history, politics and romance thrown in!
This one follows the story of a young couple who have been married several years when the earlier fiancee of the wife returns having previously apparently committed suicide. The 'pretender' attempts to prove his identity but his rich and titled family dont believe him - yet his lover (the young wife) from years earlier does. The novel follows the wife's viewpoint, a cousin (a lawyer's) viewpoint, and various members of the pretender's family - meaning we get conflicting ideas and clues as to who is deceiving who and who is hiding crucial information etc As usual all is not as it seems and the author skillfully manipulates the reader back and forth between belief and denial of the 'pretender' almost to the end. Is he the real thing or not?
I enjoyed this so much I have ordered several more Goddard books.
December 7, 2025
The "Return of Martin Guerre" with insufferable Victorian English twits instead of grubby French medieval peasants.
The audiobook is a treat for fans of Foyle's War as it is narrated by the actor who plays Foyle.
Otherwise this was not so great. None of the characters is likable. And the plot just requires too much suspension of disbelief.
The Return of Martin Guerre
The audiobook is a treat for fans of Foyle's War as it is narrated by the actor who plays Foyle.
Otherwise this was not so great. None of the characters is likable. And the plot just requires too much suspension of disbelief.
The Return of Martin Guerre
April 10, 2021
Strange book. I hit the 30% point on my Kindle and thought, where does he go from here. The mystery felt as if it was just pages away from the denouement. Wrong! The author kept piling layer upon layer to the story. At times it felt like a brick wall was going up and I couldn’t climb it. The last quarter or so was a ball of confusion for me.
I never like it when the author paints himself into such a corner with the plot that they require one of the main characters to clearly explain everything such that we the reader can know what the hell happened, what got us to the grand finale. This author did that and then couldn’t leave it alone and had to add a few more bits of intrigue.
I liked this book, but at the very end it was “c’mon man” muttered out by this reader. 2.5 stars.
I never like it when the author paints himself into such a corner with the plot that they require one of the main characters to clearly explain everything such that we the reader can know what the hell happened, what got us to the grand finale. This author did that and then couldn’t leave it alone and had to add a few more bits of intrigue.
I liked this book, but at the very end it was “c’mon man” muttered out by this reader. 2.5 stars.
January 22, 2022
Beaucoup de revirements de situation dans ce roman où revient, 11 ans plus tard, James Davenall, supposé mort. Est-il vraiment le disparu? Je ne suis pas très "procès" dans les romans et cette partie m'a moins intéressée. Des longueurs pour moi, mais on veut savoir ce qui s'est vraiment passé... et ce n'est vraiment pas si simple!
January 31, 2021
This book checked all the boxes for me: Victorian setting, lots of twists in the tale, and a family past loaded with dark secrets. I actually read it because of its incorporation of a real historical character, Prince Napoléon (nephew of Napoléon I and cousin of Napoléon III) in whom I'm interested--and then remembered reading, in the 80s, Past Caring which had many similar elements and might well have been the book that set me off on a lifelong hunt for novels with Victorian settings, lots of twists in the tale, and a family past loaded with dark secrets!
I loved the way Goddard handled POV in this book, especially the omniscient narrator POV (which I always find difficult) and especially a particular "super-omniscient" technique he uses at the start and end of the story. It's one of those cases where a writer is good enough to break the rules.
And dang, what a story. Dark, twisty, high-stakes, and atmospheric. The sort of story I could see transferring to the screen really well. I should read Past Caring again. I'm very happy that a chance reference has re-introduced me to one of the better fiction writers I've come across for quite a while.
I loved the way Goddard handled POV in this book, especially the omniscient narrator POV (which I always find difficult) and especially a particular "super-omniscient" technique he uses at the start and end of the story. It's one of those cases where a writer is good enough to break the rules.
And dang, what a story. Dark, twisty, high-stakes, and atmospheric. The sort of story I could see transferring to the screen really well. I should read Past Caring again. I'm very happy that a chance reference has re-introduced me to one of the better fiction writers I've come across for quite a while.
November 16, 2025
I read quite a few Goddard books back in the day, so I decided to give this one a try. It is certainly vintage Goddard, complex and evocative, with a large, well-drawn cast of characters who have unexpected connections and manifold secrets. A man turns up, claiming to be the heir to a large aristocratic family fortune, although he had been pronounced dead years ago, following a declared suicide and a missing corpse. The current heir and his family, of course, is not welcoming, so he must prove his identity in court. And on it goes...
In the end, I found it stretched my credulity a bit too far, and was unnecessarily over-stuffed. Still, a good premise, high stakes, and lovely writing. So a solid, middle-of-the pack 3 stars.
In the end, I found it stretched my credulity a bit too far, and was unnecessarily over-stuffed. Still, a good premise, high stakes, and lovely writing. So a solid, middle-of-the pack 3 stars.
September 8, 2023
Il faut un peu de temps pour rentrer dans l'histoire, mais cette "banale" affaire d'usurpation d'identite et la quete de la verite deviennent vite passionnantes. Les rebondissements et secrets s'enchaînent, on croit comprendre, et un nouveau fait sème le doute. Bref difficile de lâcher le livre.
August 15, 2019
In Painting the Darkness by Robert Goddard, the wealthy Davenall family had quite a few unspeakable secrets. Many lines had been crossed and children were fathered by people that they should have never been with in the first place.
A man showed up eleven years after Sir James Davenall's supposed death and claimed to be the baron himself. He looked identical and his authenticity was almost impossible to prove, even by the courts Many lives were forever altered.. First, his brother stood the chance of losing his title as baron and inheritor of the rich estate. Secondly, his former fiancée dissolved her current marriage to be with this man.
Though there were doubters, proof was strongly illusive. He was obviously a family member that they had never met. Who was he? He knew the horrid circumstances of his birth and wanted to be someone else. Who supplied him with the inside information and artifacts to pull this dubious act off? At times, this book read like a Greek tragedy.
Painting the Darkness mirrors life in myriad ways. There were so many players and much like real life, when others have access to any family's deeply withheld secrets, mayhem and blackmail often show up on the menu. Only those who are close enough can take a bite and truly shake the tail of the dragon!
A man showed up eleven years after Sir James Davenall's supposed death and claimed to be the baron himself. He looked identical and his authenticity was almost impossible to prove, even by the courts Many lives were forever altered.. First, his brother stood the chance of losing his title as baron and inheritor of the rich estate. Secondly, his former fiancée dissolved her current marriage to be with this man.
Though there were doubters, proof was strongly illusive. He was obviously a family member that they had never met. Who was he? He knew the horrid circumstances of his birth and wanted to be someone else. Who supplied him with the inside information and artifacts to pull this dubious act off? At times, this book read like a Greek tragedy.
Painting the Darkness mirrors life in myriad ways. There were so many players and much like real life, when others have access to any family's deeply withheld secrets, mayhem and blackmail often show up on the menu. Only those who are close enough can take a bite and truly shake the tail of the dragon!
September 16, 2019
"L'héritage Davenall" est un roman ambitieux, il jongle entre les mensonges, les secrets enfouis, les querelles et les erreurs du passé et surtout la vérité, celle que tout le monde attend.
Tout va très bien dans la famille des Davenall, jusqu'au jour où un homme pousse le portail de la demeure familiale et bouscule toutes les certitudes. Cet homme prétend être Sir James Davenall, le fils ainé de la famille, disparu 11 ans plus tôt après un suicide. Tout semble aller en sa faveur, et pourtant un soupçon de méfiance est toujours présent dans les esprits.
Qui est vraiment cet homme ? Pourquoi revenir après tant d'années ? Quel est son véritable but ?
Le roman fait 700 pages et pourtant avant les 10 dernières, impossible de se douter de ce qu'il se trame vraiment derrière toutes ces manigances.
Robert Goddard réussit haut la main de challenge de maintenir son lecteur intrigué et passionné par cette affaire, qui ne cesse de prendre des tournures inattendues à chaque page.
Qui osera s'aventurer dans les petits secrets de la famille Davenall pour découvrir ce qui se cache vraiment derrière la réapparition de ce fils disparu ?
Tout va très bien dans la famille des Davenall, jusqu'au jour où un homme pousse le portail de la demeure familiale et bouscule toutes les certitudes. Cet homme prétend être Sir James Davenall, le fils ainé de la famille, disparu 11 ans plus tôt après un suicide. Tout semble aller en sa faveur, et pourtant un soupçon de méfiance est toujours présent dans les esprits.
Qui est vraiment cet homme ? Pourquoi revenir après tant d'années ? Quel est son véritable but ?
Le roman fait 700 pages et pourtant avant les 10 dernières, impossible de se douter de ce qu'il se trame vraiment derrière toutes ces manigances.
Robert Goddard réussit haut la main de challenge de maintenir son lecteur intrigué et passionné par cette affaire, qui ne cesse de prendre des tournures inattendues à chaque page.
Qui osera s'aventurer dans les petits secrets de la famille Davenall pour découvrir ce qui se cache vraiment derrière la réapparition de ce fils disparu ?
August 15, 2021
I see I am one of the few who have rated this les than 4 stars. I was gripped until about 3/4 the way through. Ingeniously convoluted I admit but I ended feeling I had been manipulated by Goddard. There are 3 or 4 intertwining themes that feeling end resolved -- but at a cost. I increasingly found I was less and less willing to suspend disbelief. The impersonation of James Davenall was manipulated every which way: was it the real James, no, oh yes, probably, not its not is someone, no that one this one ... The female characters are unreal, almost magical power of the fabulously beautiful Melanie; Constance the sad fiancee, the happy wife twice over then again with ... (no spoiler there). It was too log dragged out by these manipulations. Very Goddard but he's over done himself this time. But you hve to give him credit for ingenuity, for some great writing, and his presentation of Vitoriana I think is clever. Otherwise two stars.
February 23, 2021
The plot is complex and this is a work of sustained, clever imagination. The narrative is generally authentic-. Robert Goddard writes novels like this as if he were recounting historical fact - and the characterisation is superb. Each of the principal protagonists is well defined and their behaviours consistent. There are several unexpected plot twists, mostly heralded by subtle clues earlier in the narrative, and, with one notable exception, plausible. That exception is the most astonishing reveal late in the book which seemed both unnecessary and scarcely credible. The novel is a little too long - Plon Plon commands a share of the narrative entirely disproportionate to what he brings to the piece. Overall, though, a thoroughly enjoyable and well-constructed tale.
January 2, 2008
Удивительно читабельный трэш, особенно если дочитать до середины, а потом бросить. Будет казаться, что автор-райский ангел. Хорошо держит интригу, даже сочувствуешь той куче малоприятных персонажей, которая у него ходит в главных героях.
В конце все, как водится, испорчено инцестом, что уже совсем не смешно. Впрочем, от викторианской эпохи там только дата. 1882 год, а телефон вовсю есть не только у младшего партнера крупной лондонской фирмы, но и у сельского поверенного где-то под Батом.
В конце все, как водится, испорчено инцестом, что уже совсем не смешно. Впрочем, от викторианской эпохи там только дата. 1882 год, а телефон вовсю есть не только у младшего партнера крупной лондонской фирмы, но и у сельского поверенного где-то под Батом.
April 14, 2022
Do your medical research man! The doctor in this story had to be one dumb bunny. In order to pass a disease on congenitally, the mother has to have it. NOT the father. Of course they can both have it but there was no mention of the mother having it. I'm trying not to give away the plot but it was so hard for me to read with such a flaw in the story. I've read about 6 of Goddards other books and loved them but this one was so plodding in the beginning I almost quit.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 23, 2018
This had the makings of a good mystery, with countless twists and turns and tense times when I couldn’t put it down and could barely stand to read what was happening to the protagonists. But it was bogged down by a cast of characters ranging from unsympathetic to truly horrible, and culminated in a really crummy ending.
July 29, 2019
A compelling book with a stupid plot, an unsatisfying ending, unbelievable characters, and a woman problem. If every woman in your book is a victim, a prize, or a scheming manipulator, then you need to rethink.
Also, one of the main characters tries to rationalise his misdeeds as the result of an "emotionally distant childhood", which didn't sound very 1880s to me.
Also, one of the main characters tries to rationalise his misdeeds as the result of an "emotionally distant childhood", which didn't sound very 1880s to me.
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