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The Gower Street Detective #3
Death Descends on Saturn Villa
Gower Street, London: 1883. March Middleton is the niece of London's greatest (and most curmudgeonly) private detective, Sidney Grice. March has just discovered a wealthy long-lost relative she never knew she had. When this newest family member meets with a horrible death, March is in the frame for murder—and only Sidney Grice can prove her innocence. Grice agrees to investigate (for his usual fee) but warns that he is not entirely convinced of her innocence. If he were in her position, he might have been tempted. But the more he uncovers, the more all the clues point to Grice himself . . .
486 pages, Hardcover
First published June 4, 2015
113 people are currently reading
2369 people want to read
About the author
M.R.C. Kasasian
30 books515 followersMartin Kasasian was raised in Lancashire. He has had careers as varied as factory hand, wine waiter, veterinary assistant, fairground worker and dentist. He lives with his wife in Suffolk in the summer and in a village in Malta in the winter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 188 reviews
December 29, 2018
All right, M.R.C. Kasasian, you really can't stop writing this series. I implore you on this matter. Each book in this series just gets better and better, and when you think it can't get better, it does. This addition to the series had me guessing what was going on for the entire length of the novel. That alone gives it 5 glorious starts in my rating scale. It is a rarity for me to repeatedly be thinking as I read "Where is he going with this?" or "What is going on? Why did that.. But how did that.. Who did what?!" and a few "Noooo!! That can't happen"s thrown into the mix.
I'm trying to turn over a new leaf in my book reviews. Anyone can read the plot in the description and respect your intelligence enough to acknowledge that you don't need my rehashings of a book blurb to recommend a book to you. So I'll leave this one with a few jottings of why I loved this book so much:
1. I didn't like the story for awhile. So why did I love the book? Because it kept me entranced for hours in trying to discover why my beloved characters were acting so out of sorts and why bad things were happening to the my people. Kasasian takes his readers out of their comfort zone of expectation for March and Grice in his third book. I found it masterfully done as it is unexpected and rather bold.
2. We get a portion of the novel from Grice's point of view! It was a delightful twist to observe the detective work in the eyes of a superb intellect (ahem.. per Grice).
3. We discover the depth of pain that March hides behind wit, humor, and regular doses of gin.
4. We discover the lengths she will go to treat that pain.
5. A good portion of the novel was spent in a state of uncertainty of whom the murderer was, motive, and miraculous resurrection.
6. Kasasian really takes his readers to places they may never have journeyed before. He stretches the imagination and really has an innovative storytelling style.
7. The writing has me laughing out loud at certain scenes. Molly and Grice's conversations are pure comic gold.
8. Harriet Fitzpatrick. The ultimate girlfriend to have.
I highly recommend the series. And I leave you with some of my favorite quotes from the book:
"Where are your clothes? And do not pretend you do not know. I can accept that you may not know if you killed a man, but every girl always knows where her clothes are." -Grice to March
"We do not serve spirits to the ladies."
"As you have probably guessed, I am not a lady" -March to the German waiter.
"You are hiding something from me, I say and Sidney Grice shakes his head. 'No,' he tells me quietly. 'I am hiding a great many things'.
"And, as I lie in bed that night looking out into the starless sky, I think about that shadow on my guardian's face. The sadness has been there since the day I met Sidney Grice and I cannot imagine it will ever go away".
I'm trying to turn over a new leaf in my book reviews. Anyone can read the plot in the description and respect your intelligence enough to acknowledge that you don't need my rehashings of a book blurb to recommend a book to you. So I'll leave this one with a few jottings of why I loved this book so much:
1. I didn't like the story for awhile. So why did I love the book? Because it kept me entranced for hours in trying to discover why my beloved characters were acting so out of sorts and why bad things were happening to the my people. Kasasian takes his readers out of their comfort zone of expectation for March and Grice in his third book. I found it masterfully done as it is unexpected and rather bold.
2. We get a portion of the novel from Grice's point of view! It was a delightful twist to observe the detective work in the eyes of a superb intellect (ahem.. per Grice).
3. We discover the depth of pain that March hides behind wit, humor, and regular doses of gin.
4. We discover the lengths she will go to treat that pain.
5. A good portion of the novel was spent in a state of uncertainty of whom the murderer was, motive, and miraculous resurrection.
6. Kasasian really takes his readers to places they may never have journeyed before. He stretches the imagination and really has an innovative storytelling style.
7. The writing has me laughing out loud at certain scenes. Molly and Grice's conversations are pure comic gold.
8. Harriet Fitzpatrick. The ultimate girlfriend to have.
I highly recommend the series. And I leave you with some of my favorite quotes from the book:
"Where are your clothes? And do not pretend you do not know. I can accept that you may not know if you killed a man, but every girl always knows where her clothes are." -Grice to March
"We do not serve spirits to the ladies."
"As you have probably guessed, I am not a lady" -March to the German waiter.
"You are hiding something from me, I say and Sidney Grice shakes his head. 'No,' he tells me quietly. 'I am hiding a great many things'.
"And, as I lie in bed that night looking out into the starless sky, I think about that shadow on my guardian's face. The sadness has been there since the day I met Sidney Grice and I cannot imagine it will ever go away".
July 28, 2016
I found this third novel of the series to be quite difficult to keep up with; too much drifting between the past and present; ramblings due to drugs and/or poison.
March Middleton was totally disappointing; too naïve, too kind which allowed her to be manipulated, used and abused. Where she was becoming a stronger, independent woman in the first two novels; now she was the typical simpering female. That is until the very ending where she finally got some gumption and thwarted her would be killer. ....but to turn away Inspector Pound because of her dead fiance'; get over it March, will you!!!
Sorry, a couple of spoilers there, but actually this novel was kind of spoiled for me overall.
March Middleton was totally disappointing; too naïve, too kind which allowed her to be manipulated, used and abused. Where she was becoming a stronger, independent woman in the first two novels; now she was the typical simpering female. That is until the very ending where she finally got some gumption and thwarted her would be killer. ....but to turn away Inspector Pound because of her dead fiance'; get over it March, will you!!!
Sorry, a couple of spoilers there, but actually this novel was kind of spoiled for me overall.
August 13, 2022
Probabilmente tra i romanzi di Kasasian che ho letto finora, è quello che più mi ha incuriosito, la trama è davvero ben congeniata e – inizialmente – è anche così ingarbugliata che sembra di non capire se si sta leggendo sempre lo stesso libro o se sono due diversi mescolati tra loro. Ottimo l'intreccio, ottimi i personaggi, anche quelli secondari.
***
Probably, among all the Kasasian's novels I have read so far, this is the one that intrigued me the most, the plot is really well thought out and - initially - it is also so tangled that you seem not to understand if you are always reading the same book or if they are two different mixed together. Excellent plot, excellent characters, even the secondary ones.
***
Probably, among all the Kasasian's novels I have read so far, this is the one that intrigued me the most, the plot is really well thought out and - initially - it is also so tangled that you seem not to understand if you are always reading the same book or if they are two different mixed together. Excellent plot, excellent characters, even the secondary ones.
February 3, 2020
It's been a long time since I've read a classic detective story, a historical one nevertheless. And it might not be a good idea to start with the third book in the series but I didn't have much of a choice. Essentially, it didn't make a difference (there were only a few references to the previous two books). I have to admit that I quite enjoyed it. It was a bit like Sherlock Holmes was fused with Hercule Poirot to create our main slightly annoying character of Sidney Grice (clearly addicted to tea). Miss March Middleton could be a young Miss Marple or a female Dr. Watson (or something in between) and you really grow to care for her. And poor Inspector Pound was exactly the character one needs to save the day or the damsel in distress. The start of the book was a bit confusing because the story jumps between the past and present without a clear reason with some nightmarish memories or dreams mixed in. The dead bodies start showing up quite late in the story but then it seems that people are dropping like flies. Without giving away much, everything comes together and makes perfect sense in the end. The author managed to keep the suspense going even after the main culprit was identified.
For my taste, I would have avoided the Sherlock Holmes-like demonstrations of observational skills for Sidney Grice because it didn't feel very organic (more like a very obvious attempt at copying someone). And please fix the spelling mistakes (not the intentional ones used to demonstrate the illiteracy of Molly, the maid, but the unintentional ones still in the text).
For my taste, I would have avoided the Sherlock Holmes-like demonstrations of observational skills for Sidney Grice because it didn't feel very organic (more like a very obvious attempt at copying someone). And please fix the spelling mistakes (not the intentional ones used to demonstrate the illiteracy of Molly, the maid, but the unintentional ones still in the text).
September 5, 2018
«Se arrestaste me o Mr Grice ogni volta che scopriamo un cadavere non usciremmo mai più dalla cella.»
Oh, dei. Mi son proprio divertita.
March e Mr G sono alla loro terza indagine, e combinano casini su casini (o meglio, capitano a loro). La povera March, questa volta, è incappata in un mistero riguardante un suo “zio” e, nel momento in cui la ragazza si reca da quest’uomo, le cose iniziano ad essere strane.
Adoro i battibecchi tra Mr G e March, mi piace troppo Molly e le trovate di Sydney mi fanno sempre sorridere.
Le inesattezze storiche, se ce ne sono, non mi pesano, perché la scrittura è carica di ironia: se l’autore batte su un argomento, spesso è per farne uscire qualcosa di divertente (come la storia delle numerose sottane degli abiti femminili).
Non è alta letteratura (che poi, chi è che giudica in base a cosa uno legge? Per me, basta che uno legga...), non è un giallo classico, ma quanto è appassionante! Non sono riuscita a staccarmi dal Kindle, l’ho letto in tre giorni, con sedute lunghe ore: continuavo a “girare pagina”, senza accorgermene.
Ottimo.
Consigliato per staccare la spina.
«Perché tutti gli uomini della vostra vita sembrano sempre così debilitati? Probabilmente li sfinite.»
Oh, dei. Mi son proprio divertita.
March e Mr G sono alla loro terza indagine, e combinano casini su casini (o meglio, capitano a loro). La povera March, questa volta, è incappata in un mistero riguardante un suo “zio” e, nel momento in cui la ragazza si reca da quest’uomo, le cose iniziano ad essere strane.
Adoro i battibecchi tra Mr G e March, mi piace troppo Molly e le trovate di Sydney mi fanno sempre sorridere.
Le inesattezze storiche, se ce ne sono, non mi pesano, perché la scrittura è carica di ironia: se l’autore batte su un argomento, spesso è per farne uscire qualcosa di divertente (come la storia delle numerose sottane degli abiti femminili).
Non è alta letteratura (che poi, chi è che giudica in base a cosa uno legge? Per me, basta che uno legga...), non è un giallo classico, ma quanto è appassionante! Non sono riuscita a staccarmi dal Kindle, l’ho letto in tre giorni, con sedute lunghe ore: continuavo a “girare pagina”, senza accorgermene.
Ottimo.
Consigliato per staccare la spina.
«Perché tutti gli uomini della vostra vita sembrano sempre così debilitati? Probabilmente li sfinite.»
May 24, 2016
Personal detective Sidney Grice and his side kick/female ward Marge Middleton are back in book three of the series. As with the other two books, this one can be read as a standalone. In keeping with the author’s first two novels in this series the murder scenes are graphic. I was unhappy to see a spoiler by the author right at the beginning of the novel. I can't say more about it but the author had a purpose in this tactic. This book started from the point of view of Marge Middleton and then switched for the first time to the point of view of Sidney Grice. This was a interesting transition. As with all the books in this series the author is an artist at painting the picture of the time period. The plot and subplots are good. I am typically adept at figuring out where the plot is heading but this mystery kept me guessing and wondering what would happen next. As with the first two books in the series, this one is well worth the read if you are a fan of mysteries and can get past some seriously gory descriptions. I purposely avoided too many details as to not spoil anything for the reader. I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
February 15, 2022
3rd book in this historical detective fiction series and probably my favourite so far.
The beginning was somewhat confusing (and March really does need to stop being so gullible); the middle was intriguing and funny (I love Molly...and the parts narrated by Sidney which surprised me); the ending was okay but the rest of the book more than made up for it.
It has a suitable amount of gruesome-ness (never read whilst eating) and a clever mystery that weaves between March's past and present predicaments.
Although it borders on the farcical at times, I'm actually rather enjoying that aspect of the series and the characters have certainly grown on me.
Looking forward to the next one.
The beginning was somewhat confusing (and March really does need to stop being so gullible); the middle was intriguing and funny (I love Molly...and the parts narrated by Sidney which surprised me); the ending was okay but the rest of the book more than made up for it.
It has a suitable amount of gruesome-ness (never read whilst eating) and a clever mystery that weaves between March's past and present predicaments.
Although it borders on the farcical at times, I'm actually rather enjoying that aspect of the series and the characters have certainly grown on me.
Looking forward to the next one.
February 5, 2023
This is the only 3 star book series that I want to continue. The story was unexceptional, not much investigation was carried out. Almost 80% are only related to murders that are quite bizarre and vague, why vague? Because it is told in writing in a diary, fortunately each chapter is very short. That is what makes this book a page turner book, the murders are not many but rather strange and horrible.
The investigation begins in the last 20% accompanied by a plot that I did not expect, but this book is not a crime book that will make the reader gasp..no, the story is too fun and relaxed plus the characters are very spontaneously funny which is why I like this book. Admittedly at some part it’s quite draggy and dispensable where i think “okay maybe it will be a little bit better if this part not even written since it’s unnecessary”.
The only thing I don't really understand is why and what is the purpose of Mr. G and Sidney's names being interchanged in the same chapter and context as if they are two different people when they are the same person. I was so confused, the investigation carried out was really thorough like Sherlock Holmes.
I have to google some of the things and facts discussed by him to better understand what he has found for this case. I, who don't like complicated things, ‘laboured’ google it, showing that this book has successfully 'tied' me.
I also really like the relationship between Middleton and Mr G, I'm not sure it's romance or maternal love, whatever it is the two of them have very strong chemistry. I read this book between the first and second book, so maybe that's why I'm a little confused.
I heard that each book in this series is standalone, idk.. but I will return to book one and read the whole series slowly. This can be read to fill the free time ,for crime mystery fans or if you want to complete the annual reading goal as soon as possible.
For the thrilling and suspense, don't put your hopes too high because that doesn't prevail at all in this book, only mystery but not suspense. It’s mysterious because I was wondering why everyone in this book seems to want to accuse Middleton of committing this murder?
What is their purpose in doing so? It is impossible for a leading role to commit murder because her character was not crafted for that, she was crafted as an assistant detective. So, yeah.. overall I like this book. Not that good but not that bad, compulsive enough to make me want to continue this series 👍🏻
The investigation begins in the last 20% accompanied by a plot that I did not expect, but this book is not a crime book that will make the reader gasp..no, the story is too fun and relaxed plus the characters are very spontaneously funny which is why I like this book. Admittedly at some part it’s quite draggy and dispensable where i think “okay maybe it will be a little bit better if this part not even written since it’s unnecessary”.
The only thing I don't really understand is why and what is the purpose of Mr. G and Sidney's names being interchanged in the same chapter and context as if they are two different people when they are the same person. I was so confused, the investigation carried out was really thorough like Sherlock Holmes.
I have to google some of the things and facts discussed by him to better understand what he has found for this case. I, who don't like complicated things, ‘laboured’ google it, showing that this book has successfully 'tied' me.
I also really like the relationship between Middleton and Mr G, I'm not sure it's romance or maternal love, whatever it is the two of them have very strong chemistry. I read this book between the first and second book, so maybe that's why I'm a little confused.
I heard that each book in this series is standalone, idk.. but I will return to book one and read the whole series slowly. This can be read to fill the free time ,for crime mystery fans or if you want to complete the annual reading goal as soon as possible.
For the thrilling and suspense, don't put your hopes too high because that doesn't prevail at all in this book, only mystery but not suspense. It’s mysterious because I was wondering why everyone in this book seems to want to accuse Middleton of committing this murder?
What is their purpose in doing so? It is impossible for a leading role to commit murder because her character was not crafted for that, she was crafted as an assistant detective. So, yeah.. overall I like this book. Not that good but not that bad, compulsive enough to make me want to continue this series 👍🏻
April 24, 2024
Fünf Jahre stand das Buch ungelesen im Schrank, obwohl mir die ersten beiden Bände der Serie gut gefallen haben. Zu groß war dann doch die Scheu vor der Dicke (570 Seiten) und der Brutalität. Ich war überrascht, wie schnell, spannend und auch amüsant ich dann fand, gerade die ersten 360 Seiten lasen sich im Flug. Und ja, das Buch ist brutal, sowohl gegen Menschen als auch gegen Tiere, aber durch den Schreibstil kamen diese Grausamkeiten gar nicht wirklich an mich ran. Wer mit herausquellenden Gehirnen und geköpften Hunden nichts zu tun haben will, sollte dieses Buch meiden.
So spannend der erste Teil war, so umständlich las sich der zweite Teil, weil die Aufzeichnungen aus Sicht von Sidney Grice im wesentlichen "Er sagte, ich bemerkte"-Texte der direkten Rede, nur ohne Anführungsstriche sind, was mir das Lesen etwas erschwert hat. Der dritte Teil mit Marchs Wahnaufzeichnungen war für mich überflüssige Seitenschinderei. Das Ende kam dann sehr plötzlich und die Aufklärung fand ich nicht in allen Punkten überzeugend.
Fans von Oscar de Muriels "McGray und Frey"-Serie sollten hier mal einen Blick riskieren.
So spannend der erste Teil war, so umständlich las sich der zweite Teil, weil die Aufzeichnungen aus Sicht von Sidney Grice im wesentlichen "Er sagte, ich bemerkte"-Texte der direkten Rede, nur ohne Anführungsstriche sind, was mir das Lesen etwas erschwert hat. Der dritte Teil mit Marchs Wahnaufzeichnungen war für mich überflüssige Seitenschinderei. Das Ende kam dann sehr plötzlich und die Aufklärung fand ich nicht in allen Punkten überzeugend.
Fans von Oscar de Muriels "McGray und Frey"-Serie sollten hier mal einen Blick riskieren.
August 29, 2016
"You are hiding something from me," I say and Sidney Grice shakes his head. "No," he tells me quietly. "I am hiding a great many things."
I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with this series. On the one hand, it's mysteries set in Victorian times, and I love March and Pound. On the other hand, there's Sidney bloody Grice, who is singularly the most unlikeable "good guy" character I have had the misfortune to read about.
That being said, this was definitely the best yet of the series. Although the plot was slightly convoluted at times, it held my attention better than the previous two and, with March a suspect for the case, the stakes were higher than before.
There was a big part in this that was told from Grice's point of view, which I hated, given that I hate him. It was so tedious, and because he's one of those genius detectives, pretty up himself. I just hope that's not something I have to suffer through in book 4.
July 22, 2019
Die ersten beiden Bände haben mich wirklich total überrascht und auch begeistert - denn schon alleine der historische Schauplatz in London, dazu die kniffligen Mordermittlungen und nüchtern-bissige Schlagabtausch der beiden Protagonisten war die perfekte Mischung!
Beim dritten Band bin ich leider etwas aus der Spur geraten. Zum einen deshalb, weil die Ereignisse sehr verwirrend dargestellt werden: wieder aus der Sicht von March Middleton, die aber scheinbar unter den Folgen einer Vergiftung leidet und dadurch Realität und Täuschung nicht recht auseinander zu halten weiß. Auch für mich als Leser war der Reiz natürlich da, zu rätseln was tatsächlich passiert und womit man an der Nase herumgeführt wird. Trotzdem war es manchmal schon etwas schwierig, nicht den Faden zu verlieren.
Vor allem hat mir sehr gefehlt, dass sich March mit ihrem Vormund Sidney Grice den typischen Schlagabtausch liefert. Beide sind ja recht wortgewandt und können in ihrer etwas spröden, spöttischen Art ein absolut amüsantes Wortgefecht liefern, welche ich in den Vorbänden immer super unterhaltsam fand. Das gibt es hier stellenweise zwar auch, aber im Großteil hab ich es doch vermisst.
Dafür erhält man etwas mehr Einsicht in die Denkweise von Mr. G., der ja als gefühlskalter und anmaßender Besserwisser bekannt ist, der jedem die Wahrheit ins Gesicht hat, egal wie verletzend sie ist. Übrigens ein gutes Beispiel, finde ich, denn in unserer Gesellschaft wird ja nach absoluter Wahrheit verlangt - aber ich möchte dann doch gerne mal sehen, wie diese Menschen auf jemanden wie Mr. Grice reagieren :)
Jedenfalls wird ein Teil der Handlung aus seiner Sichtweise erzählt, und die ist in ihrem trockenen Stil schon etwas schwer zu verdauen, zumindest für mich. Diese Art der Erzählung war etwas schwierig zu verfolgen, denn seine Gedankengänge springen gerne mal, was auf die Dauer schon anstrengend sein kann.
In diesem Band dominiert definitiv das mysteriöse in all seinen Formen, was ein guter Versuch des Autors war, etwas anderes auszuprobieren, mir aber nicht so gut gefallen hat wie die beiden vorherigen Teile.
Die Ermittlungen zu den kriminellen Hintergründen fand ich teils sehr raffiniert eingefädelt, teils wirkte es auch etwas weit hergeholt. Dafür erfährt man wieder einiges mehr über Marchs Vergangenheit, die ja immer wieder in die Gegenwart einfließt und auch die Rolle von Sidney Grice ihr gegenüber wird deutlicher.
Übrigens scheint manche Leser zu stören, dass March immer wieder darauf hingewiesen wird bzw. die Geringschätzung ertragen muss, weil sie keine Schönheit ist: ich finde es wirklich einen gelungenen Zug, endlich mal eine Frau in den Mittelpunkt zu stellen die eben nicht die bezaubernde Anmut in Person ist, sondern sich den typischen Sprüchen ausgesetzt sieht, die ja leider auch in der heutigen Zeit immer wieder gerne geklopft werden. Doch sie weiß sich wohl mit ebenso bissigen Bemerkungen zu wehren, die sie sehr gut einzusetzen weiß und damit ein gutes Beispiel gibt, wie man solch oberflächlichen Menschen Kontra bietet.
Trotzdem mich dieser Band nicht so sehr begeistern konnte wie die Vorgänger, freue ich mich schon auf den nächsten, der mich vielleicht wieder positiv überraschen kann.
Fazit: 3.5 Sterne
Weltenwanderer
Beim dritten Band bin ich leider etwas aus der Spur geraten. Zum einen deshalb, weil die Ereignisse sehr verwirrend dargestellt werden: wieder aus der Sicht von March Middleton, die aber scheinbar unter den Folgen einer Vergiftung leidet und dadurch Realität und Täuschung nicht recht auseinander zu halten weiß. Auch für mich als Leser war der Reiz natürlich da, zu rätseln was tatsächlich passiert und womit man an der Nase herumgeführt wird. Trotzdem war es manchmal schon etwas schwierig, nicht den Faden zu verlieren.
Vor allem hat mir sehr gefehlt, dass sich March mit ihrem Vormund Sidney Grice den typischen Schlagabtausch liefert. Beide sind ja recht wortgewandt und können in ihrer etwas spröden, spöttischen Art ein absolut amüsantes Wortgefecht liefern, welche ich in den Vorbänden immer super unterhaltsam fand. Das gibt es hier stellenweise zwar auch, aber im Großteil hab ich es doch vermisst.
Dafür erhält man etwas mehr Einsicht in die Denkweise von Mr. G., der ja als gefühlskalter und anmaßender Besserwisser bekannt ist, der jedem die Wahrheit ins Gesicht hat, egal wie verletzend sie ist. Übrigens ein gutes Beispiel, finde ich, denn in unserer Gesellschaft wird ja nach absoluter Wahrheit verlangt - aber ich möchte dann doch gerne mal sehen, wie diese Menschen auf jemanden wie Mr. Grice reagieren :)
Jedenfalls wird ein Teil der Handlung aus seiner Sichtweise erzählt, und die ist in ihrem trockenen Stil schon etwas schwer zu verdauen, zumindest für mich. Diese Art der Erzählung war etwas schwierig zu verfolgen, denn seine Gedankengänge springen gerne mal, was auf die Dauer schon anstrengend sein kann.
In diesem Band dominiert definitiv das mysteriöse in all seinen Formen, was ein guter Versuch des Autors war, etwas anderes auszuprobieren, mir aber nicht so gut gefallen hat wie die beiden vorherigen Teile.
Die Ermittlungen zu den kriminellen Hintergründen fand ich teils sehr raffiniert eingefädelt, teils wirkte es auch etwas weit hergeholt. Dafür erfährt man wieder einiges mehr über Marchs Vergangenheit, die ja immer wieder in die Gegenwart einfließt und auch die Rolle von Sidney Grice ihr gegenüber wird deutlicher.
Übrigens scheint manche Leser zu stören, dass March immer wieder darauf hingewiesen wird bzw. die Geringschätzung ertragen muss, weil sie keine Schönheit ist: ich finde es wirklich einen gelungenen Zug, endlich mal eine Frau in den Mittelpunkt zu stellen die eben nicht die bezaubernde Anmut in Person ist, sondern sich den typischen Sprüchen ausgesetzt sieht, die ja leider auch in der heutigen Zeit immer wieder gerne geklopft werden. Doch sie weiß sich wohl mit ebenso bissigen Bemerkungen zu wehren, die sie sehr gut einzusetzen weiß und damit ein gutes Beispiel gibt, wie man solch oberflächlichen Menschen Kontra bietet.
Trotzdem mich dieser Band nicht so sehr begeistern konnte wie die Vorgänger, freue ich mich schon auf den nächsten, der mich vielleicht wieder positiv überraschen kann.
Fazit: 3.5 Sterne
Weltenwanderer
August 4, 2015
This time, no amount of time has passed from the previous book. I was ambivalent as to the mystery here though; I felt as if March was more held back and too eager to please than she had been before, which in turn lead her too willingly down the path of the story, with mysterious deaths and non-deaths littered along the way. Half way through, the mystery had become too dense, and March so very timid, that I was growing tired of the read... but with the extremely satisfactory and surprisingly emotional ending, the book redeemed itself.
However, this new, duller March is not my cup of tea. Also, Molly became increasingly dense - compare her character in the first book to this one, her behaviour borderlines the ridiculous.
I still adore March and Mr. G as a duo - I hope she gets her spirit back in the next instalment.
However, this new, duller March is not my cup of tea. Also, Molly became increasingly dense - compare her character in the first book to this one, her behaviour borderlines the ridiculous.
I still adore March and Mr. G as a duo - I hope she gets her spirit back in the next instalment.
October 1, 2021
This one was so much fun and intrigued me so much. We are learning more about the backstories of our main characters and how much their backstories effected their lives and how much bearing it had on the mystery.
Read
May 9, 2016Oh dear. I think this is what is called magical realism. Not sure about these new terms yet but whatever it is the novel simply struck me as an irritatingly silly story and way over the top as far as stretching the humour and odd behaviour went.
The main character is a Sherlock Holmes take off, there are lots of Holmes time jokey bits. His Watson sidekick is female and the two are always arguing. Preposterous is how I would describe the plot line.
But reviews are personal. The book is well written. Nice use of words, Victorian details are good, the research seems sound and the series has a popular following. Try it and see. Readers might well find it as amusing and readable as my librarian friend did.
The main character is a Sherlock Holmes take off, there are lots of Holmes time jokey bits. His Watson sidekick is female and the two are always arguing. Preposterous is how I would describe the plot line.
But reviews are personal. The book is well written. Nice use of words, Victorian details are good, the research seems sound and the series has a popular following. Try it and see. Readers might well find it as amusing and readable as my librarian friend did.
April 8, 2016
Lindy Nettleton was a much better fit to narrate the series, but it seems she's no longer available. Ms. Nichols was pretty good doing the voices of the other characters (especially Uncle Tolly), but I didn't connect with her as March.
I didn't mind having the middle section given from Grice's point of view at all, except that he's so very obnoxious I wanted March around to counteract that. Molly was a bit over-the-top in being so dense, though it was fun to see Grice having to put up her. As for the plot, I'm not sure I quite got it entirely? The ending was a bit of a shock, but not totally unbelievable.
Looking forward to the next book, though hoping it's a bit less convoluted.
I didn't mind having the middle section given from Grice's point of view at all, except that he's so very obnoxious I wanted March around to counteract that. Molly was a bit over-the-top in being so dense, though it was fun to see Grice having to put up her. As for the plot, I'm not sure I quite got it entirely? The ending was a bit of a shock, but not totally unbelievable.
Looking forward to the next book, though hoping it's a bit less convoluted.
October 1, 2019
Despite the mixed reviews this book gets, l feel that the series has finally come of age with this book. A really good mystery , kept me guessing up to the end , dark in places , funny in others . This book feels like the start of a great detective partnership.
March 28, 2016
I found the premise of the mystery in this 3rd Gower Street Detective book to require a greater suspension of disbelief than the prior two books - perhaps just a tad too much as I struggled at times to remain engaged with the mystery. Similarly, there is less of the witty banter between Mr. Grice & Miss Middleton in this book and I missed that. Swapping narrator perspectives partway through was an interesting idea, but it was a bit challenging to get into Mr. Grice's head - his perspective isn't as comfortable as Miss Middleton's. Nevertheless, I still did enjoy the book (just not quite as much as the first two) and I am certainly looking forward to the next installment.
January 11, 2018
I liked this mystery, but didn't love it. In a way, the tone, reminded me of the Flavia de Luce mysteries by Alan Bradley. It moved a bit slowly but there were some elements that kept my interest.
July 27, 2015
Originally posted at: http://thebookplank.blogspot.com/2015...
If you haven't heard about the enigmatic, quirky and rather peculiar detective duo Grice and Middleton you must have been living under a rock. Just about two years ago Head of Zeus published the first book in the Victorian detective series, The Mangle Street Murders, by Martin Kasasian. It was a blast for me. Which Martin Kasasian proved once again with it's sequel The Curse of the House of Foskett. He did leave the sequel with a major cliffhanger, which I had been dying to find out on how it could possible work out in the third book Death Descends of Saturn Villa. And wow, once again Martin Kasasian manages to awe me once more. I am going to repeat myself, if you havent heard of the detective duo Sidney Grice and March Middleton, I don't know where you are from but I do know that you are missing out on something good.
Now where did Martin Kasasian leave the story in The Curse of the House of Foskett, well March received a letter with information regarding her ward, I still won't spoil just what but it is big! Death Descends on Saturn Villa ( shortend to Death Descends), picks up directly after said event. March has become much more aware of her ward Sidney Grice and takes much more caution with the everyday actions. In the beginning of this story Sidney receives a new case which unfortunately only he is able to examine and thus March finds herself forced to do other things, boring things. But one day March receives a letter that strikes her curiosity. The letter is an invitation to Saturn Villa by her uncle Tolly, only March never knew that she had an uncle, perhaps due to the mystery behind the letter or because she hasn't really got anything to do she accepts the invitation and heads out to Saturn Villa for a chat and a dinner with her uncle. Well March will soon regret that she made this choice of meeting her long lost uncle Tolly. Tolly kindly persuades March to sign some papers and have dinner but when March sleeps the night in Saturn Villa things start to turn weird. A murder takes place, an unexplainable murder. And March is right in the middle of it all, and frankly can't remember everything for the full hundred percent. Well March can't really place it all and suddenly march life is in danger and just barely makes it out of Saturn Villa alive. Luckily for March, Sidney Grice takes this case of to the highest importance and returns to Saturn Villa with March in tow. Where they both make very shocking discovery. You can pretty much say that is the biggest and most dangerous case so far. The event describe above is only the start of a very eventful case for this enigmatic duo.
it's kind of hard to really delve deeper into the story without revealing to much, even though this book is just shy about 500 pages. What makes this installment in The Gower Street Detective so unique is the way that Martin Kasasian uses the layout of the book. If you are familiar with the earlier book you know that they are written from the perspective of March Middleton. Well in Death Descend things takes on a turn for the different. Granted there is still the perspective of March but also that of Sidney Grice for the very first time. Let me rewind a bit. The layout of Death Descends is divided into four different parts, that of the general story as explained above, a part where you only follow Sidney and two parts, during and post of March. Telling the story in this way pretty much left me speechless. When I came to the ending of the combined story there were still many pages the go and was curious as to what would follow next. The parts of Sidney and March were just marvelously done. I already tweeted a few days ago that the cover is awesome and inspires so much ambiance to the series and this book but the way that the story was written even further builds on this. The ending with the postscript, well that was captivating.
I already mentioned that Martin Kasasian left the last book on a cliffhanger moment. I was eager to see who the relation between Sidney and March would unfold. This brings me to character development. In the first two books there has been a lot of it, great interplays between the two and a lot of learning moments. More for March than for Sidney. Let's begin with Sidney first, just to say it straight away and rather bluntly he is an ass, but a good one, even though a lot, well everything has to follow his rules, he is most of the times correct. He has an observant nature even with only one eye. And you most certainly not want to have him against you. When I read his personal story I actually got to know a lot more about his character, which gave me a much better and clearer picture of to who Sidney really is. Now for March, the star of the show. Life in Death Descends isn't easy. Yes she still makes hasty mistakes, is it for eagerness, ignorance or driven by the fact of what was in the letter she received in the last book. That is for you to answer. Since Death Descends focuses strongly on March not just the case at hand but what goes underneath the shroud that March has over her makes her just as with Sidney an amazingly rich character. She goes from being the cheery March to the out of luck and sad March, Martin Kasasian puts her character through a real emotional roller coaster. I said it from the start I love this duo and still do, they offer just so much dynamic.
Death Descends on Saturn Villa is one of those books that is just over to soon. The way that Martin Kasasian executed this was just spot on from the general story to the personal accounts offered a very nice pacing to the story and kept on intriguing me. This is one of those books where you will make sure you are not disrupted while reading and that you will want to finish asap. This is not just your supernatural murder case investigation in the Victorian time setting. It is much more. The backgrounds of the character especially March and the emotional roller coaster Martin Kasasian throws her in really elevate this story head above shoulder. Again. If you aren't reading these books you are definitely missing out on something big. The ending is once again most interesting. Let see where Martin Kasasian takes his story next!
If you haven't heard about the enigmatic, quirky and rather peculiar detective duo Grice and Middleton you must have been living under a rock. Just about two years ago Head of Zeus published the first book in the Victorian detective series, The Mangle Street Murders, by Martin Kasasian. It was a blast for me. Which Martin Kasasian proved once again with it's sequel The Curse of the House of Foskett. He did leave the sequel with a major cliffhanger, which I had been dying to find out on how it could possible work out in the third book Death Descends of Saturn Villa. And wow, once again Martin Kasasian manages to awe me once more. I am going to repeat myself, if you havent heard of the detective duo Sidney Grice and March Middleton, I don't know where you are from but I do know that you are missing out on something good.
Now where did Martin Kasasian leave the story in The Curse of the House of Foskett, well March received a letter with information regarding her ward, I still won't spoil just what but it is big! Death Descends on Saturn Villa ( shortend to Death Descends), picks up directly after said event. March has become much more aware of her ward Sidney Grice and takes much more caution with the everyday actions. In the beginning of this story Sidney receives a new case which unfortunately only he is able to examine and thus March finds herself forced to do other things, boring things. But one day March receives a letter that strikes her curiosity. The letter is an invitation to Saturn Villa by her uncle Tolly, only March never knew that she had an uncle, perhaps due to the mystery behind the letter or because she hasn't really got anything to do she accepts the invitation and heads out to Saturn Villa for a chat and a dinner with her uncle. Well March will soon regret that she made this choice of meeting her long lost uncle Tolly. Tolly kindly persuades March to sign some papers and have dinner but when March sleeps the night in Saturn Villa things start to turn weird. A murder takes place, an unexplainable murder. And March is right in the middle of it all, and frankly can't remember everything for the full hundred percent. Well March can't really place it all and suddenly march life is in danger and just barely makes it out of Saturn Villa alive. Luckily for March, Sidney Grice takes this case of to the highest importance and returns to Saturn Villa with March in tow. Where they both make very shocking discovery. You can pretty much say that is the biggest and most dangerous case so far. The event describe above is only the start of a very eventful case for this enigmatic duo.
it's kind of hard to really delve deeper into the story without revealing to much, even though this book is just shy about 500 pages. What makes this installment in The Gower Street Detective so unique is the way that Martin Kasasian uses the layout of the book. If you are familiar with the earlier book you know that they are written from the perspective of March Middleton. Well in Death Descend things takes on a turn for the different. Granted there is still the perspective of March but also that of Sidney Grice for the very first time. Let me rewind a bit. The layout of Death Descends is divided into four different parts, that of the general story as explained above, a part where you only follow Sidney and two parts, during and post of March. Telling the story in this way pretty much left me speechless. When I came to the ending of the combined story there were still many pages the go and was curious as to what would follow next. The parts of Sidney and March were just marvelously done. I already tweeted a few days ago that the cover is awesome and inspires so much ambiance to the series and this book but the way that the story was written even further builds on this. The ending with the postscript, well that was captivating.
I already mentioned that Martin Kasasian left the last book on a cliffhanger moment. I was eager to see who the relation between Sidney and March would unfold. This brings me to character development. In the first two books there has been a lot of it, great interplays between the two and a lot of learning moments. More for March than for Sidney. Let's begin with Sidney first, just to say it straight away and rather bluntly he is an ass, but a good one, even though a lot, well everything has to follow his rules, he is most of the times correct. He has an observant nature even with only one eye. And you most certainly not want to have him against you. When I read his personal story I actually got to know a lot more about his character, which gave me a much better and clearer picture of to who Sidney really is. Now for March, the star of the show. Life in Death Descends isn't easy. Yes she still makes hasty mistakes, is it for eagerness, ignorance or driven by the fact of what was in the letter she received in the last book. That is for you to answer. Since Death Descends focuses strongly on March not just the case at hand but what goes underneath the shroud that March has over her makes her just as with Sidney an amazingly rich character. She goes from being the cheery March to the out of luck and sad March, Martin Kasasian puts her character through a real emotional roller coaster. I said it from the start I love this duo and still do, they offer just so much dynamic.
Death Descends on Saturn Villa is one of those books that is just over to soon. The way that Martin Kasasian executed this was just spot on from the general story to the personal accounts offered a very nice pacing to the story and kept on intriguing me. This is one of those books where you will make sure you are not disrupted while reading and that you will want to finish asap. This is not just your supernatural murder case investigation in the Victorian time setting. It is much more. The backgrounds of the character especially March and the emotional roller coaster Martin Kasasian throws her in really elevate this story head above shoulder. Again. If you aren't reading these books you are definitely missing out on something big. The ending is once again most interesting. Let see where Martin Kasasian takes his story next!
June 15, 2017
Quite funny, and a plot that kept me laughing. Summary: Gower Street, London: 1883. March Middleton is the niece of London's greatest (and most curmudgeonly) private detective, Sidney Grice. March has just discovered a wealthy long-lost relative she never knew she had. When this newest family member meets with a horrible death, March is in the frame for murder—and only Sidney Grice can prove her innocence.
October 22, 2019
Das war wirklich unglaublich spannend! Hat mir noch besser gefallen, als die beiden Vorgänger. Eine wirklich lesenswerte Reihe.
February 5, 2021
Another foray into the Victorian world of March Middleton and London, and therefore the world's for most personal detective Mr Sidney Grice.
A family connection brings trials and tribulations for young March, Sidney and the recuperating Inspector George Pound... How will she cope with her modern attitudes, unexpected family and the life of the assistant to our favourite personal detective?
Read on, dear readers... 125 Gower Street awaits!
A family connection brings trials and tribulations for young March, Sidney and the recuperating Inspector George Pound... How will she cope with her modern attitudes, unexpected family and the life of the assistant to our favourite personal detective?
Read on, dear readers... 125 Gower Street awaits!
November 2, 2023
I'm torn. This is okay, but very uneven and I really disliked the section that was laid out as Sidneys own notes.
April 30, 2025
Listened to audiobook. Many twists and turns.
January 23, 2019
The best of the series so far. I laughed a lot and cried a little. A ripping good yarn.
January 22, 2018
I love this series, it's fast paced and the characters are fun! Great little mysteries served with a bit of humour!
September 6, 2018
March non ha vita facile in questo terzo capitolo della saga, perchè si trova ad dover affrontare un'accusa in prima persona...in più viene a conoscenza dell'esistenza di un vecchio zio, Tolly, che le causerà non pochi problemi.
Ma alla fine ne uscirà ancora una volta, nonostante il prezzo non del tutto chiaro e ciò non la fermerà di certo dal diventare la più giovane detective donna di Londra.
Ma alla fine ne uscirà ancora una volta, nonostante il prezzo non del tutto chiaro e ciò non la fermerà di certo dal diventare la più giovane detective donna di Londra.
August 25, 2016
TRE e 1/2
Recensione sul sito LA FENICE BOOK
Il Mistero di Villa Saturn mi ha delusa! Se il secondo mi aveva entusiasmato questo mi ha confusa. Nulla da dire sul caso complesso e articolato che ha messo in scena l'autore, tanto di cappello ma ho avuto difficoltà a seguire il filo del discorso (forse sarò scema io!). In questo libro è tutto più confusionario, impostato malamente e strascicato. Il libro è suddiviso in varie parti, per la maggiore raccontate da March Middleton che sembra confusa a causa del veleno somministratele, la storia prosegue accavallandosi secondo un filo logico sconnesso e non si riesce a comprendere se sia realtà o finzione. La seconda parte viene narrata da Sidney Grice il nostro detective egoista, pignolo e sarcastico che mostra anche un lato umano, non mi è piaciuto il suo modo di narrare schematico e fin troppo approfondito, con discorsi aleatori. Ritorna dopo poco di nuovo lei per metà in carcere e quasi pazza e per metà sui suoi diari.
La storia esprime una nota alquanto caotica, ritroviamo sempre la Londra del 1883 con le sue violenze, i bambini lasciati per strada e mille altre povertà ma qui a differenza del secondo romanzo vengono analizzate poco e niente.
In questo romanzo March si trova dalla parte opposta ed è costretta a scagionarsi dalle accuse che la vedono offesa e pungolata di alcuni omicidi. In queste righe la stessa protagonista mi è sembrata leggermente più stupida e ignorante (avevo sperato fosse più intelligente). Si ode il suo passato e la spada di Daclome che le incombe sul capo!
Sidney Grice, molto meno astuto ma con occhio più decadente del solito. Abbruttito dalla malattia non riesce a ragionare lucidamente. L'ispettore Pound (per fortuna c'è lui!) come un povero diavolo sbatte come un forsennato sopportando ingiurie e meschinità da tutti. Molly la cameriera mi ha fatto morire nella sua ignoranza, poverina, ma l'adoro!
Insomma stavolta la storia non ha colpito il bersaglio ma è risultata purtroppo fare acqua da più punti, naturalmente ho ammirato la complessità del caso, come sempre, l'intelligenza dell'autore è superlativa ma non ho apprezzato il guazzabuglio di cambiamenti.
Una veleno che mescola le carte in tavola e fa perdere la direzione da seguire.
Recensione sul sito LA FENICE BOOK
Il Mistero di Villa Saturn mi ha delusa! Se il secondo mi aveva entusiasmato questo mi ha confusa. Nulla da dire sul caso complesso e articolato che ha messo in scena l'autore, tanto di cappello ma ho avuto difficoltà a seguire il filo del discorso (forse sarò scema io!). In questo libro è tutto più confusionario, impostato malamente e strascicato. Il libro è suddiviso in varie parti, per la maggiore raccontate da March Middleton che sembra confusa a causa del veleno somministratele, la storia prosegue accavallandosi secondo un filo logico sconnesso e non si riesce a comprendere se sia realtà o finzione. La seconda parte viene narrata da Sidney Grice il nostro detective egoista, pignolo e sarcastico che mostra anche un lato umano, non mi è piaciuto il suo modo di narrare schematico e fin troppo approfondito, con discorsi aleatori. Ritorna dopo poco di nuovo lei per metà in carcere e quasi pazza e per metà sui suoi diari.
La storia esprime una nota alquanto caotica, ritroviamo sempre la Londra del 1883 con le sue violenze, i bambini lasciati per strada e mille altre povertà ma qui a differenza del secondo romanzo vengono analizzate poco e niente.
In questo romanzo March si trova dalla parte opposta ed è costretta a scagionarsi dalle accuse che la vedono offesa e pungolata di alcuni omicidi. In queste righe la stessa protagonista mi è sembrata leggermente più stupida e ignorante (avevo sperato fosse più intelligente). Si ode il suo passato e la spada di Daclome che le incombe sul capo!
Sidney Grice, molto meno astuto ma con occhio più decadente del solito. Abbruttito dalla malattia non riesce a ragionare lucidamente. L'ispettore Pound (per fortuna c'è lui!) come un povero diavolo sbatte come un forsennato sopportando ingiurie e meschinità da tutti. Molly la cameriera mi ha fatto morire nella sua ignoranza, poverina, ma l'adoro!
Insomma stavolta la storia non ha colpito il bersaglio ma è risultata purtroppo fare acqua da più punti, naturalmente ho ammirato la complessità del caso, come sempre, l'intelligenza dell'autore è superlativa ma non ho apprezzato il guazzabuglio di cambiamenti.
Una veleno che mescola le carte in tavola e fa perdere la direzione da seguire.
April 27, 2016
Well, that was a change of pace. Three novels, each turning the dial up on the previous. It feels as if Kasasian is gaining confidence (I suppose a bulging bank account from the first two books can do that).
Not recommended as a standalone - you really ought to do 1 and 2 first.
We already knew that Grice is Sherlock Holmes only ruder (and Holmes is a very rude man indeed). But the hints in book 2 that he may have a heart are developed well here.
Inspector Pound is useful, although I didn't like how his story arc ended.
Molly is just wonderful. There's some tension and insanity and nastiness in this book, but between Grice and the word-manglicating bungler Molly (who is more or less Manuel from Fawlty Towers with a dash of Amelia Bedelia) we are never allowed to forget that we're here in fun.
So we have amped up the hero and the dopey sidekick. Kasasian has done the same to the plot here. I suspect a tribute to Agatha Christie's tortuous plots here. If you want to figure this one out you're going to have to play close attention. Let's just say that very few of the named characters are unnecessary.
What happens to March during this book? Not telling. And be careful with the other reviews because I'll bet some of them spill it all. Let's just say that things do indeed get a bit tense as the ending approaches, so don't spoil it for yourself.
Good series, well developed, and if there is a #4 I shall read it.
Not recommended as a standalone - you really ought to do 1 and 2 first.
We already knew that Grice is Sherlock Holmes only ruder (and Holmes is a very rude man indeed). But the hints in book 2 that he may have a heart are developed well here.
Inspector Pound is useful, although I didn't like how his story arc ended.
Molly is just wonderful. There's some tension and insanity and nastiness in this book, but between Grice and the word-manglicating bungler Molly (who is more or less Manuel from Fawlty Towers with a dash of Amelia Bedelia) we are never allowed to forget that we're here in fun.
So we have amped up the hero and the dopey sidekick. Kasasian has done the same to the plot here. I suspect a tribute to Agatha Christie's tortuous plots here. If you want to figure this one out you're going to have to play close attention. Let's just say that very few of the named characters are unnecessary.
What happens to March during this book? Not telling. And be careful with the other reviews because I'll bet some of them spill it all. Let's just say that things do indeed get a bit tense as the ending approaches, so don't spoil it for yourself.
Good series, well developed, and if there is a #4 I shall read it.
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