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Remember, Remember: A Victorian Mystery
Fourteen-year-old Aleister Lister Smith is sailing through a peaceful existence at a respectable public school in Shropshire. Perhaps too peaceful, even a bit boring at times. The only adventures in his life are the ones he reads about in books like The Count of Monte Cristo.
But all that changes one day when the mysterious brother-in-law of his schoolmaster shows up. What are these troubles that the brother-in-law is undergoing, and why does he want Aleister to help him with them?
Before he knows what's happening Aleister finds himself on the way to Manchester, ostensibly to work as a clerk in an insurance office, but really to try to find out the identity of a blackmailer.
Complicating his life once he gets there is a young girl named Kate who quotes Paradise Lost and seems alarmingly lively. Then there is Jack, his co-worker, who sneaks out during work to smoke. It all seems quite a different world from peaceful Shropshire.
And then on Guy Fawkes Night, there's a murder.
But all that changes one day when the mysterious brother-in-law of his schoolmaster shows up. What are these troubles that the brother-in-law is undergoing, and why does he want Aleister to help him with them?
Before he knows what's happening Aleister finds himself on the way to Manchester, ostensibly to work as a clerk in an insurance office, but really to try to find out the identity of a blackmailer.
Complicating his life once he gets there is a young girl named Kate who quotes Paradise Lost and seems alarmingly lively. Then there is Jack, his co-worker, who sneaks out during work to smoke. It all seems quite a different world from peaceful Shropshire.
And then on Guy Fawkes Night, there's a murder.
- GenresMystery
249 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 28, 2005
11 people want to read
About the author
Sheldon Goldfarb
4 books3 followersBorn in Montreal long ago in another century, I have always been interested in history, strange facts, reading, and writing. I started with reading “Black Beauty” (unless you count Dr. Seuss and Dick and Jane) and graduated to sports novels and the Hardy Boys.
I’ve always loved a good mystery, and eventually wrote one myself, “Remember, Remember,” which even got nominated for a prize (didn’t win, though). Of course, what better mysteries are there than the ones about “the Greatest Detective,” Sherlock Holmes? I discovered Holmes at the age of 12, then much later joined a Sherlock Holmes society (the Stormy Petrels of British Columbia, which is where I now live), and just recently have published a book of “Musings” about the Great Detective’s exploits.
Oh, and my interest in history led me to become an archivist for the student society at the University of British Columbia, which in turn led to my book, “The Hundred-Year Trek: A History of Student Life at UBC.”
In an earlier life I acquired a PhD specializing in the Victorian author William Makepeace Thackeray. I even published a couple of books about him, but they’re on the scholarly side. Better to stick to my more recent output, like the book on Sherlock Holmes: it’s fun.
I’ve always loved a good mystery, and eventually wrote one myself, “Remember, Remember,” which even got nominated for a prize (didn’t win, though). Of course, what better mysteries are there than the ones about “the Greatest Detective,” Sherlock Holmes? I discovered Holmes at the age of 12, then much later joined a Sherlock Holmes society (the Stormy Petrels of British Columbia, which is where I now live), and just recently have published a book of “Musings” about the Great Detective’s exploits.
Oh, and my interest in history led me to become an archivist for the student society at the University of British Columbia, which in turn led to my book, “The Hundred-Year Trek: A History of Student Life at UBC.”
In an earlier life I acquired a PhD specializing in the Victorian author William Makepeace Thackeray. I even published a couple of books about him, but they’re on the scholarly side. Better to stick to my more recent output, like the book on Sherlock Holmes: it’s fun.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 1, 2016
This felt to me like an interesting mix of the classic Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew stories but placed in Victorian England and flavoured with a prose style that is fluid and engaging. I've met the author, so had the benefit of knowing he's an expert on Victorian England (and Thackeray!) which explains the way he seamlessly integrates the historical setting without hammering the reader over the head with it.
Aleister and Kate are admirable young protagonists, though this being their first adventure, you'll find yourself sometimes wondering how each of them might grow and change--along with their relationship--over time. The mystery side will appeal to those who enjoy the cozy style in which the entertainment comes from meeting the different characters along the way of the investigation and trying to work out whodunit and why.
Aleister and Kate are admirable young protagonists, though this being their first adventure, you'll find yourself sometimes wondering how each of them might grow and change--along with their relationship--over time. The mystery side will appeal to those who enjoy the cozy style in which the entertainment comes from meeting the different characters along the way of the investigation and trying to work out whodunit and why.
December 20, 2012
A suspenseful read. I didn't want to put it down. I hope the author writes a sequel because it was so interesting. It's really hard to find books that grab you like this one did.
December 27, 2015
Delightful. The story was unique and engaging. I found it suspenseful and I could not (unlike many books these day) figure out the ending. I understand why it was nominated for an award. It is a perfect read for someone who enjoys mystery, suspense and the Victorian era.
September 1, 2012
Plodding, pedantic, predictable - a real yawner with an annoyingly wimpy main character. My kids, the book's intended audience, didn't even finish it. Their review? "Boring."
August 17, 2016
This is a mystery intended for teenage readers. I haven't been a teenager for over 50 years and wasn't expecting to particularly like it, but it is a well-told story and was fun to read.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews