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The Gower Street Detective #4
The Secrets of Gaslight Lane
A cold case needs reopening... fast in the next case for Sidney Grice and March Middleton – the Gower Street Detectives.
London, 1884: Things are returning to normal at 125 Gower Street. Sidney Grice is engrossed in the finite points of tree frog dissection, his ward, March Middleton, is of sound mind once again, but the household is strangely quiet.
So, when a young woman turns up at the door, imploring London's foremost personal detective to solve the mystery of her father's murder, Grice can barely disguise his glee. Nathan Garstang was found slaughtered in his bed, with no trace of a weapon or intruder. But what piques Sidney's interest is the crime's link to one of London's most notorious unsolved murders. Ten years ago, Nathan's Uncle, Aunt and servants were murdered in their sleep in the very same house, 2 Burton Crescent. Now, it seems, the Garstang murderer is back...
THE GOWER STREET DETECTIVE SERIES
The Mangle Street Murders
The Curse of the House of Foskett
Death Descends on Saturn Villa
The Secrets of Gaslight Lane
London, 1884: Things are returning to normal at 125 Gower Street. Sidney Grice is engrossed in the finite points of tree frog dissection, his ward, March Middleton, is of sound mind once again, but the household is strangely quiet.
So, when a young woman turns up at the door, imploring London's foremost personal detective to solve the mystery of her father's murder, Grice can barely disguise his glee. Nathan Garstang was found slaughtered in his bed, with no trace of a weapon or intruder. But what piques Sidney's interest is the crime's link to one of London's most notorious unsolved murders. Ten years ago, Nathan's Uncle, Aunt and servants were murdered in their sleep in the very same house, 2 Burton Crescent. Now, it seems, the Garstang murderer is back...
THE GOWER STREET DETECTIVE SERIES
The Mangle Street Murders
The Curse of the House of Foskett
Death Descends on Saturn Villa
The Secrets of Gaslight Lane
400 pages, Paperback
First published June 2, 2016
163 people are currently reading
2215 people want to read
About the author
M.R.C. Kasasian
31 books522 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 149 reviews
January 31, 2023
*Thank you to Netgalley and Head Of Zeus for my free copy in exchange for a fair and honest review*
They say that sarcasm is the lowest form of wit, but our protagonist Sidney Grice transforms it into an art form in this historical crime story, set against the backdrop of Victorian London.
Nathan Garstang is found horribly murdered in a locked room, within his heavily fortified home. When police investigations offer no clues as to how this happened or who was responsible, Nathan's daughter, Charity Goodsmile, employs the services of Sidney Grice ( PERSONAL detective, he refuses to acknowledge being a PRIVATE detective) in the hope that he can discover what the police cannot. Assisting Sidney is his ward Ms March Middleton. The strange thing about this case is the fact that Nathan's aunt and uncle and their servants died in much the same way some years earlier.
Let it be said that Sidney's powers of deduction are clearly on a level with that other infamous detective Sherlock Holmes. His unpleasantness however is taken to a whole new level. A more obnoxious man would be hard to find, but this is a personality that adds huge interest and intrigue to the proceedings. His sidekick, March is a much more gentle person, but make no mistake, she also has her vices, and has the power to surprise and shock.
This was a well put together crime mystery with some truly mesmerising characters, none more so than Sidney Grice. The murk, filth, and thick London fogs of the late 19th century certainly added atmosphere to this intriguing story. A good solid Victorian whodunit!
They say that sarcasm is the lowest form of wit, but our protagonist Sidney Grice transforms it into an art form in this historical crime story, set against the backdrop of Victorian London.
Nathan Garstang is found horribly murdered in a locked room, within his heavily fortified home. When police investigations offer no clues as to how this happened or who was responsible, Nathan's daughter, Charity Goodsmile, employs the services of Sidney Grice ( PERSONAL detective, he refuses to acknowledge being a PRIVATE detective) in the hope that he can discover what the police cannot. Assisting Sidney is his ward Ms March Middleton. The strange thing about this case is the fact that Nathan's aunt and uncle and their servants died in much the same way some years earlier.
Let it be said that Sidney's powers of deduction are clearly on a level with that other infamous detective Sherlock Holmes. His unpleasantness however is taken to a whole new level. A more obnoxious man would be hard to find, but this is a personality that adds huge interest and intrigue to the proceedings. His sidekick, March is a much more gentle person, but make no mistake, she also has her vices, and has the power to surprise and shock.
This was a well put together crime mystery with some truly mesmerising characters, none more so than Sidney Grice. The murk, filth, and thick London fogs of the late 19th century certainly added atmosphere to this intriguing story. A good solid Victorian whodunit!
February 7, 2017
It is London, 1883. Sidney Grice is not a Private Investigator; he is a 'Personal Detective'. He is also incredibly rude, sarcastic, arrogant and probably borderline autistic. He is obsessed by order and by numbers, particularly the number 14. He admits to liking no-one and would be horrified should anyone admit to liking him.
He is Godfather and Guardian to a young woman, March Middleton, whom he saved from incarceration in Broadmoor, and who has the rather dubious honour of being his assistant.
This is a rather entertaining rendition of the locked room murder. But in the plural. Both in murders and rooms.
I found the first few chapters more than a little confusing, and I have to admit to not enjoying this book at the outset. This may have been because this is #4 in a series of which I have not read any of the previous books and so had none of the back-history. But, everything is explained and all becomes clear not too far into the story. After this point, I settled down to enjoy my read.
3.5 stars for The Secrets of Gaslight Lane by M.R.C. Kasasian.
Thank you to NetGalley and Head of Zeus for providing a digital ARC of The Secrets of gaslight Lane for review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.
He is Godfather and Guardian to a young woman, March Middleton, whom he saved from incarceration in Broadmoor, and who has the rather dubious honour of being his assistant.
This is a rather entertaining rendition of the locked room murder. But in the plural. Both in murders and rooms.
I found the first few chapters more than a little confusing, and I have to admit to not enjoying this book at the outset. This may have been because this is #4 in a series of which I have not read any of the previous books and so had none of the back-history. But, everything is explained and all becomes clear not too far into the story. After this point, I settled down to enjoy my read.
3.5 stars for The Secrets of Gaslight Lane by M.R.C. Kasasian.
Thank you to NetGalley and Head of Zeus for providing a digital ARC of The Secrets of gaslight Lane for review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.
April 4, 2019
The 4th book in the series and all have been an absolute blast! This is Victorian gothic at its finest, with every book comprising an engrossing - and intriguingly complex - mystery, subtle wordplay, Holmesian references, laugh out loud humour, and the ongoing interactions and development of our principal players: March, Sidney, Molly, and Inspector Pound.
I cannot recommend them highly enough.
I cannot recommend them highly enough.
May 31, 2016
This is an atmospheric and engaging historical crime story set in 1880s Victorian London. Sidney Grice and his ward, March Middleton find themselves taking on a curious locked room mystery. Charity Goodsmile is unhappy with the police investigation of the murder of her father. She approaches Sidney to look into the case. Nathan Gasstrang is found murdered in his bedroom and in a home which is well served with numerous security measures. What is strange is that a decade earlier, Nathan's Aunt, Uncle and others were killed in a manner that echoes Nathan's murder. The cases turn out to be connected.
The unpleasant and rude Sidney is well complemented by the more human March. Although March does have a liking for public houses, gin and cigarettes. The historical descriptions are spot on. The humour, the characters and the period add to the charm of this book. Along with the red herrings and twists, this is a absorbing story. Thanks to Head of Zeus for an ARC.
The unpleasant and rude Sidney is well complemented by the more human March. Although March does have a liking for public houses, gin and cigarettes. The historical descriptions are spot on. The humour, the characters and the period add to the charm of this book. Along with the red herrings and twists, this is a absorbing story. Thanks to Head of Zeus for an ARC.
February 10, 2017
As a fan of this series, I came away disappointed.
The producers have standardized the narration so that the U. K. edition, read by Emma Gregory, is now sold in the States as well; I was a big fan of Lindy Nettleton's narration and miss her, though EG does a good job.
The character of Sidney Grice has always been pompous, but here he's beyond insufferable to the point that it was tough to see how March sticks it out with him. The author seriously needs to throttle back on some of that, especially the numbers bit: "I can give you fourteen reasons . . . ." Molly the maid did make a few more appearances than absolutely necessary, but Grice's silliness was more annoying than hers, which is more in character.
As others have noted, the storyline was just too convoluted in connecting murders in the same house a decade apart, with occasional thoughts from the murderer's point-of-view. By the end I was exhausted, didn't feel I "got" everything, and really didn't care.
I'm still a fan of the series, looking forward to another installment, but as there isn't much information provided that appears to advance the overall storyline, this book is one I might be advising folks to skip.
The producers have standardized the narration so that the U. K. edition, read by Emma Gregory, is now sold in the States as well; I was a big fan of Lindy Nettleton's narration and miss her, though EG does a good job.
The character of Sidney Grice has always been pompous, but here he's beyond insufferable to the point that it was tough to see how March sticks it out with him. The author seriously needs to throttle back on some of that, especially the numbers bit: "I can give you fourteen reasons . . . ." Molly the maid did make a few more appearances than absolutely necessary, but Grice's silliness was more annoying than hers, which is more in character.
As others have noted, the storyline was just too convoluted in connecting murders in the same house a decade apart, with occasional thoughts from the murderer's point-of-view. By the end I was exhausted, didn't feel I "got" everything, and really didn't care.
I'm still a fan of the series, looking forward to another installment, but as there isn't much information provided that appears to advance the overall storyline, this book is one I might be advising folks to skip.
December 26, 2025
Trama/Plot⭐⭐
Personaggi/Characters ⭐
Stile/Style 😒
Santo cielo quanto ho impiegato a concluderlo...una lettura lenta, dispersiva e pedante. A differenza dei primi libri della serie, questo non mi è affatto piaciuto, Grice è semplicemente insopportabile tanto risulta molesto, sgradevole e maleducato: ogni suo singolo dialogo, con chiunque, è un continuo, vacuo battibecco che, non solo non porta da nessuna parte, ma appesantisce la lettura a tal punto da risultare snervante: infatti, tra un capitolo e l'altro, occorrono delle pause detox molto lunghe. March è ridotta a poco più di una macchietta che subisce le umiliazioni di Grice senza quasi controbattere (così come non controbatte nessuno degli altri personaggi che compaiono nel libro, ognuno di loro viene trattato come una pezza da scarpe da Grice e nessuno – dico nessuno – che provi ad alzare la voce e rimetterlo a posto se non addirittura a fargli un occhio nero?!? Si sentono davvero tutti intimiditi da cotanto essere?). L'unico aspetto che salvo è Molly, strano ma vero, in questo libro invece di una ebete completa sembra una finta tonta che in realtà è molto più intelligente di quello che appare.
***
Good heavens how long it took me to finish it... a slow, distracting and pedantic read. Unlike the first books in the series, I didn't like this one at all, Grice is simply unbearable, so annoying, unpleasant and rude he is: every single dialogue he has, with anyone, is a continuous, empty squabble that not only leads nowhere but it makes reading heavy to the point of being unnerving: in fact, very long detox breaks are needed between one chapter and another. March is reduced to little more than a speck who suffers Grice's humiliations without almost countering (just as she doesn't counter any of the other characters who appear in the book, each of them is treated like a rag by Grice and no one - I mean no one - that you try to raise your voice and put him back if you don't even give him a black eye?!? Does everyone really feel intimidated by such being?). The only aspect I save is Molly, strange but true, in this book instead of a complete idiot she seems like a fake fool who is actually much more intelligent than she appears.
Personaggi/Characters ⭐
Stile/Style 😒
Santo cielo quanto ho impiegato a concluderlo...una lettura lenta, dispersiva e pedante. A differenza dei primi libri della serie, questo non mi è affatto piaciuto, Grice è semplicemente insopportabile tanto risulta molesto, sgradevole e maleducato: ogni suo singolo dialogo, con chiunque, è un continuo, vacuo battibecco che, non solo non porta da nessuna parte, ma appesantisce la lettura a tal punto da risultare snervante: infatti, tra un capitolo e l'altro, occorrono delle pause detox molto lunghe. March è ridotta a poco più di una macchietta che subisce le umiliazioni di Grice senza quasi controbattere (così come non controbatte nessuno degli altri personaggi che compaiono nel libro, ognuno di loro viene trattato come una pezza da scarpe da Grice e nessuno – dico nessuno – che provi ad alzare la voce e rimetterlo a posto se non addirittura a fargli un occhio nero?!? Si sentono davvero tutti intimiditi da cotanto essere?). L'unico aspetto che salvo è Molly, strano ma vero, in questo libro invece di una ebete completa sembra una finta tonta che in realtà è molto più intelligente di quello che appare.
***
Good heavens how long it took me to finish it... a slow, distracting and pedantic read. Unlike the first books in the series, I didn't like this one at all, Grice is simply unbearable, so annoying, unpleasant and rude he is: every single dialogue he has, with anyone, is a continuous, empty squabble that not only leads nowhere but it makes reading heavy to the point of being unnerving: in fact, very long detox breaks are needed between one chapter and another. March is reduced to little more than a speck who suffers Grice's humiliations without almost countering (just as she doesn't counter any of the other characters who appear in the book, each of them is treated like a rag by Grice and no one - I mean no one - that you try to raise your voice and put him back if you don't even give him a black eye?!? Does everyone really feel intimidated by such being?). The only aspect I save is Molly, strange but true, in this book instead of a complete idiot she seems like a fake fool who is actually much more intelligent than she appears.
July 30, 2016
Too clever by half really. I persevered because I had enjoyed two previous books in is series but half way through it became so riddled with sarcasm and affectation that the plot lost its way. Glad I finished it but it took much longer to read than it should.....
July 22, 2018
I'm not sure if the writing has gotten worse or if I have less tolerance for the characters and writing four books into the series, but I found this so difficult to get through.
Most of the characters are ridiculous, impossible, implausible caricatures. Grice values brevity in others but prattles on at length, using unnecessarily big words just for the sake of it. It reads too much like the author is trying to be clever and failing. His 'quirks', such as listing numbers of things, are repeated ad nauseam and are utterly impossible to believe. Really, Grice? You want me to believe there are 4,933 more gruesome ways to die than having your head blown off with a shotgun? And because he's always factual, we're expected to believe that he actually means this and could recite the list upon command. He has zero redeeming qualities. He's unnecessarily cruel. I believe we're meant to find his endless putdowns and taunts of other people amusing, but they're not. Grice is obviously modelled on Sherlock Holmes, but he doesn't come close to the great man. Holmes is a flawed character, but ultimately a brilliant man with redeeming qualities. Grice is just an a-hole.
Molly is much, much too stupid. No one is that stupid. A few malapropisms here and there might be amusing and endearing, but littering every line of dialogue with them isn't funny or clever. No. It's tiresome and anger-inducing. Remind me why Grice keeps her around? (Rhetorical question. I don't care.)
I've always hated the flashbacks. They just serve to confuse the reader and ultimately don't move the story along very much. Also, there are too many hints given (both in flashbacks and the overall plot) of various aspects of relationships that never seem to be resolved.
And now to one of my biggest annoyances with these books. I'm all for explaining characters' actions while they're talking so you have something to visualise, but you don't need to give them a separate, and usually totally random, action for every damn line of dialogue! It's jarring and takes you completely out of the scene. You feel as though you've wasted time when you finally work out that what they're doing isn't important to the plot ('Ooh, Grice has turned the cigar box upside down. He must be about to discover something!' Two pages later: 'Grice is still digging around in that cigar box. Surely he'll find something any moment now...?' Further on: 'Oh, so the cigar box had nothing to do with anything? Huh.') Similarly, I don't need to know every detail of their breakfast and how they ate it. Lay out the scene briefly before the dialogue starts, and then focus on the dialogue. Don't keep interrupting it to tell me that March has now cracked open her egg and Grice is now pouring salt on his egg.
I'd love to put on my editor hat and take a red pen to this book. It badly needs major editing. Molly leaves the room one moment, but two lines later she's revealed to still be in the room and part of the conversation. The characters arrive home from one trip and head straight back out the door with no explanation of what's happening, where they're going or how much time has passed. I was confused throughout the entire book. The characters' actions, thoughts and responses just seemed to be all over the place and not connected properly. A good editor would have fixed all of this. There seemed to be little logic to it all. The only relatively normal character is March, who's pretty great. I don't think I would have made it to the end if not for her.
I believe there's only one more book left in the series. I've already bought it and I'm a glutton for punishment, so I guess I'll read it. Should I dare to hope that anything will be resolved? No. I won't get my hopes up.
Most of the characters are ridiculous, impossible, implausible caricatures. Grice values brevity in others but prattles on at length, using unnecessarily big words just for the sake of it. It reads too much like the author is trying to be clever and failing. His 'quirks', such as listing numbers of things, are repeated ad nauseam and are utterly impossible to believe. Really, Grice? You want me to believe there are 4,933 more gruesome ways to die than having your head blown off with a shotgun? And because he's always factual, we're expected to believe that he actually means this and could recite the list upon command. He has zero redeeming qualities. He's unnecessarily cruel. I believe we're meant to find his endless putdowns and taunts of other people amusing, but they're not. Grice is obviously modelled on Sherlock Holmes, but he doesn't come close to the great man. Holmes is a flawed character, but ultimately a brilliant man with redeeming qualities. Grice is just an a-hole.
Molly is much, much too stupid. No one is that stupid. A few malapropisms here and there might be amusing and endearing, but littering every line of dialogue with them isn't funny or clever. No. It's tiresome and anger-inducing. Remind me why Grice keeps her around? (Rhetorical question. I don't care.)
I've always hated the flashbacks. They just serve to confuse the reader and ultimately don't move the story along very much. Also, there are too many hints given (both in flashbacks and the overall plot) of various aspects of relationships that never seem to be resolved.
And now to one of my biggest annoyances with these books. I'm all for explaining characters' actions while they're talking so you have something to visualise, but you don't need to give them a separate, and usually totally random, action for every damn line of dialogue! It's jarring and takes you completely out of the scene. You feel as though you've wasted time when you finally work out that what they're doing isn't important to the plot ('Ooh, Grice has turned the cigar box upside down. He must be about to discover something!' Two pages later: 'Grice is still digging around in that cigar box. Surely he'll find something any moment now...?' Further on: 'Oh, so the cigar box had nothing to do with anything? Huh.') Similarly, I don't need to know every detail of their breakfast and how they ate it. Lay out the scene briefly before the dialogue starts, and then focus on the dialogue. Don't keep interrupting it to tell me that March has now cracked open her egg and Grice is now pouring salt on his egg.
I'd love to put on my editor hat and take a red pen to this book. It badly needs major editing. Molly leaves the room one moment, but two lines later she's revealed to still be in the room and part of the conversation. The characters arrive home from one trip and head straight back out the door with no explanation of what's happening, where they're going or how much time has passed. I was confused throughout the entire book. The characters' actions, thoughts and responses just seemed to be all over the place and not connected properly. A good editor would have fixed all of this. There seemed to be little logic to it all. The only relatively normal character is March, who's pretty great. I don't think I would have made it to the end if not for her.
I believe there's only one more book left in the series. I've already bought it and I'm a glutton for punishment, so I guess I'll read it. Should I dare to hope that anything will be resolved? No. I won't get my hopes up.
November 21, 2019
4.5 Sterne für einen außergewöhnlichen und äußerst verzwickten neuen Fall!
Von den ersten beiden Bänden der Reihe war ich ja total begeistert - der dritte hat dann für mich etwas geschwächelt, dafür sticht der vierte aber wieder besonders spannend heraus! Ich hab wieder mit großer Neugier und einem Schmunzeln auf den Lippen diesen außergewöhnlichen und kuriosen Mordfall verfolgt, dessen Aufklärung zu vielen falschen Fährten und vielen moralischen Fragen führt.
Man muss definitiv die Ermittlerarbeit bei Krimis lieben, denn Sidney Grice, der kauzige "persönliche Ermittler", ist ein detailverliebter Verbrecherjäger, der jeden kleinsten Hinweis beachtet, denn schließlich könnte alles irgendwie relevant sein. Sein arrogantes, teilweise oft sehr verletzendes, dafür aber auch wahrheitsliebendes Gebaren mag viele abschrecken, aber er hat einfach etwas an sich, das ihn sympathisch macht. Ich würde ja immer zu gerne wissen, was er sich über mich für ein Urteil bilden würde, wäre er mir begegnet.
Grace Middleton, sein Mündel, ist mittlerweile an seine unbeherrschte Art gewöhnt und geht damit sehr kulant, mit trockenem Humor und spitzfindigen Retourkutschen um, was mir jedesmal großen Spaß macht. Sie erzählt die Geschichte aus der Ich-Perspektive und damit kann man gut ihren Gedankengängen folgen, die sie bezüglich ihres Onkels Mr G, ihrer heimlichen Liebe und natürlich den ungewöhnlichen Ermittlungen hat.
In Bezug auf den Humor muss ich auch mal die Haushälterin Molly erwähnen, die mit ihrem "Straßenjargon" und ihren Missverständnissen und ihrer herzlichen offenen Art viele lustige Momente in die Geschichte bringt.
Die Handlung geht zum einen mit gutem Tempo voran, auch wenn die beweisführende Recherche wirklich äußerst detailliert vonstatten geht - allerdings ist es auch so erfrischend ungewöhnlich geschrieben, dass dadurch die Seiten nur so dahinfliegen.
Zwischendurch werden z. B. mitten in den Gesprächen Details erwähnt, die gespürt oder beobachtet werden. Was aber nicht verwirrt, sondern das ganze auflockert und einen äußert anschaulichen und lebendigen Eindruck vermittelt.
Auch die vielen historischen Einzelheiten, die das Leben und die Gesellschaft widerspiegeln, sind gekonnt eingeflochten und zeigen sich auch im dazu angepassten Schreibstil.
Das Haus in der Gaslight Lane, in der der Mord stattgefunden hat, ist schon früher zu einem Schauplatz des Verbrechens geworden und scheint überhaupt ein sehr kurioser Ort zu sein, der viele Geheimnisse verbirgt. Mir hat das Miträtseln jedenfalls viel Spaß gemacht und ich fand es insgesamt eine äußerst gelungene Fortsetzung.
Weltenwanderer
Von den ersten beiden Bänden der Reihe war ich ja total begeistert - der dritte hat dann für mich etwas geschwächelt, dafür sticht der vierte aber wieder besonders spannend heraus! Ich hab wieder mit großer Neugier und einem Schmunzeln auf den Lippen diesen außergewöhnlichen und kuriosen Mordfall verfolgt, dessen Aufklärung zu vielen falschen Fährten und vielen moralischen Fragen führt.
Man muss definitiv die Ermittlerarbeit bei Krimis lieben, denn Sidney Grice, der kauzige "persönliche Ermittler", ist ein detailverliebter Verbrecherjäger, der jeden kleinsten Hinweis beachtet, denn schließlich könnte alles irgendwie relevant sein. Sein arrogantes, teilweise oft sehr verletzendes, dafür aber auch wahrheitsliebendes Gebaren mag viele abschrecken, aber er hat einfach etwas an sich, das ihn sympathisch macht. Ich würde ja immer zu gerne wissen, was er sich über mich für ein Urteil bilden würde, wäre er mir begegnet.
Grace Middleton, sein Mündel, ist mittlerweile an seine unbeherrschte Art gewöhnt und geht damit sehr kulant, mit trockenem Humor und spitzfindigen Retourkutschen um, was mir jedesmal großen Spaß macht. Sie erzählt die Geschichte aus der Ich-Perspektive und damit kann man gut ihren Gedankengängen folgen, die sie bezüglich ihres Onkels Mr G, ihrer heimlichen Liebe und natürlich den ungewöhnlichen Ermittlungen hat.
In Bezug auf den Humor muss ich auch mal die Haushälterin Molly erwähnen, die mit ihrem "Straßenjargon" und ihren Missverständnissen und ihrer herzlichen offenen Art viele lustige Momente in die Geschichte bringt.
Die Handlung geht zum einen mit gutem Tempo voran, auch wenn die beweisführende Recherche wirklich äußerst detailliert vonstatten geht - allerdings ist es auch so erfrischend ungewöhnlich geschrieben, dass dadurch die Seiten nur so dahinfliegen.
Zwischendurch werden z. B. mitten in den Gesprächen Details erwähnt, die gespürt oder beobachtet werden. Was aber nicht verwirrt, sondern das ganze auflockert und einen äußert anschaulichen und lebendigen Eindruck vermittelt.
Auch die vielen historischen Einzelheiten, die das Leben und die Gesellschaft widerspiegeln, sind gekonnt eingeflochten und zeigen sich auch im dazu angepassten Schreibstil.
Das Haus in der Gaslight Lane, in der der Mord stattgefunden hat, ist schon früher zu einem Schauplatz des Verbrechens geworden und scheint überhaupt ein sehr kurioser Ort zu sein, der viele Geheimnisse verbirgt. Mir hat das Miträtseln jedenfalls viel Spaß gemacht und ich fand es insgesamt eine äußerst gelungene Fortsetzung.
Weltenwanderer
September 18, 2016
I found the first few chapters of this book confusing and was still confused at the end. This is partly because it is fourth in the ‘The Gower Street’ detective series by MRC Kasasian and I haven’t read the previous three, but partly because the author seems to confuse the reader on purpose.
Two murders are to be solved, one new, one ten years earlier, involving the same family, in the same house. I got both events totally confused. March Middleton is the god-daughter of ‘personal detective’ Sidney Grice. It is London, 1883 and this series is billed as an alternative ‘Holmes and Watson’ detecting duo. Grice is a pedantic character, a bit like Sherlock Holmes but without the charm. I found his arrogance and language intensely irritating. March’s way of dealing with his rudeness is to plough her own furrow, defending herself and occasionally going her own way. I liked March, I kept reading because of her. We see the story from her point of view.
The duo is employed by Charity Goodsmile to investigate the murder of her father. Grice and Middleton visit the scene of the crime and what follows is told in minute detail, unlike any other detective novel I have read. Grice’s arrogant questioning of suspects is based on his super-human ability to analyse detail, but I wasn’t convinced. For example, when a suspect answers Grice’s question Grice says this answer is only one of the fourteen possible answers. He does not explain the other thirteen answers and I wonder if the author chose a number at random.
A little too pleased with its own cleverness and a little too long.
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Two murders are to be solved, one new, one ten years earlier, involving the same family, in the same house. I got both events totally confused. March Middleton is the god-daughter of ‘personal detective’ Sidney Grice. It is London, 1883 and this series is billed as an alternative ‘Holmes and Watson’ detecting duo. Grice is a pedantic character, a bit like Sherlock Holmes but without the charm. I found his arrogance and language intensely irritating. March’s way of dealing with his rudeness is to plough her own furrow, defending herself and occasionally going her own way. I liked March, I kept reading because of her. We see the story from her point of view.
The duo is employed by Charity Goodsmile to investigate the murder of her father. Grice and Middleton visit the scene of the crime and what follows is told in minute detail, unlike any other detective novel I have read. Grice’s arrogant questioning of suspects is based on his super-human ability to analyse detail, but I wasn’t convinced. For example, when a suspect answers Grice’s question Grice says this answer is only one of the fourteen possible answers. He does not explain the other thirteen answers and I wonder if the author chose a number at random.
A little too pleased with its own cleverness and a little too long.
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July 12, 2016
3 1/2*. Liked it, and good clues for advancing the central story between the main characters, but... This was just to complicated, too many characters and too fiddly.
February 25, 2019
4 stelle e mezzo
Con questo libro sono tornata a casa, in senso metaforico ovviamente, perchè la casa in questione è davvero molto lontana nel tempo e nello spazio. Siamo nella Londra del 1800, precisamente in Gower Street e ad aprirci la porta c'è Molly la cameriera, che oltre ad essere un disastro nel suo mestiere, non riesce a ricordare un nome che sia uno. Nostri ospiti il detective personale Sidney Grice e la sua pupilla March Middleton una coppia davvero male assortita che però funziona benissimo.
Di cosa si occuperanno stavolta? Ebbene un uomo è stato assassinato e toccherà proprio ai nostri protagonisti scoprire il colpevole, ma c'è un precedente, nella stessa dimora, molti anni prima un vera e propria carneficina era stata perpetrata per mano di uno sconosciuto. I delitti presenti e passati sono collegati tra loro? Cosa è accaduto veramente? Bhe posso dirvi che la storia narrata da MRC Kasasian è un tripudio di ingegno e complessità.
Bisogna armarsi di pazienza e voglia di scoprire ogni piccolo particolare perchè il romanzo è molto lungo e pieno di personaggi, che l'autore descrive nel migliore dei modi, caratteristiche fisiche e personalità si fondono in un miscuglio davvero ben amalgamato, March stessa ha subito nel corso del tempo un'evoluzione incredibile e ad ogni pagina mi ha entusiasmata sempre di più.
Lei così anticonformista, ironica, generosa è un'eroina da amare a tutto tondo. Il suo sarcasmo e la sua umanità l'hanno resa ai miei occhi il miglior personaggio della serie.
Bellissime le descrizioni della Londra di quel tempo, strade, persone, mestieri, nulla è lasciato al caso, l'atmosfera è ricca di fascino e il tè servito in ogni circostanza fa molto british style. Sideny Grice si conferma un uomo a suo modo odioso ma estremamente sincero tanto da risultare spesso divertente anche in frangenti che di divertente hanno molto poco. Il giallo è narrato con estrema precisione, le tessere tornano tutte al loro posto con il proseguire dell'indagine ma non solo, in questo romanzo in particolare la vita privata di March subisce più di un colpo, celato magistralmente in alcuni episodi, che chiuderanno il romanzo con un finale da capogiro.
Solo una cosa mi ha resa davvero triste, ma non tocca a me dirvi quale, posso a questo punto solo sperare che nel prossimo volume si riesca ad intravedere uno spiraglio che porti conforto ad una povera lettrice come la sottoscritta.
Con questo libro sono tornata a casa, in senso metaforico ovviamente, perchè la casa in questione è davvero molto lontana nel tempo e nello spazio. Siamo nella Londra del 1800, precisamente in Gower Street e ad aprirci la porta c'è Molly la cameriera, che oltre ad essere un disastro nel suo mestiere, non riesce a ricordare un nome che sia uno. Nostri ospiti il detective personale Sidney Grice e la sua pupilla March Middleton una coppia davvero male assortita che però funziona benissimo.
Di cosa si occuperanno stavolta? Ebbene un uomo è stato assassinato e toccherà proprio ai nostri protagonisti scoprire il colpevole, ma c'è un precedente, nella stessa dimora, molti anni prima un vera e propria carneficina era stata perpetrata per mano di uno sconosciuto. I delitti presenti e passati sono collegati tra loro? Cosa è accaduto veramente? Bhe posso dirvi che la storia narrata da MRC Kasasian è un tripudio di ingegno e complessità.
Bisogna armarsi di pazienza e voglia di scoprire ogni piccolo particolare perchè il romanzo è molto lungo e pieno di personaggi, che l'autore descrive nel migliore dei modi, caratteristiche fisiche e personalità si fondono in un miscuglio davvero ben amalgamato, March stessa ha subito nel corso del tempo un'evoluzione incredibile e ad ogni pagina mi ha entusiasmata sempre di più.
Lei così anticonformista, ironica, generosa è un'eroina da amare a tutto tondo. Il suo sarcasmo e la sua umanità l'hanno resa ai miei occhi il miglior personaggio della serie.
Bellissime le descrizioni della Londra di quel tempo, strade, persone, mestieri, nulla è lasciato al caso, l'atmosfera è ricca di fascino e il tè servito in ogni circostanza fa molto british style. Sideny Grice si conferma un uomo a suo modo odioso ma estremamente sincero tanto da risultare spesso divertente anche in frangenti che di divertente hanno molto poco. Il giallo è narrato con estrema precisione, le tessere tornano tutte al loro posto con il proseguire dell'indagine ma non solo, in questo romanzo in particolare la vita privata di March subisce più di un colpo, celato magistralmente in alcuni episodi, che chiuderanno il romanzo con un finale da capogiro.
Solo una cosa mi ha resa davvero triste, ma non tocca a me dirvi quale, posso a questo punto solo sperare che nel prossimo volume si riesca ad intravedere uno spiraglio che porti conforto ad una povera lettrice come la sottoscritta.
May 27, 2016
I would like to thank NetGalley, the Publisher and Author for a free copy of this book.
It is more 4.5 Stars.
From the first chapter, i felt that this Personal Detective, Sidney Grice, reminded me so much of Sherlock Holmes, only a grumpier, more horrible and more eccentric version of him, and i liked this character more for it. His assistant, unlike Watson, was a young Lady with a very disturbing past, March Midlleton, and all along the book, many hints were made about her life, which made me more interested in the story and wanting to read more and more.
The story seemed simple at the beginning, a young lady comes to ask him to find the murderer of her father, who was found in his locked bedroom, slaughtered. Everyone involved has a solid alibi and everything kept coming back to a series of horrible crimes that happened in that same house years ago.
I really enjoyed the plot. Every time, i was suspecting somebody new and each time some twist would come and change everything.
The characters were well written and many of them really hilarious, i found myself many times laughing out loud about them. It was also very interesting to see how the investigation went on, but still at the end, i was surprised.
Overall, this book was very interesting, it displayed some of the darkest corner of human mind, but then, it has also a lot of humor in it. I would recommend it to my friends.
It is more 4.5 Stars.
From the first chapter, i felt that this Personal Detective, Sidney Grice, reminded me so much of Sherlock Holmes, only a grumpier, more horrible and more eccentric version of him, and i liked this character more for it. His assistant, unlike Watson, was a young Lady with a very disturbing past, March Midlleton, and all along the book, many hints were made about her life, which made me more interested in the story and wanting to read more and more.
The story seemed simple at the beginning, a young lady comes to ask him to find the murderer of her father, who was found in his locked bedroom, slaughtered. Everyone involved has a solid alibi and everything kept coming back to a series of horrible crimes that happened in that same house years ago.
I really enjoyed the plot. Every time, i was suspecting somebody new and each time some twist would come and change everything.
The characters were well written and many of them really hilarious, i found myself many times laughing out loud about them. It was also very interesting to see how the investigation went on, but still at the end, i was surprised.
Overall, this book was very interesting, it displayed some of the darkest corner of human mind, but then, it has also a lot of humor in it. I would recommend it to my friends.
July 27, 2018
I have never read one of The Gower St Detective books. I found this novel amazing, it is so well written. I found hard to put it down. I would really like to start reading more of M. R. C. Kasasian's books. The Gower St Detective Book 4. In Camden, London,the Garstang household are all murderd. Holford Garstang, his wife Augusta and three of the residential servants were discovered with their throats cut. Their godson, Lionel Engra, was strangled. The only survivor was Angelina Innocenti, the lady's maid. This book would certainly make a lovely gift for someone. I highly recommend reading The Secrets Of Gaslight Lane.
September 27, 2016
It's difficult for me to describe, but it is as if Kasasian's characters have more depth than ever. I'm extremely fond of March, but have also come to adore Mr. G and their interactions are more fun than ever. The forth book is perhaps my favourite so far because of the fantastic familiarity between these two.
The case in this book is perhaps less important than the character development to me, I believe it's the less interesting case of the series, but still worth the read. But yeah, the real treasure is our detective duo.
I look forward to the next one!
The case in this book is perhaps less important than the character development to me, I believe it's the less interesting case of the series, but still worth the read. But yeah, the real treasure is our detective duo.
I look forward to the next one!
April 8, 2017
I've now read three of these books and enjoyed them all.
Extraordinarily complex plots, strong characterisation, amazingly good research into the late Victorian period, with two highly eccentric main characters.
Quite unlike anything I can recall with a startlingly good command of English only marred by three minor spelling errors so far.
The maid in the story quite puts Mrs Malaprop into the shade. Highly recommend if you like Sherlock Holmes - same period, slightly similar set up, but well, just a little crazy.
Extraordinarily complex plots, strong characterisation, amazingly good research into the late Victorian period, with two highly eccentric main characters.
Quite unlike anything I can recall with a startlingly good command of English only marred by three minor spelling errors so far.
The maid in the story quite puts Mrs Malaprop into the shade. Highly recommend if you like Sherlock Holmes - same period, slightly similar set up, but well, just a little crazy.
December 10, 2016
It's the feeling you get when reading this series that makes me love it. Like I'm sharing a joke and laugh with all the others in the whole world who are reading the book at the same time.
May 6, 2021
While this was good. I do find this series hard to get into at the start.
The murders and mysteries are always interesting and intriguing enough to get me interested but then it never really kicks off and the book sort of ebbs along for a few hundred pages before we get into the actual interesting parts.
The murders and mysteries are always interesting and intriguing enough to get me interested but then it never really kicks off and the book sort of ebbs along for a few hundred pages before we get into the actual interesting parts.
January 28, 2022
3,75
Ho ascoltato questo volume come audiolibro e ciò ha sicuramente influenzato positivamente la valutazione complessiva dell'opera, in quanto la cosa che ho apprezzato maggiormente è il diverso modo di parlare che hanno i personaggi, nonché i loro caratteri e come essi influenzino le loro interazioni.
Per il resto lo trovato carino, anche se la risoluzione del caso non mi stava particolarmente a cuore.
Ho ascoltato questo volume come audiolibro e ciò ha sicuramente influenzato positivamente la valutazione complessiva dell'opera, in quanto la cosa che ho apprezzato maggiormente è il diverso modo di parlare che hanno i personaggi, nonché i loro caratteri e come essi influenzino le loro interazioni.
Per il resto lo trovato carino, anche se la risoluzione del caso non mi stava particolarmente a cuore.
June 11, 2016
This is an atmospheric crime novel concerning both locked rooms and a fortified house. The Garstang family were murdered in 1872, the only survivor being the lady's maid Angelina Innocenti.
Miss Cherry Goodsmile contacts Sidney Grice, personal detective, and his ward, Miss March Middleton, his assistant to seek their help in solving the murder of her father, Nathan Mortlock in Gaslight Lane, the family home and scene of the previous murders.
Sidney Grice is such an interesting character, being sarcastic, sardonic, hardly any social graces and the master of withering put downs. In modern times, his demeanour would be recognised as Asperger's syndrome, everything is black and white and he genuinely doesn't know or care whom he offends and his needs dominate the story. March adds a much needed feminine touch but she can also be pithy and harsh at times. There are some lovely character names in this book that do seem to suit either the persons occupation or his description and some comedic touches are provided courtesy of Molly, the household maid, who is slightly mad but honest and direct and has no fear of her employer. I found myself chuckling along with the many humorous exchanges and misunderstandings between Molly and Sidney and thought they made a great comedy duo!
The descriptions are true to the period and there are fascinating descriptions of body injuries and post mortem findings relating to the case. March is a very well educated woman and frustrated by limitations placed upon her by society, but thanks to Sidney treating her as an equal and ignoring her in equal measure, she becomes a good investigator in her own right. She has a weakness for Turkish cigarettes and loves her Gin which was slightly daring for those times but seems just right for her character. The murderer is not immediately apparent which is always a bonus and there are numerous twists and turns along the narration, some of the language may need a dictionary but there is nothing wrong with an improving read!! This book can be read as a stand alone story but it does refer to past events in the previous novels, so I am looking forward to reading these. I read this book courtesy of NetGalley and have enjoyed it immensely.
Miss Cherry Goodsmile contacts Sidney Grice, personal detective, and his ward, Miss March Middleton, his assistant to seek their help in solving the murder of her father, Nathan Mortlock in Gaslight Lane, the family home and scene of the previous murders.
Sidney Grice is such an interesting character, being sarcastic, sardonic, hardly any social graces and the master of withering put downs. In modern times, his demeanour would be recognised as Asperger's syndrome, everything is black and white and he genuinely doesn't know or care whom he offends and his needs dominate the story. March adds a much needed feminine touch but she can also be pithy and harsh at times. There are some lovely character names in this book that do seem to suit either the persons occupation or his description and some comedic touches are provided courtesy of Molly, the household maid, who is slightly mad but honest and direct and has no fear of her employer. I found myself chuckling along with the many humorous exchanges and misunderstandings between Molly and Sidney and thought they made a great comedy duo!
The descriptions are true to the period and there are fascinating descriptions of body injuries and post mortem findings relating to the case. March is a very well educated woman and frustrated by limitations placed upon her by society, but thanks to Sidney treating her as an equal and ignoring her in equal measure, she becomes a good investigator in her own right. She has a weakness for Turkish cigarettes and loves her Gin which was slightly daring for those times but seems just right for her character. The murderer is not immediately apparent which is always a bonus and there are numerous twists and turns along the narration, some of the language may need a dictionary but there is nothing wrong with an improving read!! This book can be read as a stand alone story but it does refer to past events in the previous novels, so I am looking forward to reading these. I read this book courtesy of NetGalley and have enjoyed it immensely.
June 18, 2016
I wasn't too sure about this book at the start, but I really enjoyed the play between the characters, the story has a steam punk feel about it. The story was filled with lots of twist and turns, and keeping up was fun. I would recommend it to any crime reader. This book was provided to me in return for an honest and unbiased review
August 18, 2016
Another strange one, if only because Grice is acting completely out of character (for no apparent reason) and treating other people slightly decently. He's also completely lost for most of the book, but comes good at the nend as we might expect.
Overall it was ok, but not back to the form of the first couple.
Overall it was ok, but not back to the form of the first couple.
April 29, 2020
Decent addition to a good series as Grice and sidekick March investigate two particularly brutal slaying that happened years apart in the same building. Dialogue is weak and the killer pretty obvious but it is a decent read and the main protagonists are fun.
June 23, 2017
Found it to be tiresome with the main character a bore who behaves like an asshole. I could also do without the Amelia Bedelia-ish housemaid that the detective constantly berates.
July 12, 2019
Londra, 1883. La vita scorre tranquilla al civico 125 di Gower street. Il detective privato Sidney Grice si dedica a tempo pieno alla lettura di libri di anatomia, mentre March Middleton si rifugia nella sua stanza per fumare l'ennesima sigaretta, lontana dal controllo del suo tutore. Ma un evento improvviso scuote la loro giornata: una donna bellissima si presenta alla porta implorando l'investigatore di risolvere il mistero che circonda la morte di suo marito. Nathan Garstang è stato infatti ritrovato massacrato sul suo letto e non sembrano esserci indizi sull'arma né un identikit dell'assassino. Grice, senza esitazioni, accetta di aiutare la donna e, con lo zampino della sua giovane pupilla in veste di assistente, comincia a lavorare a uno dei casi più difficili che gli siano mai capitati...
Appena finito Il mistero di Villa Saturn non me la sono sentita di abbandonare la cara March Middleton nelle grinfie di quell’antipatico di Mr. Sidney Grice, il miglior investigatore personale di Londra, senza sapere cosa sarebbe accaduto tra lei e l'ispettore Pound. Sono una romantica e l'idea di un loro possibile amore, nonostante le convenzioni sociali, mi piace troppo.
Il terzo volume si era concluso con un periodo di riposo per la nostra eroina, così provata dall'ignobile tentativo di attentare alla sua salute. Ci ritroviamo a distanza di pochi mesi con una nuova indagine, uno dei misteri classici della letteratura di genere: l'omicidio compiuto in una stanza chiusa. L'autore vuole rendere la cosa difficile ai suoi investigatori, perché non solo la stanza è chiusa a chiave, ma la casa in cui avviene il delitto è virtualmente inespugnabile e ben undici anni prima era stata la scena di altri efferati omicidi.
E così le due indagini si fondono: non si può risolve un mistero senza risolvere anche l’altro. Mentre le storia va avanti le indagini si allargano, come quando si getta un sasso nello stagno, e si incontrano nuovi misteri, la cui soluzione spiazza (in modo positivo) il lettore.
In questa avventura però si sente la mancanza dell'Ispettore Pound, che rimane a rispettosa distanza. E' invece fin troppo ingombrante la presenza dell'Ispettore Quigley, il peggior esempio di poliziotto violento di tutta Londra.
March e Mr. G. sono sempre gli stessi: lei estremamente paziente e un po' esasperata, lui cinico e del tutto disinteressato al mondo esterno... a meno che questo mondo esterno non gli porti il denaro che ama collezionare. Forse ho trovato il misantropo di Gower street ancora più odioso, soprattutto nei confronti di Molly, la sua disarmante cameriera.
Sembra quasi che presenti alcuni sintomi di disturbi delle spettro autistico, quando in realtà la sua incapacità di interagire con gli altri è legata più al suo carattere, in particolare alla certezza di essere il più intelligente degli uomini. Semplicemente si ritiene troppo superiore agli altri per interessarsi a loro.
March invece è una donna molto forte che carattere ed educazione è portata a preoccuparsi della condizione dei meno fortunati e a disinteressarsi delle convenzioni sociali. Infatti non disdegna frequentare pub e locali pubblici.
Il rapporto tra loro è davvero particolare: pur con tutti i loro limiti sembrano sentire un affetto sincero, anche se Mr. G, con la sua rudezza e il disinteresse per i sentimenti altrui, spesso la insulta. Senza contare una misteriosa lettera che mette in guardia March dal suo tutore e le suggerisce caldamente di abbandonare la casa di Gower street.
All'inizio ho fatto un po' fatica a leggere questo libro, credo più che altro per problemi legati al tempo e al caldo opprimente. Il terzo libro l'ho letto in un fine settimana sfruttando un lungo viaggio in macchina, quasi quattro ore di lettura ininterrotta; questo invece l'ho letto in mezzo alla settimana, rubando qualche minuto agli altri impegni. Però le avventure di March e Mr. G sono sempre gradevoli e avvincenti.
Una cosa che mi piace molto di questo autore sono i capitoli brevi. Mi sembra che contribuiscano a creare un ritmo incalzante.
Una cosa che invece mi ha convinta poco è stata la scelta di Kasasian di inserire brevi interludi narrati da un personaggio sconosciuto, Morty. Questi sono concentrati soprattutto all'inizio del libro, quando vengono presentati tutti i personaggi (sia quelli dei primi omicidi, che quelli del secondo), e per me aggiungono un po' di confusione rendendo meno scorrevole la lettura. Inoltre, almeno all'inizio queste parentesi sono abbastanza criptiche e difficili da capire.
Nel complesso però è un bel libro in cui il giallo è davvero ben costruito fino al colpo di scena finale. Viene voglia di leggere immediatamente il seguito.
Appena finito Il mistero di Villa Saturn non me la sono sentita di abbandonare la cara March Middleton nelle grinfie di quell’antipatico di Mr. Sidney Grice, il miglior investigatore personale di Londra, senza sapere cosa sarebbe accaduto tra lei e l'ispettore Pound. Sono una romantica e l'idea di un loro possibile amore, nonostante le convenzioni sociali, mi piace troppo.
Il terzo volume si era concluso con un periodo di riposo per la nostra eroina, così provata dall'ignobile tentativo di attentare alla sua salute. Ci ritroviamo a distanza di pochi mesi con una nuova indagine, uno dei misteri classici della letteratura di genere: l'omicidio compiuto in una stanza chiusa. L'autore vuole rendere la cosa difficile ai suoi investigatori, perché non solo la stanza è chiusa a chiave, ma la casa in cui avviene il delitto è virtualmente inespugnabile e ben undici anni prima era stata la scena di altri efferati omicidi.
E così le due indagini si fondono: non si può risolve un mistero senza risolvere anche l’altro. Mentre le storia va avanti le indagini si allargano, come quando si getta un sasso nello stagno, e si incontrano nuovi misteri, la cui soluzione spiazza (in modo positivo) il lettore.
In questa avventura però si sente la mancanza dell'Ispettore Pound, che rimane a rispettosa distanza. E' invece fin troppo ingombrante la presenza dell'Ispettore Quigley, il peggior esempio di poliziotto violento di tutta Londra.
March e Mr. G. sono sempre gli stessi: lei estremamente paziente e un po' esasperata, lui cinico e del tutto disinteressato al mondo esterno... a meno che questo mondo esterno non gli porti il denaro che ama collezionare. Forse ho trovato il misantropo di Gower street ancora più odioso, soprattutto nei confronti di Molly, la sua disarmante cameriera.
Sembra quasi che presenti alcuni sintomi di disturbi delle spettro autistico, quando in realtà la sua incapacità di interagire con gli altri è legata più al suo carattere, in particolare alla certezza di essere il più intelligente degli uomini. Semplicemente si ritiene troppo superiore agli altri per interessarsi a loro.
March invece è una donna molto forte che carattere ed educazione è portata a preoccuparsi della condizione dei meno fortunati e a disinteressarsi delle convenzioni sociali. Infatti non disdegna frequentare pub e locali pubblici.
Il rapporto tra loro è davvero particolare: pur con tutti i loro limiti sembrano sentire un affetto sincero, anche se Mr. G, con la sua rudezza e il disinteresse per i sentimenti altrui, spesso la insulta. Senza contare una misteriosa lettera che mette in guardia March dal suo tutore e le suggerisce caldamente di abbandonare la casa di Gower street.
All'inizio ho fatto un po' fatica a leggere questo libro, credo più che altro per problemi legati al tempo e al caldo opprimente. Il terzo libro l'ho letto in un fine settimana sfruttando un lungo viaggio in macchina, quasi quattro ore di lettura ininterrotta; questo invece l'ho letto in mezzo alla settimana, rubando qualche minuto agli altri impegni. Però le avventure di March e Mr. G sono sempre gradevoli e avvincenti.
Una cosa che mi piace molto di questo autore sono i capitoli brevi. Mi sembra che contribuiscano a creare un ritmo incalzante.
Una cosa che invece mi ha convinta poco è stata la scelta di Kasasian di inserire brevi interludi narrati da un personaggio sconosciuto, Morty. Questi sono concentrati soprattutto all'inizio del libro, quando vengono presentati tutti i personaggi (sia quelli dei primi omicidi, che quelli del secondo), e per me aggiungono un po' di confusione rendendo meno scorrevole la lettura. Inoltre, almeno all'inizio queste parentesi sono abbastanza criptiche e difficili da capire.
Nel complesso però è un bel libro in cui il giallo è davvero ben costruito fino al colpo di scena finale. Viene voglia di leggere immediatamente il seguito.
May 5, 2020
Schon zum 4. mal schlüpfte ich in das London, in welchem Sidney Grice seine Dienste als privater Ermittler zu enormen Preisen anbietet. Dabei wäre enorm sogar noch untertrieben. Sidney Grice hatte auch es auch diesmal nicht verlernt, seinen Klienten offen und ehrlich zu sagen, dass sie zwar gute Dienste bekämen, aber eben seine überteuerten Preise bezahlen müssten. Diese und so einige anderen Arten von ihm führten dazu das einige die Reihe vorzeitig abbrachen. Doch was andere förmlich anwiderte, machte mich immer neugieriger. Und das aus gutem Grund.
Nachdem aufreibenden letzten Abenteuer gab es in der Gower St. 125 endlich wieder etwas Normalität. Doch das diese nicht lange weilen sollte, zeigte sich in dem eine neue Klientin die Räume des Ermittlers betrat. Die Aufklärung eines Mordes stellte sich dabei aber nicht gerade als leichte Übung, da dieser mit anderen Morden in Zusammenhang stand. Leider begann auch hier mein Problem mit dem Buch. Aufgrund der Einsichten in den aktuellen Fall und den der Vergangenheit, nahm die Menge an Charakteren enorm zu und ich verlor die Übersicht. Oftmals verwechselte ich Personen oder konnte sie nicht direkt zuordnen. Hier hätte ich mir gewünscht, das man ein Personenverzeichnis mit in das Buch eingebaut hätte, wo ein paar Informationen festgehalten wurden.
Da es dieses aber nicht gab, konnte ich das Buch nicht so genießen wie ich es gerne getan hätte. Immerzu zu überlegen, wer jetzt in welche Zeitlinie gehörte und wer jetzt welche Position innehatte nahm der Handlung ein wenig die Spannung. Zum Glück aber nicht ganz. Immer wieder kam es zu unerwarteten Wendungen, welche neue Details und Hinweise ans Tageslicht brachten. In diesen Momenten saß ich staunend vor dem Buch und war förmlich davon geplättet wie weit der Autor gedacht hatte.
Wer nämlich einen einfachen Krimi erwartet ist hier falsch. M.R.C. Kasasian entwickelt stets komplexe Fälle, welche aus den kleinsten Details bestehen. Dies wird nur noch intensiver, wenn man die Charaktere gegenüber stellt. Außer ein paar Vogelperspektiven, erlebt man den Rest der Handlung aus der Sicht von March Middleton. Hier würde ich fast schon zum Glück sagen, denn aus der Sicht von March werden viele Dinge noch sehr freundlich beleuchtet. Dabei zeigt die Geschichte deutlich, wie groß der damalige Unterschied zwischen Arm und Reich war, in dem fast all Personen fast schon dümmlich wirkten. Hier heißt es sich tatsächlich in die Lage und die Zeit zurückzuversetzen. Damals war noch vieles anders, was der Autor auf eine sehr intensive Art wiedergab.
M.R.C. Kasasian erschuf wieder einen packenden Band um den privaten Ermittler Sidney Grice und scheute sich auch diesmal nicht außergewöhnliche Persönlichkeiten in seine Geschichte einzubauen. Trotzdem wäre ein Personenverzeichnis für ein besseres Verständnis der Handlung besser gewesen, da so viele spannende Momente den Kürzen gezogen hatten. Ansonsten freue ich mich schon auf den Nachfolger und hoffe dann wieder mit dem skurrilsten Ermittler-Duo zu ermitteln.
Nachdem aufreibenden letzten Abenteuer gab es in der Gower St. 125 endlich wieder etwas Normalität. Doch das diese nicht lange weilen sollte, zeigte sich in dem eine neue Klientin die Räume des Ermittlers betrat. Die Aufklärung eines Mordes stellte sich dabei aber nicht gerade als leichte Übung, da dieser mit anderen Morden in Zusammenhang stand. Leider begann auch hier mein Problem mit dem Buch. Aufgrund der Einsichten in den aktuellen Fall und den der Vergangenheit, nahm die Menge an Charakteren enorm zu und ich verlor die Übersicht. Oftmals verwechselte ich Personen oder konnte sie nicht direkt zuordnen. Hier hätte ich mir gewünscht, das man ein Personenverzeichnis mit in das Buch eingebaut hätte, wo ein paar Informationen festgehalten wurden.
Da es dieses aber nicht gab, konnte ich das Buch nicht so genießen wie ich es gerne getan hätte. Immerzu zu überlegen, wer jetzt in welche Zeitlinie gehörte und wer jetzt welche Position innehatte nahm der Handlung ein wenig die Spannung. Zum Glück aber nicht ganz. Immer wieder kam es zu unerwarteten Wendungen, welche neue Details und Hinweise ans Tageslicht brachten. In diesen Momenten saß ich staunend vor dem Buch und war förmlich davon geplättet wie weit der Autor gedacht hatte.
Wer nämlich einen einfachen Krimi erwartet ist hier falsch. M.R.C. Kasasian entwickelt stets komplexe Fälle, welche aus den kleinsten Details bestehen. Dies wird nur noch intensiver, wenn man die Charaktere gegenüber stellt. Außer ein paar Vogelperspektiven, erlebt man den Rest der Handlung aus der Sicht von March Middleton. Hier würde ich fast schon zum Glück sagen, denn aus der Sicht von March werden viele Dinge noch sehr freundlich beleuchtet. Dabei zeigt die Geschichte deutlich, wie groß der damalige Unterschied zwischen Arm und Reich war, in dem fast all Personen fast schon dümmlich wirkten. Hier heißt es sich tatsächlich in die Lage und die Zeit zurückzuversetzen. Damals war noch vieles anders, was der Autor auf eine sehr intensive Art wiedergab.
M.R.C. Kasasian erschuf wieder einen packenden Band um den privaten Ermittler Sidney Grice und scheute sich auch diesmal nicht außergewöhnliche Persönlichkeiten in seine Geschichte einzubauen. Trotzdem wäre ein Personenverzeichnis für ein besseres Verständnis der Handlung besser gewesen, da so viele spannende Momente den Kürzen gezogen hatten. Ansonsten freue ich mich schon auf den Nachfolger und hoffe dann wieder mit dem skurrilsten Ermittler-Duo zu ermitteln.
March 9, 2024
My favourite of the bunch, so far. I've seen some reviews that complain that it's got a pretty sarcastic tone and there's quite a lot of Molly, but they might have been my favourite parts.
Although it's certainly true that the book is a little absurd to sections, and the reveal goes on way too long.
I'm looking forward to listening to Dark Dawn over Steep House, and finding out how the series concludes. Maybe, Sidney Grices heart grows three sizes, or something?
Although it's certainly true that the book is a little absurd to sections, and the reveal goes on way too long.
I'm looking forward to listening to Dark Dawn over Steep House, and finding out how the series concludes. Maybe, Sidney Grices heart grows three sizes, or something?
August 9, 2017
I gialli di M.R.C. Kasasian pur facendo parte della serie Serie "Le indagini dei Detective di Gower Street" possono essere letti tranquillamente senza rispettare l'ordine cronologico di pubblicazione, permettendomi così di iniziare dal quarto libro e di godere appieno della lettura senza alcun problema e già questa cosa ha giocato a favore dell'autore...
Se come me amate i gialli classici stile Agatha Christie o Conan Doyle, non potrete fare a meno di amare anche "Il giallo di Gaslight Street" che pur essendo scritto da un autore contemporaneo, gode di un'ottima ambientazione storica e contiene tutti gli elementi del giallo classico.
Potete leggere la mia recensione completa su Blog Expres a questo link
https://blogexpres.blogspot.it/2017/0...
Se come me amate i gialli classici stile Agatha Christie o Conan Doyle, non potrete fare a meno di amare anche "Il giallo di Gaslight Street" che pur essendo scritto da un autore contemporaneo, gode di un'ottima ambientazione storica e contiene tutti gli elementi del giallo classico.
Potete leggere la mia recensione completa su Blog Expres a questo link
https://blogexpres.blogspot.it/2017/0...
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August 22, 2021Ich breche das Buch an dieser Stelle ab.
Der unsympathische Protagonist ist mir unerträglich geworden und selbst die Hausdame wird vom Autor über das realistische Maß hinaus als Vollidiotin porträtiert.
Und diese komischen Rückblenden nervten schon im ersten Band.
Dafür ist mir meine Lesezeit viel zu kostbar und ich wende mich nun komplett von dieser Buchreihe ab.
Schade eigentlich, aber was soll’s.
Der unsympathische Protagonist ist mir unerträglich geworden und selbst die Hausdame wird vom Autor über das realistische Maß hinaus als Vollidiotin porträtiert.
Und diese komischen Rückblenden nervten schon im ersten Band.
Dafür ist mir meine Lesezeit viel zu kostbar und ich wende mich nun komplett von dieser Buchreihe ab.
Schade eigentlich, aber was soll’s.
March 14, 2025
Dieses Buch gefällt mir aus der Reihe bislang am besten. Die Geschichte ist immer spannend, es gibt menschliche Tragödien, einige werden in mehr oder weniger Wohlgefallen aufgelöst, andere nicht. Die Charaktere sind aber alle interessant geschrieben, selbst die Nebencharaktere, und deswegen macht es Spaß, das Buch zu lesen.
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