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The Long Shadow
For fans of William Boyd and WINTER IN MADRID, comes THE LONG SHADOW from Mark Mills, No. 1 bestselling author of THE SAVAGE GARDEN..
Blood brothers or sworn enemies? You never forget what the fight was about...
Ben Makepeace has barely thought of Jacob since school. What he remembers is a competitive, manipulative boy, impinging on his life like a cuckoo planted in a nest.
Now Ben is the wrong side of forty with a young son to support and in need of a backer to bankroll his latest film script. A call to meet hedge-fund billionaire Victor Sheldon is promising, but there's a surprise in store - Victor is Jacob, now firmly entrenched in a gilded world of riches and glamour.
History can cast a long shadow and while Ben believes his childhood is well over, he soon discovers the roots of the past dig deep, and some can't let it go.
Blood brothers or sworn enemies? You never forget what the fight was about...
Ben Makepeace has barely thought of Jacob since school. What he remembers is a competitive, manipulative boy, impinging on his life like a cuckoo planted in a nest.
Now Ben is the wrong side of forty with a young son to support and in need of a backer to bankroll his latest film script. A call to meet hedge-fund billionaire Victor Sheldon is promising, but there's a surprise in store - Victor is Jacob, now firmly entrenched in a gilded world of riches and glamour.
History can cast a long shadow and while Ben believes his childhood is well over, he soon discovers the roots of the past dig deep, and some can't let it go.
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First published July 18, 2013
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About the author
Mark Mills
13 books154 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
Mark Mills is a British writer of screenplays and novels. His first screenplay was BAFTA-nominated short film One Night Stand starring Jemma Redgrave and James Purefoy in 1993; this won Mills a 'Best Screenplay' award at the Angers European First Film Festival in 1995.
Mills's first novel was Amagansett, later reissued under the title The Whaleboat House published in 2004; this won him the 'Best Crime Novel by a Debut Author' at the Crime Writers' Association Award. His second novel, The Savage Garden, was published in 2006. His third novel, The Information Officer, was published in April, 2009.
Mark Mills is a British writer of screenplays and novels. His first screenplay was BAFTA-nominated short film One Night Stand starring Jemma Redgrave and James Purefoy in 1993; this won Mills a 'Best Screenplay' award at the Angers European First Film Festival in 1995.
Mills's first novel was Amagansett, later reissued under the title The Whaleboat House published in 2004; this won him the 'Best Crime Novel by a Debut Author' at the Crime Writers' Association Award. His second novel, The Savage Garden, was published in 2006. His third novel, The Information Officer, was published in April, 2009.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
April 30, 2021
A solid 3 star 🌟read which maybe not Mark Mills best but is still entertaining. The Long Shadow is something of a departure for the author as this is his first contemporary novel after a number of historical books. Despite Mark being a crime writer I have to say this novel is not a thriller but a drama. It's certainly well written ; fast paced and slick with engaging characters - the pages fly by. Well worth a read.
March 20, 2021
Read this book a few years ago and still enjoyed it, in fact I enjoyed it more this time. Although its not to the high standard of his previous books.
The Long Shadow is written in a different style to his usual historical crime novels. The Long Shadow is set in the present and is physiological thriller about money, and class.
There are so many twists and turns to the plot it keeps you on your toes.
The Long Shadow is written in a different style to his usual historical crime novels. The Long Shadow is set in the present and is physiological thriller about money, and class.
There are so many twists and turns to the plot it keeps you on your toes.
April 14, 2014
I was sent this as a review copy but it was already on my to-read list as Mark Mills is a favourite of mine. ‘The Savage Garden’ is still one of my favourite ever books and I cherish the signed copy that I picked up from Blackheath’s Oxfam shop!
The story was intriguing from the off. I enjoyed the way that it flipped back to the days of Ben and Jacob growing up together at boarding school and then forwards to them meeting again and their new relationship developing as Ben and Victor, and it kept me wanting more with every read – I was desperate to find out Victor’s motives for crawling out the woodwork and pursuing Ben after all these years. In some ways the build up from their early days together was reminiscent of ‘I’m the King of the Castle’ whereas later on Victor Sheldon had a mysterious air taken from ‘The Great Gatsby’.
Mills last novel was a little disappointing after his fantastic first three, and although this one is an improvement on ‘House of The Hanged’ if still feel as though it’s not quite at his old standard. The book could have been 150 pages shorter – a few of the scenes could have been cut or at least compressed. I can imagine Mills sitting and writing ‘The Secret Garden’ or ‘The Information Officer’ and really enjoying himself neatly tying off any loose ends and weaving the plot in directions that we would never see coming, but I feel with this and his last book that maybe he’s fallen out of love with his craft slightly. The plot in this story was even a little bit lazy in places (I suppose you could also blame poor editing) for example he uses the name Lucinda twice for two incidental characters. I’m unsure whether this was intentional or not but it seems very strange to have two characters share a name in a book (Lionel’s daughter and the girl who works at Tortoise Productions).
I also found it a little tiresome how all of the beautiful women in this book seemed to find Ben, a mid-forties unsuccessful scriptwriter riding the wave of his old school friends generosity, so irresistible and threw themselves at him in sexually explicit texts, innuendo and couldn’t resist dragging him into bed. Although one of these women isn’t all she seems, even Ben’s ex-wife who’s about to re-marry is reaching for his crotch and making passes at him which seemed a little unsavoury and unbelievable.
A bit of mystery and a bit of drama but I didn’t feel any sense of dread or that I was on the brink of reaching an impressive twist or climax and I was right. The climax (if you can call it that) was such a let-down and not very believable. I actually found myself feeling more tension and more excitement when reading the climax in the school tribal game. Nevertheless, most of the book made for an enjoyable and easy read that I whizzed through in three days, just not Mills at his best but a long way.
Am toying with 3/5 but I’ll give it 2.5 as I know Mills is capable of so much more.
The story was intriguing from the off. I enjoyed the way that it flipped back to the days of Ben and Jacob growing up together at boarding school and then forwards to them meeting again and their new relationship developing as Ben and Victor, and it kept me wanting more with every read – I was desperate to find out Victor’s motives for crawling out the woodwork and pursuing Ben after all these years. In some ways the build up from their early days together was reminiscent of ‘I’m the King of the Castle’ whereas later on Victor Sheldon had a mysterious air taken from ‘The Great Gatsby’.
Mills last novel was a little disappointing after his fantastic first three, and although this one is an improvement on ‘House of The Hanged’ if still feel as though it’s not quite at his old standard. The book could have been 150 pages shorter – a few of the scenes could have been cut or at least compressed. I can imagine Mills sitting and writing ‘The Secret Garden’ or ‘The Information Officer’ and really enjoying himself neatly tying off any loose ends and weaving the plot in directions that we would never see coming, but I feel with this and his last book that maybe he’s fallen out of love with his craft slightly. The plot in this story was even a little bit lazy in places (I suppose you could also blame poor editing) for example he uses the name Lucinda twice for two incidental characters. I’m unsure whether this was intentional or not but it seems very strange to have two characters share a name in a book (Lionel’s daughter and the girl who works at Tortoise Productions).
I also found it a little tiresome how all of the beautiful women in this book seemed to find Ben, a mid-forties unsuccessful scriptwriter riding the wave of his old school friends generosity, so irresistible and threw themselves at him in sexually explicit texts, innuendo and couldn’t resist dragging him into bed. Although one of these women isn’t all she seems, even Ben’s ex-wife who’s about to re-marry is reaching for his crotch and making passes at him which seemed a little unsavoury and unbelievable.
A bit of mystery and a bit of drama but I didn’t feel any sense of dread or that I was on the brink of reaching an impressive twist or climax and I was right. The climax (if you can call it that) was such a let-down and not very believable. I actually found myself feeling more tension and more excitement when reading the climax in the school tribal game. Nevertheless, most of the book made for an enjoyable and easy read that I whizzed through in three days, just not Mills at his best but a long way.
Am toying with 3/5 but I’ll give it 2.5 as I know Mills is capable of so much more.
November 13, 2013
I have liked all the novels by this author so far and was intrigued to read this latest book, a new departure for Mark Mills with a foray into contemporary fiction. Ben Makepeace is a recently divorced scriptwriter, with a thirteen year old son, Toby. His ex-wife is married to a much more successful man, and he feels that neither his career or personal life is really going anywhere. Then, suddenly, he receives a call from his agent informing him an incredibly wealthy hedge fund manager is interested in bankrolling one of his scripts. Ultra wealthy businessman Victor Sheldon, owner of the luxurious Stoneham Park – just one of his homes – turns out, however, to be a man that Ben knows well. Years ago, Victor was named Jacob Hogg, and he was at prep school with Ben.
This wonderfully written novel drifts from events in Ben and Jacob’s childhood to the current time, when Ben is suddenly catapulted into the world of money and success. Everyone at Stoneham Park, from the chef to Molly the sculptor, seems to be in Victor’s debt in some way or other. It is an alternate universe for Ben – wealth, an easy life after so many setbacks, a chance to have a successful career, to prove himself, to find love again.... Yet, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is, and, before long, Ben is having doubts about his new career path and about Victor’s motives in offering them. Mills edges up the tension wonderfully, as the book builds towards a climax, which, well, sadly lets the novel down slightly. However, although the ending is more a whimper than a bang, the book itself is a very enjoyable read. Good characters, an interesting storyline and a plot which races along and keeps you guessing; making me glad that I had read it and looking forward to the next offering from this talented author.
This wonderfully written novel drifts from events in Ben and Jacob’s childhood to the current time, when Ben is suddenly catapulted into the world of money and success. Everyone at Stoneham Park, from the chef to Molly the sculptor, seems to be in Victor’s debt in some way or other. It is an alternate universe for Ben – wealth, an easy life after so many setbacks, a chance to have a successful career, to prove himself, to find love again.... Yet, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is, and, before long, Ben is having doubts about his new career path and about Victor’s motives in offering them. Mills edges up the tension wonderfully, as the book builds towards a climax, which, well, sadly lets the novel down slightly. However, although the ending is more a whimper than a bang, the book itself is a very enjoyable read. Good characters, an interesting storyline and a plot which races along and keeps you guessing; making me glad that I had read it and looking forward to the next offering from this talented author.
December 31, 2015
Only the last 50 pages it becomes clear what is going on. Therefore not much happens essentially. The book lacks depth.
April 5, 2022
It took me a good while to get into this book. It didn’t really grip me at all. The last half of the book was good, but kind of predictable.
January 15, 2018
“He who goes slowly goes safely and far”.
Ben Makepeace, a scriptwriter, lives in London. Divorced, and with a thirteen-year-old son living with his mother. He received a call from his agent, Stella. An offer has been made for one of his scripts by a businessman in Oxfordshire.
Ben hurries to meet the man and arrives at the house only to find he is confronted by the man’s p.a. and told that he has been delayed until the evening. Ben can’t wait and hurries back to London. After a scathing call from his agent, she manages to set up another meeting in London where he finally makes the acquaintance of his backer, Victor Sheldon.
Sheldon is a hugely successful hedge fund billionaire, but Ben immediately sees that it is, in fact, somebody he knew twenty-five years ago. Sheldon is Jacob Hogg, a schoolboy who was at the same boarding school as Ben.
Victor extends his friendship to Ben. He buys Ben’s script and offers to let him move into his lavish home in Oxfordshire to continue working on his script. He embraces Ben’s son when he comes to visit and introduces Ben to his friends and colleagues.
The plot thickens from here on in...
The book is written from Ben’s perspective, so we see everything through his eyes. It flows from present day to glimpses of the schooldays the boys shared together. The present-day chapters count down gradually, by weeks and days, to an event at the climax of the book. The schooldays cleverly fill in the background and we are able to see the two characters form and emerge.
A thriller? Not in the immediate sense of the word. This book is slow to creep up on you. A good read? Absolutely. Enthralling!
Mr Bumblebee
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.
Ben Makepeace, a scriptwriter, lives in London. Divorced, and with a thirteen-year-old son living with his mother. He received a call from his agent, Stella. An offer has been made for one of his scripts by a businessman in Oxfordshire.
Ben hurries to meet the man and arrives at the house only to find he is confronted by the man’s p.a. and told that he has been delayed until the evening. Ben can’t wait and hurries back to London. After a scathing call from his agent, she manages to set up another meeting in London where he finally makes the acquaintance of his backer, Victor Sheldon.
Sheldon is a hugely successful hedge fund billionaire, but Ben immediately sees that it is, in fact, somebody he knew twenty-five years ago. Sheldon is Jacob Hogg, a schoolboy who was at the same boarding school as Ben.
Victor extends his friendship to Ben. He buys Ben’s script and offers to let him move into his lavish home in Oxfordshire to continue working on his script. He embraces Ben’s son when he comes to visit and introduces Ben to his friends and colleagues.
The plot thickens from here on in...
The book is written from Ben’s perspective, so we see everything through his eyes. It flows from present day to glimpses of the schooldays the boys shared together. The present-day chapters count down gradually, by weeks and days, to an event at the climax of the book. The schooldays cleverly fill in the background and we are able to see the two characters form and emerge.
A thriller? Not in the immediate sense of the word. This book is slow to creep up on you. A good read? Absolutely. Enthralling!
Mr Bumblebee
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.
August 5, 2016
A beautiful written story. Full of drama and suspense. I can see The Long Shadow is going to be this summer of 2013 biggest read. Take this book with you where ever you go, do not miss a moment. The story has Secrets from childhood and a history that refusse to be buried. The story opens up with Ben Makepeace and his best friend Jacob Hogg's go sledging. Jacob pulls a trick on Ben where Ben thinks Jacob has really hurt himself or is dead.
Years later Ben Makepeace becomes a screen writer. Ben who is recently divorced gets a phone call early one morning to tell him that a multi-millionaire Victor Sheldon who is a hedge- fund manager is looking for a film script for the right project and that he has settled on Gangs on an Island that Ben has wrote. Ben travels up to Victor's Stoneham Park Palladian mansion, but Victor is in France for a business meeting and will be back soon. Annabelle Mr sheldon's assistant then tells Ben Victor will be back for by early supper. Ben can not wait any longer and heads of home. A nother meeting is set for Ben to meet Victor at the Wolseley for lunch. Once Ben meets Victor Ben recognizes Victor who is really his old friend from school Jacob Hogg's .With a long shadow childhood of the past, will Jacob as Victor sign ben's latest film script?.
Years later Ben Makepeace becomes a screen writer. Ben who is recently divorced gets a phone call early one morning to tell him that a multi-millionaire Victor Sheldon who is a hedge- fund manager is looking for a film script for the right project and that he has settled on Gangs on an Island that Ben has wrote. Ben travels up to Victor's Stoneham Park Palladian mansion, but Victor is in France for a business meeting and will be back soon. Annabelle Mr sheldon's assistant then tells Ben Victor will be back for by early supper. Ben can not wait any longer and heads of home. A nother meeting is set for Ben to meet Victor at the Wolseley for lunch. Once Ben meets Victor Ben recognizes Victor who is really his old friend from school Jacob Hogg's .With a long shadow childhood of the past, will Jacob as Victor sign ben's latest film script?.
December 10, 2014
This was a Goodreads first reads book that due to moving has taken me a bit of time to get around to reading.
This was a really good read. It flowed wonderfully, was at times quite dark yet funny and moving in places. It did move between times as a necessary part of the plot with the childhood of the two main characters being integral to what was happening in the present.
It was obvious that something sinister was going on - but what and why? Lovely twist at the end.
This was a really good read. It flowed wonderfully, was at times quite dark yet funny and moving in places. It did move between times as a necessary part of the plot with the childhood of the two main characters being integral to what was happening in the present.
It was obvious that something sinister was going on - but what and why? Lovely twist at the end.
February 25, 2021
Proof copy originally reviewed for Lovereading. This novel is about Ben, who after a failed marriage and an unfulfilling career meets an old friend who has turned his own life around and even changed his name. In the opening sequence the boys’ playful friendship is explored through a single event. It then moves onto the present day. The connection between the boys in the opening and the grown men described later on becomes slowly clearer. The long shadow of history falls and the past catches up with them.
The novel builds suspense with chapter titles counting down the days to an unknown event. It seems to be a happy story of a rekindled friendship and the philanthropic behaviour of Jacob is heart warming. This building of suspense urged me to read on, but it was primarily the characterisation of Ben that enticed me. The warmth and depth of his character was realistic and his relationships with others including his lovers, son and parents were something I could relate to.
Surely everyone will have had a friend at some point in their childhood that has made them feel uncomfortable. A friend who has pretended to do something with you or for you, then laughed when you are alone in doing it. From the offset Ben learns that friends can be manipulative and that thinly disguised jealousy can cause negative behaviours. Is Jacob really what he seems to have become - a good, principled man?
I found this ode to early friendships and how the shadow can shape our future, to be well worth a read.
The novel builds suspense with chapter titles counting down the days to an unknown event. It seems to be a happy story of a rekindled friendship and the philanthropic behaviour of Jacob is heart warming. This building of suspense urged me to read on, but it was primarily the characterisation of Ben that enticed me. The warmth and depth of his character was realistic and his relationships with others including his lovers, son and parents were something I could relate to.
Surely everyone will have had a friend at some point in their childhood that has made them feel uncomfortable. A friend who has pretended to do something with you or for you, then laughed when you are alone in doing it. From the offset Ben learns that friends can be manipulative and that thinly disguised jealousy can cause negative behaviours. Is Jacob really what he seems to have become - a good, principled man?
I found this ode to early friendships and how the shadow can shape our future, to be well worth a read.
May 30, 2023
Ben Makepeace and Victor Sheldon have history, only when Ben knew Victor beforehand his name was Jacob Hoggs. Now Victor is a billionaire hedge funder, and Ben a screenwriter and Victor wants to bankroll Ben's latest script. It's been 25 years since they've seen each other and whilst Ben has his doubts, he accepts Victor's offer.
The story is split between the present and the past, whereby chapters document incidents shared by Ben and Jacob in their childhood that gives an insight to their previous relationship.
This is a good read and I enjoyed it. The characters were interesting and had their own stories within the overall storyline.
Quote from the book 'When something seems too good to be true, it usually is!'.
The story is split between the present and the past, whereby chapters document incidents shared by Ben and Jacob in their childhood that gives an insight to their previous relationship.
This is a good read and I enjoyed it. The characters were interesting and had their own stories within the overall storyline.
Quote from the book 'When something seems too good to be true, it usually is!'.
July 19, 2021
I LOVED THE INFORMATION OFFICER
I've just finished reading The Long Shadow with its saga of revenge going back to the boarding school which Ben and Jacob (who became Victor) both attended. I kept turning the pages, wondering when and where the deceit and dirty tricks would ever end.
I've just finished reading The Long Shadow with its saga of revenge going back to the boarding school which Ben and Jacob (who became Victor) both attended. I kept turning the pages, wondering when and where the deceit and dirty tricks would ever end.
June 3, 2017
predictable.
December 10, 2019
A gripping tale of the competitive nature of the human male.
October 10, 2020
There was a lot I disliked about this book, including the main character. I've read better from this author.
March 18, 2015
What did I think?:
I received a copy of this novel from Book Bridgr and Headline Books in return for an honest review so many thanks to them for the opportunity to read it. I've never actually read any of Mark Mills' work before but a friend on GoodReads had thoroughly enjoyed his previous novels so I was quietly optimistic that I would enjoy it. The story revolves around two friends, Ben Makepeace and Jacob Hogg who became friends when at boarding school together. At that time, Jacob was a bit of an isolated child with quite neglectful parents so made himself a second home with Ben's parents who began to look on him as a son of their own, revelling in his triumphs perhaps a bit too much for their blood son's liking. At school however, Ben is everything that Jacob wishes he could be and there are many tumultuous years of competition, rivalry and secrets.
Moving forward to the present time, Ben is recently divorced with a thirteen year old son, Toby. He is having a fairly unsuccessful career as a screenplay writer but gets the shock of his life when he receives a call from his agent telling him that a billionaire hedge fund manager wishes to invest in his work with the aim of making it into a film. It sounds almost too good to be true but the biggest surprise is yet to come when Ben agrees a meeting with the wealthy man and it turns out to be his old friend, Jacob. He has altered his appearance, lives a lavish and enviable lifestyle and peculiarly, now goes under the name Victor Sheldon. Victor invites Ben to come and stay with him at one of his many houses, Stoneham Park where the two men re-connect and catch up on many years of history. Victor even offers Ben the job of managing his enterprises with an unbelievably large salary and reassures him that he is serious about making films from his written work. Ben may also have the opportunity of falling in love again, with Mo a sculptor on Victor's estate.
Somehow, Ben cannot ignore the warning bells ringing - what is Victor's motive for all this generosity? With the story switching back and forward in time from the boys somewhat strained relationship at school to the present, where all Ben's wildest dreams seem to have come true, the reader must decide what is really going on here. Is the long shadow over the two men's friendship from childhood just a shadow? Or, is there something a bit cleverer and malignant at work?
On some levels, this story worked really well. I loved the parts where we heard about the boys school days and enjoyed comparing the character of Jacob then to the sharp and wealthy businessman (with a different name) that he had become. I think my main problem was with the ending, to be honest. With all the tension that was built up, which was done very well by the way - I was expecting something a bit more explosive and revealing and what I got was a bit of a damp squib in reality, which was quite disappointing as it's obvious the author can write well. I also had problems with the relationship between Ben and Mo, for some reason it didn't really ring true and I didn't think Mo was as strong or as interesting a character as she had the potential to be. Would I read another novel by this author? Yes, I think I probably would. I've heard that his first three novels are very good and he's clearly a talented writer, I'm afraid this book just didn't follow through for me with the ending.
For my full review please visit my blog at http://www.bibliobeth.com
I received a copy of this novel from Book Bridgr and Headline Books in return for an honest review so many thanks to them for the opportunity to read it. I've never actually read any of Mark Mills' work before but a friend on GoodReads had thoroughly enjoyed his previous novels so I was quietly optimistic that I would enjoy it. The story revolves around two friends, Ben Makepeace and Jacob Hogg who became friends when at boarding school together. At that time, Jacob was a bit of an isolated child with quite neglectful parents so made himself a second home with Ben's parents who began to look on him as a son of their own, revelling in his triumphs perhaps a bit too much for their blood son's liking. At school however, Ben is everything that Jacob wishes he could be and there are many tumultuous years of competition, rivalry and secrets.
Moving forward to the present time, Ben is recently divorced with a thirteen year old son, Toby. He is having a fairly unsuccessful career as a screenplay writer but gets the shock of his life when he receives a call from his agent telling him that a billionaire hedge fund manager wishes to invest in his work with the aim of making it into a film. It sounds almost too good to be true but the biggest surprise is yet to come when Ben agrees a meeting with the wealthy man and it turns out to be his old friend, Jacob. He has altered his appearance, lives a lavish and enviable lifestyle and peculiarly, now goes under the name Victor Sheldon. Victor invites Ben to come and stay with him at one of his many houses, Stoneham Park where the two men re-connect and catch up on many years of history. Victor even offers Ben the job of managing his enterprises with an unbelievably large salary and reassures him that he is serious about making films from his written work. Ben may also have the opportunity of falling in love again, with Mo a sculptor on Victor's estate.
Somehow, Ben cannot ignore the warning bells ringing - what is Victor's motive for all this generosity? With the story switching back and forward in time from the boys somewhat strained relationship at school to the present, where all Ben's wildest dreams seem to have come true, the reader must decide what is really going on here. Is the long shadow over the two men's friendship from childhood just a shadow? Or, is there something a bit cleverer and malignant at work?
On some levels, this story worked really well. I loved the parts where we heard about the boys school days and enjoyed comparing the character of Jacob then to the sharp and wealthy businessman (with a different name) that he had become. I think my main problem was with the ending, to be honest. With all the tension that was built up, which was done very well by the way - I was expecting something a bit more explosive and revealing and what I got was a bit of a damp squib in reality, which was quite disappointing as it's obvious the author can write well. I also had problems with the relationship between Ben and Mo, for some reason it didn't really ring true and I didn't think Mo was as strong or as interesting a character as she had the potential to be. Would I read another novel by this author? Yes, I think I probably would. I've heard that his first three novels are very good and he's clearly a talented writer, I'm afraid this book just didn't follow through for me with the ending.
For my full review please visit my blog at http://www.bibliobeth.com
September 25, 2015
Not one of Mark Mills's best
I have enjoyed some of Mark Mills's previous books and hoped that this would be as good. Sadly, it isn't really. It was a light and fairly easy read but the plot is pretty silly and I had some reservations about the writing style, too.
The plot revolves around Ben, a struggling screen writer whose script is accepted by a billionaire tycoon and so becomes swept into the glamorous world of the super-rich...but is there Something Sinister underlying all this? I won't say more to avoid spoilers but it's pretty standard potboiler stuff and it isn't the remotest bit plausible. There's nothing wrong with that, but it is far too long to be sustained by such a flimsy story. Almost nothing but scene-setting happens for the first 200 pages, I genuinely groaned later on at the thought that there were *still* 150 pages to go and the ending is frankly ridiculous.
The writing is adequate but no more, and often rather lazy with stale phrases like "a dab hand at..." or people "puffing away merrily" on expensive cigars creeping in regularly. Mills is at pains to show us how much he knows - not always successfully - so we get lots of little vignettes which add nothing at all to the plot in which people play rugby and cricket ("centre stump"? - I don't think so, Mark), visit museums and have discourses about the artefacts and so on. He also cannot resist telling us what he has just shown us, so after a bit of dialogue he has to say things like "He had successfully deflected the conversation away from the subject," when that was obviously the whole point of what I had just read. This, and laboured references to literary and artistic works left me feeling rather patronised a lot of the time.
Mark Mills is capable of much better than this. I'd say it was OK as a mildly diverting beach read but not much more.
I have enjoyed some of Mark Mills's previous books and hoped that this would be as good. Sadly, it isn't really. It was a light and fairly easy read but the plot is pretty silly and I had some reservations about the writing style, too.
The plot revolves around Ben, a struggling screen writer whose script is accepted by a billionaire tycoon and so becomes swept into the glamorous world of the super-rich...but is there Something Sinister underlying all this? I won't say more to avoid spoilers but it's pretty standard potboiler stuff and it isn't the remotest bit plausible. There's nothing wrong with that, but it is far too long to be sustained by such a flimsy story. Almost nothing but scene-setting happens for the first 200 pages, I genuinely groaned later on at the thought that there were *still* 150 pages to go and the ending is frankly ridiculous.
The writing is adequate but no more, and often rather lazy with stale phrases like "a dab hand at..." or people "puffing away merrily" on expensive cigars creeping in regularly. Mills is at pains to show us how much he knows - not always successfully - so we get lots of little vignettes which add nothing at all to the plot in which people play rugby and cricket ("centre stump"? - I don't think so, Mark), visit museums and have discourses about the artefacts and so on. He also cannot resist telling us what he has just shown us, so after a bit of dialogue he has to say things like "He had successfully deflected the conversation away from the subject," when that was obviously the whole point of what I had just read. This, and laboured references to literary and artistic works left me feeling rather patronised a lot of the time.
Mark Mills is capable of much better than this. I'd say it was OK as a mildly diverting beach read but not much more.
November 5, 2014
Mills has been a favourite author for some time and I try and keep up with what he writes. This is a somewhat disappointing read given the tight prose and tense thrillers he has written before.
The story is essentially about two childhood friends, Jacob and Ben, who lose touch as adults. In their early forties, Ben is a less than successful screenwriter. He is coming to terms with his divorce and the shared custody of his son whom he dotes on and loves.
All of a sudden he is offered a 'too good to be true' option on a screenplay he is finishing and it transpires Jacob is back in his life. Jacob, now called Victor Sheldon, is offering to make movies from Ben's scripts, offering him millions of dollars in salary, asking him to head his philanthropic enterprises and go live in Victor's country estate.
Ben is overwhelmed and loving it. But as the story develops, so do Ben's doubts. Is it all too good to be true? It seems so.
Intercalated with the men in their forties are chapters where they appear as children. They had a conflicted relationship as children which seems to spill out into their adult lives as the novel progresses.
Here is where it gets disappointing. As a reader you pick up on the fact that there is something amiss, but the tension is not tight enough to be a 'thriller', more like a mild annoyance. When all is revealed, it seems to fall flat.
I much preferred The Savage Garden and The Information Officer, which are more tightly woven and the story more controlled. I have Mill's next offering to read next, and I am keen to see which way it goes.
The story is essentially about two childhood friends, Jacob and Ben, who lose touch as adults. In their early forties, Ben is a less than successful screenwriter. He is coming to terms with his divorce and the shared custody of his son whom he dotes on and loves.
All of a sudden he is offered a 'too good to be true' option on a screenplay he is finishing and it transpires Jacob is back in his life. Jacob, now called Victor Sheldon, is offering to make movies from Ben's scripts, offering him millions of dollars in salary, asking him to head his philanthropic enterprises and go live in Victor's country estate.
Ben is overwhelmed and loving it. But as the story develops, so do Ben's doubts. Is it all too good to be true? It seems so.
Intercalated with the men in their forties are chapters where they appear as children. They had a conflicted relationship as children which seems to spill out into their adult lives as the novel progresses.
Here is where it gets disappointing. As a reader you pick up on the fact that there is something amiss, but the tension is not tight enough to be a 'thriller', more like a mild annoyance. When all is revealed, it seems to fall flat.
I much preferred The Savage Garden and The Information Officer, which are more tightly woven and the story more controlled. I have Mill's next offering to read next, and I am keen to see which way it goes.
December 2, 2014
13 year old Ben Makepeace watches his friend Jacob Hogg sledge a dangerous corner and come careering off into a field of wickedly sharp saplings. As he runs down the hill to the body lying still he is briefly convinced Jacob is dead but as he opens his eyes and smiles Ben is both relieved and angry.
31 years on Ben is an unsuccessful screenwriter trying to be there for his 13 year old son Toby as his ex wife Madeleine moves on with her life with new partner Lionel, and keep his head above water. His agent calls to say billionaire Victor Sheldon has expressed an interest in Ben's screenplay and wants to meet him at his country pile, Stoneham House near Oxford. Victor turns out to be Jacob, the boy who took up the world of high finance and immense fortune that both Jacob and Ben were groomed for as schoolboys at Dean House boarding school. Victor offers Ben space at Stoneham House to finish his screenplay. Ben meets and begins to fall for sculptor Mo, he plays cricket with the local villagers, Toby comes to stay and meets Victor's son Marcio, and after helping Victor out with the purchase of a vintage speedboat Ben is rewarded with the offer of a lifetime. But doubts begin to creep in as small events expose cracks in the rich beauty of the surface of Victor's life and Ben finds himself facing a past in which a single misunderstanding has blighted a life.
My only reason for not giving this 5 stars was the predictability, however, it is beautifully written, a sad story about what man a childhood can create if the child is not loved and cherished.
31 years on Ben is an unsuccessful screenwriter trying to be there for his 13 year old son Toby as his ex wife Madeleine moves on with her life with new partner Lionel, and keep his head above water. His agent calls to say billionaire Victor Sheldon has expressed an interest in Ben's screenplay and wants to meet him at his country pile, Stoneham House near Oxford. Victor turns out to be Jacob, the boy who took up the world of high finance and immense fortune that both Jacob and Ben were groomed for as schoolboys at Dean House boarding school. Victor offers Ben space at Stoneham House to finish his screenplay. Ben meets and begins to fall for sculptor Mo, he plays cricket with the local villagers, Toby comes to stay and meets Victor's son Marcio, and after helping Victor out with the purchase of a vintage speedboat Ben is rewarded with the offer of a lifetime. But doubts begin to creep in as small events expose cracks in the rich beauty of the surface of Victor's life and Ben finds himself facing a past in which a single misunderstanding has blighted a life.
My only reason for not giving this 5 stars was the predictability, however, it is beautifully written, a sad story about what man a childhood can create if the child is not loved and cherished.
July 27, 2014
Who says fiction doesn’t change lives? Thanks to Mark Mills, I’ve learnt how to peel bananas from the bottom end, like a monkey. Not that this is a novel about fruit, or animal behaviour (unless you think young boys are like monkeys), but I was grateful for the tip about bananas at a point when the narrative pace seemed to drag.
Ben is a scriptwriter aeons away from the big time, a divorced father living in a grotty flat. When a wealthy former schoolmate offers to bankroll his film and install him in his mansion while he does a rewrite, it seems almost too good to be true. As, indeed, it is, but Ben is so seduced by his good fortune and Victor so skilled at manipulation, it takes some time for him to figure out exactly how and why. When he does, it’s immensely satisfying: country house meets poisonous friendship (and so refreshing to have the latter portrayed from the male point of view for a change) seasoned with boys’ games along the lines of Lord of the Flies, the resolution encompasses envy, childhood neglect, rivalry and turning a blind eye to painful truths in a psychologically astute way. I must confess, however, I appreciated this more in retrospect and there were moments across the first 200 pages when I was tempted to give up.
Continues http://annegoodwin.weebly.com/annecdo...
Ben is a scriptwriter aeons away from the big time, a divorced father living in a grotty flat. When a wealthy former schoolmate offers to bankroll his film and install him in his mansion while he does a rewrite, it seems almost too good to be true. As, indeed, it is, but Ben is so seduced by his good fortune and Victor so skilled at manipulation, it takes some time for him to figure out exactly how and why. When he does, it’s immensely satisfying: country house meets poisonous friendship (and so refreshing to have the latter portrayed from the male point of view for a change) seasoned with boys’ games along the lines of Lord of the Flies, the resolution encompasses envy, childhood neglect, rivalry and turning a blind eye to painful truths in a psychologically astute way. I must confess, however, I appreciated this more in retrospect and there were moments across the first 200 pages when I was tempted to give up.
Continues http://annegoodwin.weebly.com/annecdo...
August 30, 2021
Change of pace for Mills, who normally writes period-set mystery thrillers, whereas this is a contemporary, character-driven mystery deliberately avoiding obvious thrills.
It's not a bad book, eventually building to a decent, if somewhat predictable climax, but there are flaws and opportunities are missed: primarily the chance to create what could have been a competent psychological thriller. Mills chooses to focus on a solid if less than riveting love story when his tale would have been better served by majoring on the edgy, complex adult relationship between Ben and Victor. But the story too often steers clear of this and consequently lacks tension and danger.
It is also far too long at 450 pages for its essentially simple plot and too much obvious padding is expended on tedious domestic and social fripperies that slow down the pace and add nothing to either plot or character. This was also a fault with Mills' last novel 'House of the Hanged'. In fact Mills' standards seem to be in worrying decline. After three excellent starter novels his last two have been no better than average. The originality, complexity and evocative skill of his early prose seems to have been replaced by mundane writing and poor plot structure. There are elements of good characterisation in this novel that raise it a little above the routine, but the author can do much better.
It's not a bad book, eventually building to a decent, if somewhat predictable climax, but there are flaws and opportunities are missed: primarily the chance to create what could have been a competent psychological thriller. Mills chooses to focus on a solid if less than riveting love story when his tale would have been better served by majoring on the edgy, complex adult relationship between Ben and Victor. But the story too often steers clear of this and consequently lacks tension and danger.
It is also far too long at 450 pages for its essentially simple plot and too much obvious padding is expended on tedious domestic and social fripperies that slow down the pace and add nothing to either plot or character. This was also a fault with Mills' last novel 'House of the Hanged'. In fact Mills' standards seem to be in worrying decline. After three excellent starter novels his last two have been no better than average. The originality, complexity and evocative skill of his early prose seems to have been replaced by mundane writing and poor plot structure. There are elements of good characterisation in this novel that raise it a little above the routine, but the author can do much better.
December 22, 2014
Twelve-year olds Ben and Jacob, whilst not best friends, attend the same school and are further thrown together when Jacob’s parents accept academic postings in America leaving Jacob to spend his holidays with Ben’s family. Thirty years pass: Ben has a divorce, a son and a not stellar enough career as a screenwriter. Out of the blue Ben’s agent tells him that they a private backer for his latest script. Overcoming scepticism, Ben agrees to meet his potential backer who turns out to be Jacob, though now known as Victor Sheldon, complete with an altered physical appearance and billions of dollars. Before you can say “look before you leap”, Ben is swept into Victor’s world of wealth and privilege, now the benefactor of Victor’s generous largesse. He also meets and falls for Mo, sculptor in residence at Victor’s palatial home and where Victor invites Ben to spend time polishing his script. Everything appears perfect in the garden of Eden until Ben stumbles across a series of odd happenings and coincidences. Mills tells a good story but at 450 pages plus it’s far too long.
January 30, 2016
Very few authors capture my attention away from the horror/thriller-detective genre. It take's a great writer to pull off a slow-burning story. Lucie Whitehouse and Mark Mills are in my opinion, two of the very best authors - because they do this with excellence. The Long Shadow is a very good book. The character-depth is superb and interesting. Ben and Jacobs (Victor Sheldon) childhood experiences are at the heart of this story. Jacob's ability to manipulate situations is fasinating - yet disturbing. Ben's weakness around Mo and his ex-wife is intriguing. The whole story just enters your head so naturally it simply takes control of wherever you may be at the time. Mark Mills can literally take any story - regardless of how trivial or simple. And turn it into a great read. The long Shadow took over my world and is still enters head, long after the last page was turned. I will be following this author, as I'm sure he will continue to release excellent novels. Excellent author. A great simple story, Told by a true great.
June 3, 2019
This was four stars until the end, the ending was so wonderfully written... actually, the whole book was very clever and captivating, but the ending is by far my favourite part.
There were times I wondered what the point of the story was, but the ending cleared up any questions I had and notched up my enjoyment of the book.
Mo (I much prefer the name Molly) is by far my favourite character in the book but I obviously can't help but find Jacob/Victor incredibly interesting and exciting. Ben and his little boy were also wonderful, but I have mixed views on the ex-wife.
The plot twists throughout the book worked wonderfully and I don't believe I managed to predict any of them (which is often the case after reading so many books). Mills created a very detailed world, often including information that wasn't necessary but helped add to the believability of the story and the characters. I'm very happy I read this book.
There were times I wondered what the point of the story was, but the ending cleared up any questions I had and notched up my enjoyment of the book.
Mo (I much prefer the name Molly) is by far my favourite character in the book but I obviously can't help but find Jacob/Victor incredibly interesting and exciting. Ben and his little boy were also wonderful, but I have mixed views on the ex-wife.
The plot twists throughout the book worked wonderfully and I don't believe I managed to predict any of them (which is often the case after reading so many books). Mills created a very detailed world, often including information that wasn't necessary but helped add to the believability of the story and the characters. I'm very happy I read this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 7, 2016
Two friends - were they ever really friends? One boy, lost and lonely, abandoned by neglectful parents is taken up by another boy's family, becoming the favoured son to a father, perpetually disappointed with his own. Under the guise of friendship, resentment begins to grow in the heart of both boys, a boil that's gone un-lanced for 3 decades - until Jacob and Ben meet again in the oddest of circumstances.
The story-telling is superb, told in a smooth and easy style that keeps the pages turning. Even though I guessed what was going on from about the middle of the book, I still wanted to know how it was going to pan out. Mark Mills's tale is well layered, there's some fine characterisation; there are hidden currents, a dark complexity beneath the surface of the plot and all very enjoyable indeed.
The story-telling is superb, told in a smooth and easy style that keeps the pages turning. Even though I guessed what was going on from about the middle of the book, I still wanted to know how it was going to pan out. Mark Mills's tale is well layered, there's some fine characterisation; there are hidden currents, a dark complexity beneath the surface of the plot and all very enjoyable indeed.
January 30, 2014
I've loved all of Mark Mills' books so far and this one is no exception. Ben Makepeace, a struggling screenwriter recently divorced, suddenly gets the chance of a lifetime when a hedge-fund billionaire, Victor Sheldon, offers to purchase his latest script. However, when they meet he finds Victor is actually an old schoolfriend from 30 years ago, known then as Jacob. A series of flashbacks reveal their rollercoaster friendship and childhood betrayals. As Victor lavishes benefits on Ben he begins to suspect his old friend's motives and, as his suspicions are aroused he begins to doubt everything and everyone. A superb thriller that I simply could not put down - 9/10.
May 4, 2014
I won this book from Goodreads.
Mark Mills is someone confident in his storytelling ability. He weaves an addictive story while managing to avoid endless fights, car chases or other usual events in a book of this type. It is a thriller, but not your usual thriller.
Mills also deftly moves between the childhoods of the two main characters and the modern day. At no point does this confuse and the language of the characters adapts believably.
It's difficult to write more without giving spoilers so I'm going tpo leave it there, but I do think that this is a book that will appeal to a wide audience.
Mark Mills is someone confident in his storytelling ability. He weaves an addictive story while managing to avoid endless fights, car chases or other usual events in a book of this type. It is a thriller, but not your usual thriller.
Mills also deftly moves between the childhoods of the two main characters and the modern day. At no point does this confuse and the language of the characters adapts believably.
It's difficult to write more without giving spoilers so I'm going tpo leave it there, but I do think that this is a book that will appeal to a wide audience.
September 12, 2014
Very readable, I find I read everything MM writes. This is different from his usual - contemporary and set in the UK - and it works in its very Lord of the Flies way. I don't always agree, believe or get all of MM's settings, period speech or details but I always read to the end because I can never second guess him. A slow to boil is-it-a-thriller, he has pulled it off again.
Toast
Toast
May 26, 2014
Have had to stop reading it while waiting for a new copy to arrive in the bookshop. Pages were missing half way through and the rest were mixed up! Looking forward to getting back to the story...
Have just had my replacement copy from the bookshop. Looks OK so fingers crossed I can finish the story. Might have to go back and reread - I've forgotten what happened!
Have just had my replacement copy from the bookshop. Looks OK so fingers crossed I can finish the story. Might have to go back and reread - I've forgotten what happened!
September 27, 2013
felt this wasn't the best book mills has written only that the ending was predictable though. maybe it was made more psychological would of made it more chilling and interesting to read and some wooden characters too.
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