Sweet Sorrow

Lord Edward Corinth & Verity Browne #10

by David Roberts

At the outset of World War II, Byron Gates, a self-absorbed poet, moves out of London together with his young daughter and stepdaughter to avoid the anticipated bombing. His wife, an actress, is in the States. His acquaintance, Virginia Woolf, has found him a little cottage in the village of Rodmell where she and her husband, Leonard, are living. Coincidentally, newlyweds Verity Browne and Lord Edward Corinth are setting up their first home in the Old Vicarage.

Gates is anxious to curry favor with the Woolves and their set. His children put on a pageant for the neighbors based on the beheading of King Charles I, and then Gates is found dead as if executed for treason. Verity and Lord Edward investigate this gruesome murder.

Genres: Historical Mystery, Mystery, Crime

259 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
David Roberts is an English editor and novelist.
Roberts worked for several years as a book editor at Chatto and Windus, Weidenfeld & Nicolson, and Michael O'Mara Books. Since 2000 he has been a full-time writer, best known for a series of crime novels set during the late 1930s, and featuring the joint adventures of Lord Edward Corinth and Verity Browne. The novels use actual historical events as a backdrop and there is an Author's Note at the back of the books briefly outlining what happened to the historical characters subsequently.
Publishers Weekly has described his novels as "well-researched" and "first-rate fun".

Reviews

[K.J. Charles]

Late 30s murder mystery which tells us in chapter 1 that the New Woman independent 'sister doing it for herself' heroine "found most other women irritating" and prefers hanging out with men. I'd hate to annoy her by spending any more time in her company. DNF.

[Olli Tindale · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read it by accident. Thought it was the David Nicholls book. It’s not. Quite different. Not as good.

[Janelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 4 stars aren't for this title in particular (it's 3 like the rest), but for the whole series, which is somewhat more than the sum of its parts. The individual titles are just good - while the two main characters are quite well developed, the mysteries and plotting are sometimes a bit weak, and rely a bit too much on coincidence. But perhaps because it appears to have been written with a planned finish, the series as a whole has a fine arc to it, that somewhat overcomes weaknesses in individual titles. I really liked the historical setting too, especially since, because of the protagonists' different positions in society, they are each deeply involved in the politics in England (and Europe) leading up to World War II. So, for me it's the development of the main characters over time (and their relationship) and the historical context that makes this series very enjoyable. Start with the first, run through all ten, and you'll be happy.

I hadn't really picked up the connection with/homage to/stealing from Dorothy Sayers' Lord Peter Wimsey novels until I read reviews here (dense I guess). I think maybe it's time to re-read them soon.

[Verity W · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well. Here we are at the end of our adventures with Edward and Verity. And it's another good tale, but I'll admit I found the end to the book and thus the end to the series very hard to take. I wanted a happily ever after for them - not a parting on the eve of war never to know what happens to either of them. But hey, mine is not to reason why. I have enjoyed this series and although I could do with a Lord Peter-esque short story so I know that they are OK, I appreciate that even the author may not have known how to give them their happy ending and maintain the tone of the series and the truth of the characters.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I selected this book because I liked the cover - profound, discriminating reader that I am - and I was not disappointed. David Roberts is a new 'find' : this was a highly entertaining, if slightly gory read. The writing is stylish, insightful and original. He successfully interweaves historical fact with fiction: Virginia Woolf is one of the characters as is Lord Reith and the Spanish Civil war and outbreak of WW2 form a fascinating backdrop. Brilliant stuff: I'll definitely be reading more David Roberts!

[Jan Duthie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent book from this author . Sorry to think that there are no more in the series. Good plots, good characters with faults and weeknesses, never could like a perfect hero and good research of the famous characters of the time who are woven into the stories.

[Cece · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book felt like a hallway between the last book, which brought major character development, and the next book, which will be set in WW II.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book just like all his others I really do love this author and am quite sad that I have now read all his books about Lord Edward Corinth and Verity Browne.

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit slow, did not flow as well as prior work in the series.

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Family relationships and expectations of women figure highly in this novel. Well done

[Yorky Caz · Rating 5 out of 5]

so sad this series is over. desperately hoping there are more to come!