Books for August 6th, 2013 are: A DARK ANATOMY (Hist Mys-Titus Cragg/Luke Fidelis-England-1740) – 1st in series – Robin Blake In Lancashire a grim discovery has been made: a squire’s wife, Dolores Brockletower, lies in the woods above her home at Garlick Hall, her throat brutally slashed. Called to the scene, Coroner Titus Cragg finds the Brockletower household awash with rumor and suspicion. He enlists the help of his astute young friend, doctor Luke Fidelis, to throw light on the case. But this is a world in which forensic science is in its infancy, and policing hardly exists. Embarking on their first gripping investigation, Cragg and Fidelis are faced with the superstition of witnesses, obstruction by local officials, and denunciations from the squire himself.
Corona – DNF – She just couldn’t get into it. LJ – VG+ - I really like Blake’s voice and that the story is told in first person. While that’s not usually my favorite, it really works here as it helps provide a sense of time; a bit before Jane Austen. There is delightful, natural humor incorporated in the narrative, which adds to the appeal of the protagonist. Cregg’s discussions with Fidelis on medicine versus religion, and with his wife on witchcraft, religion and spiritualism are very well done. They a provide perspective on attitudes and science during that time and the information is well incorporated into the story through both dialogue and the narrative of Cragg. Blake definitely knows how to create a dramatic moment. It leads to a startling twist and, thus, a fascinating discussion. “A Dark Anatomy” is filled with wonderful characters, a strong sense of time and place, excellent dialogue and a cracking good plot. I can’t wait to read his next book, “Dark Waters.” Maggie – VG – It was a little ponderous where the author went off on a tangent. But there were enough moments that made her gasp that she really liked it.
Group Read Average: G+
THE CONFESSION (Hist Mys-Insp. Ian Rutledge-England-1920) – 14th in series – Charles Todd Claiming he needs to clear his conscience, a dying man walks into Scotland Yard and confesses that he killed his cousin years ago during the war. When Inspector Ian Rutledge presses for details, the man dodges the questions, revealing only that he hails from the north of London in Essex. With little information and no body to open an official inquiry, Rutledge begins to look into the case on his own. Less than two weeks later, the would-be killer's body is found floating in the Thames, a bullet hole in the back of his head. The inspector's only clue is a gold locket - found around the dead man's neck-that leads back to Essex, an insular village that will do anything to protect itself from notoriety. For notoriety brings the curious, and with the curious comes change and an unwelcome spotlight on a centuries' old act of evil that even now can damn them all.
Christine – Okay – Loved the way it started out but she found the endless trip Rutledge made back and forth to be tiresome. She loved Rutledge’s sister and would liked for her to play a larger role and for the story to be more personal overall. Corona – Okay – Hamish and the PTSD were the most interesting pats of the story for her. LJ – VG - I found I was quickly drawn into the puzzle of both a man and a place. Having an author educate me, as well as entertain me, is something I admire. Todd informed me of a period and even the time and events which lead to it. The plot twists are very well executed and keep you off balance. The story within the story is fascinating. The one very slight negative I had was Rutledge’s ability to keep going without food, sleep or petrol for his car seemed a bit excessive, but it does speak for his dogged character and determination to find the truth. Marcy S. – VG - Enjoyed it so much that she even got a couple more books by them. It did seem a bit repetitive and Todd does rather belabor the points. She did have trouble keeping the time period set in her mind as she kept thinking it was Victorian rather than 1914. Even so, she really did enjoy it.
Group Read Average: G+
FINAL WITNESS (Legal Susp-Sir Peter and Thomas Richardson-England-contemp) – Standalone – Simon Tolkien One summer night, two men break into an isolated manor house and kill Lady Anne Robinson. Her son, Thomas, convinces the police that his father’s beautiful personal assistant sent the killers, but Thomas is known for his overactive imagination, and he has reasons to lie. Thomas’s father, Sir Peter Robinson, the British minister of defense, refuses to believe his son. Instead, he marries his assistant, Greta Grahame, and will be giving evidence for the defense at her trial. He will be the final witness.
Charlotte – Okay – She had a hard time getting into it as non of the characters are particularly likable. It did hold her interest, but she probably won’t read another by him. Christine – Okay – She only got the book 3 or 4 days ago and is on chapter 14. She’s just not wow-ed but may struggle through to the end. Corona – NR – The characters were really irritating.
A DARK ANATOMY (Hist Mys-Titus Cragg/Luke Fidelis-England-1740) – 1st in series – Robin Blake
In Lancashire a grim discovery has been made: a squire’s wife, Dolores Brockletower, lies in the woods above her home at Garlick Hall, her throat brutally slashed. Called to the scene, Coroner Titus Cragg finds the Brockletower household awash with rumor and suspicion. He enlists the help of his astute young friend, doctor Luke Fidelis, to throw light on the case. But this is a world in which forensic science is in its infancy, and policing hardly exists. Embarking on their first gripping investigation, Cragg and Fidelis are faced with the superstition of witnesses, obstruction by local officials, and denunciations from the squire himself.
Corona – DNF – She just couldn’t get into it.
LJ – VG+ - I really like Blake’s voice and that the story is told in first person. While that’s not usually my favorite, it really works here as it helps provide a sense of time; a bit before Jane Austen. There is delightful, natural humor incorporated in the narrative, which adds to the appeal of the protagonist. Cregg’s discussions with Fidelis on medicine versus religion, and with his wife on witchcraft, religion and spiritualism are very well done. They a provide perspective on attitudes and science during that time and the information is well incorporated into the story through both dialogue and the narrative of Cragg. Blake definitely knows how to create a dramatic moment. It leads to a startling twist and, thus, a fascinating discussion. “A Dark Anatomy” is filled with wonderful characters, a strong sense of time and place, excellent dialogue and a cracking good plot. I can’t wait to read his next book, “Dark Waters.”
Maggie – VG – It was a little ponderous where the author went off on a tangent. But there were enough moments that made her gasp that she really liked it.
Group Read Average: G+
THE CONFESSION (Hist Mys-Insp. Ian Rutledge-England-1920) – 14th in series – Charles Todd
Claiming he needs to clear his conscience, a dying man walks into Scotland Yard and confesses that he killed his cousin years ago during the war. When Inspector Ian Rutledge presses for details, the man dodges the questions, revealing only that he hails from the north of London in Essex. With little information and no body to open an official inquiry, Rutledge begins to look into the case on his own. Less than two weeks later, the would-be killer's body is found floating in the Thames, a bullet hole in the back of his head. The inspector's only clue is a gold locket - found around the dead man's neck-that leads back to Essex, an insular village that will do anything to protect itself from notoriety. For notoriety brings the curious, and with the curious comes change and an unwelcome spotlight on a centuries' old act of evil that even now can damn them all.
Christine – Okay – Loved the way it started out but she found the endless trip Rutledge made back and forth to be tiresome. She loved Rutledge’s sister and would liked for her to play a larger role and for the story to be more personal overall.
Corona – Okay – Hamish and the PTSD were the most interesting pats of the story for her.
LJ – VG - I found I was quickly drawn into the puzzle of both a man and a place. Having an author educate me, as well as entertain me, is something I admire. Todd informed me of a period and even the time and events which lead to it. The plot twists are very well executed and keep you off balance. The story within the story is fascinating. The one very slight negative I had was Rutledge’s ability to keep going without food, sleep or petrol for his car seemed a bit excessive, but it does speak for his dogged character and determination to find the truth.
Marcy S. – VG - Enjoyed it so much that she even got a couple more books by them. It did seem a bit repetitive and Todd does rather belabor the points. She did have trouble keeping the time period set in her mind as she kept thinking it was Victorian rather than 1914. Even so, she really did enjoy it.
Group Read Average: G+
FINAL WITNESS (Legal Susp-Sir Peter and Thomas Richardson-England-contemp) – Standalone – Simon Tolkien
One summer night, two men break into an isolated manor house and kill Lady Anne Robinson. Her son, Thomas, convinces the police that his father’s beautiful personal assistant sent the killers, but Thomas is known for his overactive imagination, and he has reasons to lie. Thomas’s father, Sir Peter Robinson, the British minister of defense, refuses to believe his son. Instead, he marries his assistant, Greta Grahame, and will be giving evidence for the defense at her trial. He will be the final witness.
Charlotte – Okay – She had a hard time getting into it as non of the characters are particularly likable. It did hold her interest, but she probably won’t read another by him.
Christine – Okay – She only got the book 3 or 4 days ago and is on chapter 14. She’s just not wow-ed but may struggle through to the end.
Corona – NR – The characters were really irritating.
GROUP READ AVERAGE - Okay