The Treehouse

Past Caring by Robert Goddard

Over the years I've read quite a few books by Robert Goddard and have yet to be disappointed by any of them. This is another novel set in different time periods with events taking place from 1910 through to about 1980. 

Martin Radford, an out of work historian is offered the (paid) opportunity to research the events recorded in the journal of little know MP Edwin Strafford. After reading the journal, Martin jumps at the chance and sets about finding out why Strafford resigned his position of cabinet minister at the height of his career and why his fiance rejects him. 

Mystery and intrigue abound in this story as do murder, deception and manipulation. In the first part of the book we read along with Martin as he absorbs Strafford's journal and becomes committed to discovering what caused the man's fall from grace. It's difficult to say too much without giving away pieces of the plot however, once Martin begins to research and look into events, the action comes thick and fast and Martin himself has several surprises up his sleeve to present the reader with. While the part of the book that deals with Strafford's journal is perhaps a little slow, once the action gets going this book is not one to be put down. 

 

This is the third book that I have reviewed for the Great Transworld Crime Caper and was provided by Transworld. It is my sixth review for the Historical Reading Challenge.

Full Dark House by Christopher Fowler

This was my second read for the Great Transworld Crime Caper and the book was kindly sent to me by Transworld. This is the first book that I've read by Christopher Fowler...and it won't be the last.

The story is set in two different periods of time in London - modern day and WWII during the Blitz. In the WWII time period we see the rocky beginning of the partnership between Bryant and May as they try to solve the mystery of some rather gruesome murders that take place in a theatre. In the modern day setting we see May trying to find out why his partner has been blown to smithereens in an explosion at the office of the Peculiar Crimes Unit.

 

A book, like this one, that begins with the death of one of the main characters is guaranteed to interest. I read it at quite a slow pace for me because I simply didn't want to miss out on any of the detail - and this book is choc full of details with so many different threads to the story both in the past and in the present.

Second World Wartime Britain is described in fabulous detail as is the world of the theatre. At several points I expected a paranormal twist to the tale which kept me wondering and thinking until the finale. I think I held my breath several times as people wandered about the theatre unchaperoned, and I feared what ghastly fate awaited them - the murders in this book being  rather gruesome. 

The contrast between modern day Bryant and May and their younger selves was tantalising, making me want to know what adventures they had had in the intervening period and snippets of things that had happened to them over the years since their fledgling partnership first began were woven into the storyline seamlessly. They were at turns amusing, serious, intelligent and mistaken making their further adventures irresistible to follow and indeed I have already purchased the second of their adventures to enjoy in the near future.

Apart from a good story I like the artwork on the covers of these books...I'm afraid I've a soft spot for good book covers :)

 

This is my fourth review for the Historical Reading Challenge 2011 (I'm behind with my reviews and have two more to write up).

Mistress of the Art of Death by Ariana Franklin

Once in a while a book comes along that you cannot put down and Mistress of the Art of Death was such a book. I was drawn into the story from the first paragraph and stayed there until the end of the book. The main character, Adelia Aguilar, held my attention and interest throughout the entire book with her most unusual, for the period of time, occupation. Not only is she a female doctor but she is also the medieval version of today's pathologist which is quite acceptable in her Italian home town of Salerno but very suspect in Medieval England. Travelling with two unlikely companions - a Jewish investigator and a Saracen who is her protector she has made her way to England in order to aid in the investigation of the death of four children in Cambridge. 

The story makes use of actual historical events and characters and the descriptions of Medieval England and the characters who live in Cambridge are rich and captivating; bringing those times to life in full colour in the mind. Adelia's character, that of dedicated doctor and avowed celibate, undergoes  a transformation during the course of the story and is done in a convincing fashion. Determined to remain a practising Mistress of the Art of Death and doctor, she adopts rather a modern approach when confronted with the prospect of falling in love. 

As a lover of both historical and crime fiction I'm delighted to find a 'new to me' author who brings these two genres together in such a convincing, competent and enjoyable fashion.

If I gave marks for books this would rate a 10/10 I truly couldn't put it down.

This is my first review for the Great Transworld Crime Caper and my third review for the Historical Reading Challenge.