- Hardcover: 352 pages
- Publisher: Severn House Publishers Ltd; 1st World Ed edition (26 Mar 2004)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0727860453
- ISBN-13: 978-0727860453
- Product Dimensions: 21.6 x 14 x 3 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 695,563 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Synopsis
August 17th 1942 and the war is the backdrop to DS Suzie Mountford's investigation into the death of an eminent barrister and his family in London. But within hours the investigation leads the team to Norfolk and the American Air Force personnel stationed nearby.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
In the third novel of the Suzie Mountford series, John Gardner once again offers a transient release from the insecurities of the present day by transporting the reader back to the dreadful and unremitting certainties of the Second World War. That there will be death and carnage we - along with the stoic characters peopling Gardner's world - can take for granted; that there will be horror and an ever-lurking evil we - those of us fortunate enough to have become acquainted with Suzie Mountford in her two previous adventures, Bottled Spider and The Streets of Town - can take as read. Some of the deaths will be tragic, some squalid; some of the evil will at times induce terror, some a knowing smile. For we know what to expect with Gardner, and he does not disappoint.
The year is 1942 and WDS Mountford has by this stage become an established member of Scotland Yard's elite Reserve Squad. Her previous adventures have charted her early career path and love life. This present story finds her at a crossroads, uncertain about previous choices and with difficult decisions to take. Many of these are postponed for future instalments to be penned by Gardner as the fast-moving plot involves Suzie in the hunt for the pitiless murderer of an entire family at their Norfolk retreat. Woven with deft strokes into the remorseless fabric of this main story are two further strands - the plight of Wild Angel, a Flying Fortress of the USAAF, and its crew; and the return to the series of its first scapegrace, Golly Goldfinch, the mentally unhinged serial murderer introduced in Bottled Spider. Both the crew of Wild Angel and Golly himself have significant parts to play in a story that culminates in the unmasking of the killer - with a denouement that is as satisfying as it is logical - and further troubles for Suzie Mountford. Gardner masterfully escalates the tension as the story accelerates towards its sinister conclusion.
Series purists may quibble that Suzie Mountford herself plays a reduced rôle but, whilst there is some truth in that argument, this allows other previously established characters to come to the fore - notably Detective Chief Superintendent the Honourable Tommy Livermore, Suzie's lover, and DS Molly Abelard. This, we suspect, will be the pivotal novel of the series after which the major characters' lives will change forever.
Once again John Gardner has given free rein to his ever-fertile imagination and provided us with a mystery that is both meticulously constructed and gratifyingly convoluted. He has strayed into Christie territory but with a cynical eye and a healthy dose of humour, and I have no hesitation in recommending this as the best novel of the series so far.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
1 review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Another winner for Gardner and Susie Mountford
18 Feb 2006
Format:Hardcover
I am still amazed at being the first to review these books on Susie Mountford as they are clearly in a class by themselves. John Gardner is easily the best mystery/thriller/spy novelist on planet Earth and only Les Roberts comes close to him in the mystery line. I consider myself an avid reader and as a teacher have used mystery and spy novels in the classroom and Gardner has been and remains number one.
Angels Dining At The Ritz has a special meaning in that this one takes us more into the war than the last two which dealt with the blitz. In this third one in the series, Gardner introduces us to the first of the USAAF to arrive and the first missions of the Flying Fortresses. The 8th Air Force is woven beautifully into the story.
The story itself has WDS Susie Mountford, and her superior as well as boy friend, DVC the honorable Tommy Livermore on the case. This time a bloody murder outside of London with overtures of organizaed crime again. Added to the mix is one of the most frightening lunatics you can find in fiction, Golly Goldfinch. Once again the author gives real depth to all the characters and you feel you especially know the heroine. As in the first two books, there are real Hitchcock twists again.
One more book in the series to read and the author is thankfully working on the fifth one. I recommend this series highly. Wonderful reading.
Angels Dining At The Ritz has a special meaning in that this one takes us more into the war than the last two which dealt with the blitz. In this third one in the series, Gardner introduces us to the first of the USAAF to arrive and the first missions of the Flying Fortresses. The 8th Air Force is woven beautifully into the story.
The story itself has WDS Susie Mountford, and her superior as well as boy friend, DVC the honorable Tommy Livermore on the case. This time a bloody murder outside of London with overtures of organizaed crime again. Added to the mix is one of the most frightening lunatics you can find in fiction, Golly Goldfinch. Once again the author gives real depth to all the characters and you feel you especially know the heroine. As in the first two books, there are real Hitchcock twists again.
One more book in the series to read and the author is thankfully working on the fifth one. I recommend this series highly. Wonderful reading.
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