- Mass Market Paperback
- Publisher: Dell Pub Co; Reprint edition (Sep 1989)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0440204488
- ISBN-13: 978-0440204480
- Product Dimensions: 16.8 x 10.2 x 1.3 cm
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 897,819 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
| ||||||||||||||||||
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Visit the Amazon.co.uk Trade-In Store for more details. |
Product details |
More About the Author
Product Description
Review
Barnard, an eloquent admirer of Agatha Christie (see his A Talent to Deceive), offers a very Christie-like concoction this time - with a tension-packed family reunion, a couple of sharply tricky twists, and a more subdued sort of comedy (in comparison to some of Barnard's near-farces). In a tiny Sussex village, famous writer-rake Ben Cotterel lies dying, near-comatose, cared for by quiet son Roderick (headmaster of a school for disabled children) and nice daughter-in-law Caroline. Into this quiet household, however, comes brash young Cordelia Mason: Ben's illegitimate daughter from his scandalous fling (one of many) with actress Myra Mason - then an ambitious newcomer, now a grand theatrical "Dame." Cordelia, you see, is intent on writing a book about mother Myra (whom she hates), and wants to read through all of the old family papers. And following her, in hot pursuit, is Dame Myra herself, newly married to a provincial leading-man - and determined to prevent Cordelia from Telling All about the very nasty (on both sides) Ben/Myra liaison. It's not surprising, then, that somebody soon shoots Myra to death in her room at the local inn ("pure Agatha Christie first-act curtain") - bringing sturdy, drily ironic Chief Inspector Meredith onto the scene. The murder-solution itself - hinging on an unbreakable alibi a la Christie - is rather disappointing. But another, less expected revelation is worthy of Dame Agatha. And Barnard's familiar command of bright, fleet, charming storytelling - English-traditional yet free of camp - makes this an easy-reading treat, anchored (just like the best Christies) by shadings both grave and compassionate. (Kirkus Reviews)
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Synopsis
Into the life of a dying writer comes his illegitimate daughter, intent on going through his papers in order to write an expose of her mother - a famous actress. Family passions run high when the actress herself shows up with her latest husband, ending in murder in a hotel room. But who did it?
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Tag this product(What's this?)Think of a tag as a keyword or label you consider is strongly related to this product.
Tags will help all customers organise and find favourite items. |
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
There are no customer reviews yet on Amazon.co.uk.
5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
1 review
Another Barnard Triumph!
14 Jan 2010
Format:Mass Market Paperback
In "At Death's Door" British detective writer Robert Barnard proves once again that he always seems to have an engrossing story to tell with believable characters, his witty cracks, his insights into pub life, his fascinating plots, great pacing, and his sense of place.
A well-known novelist, Benedict Cotterel is very ill and is cared for by his son Roderick and the son's wife Caroline. In his youth Cotterel had been very much of a lady's man. He had an early affair with the now famous actress Dame Myra Mason, a vixen as Cotterel labeled her in a novel.
Barnard has fun portraying nasty people, and he has planted his share in this book with Myra being the nastiest. Myra's daughter by Cotterel, Cordelia, is out to get revenge for the horrible childhood Myra put her through by writing a tell-all expose of Myra. Her mother's series of boyfriends were a trial to Cordelia. Now the actress's daughter is going through Ben's papers and letters to document how much of a witch Myra really was.
Ben's son and wife have mixed emotions about Cordelia's project. Myra turns up at the local inn with her new younger husband, bent on stopping her daughter from going ahead with the book. A large cast of characters are present when a murder takes place in the inn. In a Barnard novel you have to keep an eye out for that minor character who may seem just an innocuous bystander, but is key to the plot solution.
There's a narrative pull in Barnard's novels that grabs you and keeps you turning the pages gleefully. The canny Welsh Inspector Meredith from "Death of a Mystery Writer" shows up again to prove that he's a sharp and wily investigator.
One feature of Barnard's books the stands out is his dialogue; it's right on the mark, focused, and natural. This book has a very cleverly worked out solution to the crime that is tricky but satisfying.
A well-known novelist, Benedict Cotterel is very ill and is cared for by his son Roderick and the son's wife Caroline. In his youth Cotterel had been very much of a lady's man. He had an early affair with the now famous actress Dame Myra Mason, a vixen as Cotterel labeled her in a novel.
Barnard has fun portraying nasty people, and he has planted his share in this book with Myra being the nastiest. Myra's daughter by Cotterel, Cordelia, is out to get revenge for the horrible childhood Myra put her through by writing a tell-all expose of Myra. Her mother's series of boyfriends were a trial to Cordelia. Now the actress's daughter is going through Ben's papers and letters to document how much of a witch Myra really was.
Ben's son and wife have mixed emotions about Cordelia's project. Myra turns up at the local inn with her new younger husband, bent on stopping her daughter from going ahead with the book. A large cast of characters are present when a murder takes place in the inn. In a Barnard novel you have to keep an eye out for that minor character who may seem just an innocuous bystander, but is key to the plot solution.
There's a narrative pull in Barnard's novels that grabs you and keeps you turning the pages gleefully. The canny Welsh Inspector Meredith from "Death of a Mystery Writer" shows up again to prove that he's a sharp and wily investigator.
One feature of Barnard's books the stands out is his dialogue; it's right on the mark, focused, and natural. This book has a very cleverly worked out solution to the crime that is tricky but satisfying.
Was this review helpful?
Let us know
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
