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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
This is apparently a science fiction book. I mean, it must be, it's been nominated for the Nebula and all! And it's published by Tor! Of course it's sci-fi! Well, no, it's not. While it does use the common sci-fi trope of being set in an alternate history (and a rather pedestrian one at that - peace between Britain and Germany in 1941) the story itself is just a country-house detective mystery, with political meddling. A fairly competently executed one too. While it's obvious from the start whodunnit (or at least oneofwhodunnit) the whydunnit isn't clear at first, and it's fun to see the investigation flail around a bit. On the other hand, the characters are a bit two-dimensional and stereotyped. Stupid aristocrats. Nasty aristocrats. Good copper with a hidden past. Nasty Nazis. And the Jewish hero is, of course, a banker. In summary, worth reading, but wait for the paperback. The book is apparently the first in a trilogy, I'll give the second installment a try.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
Jo Walton's novel opens with a typical mystery - a murder at an English country house - in a most atypical world. It is one in which the British did not defeat the Nazis, but sued for peace on the even of the German invasion of the Soviet Union. Eight years after the 'Farthing Peace', the appeasers are celebrated in Britain as having been right, with everyone believing that the war only proved that the nation could stand aloof from the bloodshed on the Continent. Yet events soon prove just how wrong such thinking can be, as a prominent aristocrat is found dead with a yellow Star of David pinned to his chest. As Scotland Yard inspector Peter Carmichael investigates, he encounters a conspiracy that threatens to bring the climate of fear and hate across the Channel.
Walton's book is an enjoyable mixture of two differing genres, which combine to provide a fresh and engaging tale. The world she envisions is a plausible one, with historical detail that indicates a good amount of effort in fleshing out a new chain of events. The plot itself is gripping, with a mystery that does not fully resolve itself until the final pages yet holds the reader's interest throughout. While the ending presages the descent into the grim world of her sequels, Ha'penny and Half A Crown, it offers a very real meditation on the choices people make and the price that they pay for them. It all comes together for a suspenseful tale that appeals to both fans of alternate history and anyone who enjoys a good mystery novel.
Walton's book is an enjoyable mixture of two differing genres, which combine to provide a fresh and engaging tale. The world she envisions is a plausible one, with historical detail that indicates a good amount of effort in fleshing out a new chain of events. The plot itself is gripping, with a mystery that does not fully resolve itself until the final pages yet holds the reader's interest throughout. While the ending presages the descent into the grim world of her sequels, Ha'penny and Half A Crown, it offers a very real meditation on the choices people make and the price that they pay for them. It all comes together for a suspenseful tale that appeals to both fans of alternate history and anyone who enjoys a good mystery novel.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This has all the trademarks of a classic Agatha Christie style murder mystery. It is beautifully recreated in terms of historical setting, dialogue and characterisation and has the interesting twist of being set in a parallel world to ours.
in this world Hitler has taken over most of Europe, Jews are being eradicated ruthlessly and England is a fragile safe haven where a political accord between the UK and Hitler is in place.
Dark forces stir when a murder occurs amongst the top ranking politicians of the day and the balance of power starts to tip towards fascism and a totalitarian state.
Entertaining, well written and compelling this is the first of a trilogy and I will definitely be reading the next one.
in this world Hitler has taken over most of Europe, Jews are being eradicated ruthlessly and England is a fragile safe haven where a political accord between the UK and Hitler is in place.
Dark forces stir when a murder occurs amongst the top ranking politicians of the day and the balance of power starts to tip towards fascism and a totalitarian state.
Entertaining, well written and compelling this is the first of a trilogy and I will definitely be reading the next one.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Enjoyable Murder Mystery in Alternate Britain
The story is set in an alternate Britain, one that had made peace with Nazi Germany in 1941. Now in the late 1940's Britain is enjoying it's peace with Germany and the people who... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Killie
A refreshing take on a murder mystery
What a great discovery this book is. Let's not worry about what box it needs to fit into - it's a ripping yarn which to me is the best type of book, who cares whether it's a... Read more
Published 16 months ago by J. Draper
Sinister and gripping page turner
A gripping, yet depressing and sobering novel set in an alternate 1949 where Britain made peace with Hitler back in 1941 and where a political murder is staged and blame thrown on... Read more
Published 23 months ago by John Hopper
An excellent crime book in the genre of Fatherland
Set in an alternate world where the UK made peace with Hitler rather than defeated him, this book isn't starting with a particularly original premise, but still manages to craft an... Read more
Published on 22 May 2008 by T. A. Sinclair
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