| ||||||||||||||||||
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Plus, get an extra £5 Gift Certificate when you trade in books worth £10 or more before June 30, 2012. Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. |
Frequently Bought Together
Product details
|
More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
The dramatic theft of an 18th Century painting is discovered just moments before the old manor house uniquely depicted in the background of the portrait is set alight, coincidence? Does the reputation of the Baronet, the subject of the painting, as a hell-raiser and member of the Crustacean club have any connection to the fire? Events become decidedly more complex as a grisly spectacle is sighted in the blazing inferno moments before the roof collapses. The pile of bones spotted in the burning room only deepens the mystery which Detective Inspector Sloan and Detective Constable Crosby have to piece together, a puzzle which has its roots deep in Berebury's history. Although Tolmie Park has had a somewhat chequered and mysterious past there are those in the community who would fight to preserve it. There are also a number of factions within the area who have differing plans to develop the property, shrouding the blaze in further suspicion. It is up to the team to sift through this assortment of characters and illuminate the truth; in this close knit village of Berebury somebody must have answers.
Suggested Tags from Similar Products(What's this?)Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product)
|
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
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I first started reading the Sloan/Crosby series when they were in Fontana paperbacks in the 70s. The light touch and the regular two main characters have always meant they are an easy read and "Losing Ground" is no different. However one major complaint, two-thirds of the way through two of the characters change their surname - I had to check back to make sure that the Wendy Pullen who had just appeared was in fact the same as the Wendy Pullman who's been in the first 150 pages, and she is. It's not a one-off as for the last 50 or so pages the Pullmans stay as Pullens. No excuse!
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
6 reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Flat and unprofitable
20 Oct 2008
Format:Hardcover
I'm a long time fan of Catherine Aird's police procedurals, and usually enjoy the subtle humor that leavens the scenes as Chief Inspection C.D. Sloan works his way through his cases. But I'm sorry I spent the time it took to read this short book. It brought to mind Hamlet's phrase: "weary, stale, flat and unprofitable."
In "Losing Ground," which I was eager to read as the latest in the series, Aird's subtle wit and humor is displayed. But the Inspector's sardonic thoughts during his conversations quickly became annoying because they aren't accompanied by the development of an engaging story. Not at all. The plot is negligible - literally not very much happens at all. Nor are the characters more than an inch deep.
Bottom line: a disappointment, did not meet my expectations for a book from such an accomplished author.
In "Losing Ground," which I was eager to read as the latest in the series, Aird's subtle wit and humor is displayed. But the Inspector's sardonic thoughts during his conversations quickly became annoying because they aren't accompanied by the development of an engaging story. Not at all. The plot is negligible - literally not very much happens at all. Nor are the characters more than an inch deep.
Bottom line: a disappointment, did not meet my expectations for a book from such an accomplished author.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Disappointment
9 Sep 2008
Format:Hardcover
I am a big fan of Catherine Aird's detective fiction and would have given this book only one star if it were not by her. It is a disappointment to those who love her books and read them over and over again. It is flat; nothing seems to happen except for what we are to read as "cunning" dialogue (something Aird is usually so good with); the characters are shallow and not that funny or involved in the action. It is more a novella than novel and not worth the few hours you'd spend with it. Pass it by.
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
fabulous English police procedural
28 Jun 2008
Format:Hardcover
In Tolmie Park near Berebury, a thief stole the eighteenth century portrait of the 4th Baronet Sir Filligee from the wall; the artist Peter de Vesey was a local Calleshire aristocratic portrait painter still well known in the region. Soon after the theft, arson occurred to the somewhat dilapidated yet majestic country house; before the roof caved in bones were seen.
Detective Chief Inspector C.D. "Seedy" Sloan, assisted by Detective Constable Crosby, leads the investigation into what may be a homicide, but art theft and arson for sure. The two cops quickly learn that the historical house and property are part of a major dispute between developers and preservationists while a nouveau riche pop star Kevin Cowlick wants to buy the estate. Sloan wonders who would go so far as to commit arson.
This is a fabulous English police procedural as Seedy works the case by following clues that lead to dead ends. The cast is solid, but it is the lead detective, his junior partner, and the estate make for a fine tale as the audience will obtain a taste of what is happening to the English historical properties. Sub-genre fans will enjoy the latest Calleshire whodunit (see HOLE IN ONE).
Harriet Klausner
Detective Chief Inspector C.D. "Seedy" Sloan, assisted by Detective Constable Crosby, leads the investigation into what may be a homicide, but art theft and arson for sure. The two cops quickly learn that the historical house and property are part of a major dispute between developers and preservationists while a nouveau riche pop star Kevin Cowlick wants to buy the estate. Sloan wonders who would go so far as to commit arson.
This is a fabulous English police procedural as Seedy works the case by following clues that lead to dead ends. The cast is solid, but it is the lead detective, his junior partner, and the estate make for a fine tale as the audience will obtain a taste of what is happening to the English historical properties. Sub-genre fans will enjoy the latest Calleshire whodunit (see HOLE IN ONE).
Harriet Klausner
Were these reviews 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.
|
