The Butcher Of Smithfield
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Review
"A mine of historical information." --"Kirkus Reviews"
Book Description
Susanna Gregory, creator of the Matthew Bartholomew series of mediaeval mysteries, has created another compelling fictional detective set in Restoration London.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Thomas Challoner is supposedly one of the best spies in Restoration London - but you'd never think it by watching him operate in these books. He blabs about his missions to every stranger he meets; any time he disguises himself, he's seen through immediately; he thinks other spies are rubbish at their jobs and then realises they've reached the right conclusions he couldn't see for himself etc. etc.
Gregory bases her plot on real historical characters and events but just isn't very good, in my opinion, at turning them into novels. The narrative is so self-consciously patronising with a kind of nudge, nudge, wink, wink attitude about how quaint these historical characters are to (for example) believe cucumbers are poisonous... There's also a huge nod to the reader when mentioning current places such as St. Paul's or Holborn.
This is the kind of novel where characters 'forget' that the ex-head of Cromwell's intelligence service is a puritan! Under all the tosh is an interesting plot somewhere but you'll have to push a lot of rubbish out of the way to find it. Not recommended.
Gregory bases her plot on real historical characters and events but just isn't very good, in my opinion, at turning them into novels. The narrative is so self-consciously patronising with a kind of nudge, nudge, wink, wink attitude about how quaint these historical characters are to (for example) believe cucumbers are poisonous... There's also a huge nod to the reader when mentioning current places such as St. Paul's or Holborn.
This is the kind of novel where characters 'forget' that the ex-head of Cromwell's intelligence service is a puritan! Under all the tosh is an interesting plot somewhere but you'll have to push a lot of rubbish out of the way to find it. Not recommended.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book is truly excellent - everything an historical murder mystery should be, and more.
I like Thomas Challoner even better than her medieval chappie (which is still a firm favourite of mine). But this period is fascinating, rumbustious and so impeccably researched it's a total delight to read.
...and I say this as something of an amateur expert on mid 17thC social & military history! Nothing seems out of place, and everything fits so seamlessly into the story.
It's a great ride, the pace is perfect, from fast-action sequences to more philosophical and social rambles. I love the detail. I love the way we really get a feel for Challoners life. I even felt hungry on his behalf at one point!! (although not for rat stew! Argh!)
Very twisty plot as ever, a touch of the Shardlake style here - and that's intended as a compliment. Indeed, I think those two are my top favourite history-mystery authors at the moment- and fabulous as a brain-teaser.
The earlier two books are reccomended to be read first, but not absoluitely neccessary as the story is very stand-alone, thankfully. Now I can't wait to get hold of her fourth book in this series!
I like Thomas Challoner even better than her medieval chappie (which is still a firm favourite of mine). But this period is fascinating, rumbustious and so impeccably researched it's a total delight to read.
...and I say this as something of an amateur expert on mid 17thC social & military history! Nothing seems out of place, and everything fits so seamlessly into the story.
It's a great ride, the pace is perfect, from fast-action sequences to more philosophical and social rambles. I love the detail. I love the way we really get a feel for Challoners life. I even felt hungry on his behalf at one point!! (although not for rat stew! Argh!)
Very twisty plot as ever, a touch of the Shardlake style here - and that's intended as a compliment. Indeed, I think those two are my top favourite history-mystery authors at the moment- and fabulous as a brain-teaser.
The earlier two books are reccomended to be read first, but not absoluitely neccessary as the story is very stand-alone, thankfully. Now I can't wait to get hold of her fourth book in this series!
Format:Paperback
Ok first a quote from Wiki about exposition.
"When the presentation of information in fiction becomes wordy, it is sometimes referred to as an "information dump," "exposition dump," or "plot dump." Information dumps expressed by characters in dialogue or monologue are sometimes referred to as "idiot lectures."
The dialogue in this book is just one "idiot lecture" after another. In this example the main character Chaloner is talking to a minor character Greeting, about his friend Maylord.
"Maylord," he prompted. "Does he still live on Thames Street ?"
Greeting frowned. "I had forgotten you and he were acquainted. He taught your father the viol, I understand and was kind to you when you first arrived in London. He was a good man, and we all miss him. He died on Friday."
This is just one example of the frequent "exposition dumps" that make the dialogue completely unbelievable, and similar even more laborious exchanges occur on nearly every page ! If you're looking for historical detective novels set in a similar era, try the C.J. Sansom "Shardlake" series, a much better writer in my opinion.
"When the presentation of information in fiction becomes wordy, it is sometimes referred to as an "information dump," "exposition dump," or "plot dump." Information dumps expressed by characters in dialogue or monologue are sometimes referred to as "idiot lectures."
The dialogue in this book is just one "idiot lecture" after another. In this example the main character Chaloner is talking to a minor character Greeting, about his friend Maylord.
"Maylord," he prompted. "Does he still live on Thames Street ?"
Greeting frowned. "I had forgotten you and he were acquainted. He taught your father the viol, I understand and was kind to you when you first arrived in London. He was a good man, and we all miss him. He died on Friday."
This is just one example of the frequent "exposition dumps" that make the dialogue completely unbelievable, and similar even more laborious exchanges occur on nearly every page ! If you're looking for historical detective novels set in a similar era, try the C.J. Sansom "Shardlake" series, a much better writer in my opinion.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Gripping
The author does a superb job of conveying the dirty, smelly, crowded, violent squalid and miserable city which was Restoration London.
How little it's changed ... Read more
How little it's changed ... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Eighth of Seven
The Butcher of Smithfield
Very disappointed I thoroughly enjot the Matthew Bartholomew series
Unfortunately, for me the chaloner series is not as good, not so believable
Unfortunately, for me the chaloner series is not as good, not so believable
Published on 23 Feb 2010 by mary
Really absorbing historical novel
I really enjoy Susanna Gregory's books and become absorbed in the historical detail. A really good story.
Published on 13 Feb 2010 by Gaynor Madoc Leonard
Thomas Chaloner
I thouroughly enjoyed this book and am looking forward to books 4 and 5 in the series. I love Thomas chaloner, I also like the fact that the villians are not obvious so you are... Read more
Published on 6 Nov 2009 by Mrs. Joyce Travers
Murder Judged as a Lesser Art.
As someone with a Masters degree in Creative Writing and an Honours degree in Eng. Lit. I am a passable Academic myself. Read more
Published on 3 May 2009 by Jackdaw
Cracking Continual Spy Romp
Taking place in the years after the reign of England only Lord Protector (Oliver Cromwell), this cracking third book from author Susanna has been a treat to savour with a... Read more
Published on 4 Mar 2008 by Gareth Wilson - Falcata Times Blog
Third in Thomas Chaloner Mysteries
Susanna Gregory is the pseudonym of a Cambridge academic who was previously a coroner's officer. Her series of mediaeval mysteries have gained a formidable following. Read more
Published on 21 Jan 2008 by J. Chippindale
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