- Paperback: 353 pages
- Publisher: Clearway Logistics Phase 1a (30 Oct 2007)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0385339909
- ISBN-13: 978-0385339902
- Product Dimensions: 13.2 x 2 x 20.3 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 164,673 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Review
Cleverly is a great strategist and this intricately plotted mystery is one of her best. -- New York Times. 8.4.10
Excellent. ...deceptive story-telling enhanced by the kind of in-depth characterization lacking in Agatha Christie... -- Publishers Weekly (Red star review) March 2010
This is the best Sandilands book so far. And if you haven't already discovered the series, it's a perfect spot to begin. -- Toronto Globe. April 2010
A consummate practitioner of the historical mystery... a true whodunit... fills it with rich characterizations... a treat for connoisseurs of literate entertainment.
-- Richmond Times. April 2010 --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Excellent. ...deceptive story-telling enhanced by the kind of in-depth characterization lacking in Agatha Christie... -- Publishers Weekly (Red star review) March 2010
This is the best Sandilands book so far. And if you haven't already discovered the series, it's a perfect spot to begin. -- Toronto Globe. April 2010
A consummate practitioner of the historical mystery... a true whodunit... fills it with rich characterizations... a treat for connoisseurs of literate entertainment.
-- Richmond Times. April 2010 --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Book Description
A dazzling new novel from Barbara Cleverly, introducing Laetitia 'Letty' Talbot, an aspiring archaeologist with a passion for adventure.
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
So what chance for humans? And, sure enough...
Cleverly uses the device of the prologue again in this first-of-series and to great effect. As usual, the seeds of the story are sown in the very early chapters and the author trusts that the reader will stay alert and pick up all the clues as it moves along. Links are made through time and myth - e.g. a golden youth who drives his Bugatti over a cliff makes echoes with the son of Theseus who drove his chariot into the sea, both men fleeing, thousands of years apart in time, from accusations of the same sin. Cleverly never cheats the readers (though she doesn't spoon-feed them) and the clues to the primary and the secondary murders are hidden in plain sight, resulting in one satisfying solution.
The unravelling is done by a dashing new heroine who makes Maisie Dobbs look very frowsty. Armed with spade and Luger and a lot of attitude, Laetitia battles male intolerance in the world of archaeology to dig up and expose truths long buried as well as a fresh and personally distressing murder. The wonderfully evocative setting is Crete in the golden years of its archaeological discoveries and this, along with the intriguing characters and challenging ideas linger long after the last page has been read. You get much more than a mystery story for your money.
Cleverly uses the device of the prologue again in this first-of-series and to great effect. As usual, the seeds of the story are sown in the very early chapters and the author trusts that the reader will stay alert and pick up all the clues as it moves along. Links are made through time and myth - e.g. a golden youth who drives his Bugatti over a cliff makes echoes with the son of Theseus who drove his chariot into the sea, both men fleeing, thousands of years apart in time, from accusations of the same sin. Cleverly never cheats the readers (though she doesn't spoon-feed them) and the clues to the primary and the secondary murders are hidden in plain sight, resulting in one satisfying solution.
The unravelling is done by a dashing new heroine who makes Maisie Dobbs look very frowsty. Armed with spade and Luger and a lot of attitude, Laetitia battles male intolerance in the world of archaeology to dig up and expose truths long buried as well as a fresh and personally distressing murder. The wonderfully evocative setting is Crete in the golden years of its archaeological discoveries and this, along with the intriguing characters and challenging ideas linger long after the last page has been read. You get much more than a mystery story for your money.
Format:Hardcover
I enjoyed this story - as I have hundreds in a similar cosy vein over the last many years.
No gore, no graphic sex scenes, plenty of descriptions of the scenery and the usual rather limited 'stock' whodunnit characters (think Agatha Christie suspects in an archeological dig from the perspective of an emancipated young 1920s woman). The heroine is quite an attractive character and it would be interesting to see her in action for more books, although she may have locked herself into the 'romance' a little early for a series.
Basic plot predictable, few actual suspects to choose between, a couple of other characters described early on in fairly promising detail but thereafter mere wallpaper. A few modern words missed by the editor (e.g. 'input' which wasn't used in 1928 conversations as far as I know) but nothing too jarring.
It passed a pleasant, rainy Sunday by the fire. I shall probably read the sequel when it comes out, but will borrow it from the Library.
No gore, no graphic sex scenes, plenty of descriptions of the scenery and the usual rather limited 'stock' whodunnit characters (think Agatha Christie suspects in an archeological dig from the perspective of an emancipated young 1920s woman). The heroine is quite an attractive character and it would be interesting to see her in action for more books, although she may have locked herself into the 'romance' a little early for a series.
Basic plot predictable, few actual suspects to choose between, a couple of other characters described early on in fairly promising detail but thereafter mere wallpaper. A few modern words missed by the editor (e.g. 'input' which wasn't used in 1928 conversations as far as I know) but nothing too jarring.
It passed a pleasant, rainy Sunday by the fire. I shall probably read the sequel when it comes out, but will borrow it from the Library.
3 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I have been fan of Barbara Cleverly since reading her first book and have almost all of them. I was hoping for more than I found, As always her book was beautifully written but the character of Laetitia did not engage the attention as did that of Joe Sandilands, I was conscious of a distinct desire to skip sections rather than devouring every word. I did not feel the interest in the period or the place in which the book is set, even though I have read extensively on the archaeology and geography of Crete. I have to say I expected more.
However I did finish it and I will probably buy the next one in hopes that I will enjoy it more.
However I did finish it and I will probably buy the next one in hopes that I will enjoy it more.
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