- Hardcover: 372 pages
- Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton Ltd (1 Jun 2000)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0340695994
- ISBN-13: 978-0340695999
- Product Dimensions: 23.6 x 15.7 x 3.6 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,808,846 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Review
'The people depicted here are real and believable and the drabness and genteel facade of Fifties England is skilfully brought to life. Taylor is, as always, adept at showing the reality beneath the surface, as the characters interact and the unsavoury truth behind the murder is gradually revealed' -- Sunday Telegraph 'How skilfully he recreates the atmosphere of the time through innuendo, attitude and detail rather than dogged description ...Taylor is the master of small lives writ large' -- Frances Fyfield, Express (on THE SUFFOCATING NIGHT 'Taylor is an excellent writer' -- The Times 'What makes these novels transcend the average mystery is the author's uncanny ability to create another era so comprehensively that the reader is walking along the same pavements and driving the same cars' -- Independent
--This text refers to the
Paperback
edition.
Review
'The people depicted here are real and believable and the drabness and genteel facade of Fifties England is skilfully brought to life. Taylor is, as always, adept at showing the reality beneath the surface, as the characters interact and the unsavoury truth behind the murder is gradually revealed' (Sunday Telegraph )
'How skilfully he recreates the atmosphere of the time through innuendo, attitude and detail rather than dogged description . . .Taylor is the master of small lives writ large' (Frances Fyfield, Express (on THE SUFFOCATING NIGHT )
'Taylor is an excellent writer' (The Times )
'What makes these novels transcend the average mystery is the author's uncanny ability to create another era so comprehensively that the reader is walking along the same pavements and driving the same cars' (Independent ) --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
'How skilfully he recreates the atmosphere of the time through innuendo, attitude and detail rather than dogged description . . .Taylor is the master of small lives writ large' (Frances Fyfield, Express (on THE SUFFOCATING NIGHT )
'Taylor is an excellent writer' (The Times )
'What makes these novels transcend the average mystery is the author's uncanny ability to create another era so comprehensively that the reader is walking along the same pavements and driving the same cars' (Independent ) --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
25 of 34 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Mr Taylor throws many options into the pot for the murderer. He also zooms along at a pace and you think you know where you're going with the plot after you've turned every corner, as he directs. Until the bitter end. Twists and turns and a final twist from the unexpected. A very entertaining read and a wonderful excursion into the 50s.
6 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Moved at a good pace and had a well thought out plot that contained plenty of twists and turns before its climactic conclusion.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
2 reviews
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Great Reader, Very Good Story
26 Dec 2004
Format:Audio CD
Set in a small British village shortly after the end of World War II (electricity and in door plumbing are optional in a couple of the residences visited during the course of the story) this is an engrossing mystery.
The body of a young woman who was probably no better than she should be, is found floating among the willows. At first it is thought to be a rather straight forward drowning. Then the medical examiner points out that her underwear and stockings suggest that either she dressed herself in a hurry in the dark or that someone else dressed her. Suddenly, Mattie Harris' death puts into motion a great many actions by the men of the village, most of whom seem to have something to hide.
This may not appeal to fans of traditional detective fiction, but don't let the fact that it is not in the ordinary vein stop you from enjoying a leisurely stroll through a vanished time including a good dash of suspense. Taylor has a great sense of detail and very good descriptive powers. His characters are complex and fallible and almost-- forgive me-- Dickensian in their depiction. His narrative appeals to all of the senses, whether he is describing a plunge off a bridge or a leisurely bath.
I listened to the unabridged audio book in this case and cannot praise highly enough the vocal skills of the reader, Sheila Mitchell. At times I almost forgot that it was not a full cast production. The only difficulty I had was with the scene shifts. They were not always plainly marked so they caused a bit of confusion at times. Otherwise I am sorry that it ended and plan to lay hands on the other books in the series whether printed or audio.
The body of a young woman who was probably no better than she should be, is found floating among the willows. At first it is thought to be a rather straight forward drowning. Then the medical examiner points out that her underwear and stockings suggest that either she dressed herself in a hurry in the dark or that someone else dressed her. Suddenly, Mattie Harris' death puts into motion a great many actions by the men of the village, most of whom seem to have something to hide.
This may not appeal to fans of traditional detective fiction, but don't let the fact that it is not in the ordinary vein stop you from enjoying a leisurely stroll through a vanished time including a good dash of suspense. Taylor has a great sense of detail and very good descriptive powers. His characters are complex and fallible and almost-- forgive me-- Dickensian in their depiction. His narrative appeals to all of the senses, whether he is describing a plunge off a bridge or a leisurely bath.
I listened to the unabridged audio book in this case and cannot praise highly enough the vocal skills of the reader, Sheila Mitchell. At times I almost forgot that it was not a full cast production. The only difficulty I had was with the scene shifts. They were not always plainly marked so they caused a bit of confusion at times. Otherwise I am sorry that it ended and plan to lay hands on the other books in the series whether printed or audio.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Page Turner
11 July 2010
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Love Andrew Taylor. Purchased this for a good, quick summer read at the beach. I finished way too quickly!
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