Days Without Number [Paperback]

Robert Goddard (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 329 pages
• Publisher: Bantam Books (2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0593047648
• ISBN-13: 978-0593047644
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #522,402 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A page turner from beginning to end, August 18, 2003

By 

Reba White Williams (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Days Without Number (Paperback)

Days Without Number is crammed with enough surprises, twists, and suspense to keep the most blasé mystery reader guessing; a page-turner from beginning to end. The plot revolves around the Paleologus family, and the family house, Trennor, in Cornwall. The only member of the family living in the house is 84-year-old Michael, the father, and the story is told from the point of view of Nick, the youngest son, who returns to Cornwall at the request of his two sisters and two brothers. A stranger has made a fabulous offer for Trennor, well over the market value. Their father doesn't want to sell, but his adult children need the money.

The offer has been conveyed by Elspeth Hartley, who explains its generosity; she says that because she and the man she represents believe an important historical relic is hidden in Trennor's walls. Nick joins with his brothers and sisters to try to persuade their father to sell, but before any decision can be made, a sudden death, followed by a macabre discovery in Trennor, a sinister anonymous communication, and disaster piled on disaster, lead Nick to the conclusion that someone is toying with his family, perhaps even conspiring to destroy them.

Throughout the book, Goddard uses location and atmosphere to enhance the mystery and the feeling of doom. Each of the characters comes alive for the reader, especially Nick, whose tragic past is gradually revealed as the mystery plays out. He journeys to Scotland and to Venice in search of answers, especially the identities of his tormentors. He learns nearly everything before the book is finished, and undergoes profound changes in the course of his discovery. No one could forecast the end.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A page turner from beginning to end, August 18, 2003

By 

Reba White Williams (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Days Without Number (Paperback)

Days Without Number is crammed with enough surprises, twists, and suspense to keep the most blasé mystery reader guessing; a page-turner from beginning to end. The plot revolves around the Paleologus family, and the family house, Trennor, in Cornwall. The only member of the family living in the house is 84-year-old Michael, the father, and the story is told from the point of view of Nick, the youngest son, who returns to Cornwall at the request of his two sisters and two brothers. A stranger has made a fabulous offer for Trennor, well over the market value. Their father doesn't want to sell, but his adult children need the money.

The offer has been conveyed by Elspeth Hartley, who explains its generosity; she says that because she and the man she represents believe an important historical relic is hidden in Trennor's walls. Nick joins with his brothers and sisters to try to persuade their father to sell, but before any decision can be made, a sudden death, followed by a macabre discovery in Trennor, a sinister anonymous communication, and disaster piled on disaster, lead Nick to the conclusion that someone is toying with his family, perhaps even conspiring to destroy them.

Throughout the book, Goddard uses location and atmosphere to enhance the mystery and the feeling of doom. Each of the characters comes alive for the reader, especially Nick, whose tragic past is gradually revealed as the mystery plays out. He journeys to Scotland and to Venice in search of answers, especially the identities of his tormentors. He learns nearly everything before the book is finished, and undergoes profound changes in the course of his discovery. No one could forecast the end.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Way above average thriller, April 22, 2004

By 

James G. Greenhill "Jim Greenhill" (Durango, CO USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Days Without Number (Paperback)

I picked this up because it's set in places near my home in Cornwall, so I thought it would be fun -- & it is, great fun. It gets dinged one star because the sense of place is weak. Goddard drops real place names but fails to describe them in a way that would bring them to life for someone who hasn't been there.

One reviewer said this isn't Goddard's best. If that's the case, then I'm in for a treat, because it's my first & I enjoyed it enough to want to read more Goddard. The plot is compelling &, delightfully, intelligent. Some of the spiritual & ethical questions raised by the book are fairly thought-provoking. Yet it's also a page-turning thriller. Quite an achievement.

I was also impressed with the characters, who are well developed, especially the protagonist. Well worth the read.