Death in the Setting Sun (Isis Mystery) [Large Print] [Paperback]

Deryn Lake (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2006 | Series: Isis Mystery

Apothecary John Rawlings and his wife, Emilia, are delighted and honoured to be invited to a Christmas Mask gathering to be held in the grounds of Gunnersbury House, hosted by Princess Amelia, a close relation of King George II. Excited by the sense of occasion, and by her first large formal gathering since the birth of their infant daughter, Emilia spends a long time choosing and refining her costume for the ball. Once at Gunnersbury House, the event is everything the Apothecary and his wife could have wished for and John Rawlings considers Emilia the belle of the ball in her fetching red cloak to keep out the December chill. After talking to friends he catches sight of her heading outside, and follows to spend some time walking with her through the magnificent grounds. Tragically, when he finds Emilia she is bleeding to death after being stabbed through the heart. Stricken with grief, John Rawlings is numb. But when his former friends, the Blind Beak and Joe Jago, enforcers in law, are ordered to arrest him as the prime suspect, the Apothecary flees to Devon to seek help from an old ally. Discovering the identity of his wife s murderer is crucial, not just to see Justice served, but to save his own neck from the gallows...

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Deryn Lake is the pseudonym of a well-known historical novelist who joined the popular ranks of historical detective writers with her gripping John Rawlings Mysteries. Deryn Lake lives near Hastings, East Sussex. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 358 pages
• Publisher: ISIS Large Print Books; large type edition edition (September 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0753175045
• ISBN-13: 978-0753175040
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,855,270 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing plot, predictable killer, my least favorite of the series, March 2, 2011

By 

L. J. Roberts (Oakland, CA, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Death in the Setting Sun (Crime Collection) (Hardcover)

First Sentence: Like many seasons that are destined to be severe, the winter of 1764 started moderately enough with mild evenings, crisp leaf falls, and a lot of fine clear sunshine in the daytime.

Apothecary John Rawlings is father to a very intelligent daughter, Rose, married to Emilia and expecting their second child. Emilia is surprised to be invited to Gunnersbury House and to take part in a Christmas Mask for Princess Amelia. When, after the play, John looks for Emilia, he finds her bleeding to death in the snow wearing the red cloak of another woman who claims she was the intended victim. But it is John who is accused of murder, set to be arrested and encouraged to escape in order to find the true killer.

Unfortunately, this was one of my least favorite books in what has otherwise been a very good series. However, it is not without its strengths.

Lake creates a very good sense of place and time through her detailed descriptions, manners, dress and the syntax of the characters' speech. She also conveys a wonderful sense of impending doom without using foreshadowing, as is so common. That is something I very much appreciated.

There was a redundancy in describing Rose, but I can forgive that. What I've always had a problem with is a fault in John's character. On one hand, John is smart, generous and I appreciate the gratitude and affection has for his father. However, it is his apparent fickleness toward women that has made him a difficult character toward I can feel empathy. That is a problem. Not liking the protagonist can definitely shade my feeling toward the story. Beyond that, I had a greater complaint.

The greatest fault I had with the book was that the story's plot lacked depth. There was one very large coincidence and, to me, the killer was obvious from the start, even if the motive was not.

Every author should be allowed an off book. Due to the strength of her previous books, I am not giving up on Ms. Lake. Instead, my fingers are crossed that the next book in this series will return to the series I so enjoy.

DEATH IN THE SETTING SUN (Hist Mys-John Rawlings-England-Georgian) - Okay
Lake, Deryn - 10th in series
Allison & Busby, ©2004, UK Hardcover - ISBN: 0749083654