Customer Reviews

Oscar Wilde and the Candlelight Murders

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

DO be aware that this title has also been released under the name "Oscar Wilde and a Death of no Importance". (Probably a better title than "The Candlelight Murders", referencing as it does Wilde's famous play but confusing none the less.)
I was not aware of this fact and bought both, thinking it was another in the otherwise quite enjoyable series. I have since been informed that at least one other of the books has also been published under another name. It pays to check out the reviews BEFORE you buy, .....it seems there aren't as many in the series as it first appears, and you too could end up with unwanted duplicate copies.

For a large portion of the book, it seemed as if I was reading Oscar Wilde's own writing.. Gyles Brandreth has projected Wilde's writing so well into the character of Oscar Wilde in this book. Narrated in the first person of Robert Sherard, Oscar's friend, this book draws from Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes as well. Sherard plays Dr. Watson to Oscar's Holmes. Arthur Conan Doyle is introduced as Oscar's newly met friend, and his presence is woven into the plot as only a skillful story-teller can do.

The plot is around a young boy called Billy Woods who is found by Oscar, murdered in a candle-lit room, apparently in some sort of ritualistic sacrifice. As Oscar and Robert go about London unraveling the mystery, we are treated to some scintillating dialog - not just about the murder, but of life and love. The author naturally and effortlessly spins the threads of his story in and out of Oscar's real life - juxtaposing the murder plot which involves homosexuality, against Oscar Wilde's eventual conviction for "gross indecency with other men" [which though not part of this story, is mentioned in Robert Sherard's narrative]. The murder plot is revealed in the end by Oscar holding center stage (a la Hercule Poirot), in a room where he has invited all parties concerned - the police, the murderer, his friends who have helped his investigations along knowingly or otherwise. And what a twist to the tale in the end!

Thoroughly enjoyed this book, and will surely read the others in the series. In one word "un-put-down-able"!

The Oscar Wilde series is extremely interesting. You get to know more about the man, even while he is running around behind the scenes getting more clues to the solution. Here's a hoot, Arthur Conan Doyle appears...they actually were friends.

The only thing I can say right now is that the book came in fine shape and shipped very quickly.