Customer Reviews

Our Lady of Pain

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(12)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As police procedurals go, Elena Forbes' new novel, "Our Lady of Pain," seems to walk the walk and talk the talk . . . as far as I know. Not having much experience other than traipsing alongside an author who fashions a microcosmic crime-fighting world based on what I assume would be good researching skills, I find this second installment of the Barnes Murder Squad series of CSI-type mysteries realistic in the way the crime unravels due to the efforts of the detectives as they flounder though the quagmire of their own expectations and personal flaws.

Forbes' employs the same techniques as Donna Leon in her Venice-based Commissario Guido Brunetti series and Lindsey Davis in her Roman historicals featuring Emperior Vespasian-commissioned Marcus Didius Falco to present not only a completely satisfying episodic situation in the careerography of their protagonists but to further flesh out in terms of actual character psyche the full spectrum of the personal agenda, incremented in only the baby step that the timeline of the story allows.

Where Leon concentrates on family man Brunetti and Davis on the cynical yet humorous Roman citizen Falco, Forbes takes her cue from Michelangelo, fashioning an operatic giant of a man that in her own words she describes as physically resembling thirty-something baratone-hunk Ildebrando D'Arcangelo. A supposed outsider to the London city scene, Mark Tartaglia is a Scot of Italian extraction with an almost stereotypical touchy-feely family concerned with little else but the status of his dating life. Young, handsome and wrought with a lethal efficiency, Tartaglia dominates the novel as the quiet hero; it is quite evident that Forbes is grooming him to be the next star in a BBC produced adaptation of her series. Unlike Davis's comedic Falco whose farcical antics and acerbic wife makes for the expected absurd and entertaining read, Forbes' man Tartaglia waxes between real and caricature, marrying the sex appeal of a subdued Simon Templar to the stoic bone-cracking assuredness of Stephen Seagal. Unfortunately for Forbes' her characterization doesn't always ring true. Difficult as it is for a female author to tell her tale from the male vantage point, Forbes, at times, fails to deliver. Tartaglia seems a character fabricated from the feminine idea of perfect maleness rather than the stuff of reality. Like Michael Dibdin's Aurelio Zen, he needs a flaw--or many flaws--not just his aloneness to catapult him out of the Heathcliff-hewn whimsy of romance into the gritty and more fascinating realm of winsome defect.

Having not read Forbes' first installment of this series, "[Die with Me]," I had little familiarity with the historic interchange between the two major characters of Tataglia and Samantha Donovan. But obviously the burgeoning relationship intends to impart nothing new. In "Our Lady of Pain," Forbes creates a predictable attraction that will be developed in further episodes where the two will alternately tango between liking one another and other secondary players to ease and tighten the tension according to the author's whim and hopefully resulting in the reader's ultimate pleasure.

In terms of plot line, "Our Lady of Pain" boasts of a sophisticated yet sordid little story of jaded affections. Precipitated by the murder of a young and attractive gallery owner, the Murder Squad cranks into high intellectual gear, following clues and working off of intuitions that eventually lead to a satisfying albeit weak conclusion. Admirably, Forbes systematically situates her guest-staring characters in a sparkling cavalcade of life in the City -- emotionally charged with enough guilt and angst to make the reader almost forget about the disappointing lack of development with regard to her major players. Nevertheless, in accomplishing a complete story where the complex composition of a murderer is explored proves that Forbes can deliver. She need only concentrate on the more difficult task of crafting the less intense more subtle psychologies of her regulars. The seemingly "normal" hide even more than those who lash out.

Bottom line: Elena Forbes' "Our Lady of Pain" explores the darker side of love and obsession in an interesting yet routine little tale set in modern day London. A page-turner from the get-go, the actual procedure of this police procedural glides along with a slickness that seasoned followers of this genre will definitely enjoy. Recommended with the hope that Forbes will add more complicated layers of reality to her main protagonists rather than just let them go the usual route of being attracted to one another while they sort through the trials and tribulations of accumulating notches on their respective relationship belts and garnering civic gold stars. I rate this as fluctuating between three and four stars.
Diana Faillace Von Behren
"reneofc"

Similar in style and cadence to the stories of Robert Goddard and P. D. James with a little bit of Ruth Rendell thrown in for good measure. Our Lady of Pain is a wonderful and literate murder mystery that engages the reader from the very first page.

While the plot is driven by the investigative team's probe into two brutal murders, the true beauty of the book lies in the author's meticulous development of the characters and their surroundings. The reader is allowed a voyeuristic look into the day to day existence of detectives Mark Tartaglia, Sam Donovan and Simon Turner from their work environment, to their co-workers and families as they work their case, scrutinizing every aspect of the lives of the victims and the suspected culprits. As they expose some unsavory aspects of the case to the light of day (a difficult task in rainy London) we follow the trail of scattered breadcrumb clues as the truth slowly emerges.

If I had one complaint about this book it is was with the character of Sam Donovan whose previous faulty judgment (read gullibility) in the Bridegroom case was repeatedly referred to and made her appear less professional than her male counterpart. (I have not read Ms. Forbes previous book "Die with Me", but I got the impression that Tartaglia too was involved in that case, however the author did not carry the question of HIS character's acumen and perception forward into this book). Perhaps I am just nit-picking, since on the whole I sincerely enjoyed reading experience.

No Michael Connelly style roller coaster ride here, no Lee Child super hero either, just well drawn characters and great atmospheric writing.

I found "Our Lady of Pain" to be a gripping and suspenseful story with a very surprising ending. I was a bit hesitant to read it for fear of it being too graphic so it sat for some weeks. When I finally had an opportunity to read it, I finished it in one day and really enjoyed it.

I had not read the first book in this series by Elena Forbes so was not familiar with the characters. I thought that they were believable, quite complex, and interesting. You gradually get to know them as the story unfolds and, especially in the case of the victim, learn some pretty surprising details about their private lives.

I saw that one of the other reviewers of this book mentioned that they had it figured out in the first few chapters. I cannot believe this as I was completely surprised by the ending and don't really feel I'm that naive.

There are many more detailed reviews already written so I will just add that I recommend this book without reservation to anyone that enjoys a good, modern day "Sherlock Holmes" type murder mystery. Or better yet, start with her first book, "Die With Me", and then move on to this one, just for the sake of continuity.

By the time I finished Elena Forbes' first Barnes Murder Squad Mystery, I was craving more. With an interesting blend of characters and plot in a London setting, Forbes exhibits a restless energy in her writing that makes for an engaging mystery. When I discovered Our Lady of Pain, I was anxious to immerse myself in the world of investigators Mark Tartaglia and Samantha Donovan as they pursue another baffling case, this time a young woman found in the park where she jogged each morning near her home. Rachel Tenison's nude body is pale and icy when it is found in the bushes, bent forward as though in prayer, hands and ankles bound, a poem inserted in her lifeless mouth, "O mystic and somber Delores, Our Lady of Pain." Every detail of this murder evokes striking images: the position of the body in the snow; the victim's pristine, spartan apartment; a locked trunk that contains all the accoutrements of the dark side, masks, chains, the paraphernalia of perversion.

It is soon clear that Tenison is not the person she first appears: the successful owner of an art gallery with an older partner and former lover; a step-brother with political clout who controls her estate and is profoundly attached to his step-sister; a lifelong friend, a mysterious women newly returned to London who is obviously hiding something from the detectives. In fact, all three of these characters are withholding information from Tartaglia, who is heading the investigation, each in his own self-interest. It falls to Mark to force these people to divulge what they prefer to hide, in spite of their obvious obfuscation. To Mark's discredit, he is easily manipulated by Rachel's friend, Liz Volpe, tolerating behavior he would not from a male person of interest. Tartaglia is equally fascinated by the murder victim, whose apparent innocence gives her power over most trusting males, including Tartaglia post-mortem.

While the energy was palpable and consistent in Die with Me, this novel gets tangled in context, including a prior murder that may or may not be connected to the victim in the park. But the recalcitrant witnesses to Rachel's life do little to endear themselves to the reader, none of them remotely sympathetic or interesting, save to Mark. This would be forgivable if they were worthy additions to the plot, but none are even dangerous enough to warrant further investigation. In fact, it is the members of the Barnes Murder Squad who are the most engaging, certain characters adding unexpected drama. If this plot is less than stellar, Forbes remains a compelling and talented writer, with plenty more to offer her fans in the future. Luan Gaines/ 2008.

A successful, beautiful art dealer, Rachel, is found murdered in snowy Holland Park in London. This beautifully written mystery takes us step by step through the police investigation of her surprisingly strange private life and the discovery that the murder was similar to one from a few years earlier. I must say that I usually know the outcome within a chapter or two when I read this kind of book --- but not in this case! There were several times when I thought I had the mystery solved and the author surprised me with yet another twist.

Another aspect of the book that I enjoyed was the feeling that I got to know the characters intimately. The police investigators were well drawn and I got a real sense of their reasoning re the case, but also of their personal motivations. The main investigator's interest in the victim reminded me of the old film "Laura," as he is learns more and more about Rachel.

I recommend this book without reservation to anyone who likes a good mystery. Actually, it rather reminds me of some of the PBS Mystery series. This book would make an excellent addition to that fine show.

Our Lady of Pain is the second in a series of murder mysteries by Elena Forbes. The first, Die with Me, introduced us to some of the key characters in this book. But fear not, if you've not read Die with Me, Our Lady of Pain is not a continuation of the same story, Forbes is simply employing some of the same characters. Having said that, if you enjoy Our Lady of Pain, as did I, you will enjoy then reading Die with Me, as the first novel will explain why some of characters in this book behave as they do.

Our Lady of Pain, as with Forbes' first novel, is set in London. It's a location Forbes knows well. Having lived there for a time myself, the sights, sounds and even the smells the author creates with her prose truly take you to the heart of London living.

The book opens with the death of a young woman jogging in Holland Park on a snowy week end morning. The rest of the book, of course, follows the investigation into her death. That investigation is led by Sam Donovan (female) and Mark Tartaglia, amongst others. One of the strong points of this book is that the author, while unraveling an intriguing murder mystery - is it the work of a serial killer or a singular murder of passion - also deeply explores the impact of the crime on the investigators. That, perhaps, is even more interesting.

Forbes is a talented author. Her character development is first rate, the plot filled with suspense and, as mentioned earlier, she delightfully immerses the reader in London life. Highly recommended!

Second book in the series, but I don't think that matters since this book holds it's own with very little flashback to book one.

On a cold and snowy morning, Rachel Tenison decided to take an early morning run through a London park, taking a break she hears something behind her and a voice calling her name. Thus begins the investigation into her nude and bound body, found in a prayer like position with a copy of a poem in her mouth; and a whole cast of characters under suspicion.

Mark Tartaglia and Samantha Donovan are put on the case and what develops is a twisted ride into the life of a naughty woman with quite a past of deceit and manipulation. Unfortunately, this isn't a singular episode and the past does come back home to roost.

Is it a copycat killer or do the two women have a secret in common?

Very good book - not too heavy and a little predictable at the end, but Forbes takes you on a nice adventure that has you engaged until the end.

Firstly, I want to say I really enjoyed this book. More of an ensemble piece than the normal police detective mystery, it examines the characters and their relationships with little dependence on forensic science or police procedural methods. The upside of this is all of the characters are people you want to know more about. Since this is apparently part of a series this is a good thing.

The pacing of the writing is very good; it never feels like a literary car chase, with too much happening at once. Ms. Forbes has a clear, almost plain style with an excellent sense of atmosphere. The book is also not as graphic as many mysteries these days. The overall theme seems to be `what do really know about your friend/lover?' You really get drawn in by the victims of these murders, and the people involved with them (or investigating them). The presumptions that people make based on superficial judgments are contrasted with the often awkward truths of their private lives.

When a well-known London art dealer is found murdered in Holland Park, the members of the Barnes Murder Squad are called in to investigate. The victim, Rachel Tenison, was an introverted young woman who had complicated relationships with her brother and best friend. Later, the squad gets a tip from the journalist that this murder might be connected with the murder of a university lecturer more than a year previously. There are a number of similarities between the two murders: both women were discovered lying in the same position, and both had experimented with S&M. In addition, Rachel was found with an excerpt from a Swinburne poem in her mouth, while Catherine Watson was a Swinburne scholar. I cringe to use the words "police procedural," but that's essentially what this novel is.

The Squad is an eclectic group: there's Donovan, who lives with her sister; Tartaglia, whose sister keeps trying to set him up with her friends; and Turner, who's having marriage problems. Forbes delves into the lives of these detectives, revealing them as more than just detectives on the hunt for a killer. That, to me, was one of the strengths of this book. It's a suspenseful, solid mystery with ends that tie up neatly, although I thought some of the coincidences were, well, a little too coincidental (I don't want to give up too much of the plot here). Forbes writes in succinct, clear prose, and this book is a fast-paced read. Our Lady of Pain is the second book in a series; references are made to the first, Die With Me, throughout.

DI Mark Tartaglia and his partner Sam(antha) Donovan were nearly killed by the serial killer known as the Bridegroom in Die With Me, Ms. Forbes first book, which was excellent, and now they're back in a book just as good.

Gallery Owner Rachel Tenison goes jogging in London's Holland Park one morning and is discovered a couple days later dead. She's naked, covered in snow and bound in a kneeling position with duct tape. In her mouth is an excerpt from a poem by Algernon Swinburne (1837 - 1909). Swinburn was considered pretty bloody explicit in his day as much of his work dealt with lesbianism and sadomasochism.

Then they find out this case is similar to the murder of of Catherine Watson, a university lecturer who lectured about, you guessed, Algernon Swinburne. Are the cases related? You think?

If you enjoyed Die With Me, and I did, you're going to love this book. I pretty much thought I had it worked out, but I didn't and that is the hallmark of a superb mystery.