Customer Reviews

River of Darkness

5 star:		(35)
4 star:		(25)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

River Of Darkness by Rennie Airth is set just after the first world war, in 1921. The story opens with the discovery of the horrifying stabbing of Colonel Fletcher, his wife and two of their staff. At first it looks like robbery, but Lucy Fletcher, the Colonels wife has her throat cut, and the robbery looks staged. Their child found under the bed is unable to speak.

When I first started reading it I found myself to some degree confusing Maddam of Scotland Yard with Inspector Rutledge of Scotland Yard, first introduced to us in `Test Of Wills', by Charles Todd.. Both men have served at the front, and both are now back at Scotland Yard considerably harrowed by their experiences, which is clear by their hollowed and general appearance of fatigue. But I soon found that the story in River Of Darkness overtook me, being more interesting than the person investigating. It is a powerful, complex and gripping tale.

Much of it is narrated by Billy Styles, a young constable eager to prove himself as a police officer. Also I found that the evidence of the effects of war more effective. Rennie Airth transports you back to that time. I really felt that I was there, some of the descriptions are vivid, and I felt for the people trying to put their lives back together. It is clear that with the great loses that this war incurred, everyone was touched in some way.

Apart from being a compelling read, this book is beautifully written, and unusual, in that we are to a degree conditioned that most times we know little about the murder victim, often we learn only about them until after they are a victim. To get to like a victim before they are murdered is rare and unexpected..

I urge you all to get a copy and read it.

Lizzie Hayes

This was one of those accidental finds. Rennie Airth better be working on his next mystery with Madden as the protagonist, or I will be extremely disappointed. This book was definitely a work of art and of love. I am very curious to know about the member of Airth's family that he modeled Madden after. As always the British and now the South Africans write with class and intelligence, and it is nice to see a new detective in the manner of P. D. James' Adam Dagliesh. Like other readers I can easily see this being made into a movie or one of the Mystery series on PBS. The plot of this book is plausible, the characters are very well-drawn out, the involvement of World War I in shaping the minds and lives of those who live in England after the war understandable and obviously well-researched. This is probably the best new mystery and author I have read for at least two years. I hope to see more of him in the future. Karen Sadler, Science Education, University of Pittsburgh

Historically based crime novels are popular. This is one of the best of this subgenre. Set in the more contemporary but still unfamiliar world of post-WW1 England, this book combines the police procedural with elements of the psychological crime novel. The story is told from both the prespective of the police and a psychopathic, but capable, serial killer. The period detail is convincing. The characters are drawn well, the plotting is superior, and the quality of writing very good. A very enjoyable book. I look forward to the sequel.

When five people are murdered in the rural village of Highfield, England, Inspector John Madden is sent from CID in Scotland Yard to oversee the crime scene. The First World War has just ended and in 1921 England is recovering from the terrible loss of lives in that endeavor; Inspector Madden has lost his wife and child as well, hoping for some peace now that the war has ended, but is quickly caught up in the senseless slaughter of a family, their maid and nanny. The weapon is a baffling choice and a cause for concern: all the victims were precisely stabbed with a bayonet.

There is one person the killer fails to notice, little Sophy Fletcher, who was hiding under her bed, wedged against the wall with her eyes shut tight. The village physician, Helen Blackwell, discovers the girl and takes her to recuperate in her home. Inspector Madden quietly speaks with the child; she is comforted by his calm mien and gentle manner. But it is Doctor Blackwell who introduces the more obscure approach to the case, psychology gradually introduced as a tool for solving criminal cases of this nature. Psychiatry is in its infancy, but Inspector Madden is inspired by a friend of Dr. Blackwell's, a Freudian who suggests a different protocol, working towards the killer's identity through his actions: "The soul of man is a far country, impossible to explore".

Just as Madden is making some headway, the Yard's bureaucracy intervenes and he is taken off the case in favor of a publicity-seeking investigator, Samson of Scotland Yard. The inquiry reaches a critical impasse. CID is divided between standard procedures and Madden's belief that this singular killer is driven by a unique ritualistic compulsion. Such an approach virtually unheard of at the time, the field of criminal forensics far removed from the psychology of a killer's motives.

The aftermath of war lies heavy on all the characters, especially Madden, scarred by physical and psychological injuries, Dr. Blackwell, who has lost a husband and two brothers and all the men returned from the service, changed by their experiences. The country is still reeling from economic deprivation and tragic personal losses. The murders are a grim reminder of the nature of violence, the quiet country villages decimated by the loss of soldiers. Into this nightmare, the ritualistic killer is born, a man whose soul was lost long ago, brutal fantasies his only preoccupation. Even as Madden focuses on the suspect, another slaying is planned, the innocent victims gathered in the family home, unsuspecting.

In quiet prose that carries the reader into the heart of the English countryside where murder lurks, a twisted mind evades the Inspector, a raptor with eyes fixed on his prey. Set in the early 20th century, these lawmen do not enjoy the refinements of current forensic science, yet Madden uses his battle-tempered wits to confound a predator as dangerous as any in the field. Luan Gaines/2005.

I bought this book because I was looking for something a little different from the action/suspense novels I typically read. Post WWI England setting, a Scotland Yard inspector, I figured I could expect a modern Sherlock Holmes or some stuffy intellectual mystery scenario.

Boy, was I wrong. If you are a fan of action, this book has more than enough for your tastes. There's violence, sex, intrigue, and one truly haunting psychotic killer. And memorable characters. From inspector Madden to the young constable Billy Styles and Dr. Helen Blackwell, all with fantastic little personal quirks that make them all the more human.

If you are squeamish, you might want to skip over some of the murder scene depictions. The language doesn't bother me but there's some pretty graphic stuff here. It helps to reveal the depravity of the killer, but if you can't take it, just turn the page.

One odd observation is that Airth is rather fond of the exclamation point. I've never seen so many in one book. They're everywhere. It works though. Keeps the tone strangely jovial, even with the undercurrents of theoretical criminal psychology and the brooding inspector Madden's determination to find his man. Lots of subtle humor in the narrative as well.

If you're an adreneline junkie, you shouldn't let this book pass you by, but it should appeal to readers of all kinds. Its one of those stories that you get really involved in. You never want it to end. And when it does, you want more. Can't wait to see what Rennie Airth comes up with next, and I hope he keeps his promise to bring back the character of Inspector Madden. I strongly suggest you buy this book.

4 1/2 stars.

It is 1921, England is revovering from WWI and war wounded are visable throughout the land. What cannot be seen is the men who are psychologically wounded and in need of help.

Colonel Fletcher and his wife and two staff members are murdered in Surrey, England.

Local police believe that this is a case of a violent robbery. Inspector John Madden is brought in from Scotland Yard. He sees the scene and knows it is something more. He's spent time in the trenches and knows that this is a crime of a psychopath who will probably strike again.

John Madden is a well developed protagonist. He's knowledgeable and determined to find the killer. His personal history is brought in gradually so that the reader gets to know him and sympathise with him as a character. The respect with which he is held by his assistant, Billy Styles, gives credibility to his keen knowledge both of people and of crime.

The setting is rural England which is nicely described. In fact, the author could be writing a screen adaptation because the descriptions are so vivid.

As is the case with many soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan today, the author seems to be telling his readers how little post tramatic syndrome is known and what psychological impact it can have on a person.

A most enjoyable read.

Rennie Airth's "River of Darkness" is an ambitious book. it wants to be a good psychological thriller while also being a good post World War I novel. Well, that fails. The psychology is sound, as the hero, John Madden, learns of what could be driving the killer. Madden is a haunted widower who is also scarred mentally from war. His love interest is also scarred in her own way, and she is also unconviningly forward with Madden. It seems so out of place. The history here is the best part. Airth does get the zeitgeist of 1920s Britain right. His characters, on the other hand, are flat and boring. The killer, who we meet early, is a one-trick pony. That really isn't interesting. Predictable maiden-in-distress as climax, and very predictable ending.

River of Darkness was either a winner or a nominee for six mystery awards - Edgar, Anthony, Dilys, Peters, Barry and McCavity. It deserves all of that recognition. Why? Because Airth has managed to combine some of the best of the classic British mystery (the aura of Dame Agatha lurks) with some of the most interesting aspects of newer detective fiction - psychology and post war trauma.

I'm looking forward to the promised sequel -- as the characters have lots of room for growth. It's also a great time period for exploration.

Least you think this is a cozy, please be aware that in Pike, Airth has created a portrait of evil that will make you sure that your doors are locked and you're on your guard.

Bottom line -- a very good read for fans of historical mysteries (Caleb Carr, Anne Perry)or British police procedurals.

River of Darkness, by Rennie Airth goes near the top of my bulging list of whodunnits read this year. The central character is Scotland Yarn Inspector John Madden, who has recently returned to police work after serving on the front during WWI. He is "pulling himself together", and at the same time, identifying and attempting to apprehend a rare criminal type -- the serial mass murderer.

Airth does a first rate job of portraying investigative work in the first part of the 20th century, the beginnings of psychological profiling, and the Scotland Yarn bureaucracy. The novel portrays several officers (city/rural) and inspectors and most get along well with each other. The police procedural featuring the "lone gunman" alienated from his peers is a little tiresome and Airth avoids this tack.

About half-way through the novel the killer is introduced, and the psychological juxtaposition between him, his victims, and particularly Madden makes for a gripping page-turner. Early psychiatric (Freudian) analysis of serial killers and the Yard's distain for what they consider frivolous and unnecessary input is entertaining.

The romantic love-heals-all wounds relationship between Madden and a rural doctor was a reason I gave this novel only 4 stars. Given Maddens prior marriage and his battlefield experiences it didn't ring quite true, but then perhaps Madden is a more resilient type. In any event this is a novel well worth buying and reading. Airth's powers of description are excellent and he tells a great tale.

I have been reading mysteries for over 35 years and happened upon this one at Amazon.com through a book list recommendation. After finishing this book I'm looking for anything else this author has written. I want to know more about Inspector Madden's past, present and future. His setting in post WWI England is a window to a time not so long ago but forgotten in this techno-world we live in today. While I am quite comfortable living in today, I am curious about this period of time and the attitudes of a people who survived being bombed in two major wars. One has to respect the courage of a people who picked up their lives and "got on with it". So you're getting more than an English whodoneit...but you won't be disappointed in the mystery either. There is more than the usual graphic detail but in order to be truly appalled and terrified by the mind of the killer, you need to look through Madden's eyes and see the horror of a man turned monster.