Customer Reviews

Seventy-Seven Clocks: A Bryant & May Mystery (Bryant & May Mysteries)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I absolutely loved the first two books of this series. The writing was such that I'd read passages aloud to others. This didn't have that same cache'. There didn't seem to be as much interaction between the two protagonists until well into the book. Fowler loves introducing twists to the plot which is fun, but the solution to the mystery really strains credibility. There is a secondary protagonist in Sam Gates, a receptionist at the Savoy, but the outcome of her fear of the dark really bothered me. I enjoyed the story, but didn't feel it was nearly as good as the first two books.

It would have been nice if somewhere, anywhere, in this book -- the copyright date, the title page, a note to the reader, anything -- it might have been mentioned that this is little more than a reworking of an early Bryant/May mystery, "Darkest Day". I always enjoy Fowler's books, but not so much that I need to buy them twice over.

Arthur Bryant and John May are the odd and perfectly mismatched detectives of London's peculiar crimes unit. A lawyer dies of a snake bite in the Savoy lobby, an eccentric aristocrat blows up on the tube, a starved tiger eats a family in their own home. Methodical May and Unconventional Bryant must track down a mystery rooted in Victorian superstition and class distinctions that are causing bizarre deaths in the present. Impossible to put down, a thinking person's mystery, full of deeply satisfying history and folklore, not just mutilated bodies like most mysteries nowadays.

Although the book is a recent release (relatively), the plot takes place in 1973, which Fowler uses to good effect in creating atmosphere. Bryant & May, the main characters, are old-school English detectives in charge of the Peculiar Crimes Unit - in other words, crimes that are odd or unusual. I enjoyed the book and enjoyed following them as they trailed their criminal and tried to figure out how and why the murders were occurring. A great find for people fond of old-school mysteries and good atmospheric reading.

Yes, this is mostly a wonderful, realistic mystery where members of a family and 1800's guild end up dead for no apparent reason in 1973 England. Some fine characterisations, scenery, and 1970's culture, and classy writing throughout! Not to mention the intriguing interaction between the 2 eccentirc detectives in a new Crimes Unit. There is the by-now customary lack of fear among those linked with the victims,which seems very unrealistic, plus family squabbling that gets to be irritating. My main complaint is the solution,though interesting, seems somewhat over-inventive. Nonetheless, a very pleasant,interesting , and unique whodunnit that aproaches five-stars, but does not quite succeed

I love these old school detectives- no fingerprints, no fiber evidence here, just two cops bouncing ideas off of each other as they interview witnesses and suspects. Each book is set in London, and the city's rich history and geography play a part in each book.

However, this book is not the strongest in the series. There are a couple of coincidences that don't work for me, and the plot is just so complicated that it strains belief.

Read them in order, starting with Full Dark House. By the time you get to Seventy Seven Clocks, you'll forgive the author of any mistakes he has made.

As with Fowler's earlier Bryant & May novels, SEVENTY-SEVEN CLOCKS manages to perfectly balance complexity and suspense. The result is an enjoyable thriller that is both dark and charming. It's an unusual combination and one I find hard to resist.

I discovered Fowler through his work in the horror genre - which I recommend heartily - and only found out about this series later. I was skeptical at first, but willing to give them a try because of Fowler's amazing ability to capture the feel of an environment with a minimum of words. At the very least I thought I might learn something I could apply to my own attempts at fiction.

All pretence to analysis went out the window after the first few pages. A gripping mystery, well drawn characters, and an impressive sense of environment. Fowler just sucks you into the story and keeps it all moving until the very end.

As with FULL DARK HOUSE and THE WATER ROOM, SEVENTY SEVEN CLOCKS relies a great deal on the history of London. That history is an important part of the investigation as Bryant & May look into a series of deaths in an odd family. Fowler expertly weaves a lot of background detail into the narrative as his elderly heroes dig ever deeper into the family's past.

And the heroes themselves are delightful to follow. No pretense of hard-boiled toughness or superhuman intellect. Just two elderly men doing what they do in their own unique way. They're old. They're grouchy. And ultimately, more interesting. I've gotten tired of psychologically damaged detectives hunting down pyschologically damaged serial killers. What Fowler has to offer us is much more subtle, complex, and entertaining.

I highly recommend the Bryant & May books for anyone interested in well crafted mysteries with a lot of character. SEVENTY SEVEN CLOCKS lived up to the promise of the others in the series and I can't wait for the next one.

"Seventy-Seven Clocks" has its fine moments as all of the Bryant and May mysteries do. Set in 1973 London, this is the story of the serial murders of members of a large, wealthy British mercantile family who are singularly unlikable, unproductive and disagreeable down the last young child. And here is one of the problems with this book, the reader cannot care a whit about the victims, let alone the killer(s).

In any event, author Christopher Fowler, has crafted an intricate plot that has its roots in the Victorian hay days of the British Empire and offers little clue before the last 100 pages (of nearly 500) as to how the tale will sort out. The route to the final solution is littered with many, many bodies, killed off in some pretty ingenious ways. Along the way, Fowler has much to say (through his two detective protagonists) about the rottenness of the British class system--particularly the upper middle class--which he effectively portrays as
destroying the country.

I did enjoy most of this book, mainly because Fowler has such a large bag of tricks that he has dragged out here. But I agree with another reviewer, who advised that this was not the best Bryant & May Mystery to start with. The series is grand and has several other gems that shine brighter.

Classic Christopher Fowler...always a great read - the bumbling Arthur with his sophisticated sidekick John are always entertaining. Fowler has a way of writing that allows you to picture his main characters and their situations vividly. The 'supporting cast' also come to life and add a welcome dimension to the tale. There is always a twist and you won't be disappointed with 77 Clocks. Do yourself a favour and check out some of his earlier novels - Disturbia and Spanky are two of his best - totally different to this series but you won't want to put them down!

I have posted a review of this book under the paperback edition. Please refer there to see it (click "See All My Reviews" to avoid having to search it out).