Customer Reviews

Seventy-Seven Clocks: A Peculiar Crimes Unit Mystery (Peculiar Crimes Unit Mysteries (Bantam Paperback))

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I like the Peculiar Crimes Unit mysteries, however, this one is rather weak compared to the others. The same old lovable characters are here but, the plot is outside the realm of the feasible. No matter, I enjoyed the story because of the characters and plot suspense; as a mystery, the ending is meh.

I'm growing very fond of this series, despite - or maybe due to - its extremely improbable storylines. That's to be expected from Scotland Yard's PCU (Peculiar Crimes Unit), though, and the very implausibility is what gives it its charm. This episode is set in 1973, which was neat - modern era, but before cell phones and PC's. Starts off with a lively, two-prong bang: the bizarre poisoning death of an elderly man in the lobby of the famous Savoy Hotel, and an Edwardian-garbed maniac storming into the National Gallery of London to deface a Waterhouse painting. More curious and rather gruesome deaths occur, along with much dry wit (but not overdone; kudos to Fowler for perfect pitch). All is connected with one strange wealthy family, a secret society, and the ever-fascinating, labyrinthine history of London, which seems to be Fowler's niche. I love the two crotchety old English detectives, Arthur Bryant and John May, and as with The Water Room, additional character POV's are equally satisfying (the young, privileged Geraldine `Jerry' Gates in this case).

I'm rarely one to stick with any series for too long, or at least not consistently, but so far I'm game for a few more on this one.

This is the third PCU mystery featuring John May and his off center partner Mr Arthur Bryant. Unlike the first two this one is a reminiscence by Arthur that he is relating to his biographer. I happened in 1973 and was the first major case for PCU after is had been given it's own quarters above a train station. Though they had been given new quarters, the idea was that they would fail. John May was told that they only had two months within which to prove their worth. In between trying to solve an increasing number of murders in a old line money family, they are trying to get their sea-legs.

Fowler, as he does in the other novels of the series, is enjoying himself making fun of people from the period, especially the personality challenged Mr Heath. Heath's Ministry was one of the most difficult of the late 20th century and was marred by major coal strikes that left the country short of electricity and heat. There is also a comment that Margaret Thatcher would make a better PM because being a woman she would show more 'compassion' for the people. There are also many mentions of different 'Gilbert & Sullivan' operettas and how they relate to the actions of the criminals. But very little of it will mean much to anyone who isn't 'into' G&S.

The little mystery that there is, isn't well presented and parts of the book just drag like an anchor. The 'mystery' seems to have a life alone and away from the story and it's like a play where lots of things seem to happen off-stage and are never explained. I got the feeling that Fowler was trying to give us incite into the May and Bryant characters, but much of it seemed to be irrelevant or obscure. Here's hoping that the next volume is up to the standards of the first two.

Zeb Kantrowitz

I really enjoyed this book. I liked the characters and it kept my interest through the whole book. As soon as I finished it I ordered the next one. A really good read