At West Point Academy in 1830, the calm of an October evening is shattered by the discovery of a young cadet's body swinging from a rope. The next morning, an even greater horror comes to light. Someone has removed the dead man's heart. Augustus Landor—who acquired some renown in his years as a New York City police detective—is called in to discreetly investigate. It's a baffling case Landor must pursue in secret, for the scandal could do irreparable damage to the fledgling institution. But he finds help from an unexpected ally—a moody, young cadet with a penchant for drink, two volumes of poetry to his name, and a murky past that changes from telling to telling. The strange and haunted Southern poet for whom Landor develops a fatherly affection, is named Edgar Allan Poe.
The Pale Blue Eye
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Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Starred Review. Bayard follows Mr. Timothy (2003), which brilliantly imagined the adult life of Dickens's Tiny Tim, with another tour-de-force, an intense and gripping novel set during Edgar Allan Poe's brief time as a West Point cadet. In 1830, retired New York City detective Gus Landor is living a quiet life at his Hudson Valley cottage, tormented by an unspecified personal sorrow, when Superintendent Thayer summons him to West Point to investigate the hanging and subsequent mutilation of a cadet. Poe aids Landor by serving as an inside source into the closed world of the academy, though Poe's personal involvement with a suspect's sister complicates their work. But the pair find themselves helpless to prevent further outrages; the removal of the victims' hearts suggests that a satanic cult might be at work. This beautifully crafted thriller stands head and shoulders above other recent efforts to fictionalize Poe.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Bookmarks Magazine
Louis Bayard's Mr. Timothy (2003) imagined Dickens's Tiny Tim as a young adult. Pale Blue Eye mines a similar theme; this time, Bayard fictionalizes Poe's stint at West Point. Filled with enigmatic clues, codes, cryptograms, and psychological suspense, the novel had most critics on the edge of their seats. If an outlandish climax made a few cringe, the exquisite period prose, Gothic details, and meticulous historical rendering offer an intriguing fictional backdrop to Poe's literary inspirations. "The Pale Blue Eye lingers in the mind," notes the Rocky Mountain News, "not least because of its determination to be more than the sum of its parts."
Copyright © 2004 Phillips & Nelson Media, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
57 of 60 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Summary, no spoilers:
This is the story of former New York police detective Augustus Landor and his investigation of a macabre murder at West Point Academy in 1830.
Landor selects (eccentric) cadet Edgar Allan Poe to assist him, and the two of them work against time to prevent further murders which could result in the closure of West Point.
Along the way we meet the mysterious Marquis family - with their beautiful daughter Lea, destined to play an important role in this drama. This novel is full of intrique and mystery - and everyone is suspect.
First of all, let me say that this was not a quick read for me. I can usually read a book like this in a day, but this took me a while. This is not a book you can skim; nor is it a book you would want to rush.
Also, if you think having Edgar Allan Poe as a character would be problematic for you, don't be concerned. It's a brilliant choice, and it doesn't detract from the story at all. If anything, when you finish the book, you want to seek out some of Poe's poems and stories.
The writing is just terrific. The characters are wonderfully alive, and when I finished the book I was sorry to see them go.
This novel is moody, funny at times, and very very clever.
I highly recommend this novel to everyone, but especially to those of you who like "twists". Without saying more, be sure to read this book to the very end. I am usually disappointed with book endings, but this one was a stunner.
Bravo.
This is the story of former New York police detective Augustus Landor and his investigation of a macabre murder at West Point Academy in 1830.
Landor selects (eccentric) cadet Edgar Allan Poe to assist him, and the two of them work against time to prevent further murders which could result in the closure of West Point.
Along the way we meet the mysterious Marquis family - with their beautiful daughter Lea, destined to play an important role in this drama. This novel is full of intrique and mystery - and everyone is suspect.
First of all, let me say that this was not a quick read for me. I can usually read a book like this in a day, but this took me a while. This is not a book you can skim; nor is it a book you would want to rush.
Also, if you think having Edgar Allan Poe as a character would be problematic for you, don't be concerned. It's a brilliant choice, and it doesn't detract from the story at all. If anything, when you finish the book, you want to seek out some of Poe's poems and stories.
The writing is just terrific. The characters are wonderfully alive, and when I finished the book I was sorry to see them go.
This novel is moody, funny at times, and very very clever.
I highly recommend this novel to everyone, but especially to those of you who like "twists". Without saying more, be sure to read this book to the very end. I am usually disappointed with book endings, but this one was a stunner.
Bravo.
31 of 32 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I won't go into plot details. Most of the other reviews have already done that. I will say that this guy Louis Bayard is one terrific writer. In comparing this book, for example, to Matthew Pearl's also brilliant "The Poe Shadow," I find Bayard to be every bit as capable at crafting period details, celebrity recreations, turns of phrase, and stunning narrative as Mr. Pearl. Yet Bayard is the more lively, imaginative, entertaining and readable author.
I also felt that Bayard fashioned a convincing Edgar Allan Poe and many of the scenes involving him evoked the novel's most touching moments. Bayard did him justice as a man, though maybe not quite as a writer.
Having said these positive things, I must also confess that my assessment of Bayard's book is that the group of reviewers who gave it two stars for being partially hokey and the group that gave it four or even five stars for being generally brilliant... were both right. The problem is that neither group takes both good and bad aspects into consideration in judging the book as a whole: it is a brilliant work of fiction that, particularly at one point, seems to suddenly collapse into pulpy teenage fiction, then rights itself. You may temporarily feel betrayed as a reader by that sudden collapse. Or you may feel permanently betrayed by it. To me, the overall experience of the book was a good one and I will definitely be buying Bayard's other mystery, "Mr. Timothy."
I also felt that Bayard fashioned a convincing Edgar Allan Poe and many of the scenes involving him evoked the novel's most touching moments. Bayard did him justice as a man, though maybe not quite as a writer.
Having said these positive things, I must also confess that my assessment of Bayard's book is that the group of reviewers who gave it two stars for being partially hokey and the group that gave it four or even five stars for being generally brilliant... were both right. The problem is that neither group takes both good and bad aspects into consideration in judging the book as a whole: it is a brilliant work of fiction that, particularly at one point, seems to suddenly collapse into pulpy teenage fiction, then rights itself. You may temporarily feel betrayed as a reader by that sudden collapse. Or you may feel permanently betrayed by it. To me, the overall experience of the book was a good one and I will definitely be buying Bayard's other mystery, "Mr. Timothy."
44 of 49 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
When I first tried to read Louis Bayard's book, "Mr. Timothy", for some reason, it didn't resonate with me initially. I gave it the usual 50 pages, and then, put it down when I wasn't hooked. Flash forward a year later, and I pick up the book again to try it. I couldn't put it down. Bayard's recreation of Timothy's London was gripping, the plot amazing, and the characters will formed.
When I learned of his new book, "Pale Blue Eye", I found myself standing in line to purchase this one. I know little of famed author of E. A. Poe, only that he's known for writing spooky stories and was a bit of a lush. I'm proud to report that there was abolutely no problem getting into his second book, and I daresay, it surpasses Mr. Timothy in both style, plot, and intrigue!
The story starts with a "suicide", a gruff, retired police chief named Augustus Landor (for some reason, his name resonates with me), and a very young Poe, who is obviously brilliant and obviously struggling with alcohol. The two team up to unravel this mystery, and what a ride it is.
I found myself entranced by Bayard's words and writing, once again. He sets scenes simply, with rich detail, that makes visualizing the content rich and easy. His characters are drawn well, very complex, and somewhat surprising. Fans of both mysteries and Poe will find this book well worth their time, plus anyone who loves historical novels.
Another book has been published dealing with Poe. Perhaps this is the time for Poe to re-emerge from the shadows and rightfully take his place among the panethon of American literary phenomenons. Perhaps we'll see him more than a tragic figure. Bayard's book certainly whets the appetite for that movement forward!
When I learned of his new book, "Pale Blue Eye", I found myself standing in line to purchase this one. I know little of famed author of E. A. Poe, only that he's known for writing spooky stories and was a bit of a lush. I'm proud to report that there was abolutely no problem getting into his second book, and I daresay, it surpasses Mr. Timothy in both style, plot, and intrigue!
The story starts with a "suicide", a gruff, retired police chief named Augustus Landor (for some reason, his name resonates with me), and a very young Poe, who is obviously brilliant and obviously struggling with alcohol. The two team up to unravel this mystery, and what a ride it is.
I found myself entranced by Bayard's words and writing, once again. He sets scenes simply, with rich detail, that makes visualizing the content rich and easy. His characters are drawn well, very complex, and somewhat surprising. Fans of both mysteries and Poe will find this book well worth their time, plus anyone who loves historical novels.
Another book has been published dealing with Poe. Perhaps this is the time for Poe to re-emerge from the shadows and rightfully take his place among the panethon of American literary phenomenons. Perhaps we'll see him more than a tragic figure. Bayard's book certainly whets the appetite for that movement forward!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Superb historical thriller
Hard to come up with the right words to describe The Pale Blue Eye....
Main highlights:
+ The incorporation of a young Edgar A. Read more
Main highlights:
+ The incorporation of a young Edgar A. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Alejandro Contreras
1.0 out of 5 stars
who donnit? I no longer care.
Really and truly, an awful book. It was recommended, gushingly and enthusiastically, because of it's first line: "In two or three hours ... well, it's hard to tell ... Read more
Published 3 months ago by E. Roske
5.0 out of 5 stars
History, mystery, murder, mayhem and a living poe: what else could one...
I found this work by accident and knew that I had to read it. It was delivered to my door on New Years Eve after a very short wait and I am still sipping it page by page to make it... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Steve hale
4.0 out of 5 stars
If you have an ear for Poe, you'll like this book!
I've read a fair number of murder mysteries. I once enjoyed, but now am bored with PD James. The Pale Blue Eye is one of the few murder mysteries I've read where I wasn't able to... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Grace
4.0 out of 5 stars
Mixed feelings...
Overall, I enjoyed this book so I'll give it 4 stars. I'm not a big fan of mystery novels because they are frequently "cookie cutter" and predictable. Read more
Published 11 months ago by KevsterS
1.0 out of 5 stars
too pretentious by half
less than halfway thru i abandoned this exceptionally off-putting book, which is saying a lot after paying for shipping to asia. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Zangiku
4.0 out of 5 stars
Where there's Poe, there's bound to be melodrama!
It's the beginning of the 19th century and a murderer is praying on West Point cadets, hanging them and then - literally - cutting out their hearts. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Jeanette Thomas
5.0 out of 5 stars
Worthy of the hype.
An excellent novel, it has a good plot and characters and it is very well written. I will be reading more of Louis Bayard's novels in the future. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Jakabok Botch
3.0 out of 5 stars
The king of macabre as a character=Interesting.
Decent enough historical suspense novel. Kept my attention until the very end and kept me guessing. Wrapped up nicely too. Read more
Published 16 months ago by C. Skvarce
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great Sense of Time and Place
Bayard does an outstanding job of recreating the life style, culture, and attitudes from more than 150 years ago. For that alone, this book is worth reading. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Ohioan
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