Customer Reviews

dark Provenance

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Dark Provenance, actually the second of the Richard Harrison Canterbury series (though Felony & Mayhem lists Midnight Come as the second) is the jewel of a series that is compelling, thrilling and flawlessly crafted. The protagonist Richard Harrison is irritatingly human, as is his wife Winnie, confined to a wheelchair from a bout of polio very early in their marriage. The three-book series explores the many conflicts Harrison wrestles with in his attempts to retrieve a life out of broken dreams, and to perform his duty and maintain his sense of integrity. From the flashbacks into his past in military espionage, we see that he has always suffered from his desire to do the right thing when it often appears the "right thing" will destroy his security and future. The writing is both forceful and graceful, with evidences of the English teacher Anthony once was. But allusions are not so obscure as to distress the reader or impede the plot. The setting is lyrical in its description of life in Cathedral Close in Canterbury. One shivers in the drizzle and finds comfort in the teas. This series is ecclesiastical life at its most intimate.

The plot of Dark Provenance is inspired. Based on historical references to the various plans to do away with Hitler, Harrison jumps to conclusions in searching for answers to the death of a former colleague. Anthony skillfully blends memories of the past with events of the present to weave a tale with an ending that will challenge most any reader. I had only the barest inklings of what might be the conclusion, and I was led off the path with Harrison time and again--and I enjoyed every moment of the trip.

This series is among the best books I have ever read--ever. I love mysteries, and I rank these as high or higher than my favorites: Robert Barnard, Dick Francis, Josephine Tey. And like Tey, we lost Anthony far too soon. I wish there were many, many more books in this wonderful series. Readers might find his obituary interesting[...] This is obviously a man who would be interesting to know. Would that his career and life had lasted much, much longer.

This book really is fantastic - absolutely loved it. Great setting, characters and plot - I was gripped untill the end. Well worth it,I now have the whole lot.