The Devil's Game: An Unlikely Mystery (Unlikely Mysteries featuring Rev. Tuckworth) by David Holland  (2)
|
This item is not eligible for Amazon Prime, but millions of other items are. Join Amazon Prime today. Already a member? Sign in.
Devil in Bellminster, The: An Unlikely Mystery
and over 140,000 other books are available for Amazon Kindle – Amazon’s new wireless reading device. Learn more
|
||||||||
Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
In this flawed debut mystery, it's 1833 and industrialization is bringing mixed blessings to the sleepy cathedral town of Bellminster, England. With rapid change has come that evil of modern society, the serial murderer. The fiend's modus operandi changes with each fresh killing, while the victims a church sexton, a local lout, a whore appear to have nothing in common. Tuckworth, the vicar of Bellminster Cathedral, and Inspector Myles, of London's Bow Street Runners, are at a loss either to prevent or explain the crimes, although it's not for want of introspection on Tuckworth's part. Indeed, the good vicar's extended musings rather slow the narrative. Holland can't be faulted for employing faux-Dickensian prose for atmosphere: "And what are we to make of the dressmakers and the tailors!... Miles of stuff to wrap the town withal and keep it warm against the frost!" What jars is that he uses such old-fashioned language inconsistently, breaking the period spell. At book's end we are treated to a blockbuster finale that would be more at home in Hollywood than in 1830s England. Both setting and characters have such promise a descriptive gem like "this realm of grays and deeper grays" hints at what the author is capable of that one can only hope that Tuckworth, as he grows into his role of amateur detective, will in subsequent outings rise to that promise. (Mar. 18)Wolf's Tale (2000).
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
In 1833, a serial murderer holds the English town of Bellminster in thrall. The victims a beheaded church sexton, a crushed ne'er-do-well, and a tortured whore are the talk of the town. The shadowy, ubiquitous killer haunts gloomy Bellminster Cathedral, where soon-to-retire Vicar Tuckworth oversees an ongoing restoration project. Called upon for help, London police quickly arrest a simple-minded man for the murders. Tuckworth, however, champions the cause of the accused, and with the aid of his daughter, Lucy, and her would-be suitor hunts the real killer. A growing sense of urgency and colorful plot overcome occasional overextended metaphoric descriptions and contemplative divagations. A solid historical; for most collections.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
See all Editorial Reviews
In this flawed debut mystery, it's 1833 and industrialization is bringing mixed blessings to the sleepy cathedral town of Bellminster, England. With rapid change has come that evil of modern society, the serial murderer. The fiend's modus operandi changes with each fresh killing, while the victims a church sexton, a local lout, a whore appear to have nothing in common. Tuckworth, the vicar of Bellminster Cathedral, and Inspector Myles, of London's Bow Street Runners, are at a loss either to prevent or explain the crimes, although it's not for want of introspection on Tuckworth's part. Indeed, the good vicar's extended musings rather slow the narrative. Holland can't be faulted for employing faux-Dickensian prose for atmosphere: "And what are we to make of the dressmakers and the tailors!... Miles of stuff to wrap the town withal and keep it warm against the frost!" What jars is that he uses such old-fashioned language inconsistently, breaking the period spell. At book's end we are treated to a blockbuster finale that would be more at home in Hollywood than in 1830s England. Both setting and characters have such promise a descriptive gem like "this realm of grays and deeper grays" hints at what the author is capable of that one can only hope that Tuckworth, as he grows into his role of amateur detective, will in subsequent outings rise to that promise. (Mar. 18)Wolf's Tale (2000).
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
In 1833, a serial murderer holds the English town of Bellminster in thrall. The victims a beheaded church sexton, a crushed ne'er-do-well, and a tortured whore are the talk of the town. The shadowy, ubiquitous killer haunts gloomy Bellminster Cathedral, where soon-to-retire Vicar Tuckworth oversees an ongoing restoration project. Called upon for help, London police quickly arrest a simple-minded man for the murders. Tuckworth, however, champions the cause of the accused, and with the aid of his daughter, Lucy, and her would-be suitor hunts the real killer. A growing sense of urgency and colorful plot overcome occasional overextended metaphoric descriptions and contemplative divagations. A solid historical; for most collections.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
See all Editorial Reviews
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
