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Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Unlike Australian author Carlon's previous, highly praised novels, this latest thriller (first published in 1970) is unlikely to please her fans. Private detective Jefferson Shields, a stone-faced man with a passionate heart, tries to find out how a young woman was killed during a large student demonstration at a generic university. Forensic evidence has shown that the woman was not struck by a police truncheon. She was surrounded by other students who allegedly were unarmed. A photograph of the demonstration shows her in obvious distress bearing an iron bar. How did she get the weapon that apparently was used to kill her? Was she the victim of random violence? Or did someone stalk her in that crowd intent on killing her? Shields's only clue is an anonymous "older man" whom the student had claimed to be dating but whose name she had told no one. The case widens to involve some very nasty people who use student demonstrations as a cover for some very nasty work. Written in the late '60s, when many people were disturbed and angry over student violence, Carlon included, the book suffers from excesses of its own, especially verbose dialogue. Everyone Shields talks to delivers interminable speeches. The author makes an intelligent effort to understand the student unrest, though Shields's (Carlon's?) analysis of the "criminal" nature of the demonstrations is hogwash. The sheer rhetorical weight of her exposition buries what drama and suspense there is. The final verdict: tedious, very tedious. (July 15) Forecast: After so many gems, this relatively weak offering won't hurt Carlon's rep too much, but it won't build her sales, either.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
From Library Journal
Originally published in Australia in 1971, this eighth Carlon title to be published by Soho Crime is a departure from the psychological suspense for which the author (Hush, It's a Game, The Unquiet Night) is known. This is a classic whodunit, as exemplified by protagonist Jefferson Shields, a man who deals in puzzles and problems. When a student demonstration protesting the jailing of a conscientious objector turns violent and leaves a young woman dead, the case stymies police, and Shields finds it far more complex than it first seems. A straightforward student action is found to have far-reaching tentacles, involving bribery, arson, and thievery, with murder almost a footnote, as Shields sums it all up at the end. More Agatha Christie than Ruth Rendell, this approach still wears well after 30 years. A solid choice for mystery collections. Michele Leber, Fairfax Cty. P.L., VA
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
See all Editorial Reviews
Unlike Australian author Carlon's previous, highly praised novels, this latest thriller (first published in 1970) is unlikely to please her fans. Private detective Jefferson Shields, a stone-faced man with a passionate heart, tries to find out how a young woman was killed during a large student demonstration at a generic university. Forensic evidence has shown that the woman was not struck by a police truncheon. She was surrounded by other students who allegedly were unarmed. A photograph of the demonstration shows her in obvious distress bearing an iron bar. How did she get the weapon that apparently was used to kill her? Was she the victim of random violence? Or did someone stalk her in that crowd intent on killing her? Shields's only clue is an anonymous "older man" whom the student had claimed to be dating but whose name she had told no one. The case widens to involve some very nasty people who use student demonstrations as a cover for some very nasty work. Written in the late '60s, when many people were disturbed and angry over student violence, Carlon included, the book suffers from excesses of its own, especially verbose dialogue. Everyone Shields talks to delivers interminable speeches. The author makes an intelligent effort to understand the student unrest, though Shields's (Carlon's?) analysis of the "criminal" nature of the demonstrations is hogwash. The sheer rhetorical weight of her exposition buries what drama and suspense there is. The final verdict: tedious, very tedious. (July 15) Forecast: After so many gems, this relatively weak offering won't hurt Carlon's rep too much, but it won't build her sales, either.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
From Library Journal
Originally published in Australia in 1971, this eighth Carlon title to be published by Soho Crime is a departure from the psychological suspense for which the author (Hush, It's a Game, The Unquiet Night) is known. This is a classic whodunit, as exemplified by protagonist Jefferson Shields, a man who deals in puzzles and problems. When a student demonstration protesting the jailing of a conscientious objector turns violent and leaves a young woman dead, the case stymies police, and Shields finds it far more complex than it first seems. A straightforward student action is found to have far-reaching tentacles, involving bribery, arson, and thievery, with murder almost a footnote, as Shields sums it all up at the end. More Agatha Christie than Ruth Rendell, this approach still wears well after 30 years. A solid choice for mystery collections. Michele Leber, Fairfax Cty. P.L., VA
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
See all Editorial Reviews
Product Details
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Inside This Book Citations: 4 books that cite this book Explore: Citations | Concordance | Text Stats Key Phrases - SIPs: parking police, lovely money Key Phrases - CAPs: Robyn Calder, Jefferson Shields, Thought Club, Oliver Harrap, Ann Aveyard (more) Browse Sample Pages: Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover | Surprise Me! |
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Inside This Book
(learn more)
First Sentence:
The letters that came to him were all shapes and sizes and colours, but all were an appeal for help. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
parking police, lovely money Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Robyn Calder, Jefferson Shields, Thought Club, Oliver Harrap, Ann Aveyard, Nigel Detrick, Rex Bratton, Chris Stowe, Athol Lesie, Michael Morrow, Alexander Calder, Graham Whitty, John Fisher, Christine Stowe, Inspector Virtue, Kate Hough New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
The letters that came to him were all shapes and sizes and colours, but all were an appeal for help. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
parking police, lovely money Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Robyn Calder, Jefferson Shields, Thought Club, Oliver Harrap, Ann Aveyard, Nigel Detrick, Rex Bratton, Chris Stowe, Athol Lesie, Michael Morrow, Alexander Calder, Graham Whitty, John Fisher, Christine Stowe, Inspector Virtue, Kate Hough New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
4
books
cite this book:
- Sweet Deal by John Westerman in Back Matter
- Hush, It's a Game by Patricia Carlon in Front Matter
- Who Are You, Linda Condrick? by Patricia Carlon in Front Matter
- High Crimes (Soho Crime) by John Westerman in Back Matter