arthurbdd's review
5.0
Occult detective stories in a deliberately throwback style, though thankfully without the regressive attitudes which can come with such a style. Full review: https://fakegeekboy.wordpress.com/2022/08/29/a-connoisseur-for-connoisseurs/
jayrothermel's review
5.0
The Collected Connoisseur is a series of stories in which the main character, the Connoisseur, explores mysteries involving strange events, places, books, and objects affecting people in uncanny ways. Not quite an occult detective, more an aesthetic problem solver?
Some tales are poignant in their simplicity and emotional eloquence ("The Paravine Cries"). Others brush against diabolism ("The Lost Moon," "The Serpent, Unfallen"). "The Hesperian Dragon" is a wonderful 'New Arabian Nights' comedy of manners. Several stories achieve a cosmic glamour ("Sea Citadel," "The Last Archipelago," and "The Descent of the Fire"). All are brief and mercifully free of the mugging and humbug of the occult detective subgenre.
Full review:
http://jayrothermel.blogspot.com.jayrothermel.com/2019/11/an-aesthetic-investigator-collected.html
Some tales are poignant in their simplicity and emotional eloquence ("The Paravine Cries"). Others brush against diabolism ("The Lost Moon," "The Serpent, Unfallen"). "The Hesperian Dragon" is a wonderful 'New Arabian Nights' comedy of manners. Several stories achieve a cosmic glamour ("Sea Citadel," "The Last Archipelago," and "The Descent of the Fire"). All are brief and mercifully free of the mugging and humbug of the occult detective subgenre.
Full review:
http://jayrothermel.blogspot.com.jayrothermel.com/2019/11/an-aesthetic-investigator-collected.html
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