dragons1966's review against another edition
4.0
I am thoroughly enjoying this series, which is set in the 1930s, a very interesting period in Australia and the world in general. Rowland Sinclair is an artist, wealthy, and a bit of a black sheep in his very conservative family. The background story of the rise of Fascism in Germany and the attempts of Eric Campbell and his New Guard to introduce it into Australia give Rowland and his Communist friends some challenges along the way and give the reader a glimpse into our past that is enlightening.
One small reservation I have is with a few phrases that recur. I am sure that we didn't ever 'wash up' after getting our hands dirty, nor did we 'visit with' anybody.
One small reservation I have is with a few phrases that recur. I am sure that we didn't ever 'wash up' after getting our hands dirty, nor did we 'visit with' anybody.
oanh_1's review against another edition
4.0
Just when I was worried that I was tiring of Gentil's Rowland formula, she makes it fresh. (I probably should not read 2 in quick succession)
Yay!
Thoroughly enjoyable.
Yay!
Thoroughly enjoyable.
wendycherie's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
tasmanian_bibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
‘Who murdered Henry Sinclair?
In 1920, Henry Sinclair died at the Sinclair family’s country estate, Oaklea, near Yass in New South Wales. The fact that he was murdered was not something that the Sinclair family discussed. But in 1933, when Edna Walling is brought in to work on the gardens at Oaklea, the draining of a dam leads to the discovery of the gun used in Henry Sinclair’s murder. The Sinclair family can no longer avoid the issue. But who murdered Henry Sinclair? Were either of the Sinclair brothers: Wilfred (Wilf) or Rowland (Rowly) involved?
‘What can you tell us about the evening your father, the late Henry Sinclair, was murdered, Mr Sinclair?’
Given the time that has elapsed, will the police be interested in renewing their inquiries? Alas, Rowly has managed to offend Colonel Eric Campbell, the leader of the right-wing New Guard and he uses his influence to ensure that the police renew their inquiries into Henry Sinclair’s death.
Rowly and his trio of friends head to Yass (by aeroplane and car) to try to clear Rowly’s name. Of course, nothing is ever straightforward for Rowly Sinclair. He’s being pursued by a woman who wants to marry him, his mother thinks that he is his older (deceased) brother and his cousin Arthur (a solicitor) is being very helpful. And then there’s another murder!
This is the sixth novel in Ms Gentill’s marvellous Rowland Sinclair series. Ms Gentill draws on the history of the period, and we see appearances by Robert Menzies and Kate Leigh as well as Edna Walling and Eric Campbell. I enjoyed learning more of the Sinclair backstory in this novel. While I’ve read the three novels published after this one, I’ve not yet read all the earlier novels. But I will. The characters intrigue me and the setting is perfect.
Highly recommended.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
In 1920, Henry Sinclair died at the Sinclair family’s country estate, Oaklea, near Yass in New South Wales. The fact that he was murdered was not something that the Sinclair family discussed. But in 1933, when Edna Walling is brought in to work on the gardens at Oaklea, the draining of a dam leads to the discovery of the gun used in Henry Sinclair’s murder. The Sinclair family can no longer avoid the issue. But who murdered Henry Sinclair? Were either of the Sinclair brothers: Wilfred (Wilf) or Rowland (Rowly) involved?
‘What can you tell us about the evening your father, the late Henry Sinclair, was murdered, Mr Sinclair?’
Given the time that has elapsed, will the police be interested in renewing their inquiries? Alas, Rowly has managed to offend Colonel Eric Campbell, the leader of the right-wing New Guard and he uses his influence to ensure that the police renew their inquiries into Henry Sinclair’s death.
Rowly and his trio of friends head to Yass (by aeroplane and car) to try to clear Rowly’s name. Of course, nothing is ever straightforward for Rowly Sinclair. He’s being pursued by a woman who wants to marry him, his mother thinks that he is his older (deceased) brother and his cousin Arthur (a solicitor) is being very helpful. And then there’s another murder!
This is the sixth novel in Ms Gentill’s marvellous Rowland Sinclair series. Ms Gentill draws on the history of the period, and we see appearances by Robert Menzies and Kate Leigh as well as Edna Walling and Eric Campbell. I enjoyed learning more of the Sinclair backstory in this novel. While I’ve read the three novels published after this one, I’ve not yet read all the earlier novels. But I will. The characters intrigue me and the setting is perfect.
Highly recommended.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
vsbedford's review against another edition
3.0
Family wounds are opened and secrets revealed in this Sinclair mystery - with, perhaps, just one too many plots for my taste (there are like 5 endings here in a real Return of the King movie-ish way). As usual Ms. Gentill's writing is strong and she has a real feel for her characters; the novel moves along at a clip. A recommend, but be sure to visit the earlier Sinclair novels as I think a new reader could get a bit lost.
I received an ecopy from the publishers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ecopy from the publishers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
gawronma's review against another edition
4.0
This is one of my favorite series. The sixth entry was great. It provided more insight into the relationship between Roland and Wilfred.
annarella's review against another edition
5.0
I love this series and I loved this book.
It's a lovely comedy of manners and a very good mystery.
I started it as soon as I got it and couldn't put it down.
It's lovely to meet again Rowland, Edna and the cast of characters, like meeting again some old friend and getting to know what happened and what changed.
The mystery is good, entertaining and engaging, full of twists and turns. It kept me guessing till the end and I was surprised by the unexpected ending.
I love the style of writing and I love the mix of historical fiction and mystery.
I love this series because they are good mysteries and the historical background is well researched and somehow it seems to reflect the current historical moment.
I can't wait to read the next book in this series.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC
It's a lovely comedy of manners and a very good mystery.
I started it as soon as I got it and couldn't put it down.
It's lovely to meet again Rowland, Edna and the cast of characters, like meeting again some old friend and getting to know what happened and what changed.
The mystery is good, entertaining and engaging, full of twists and turns. It kept me guessing till the end and I was surprised by the unexpected ending.
I love the style of writing and I love the mix of historical fiction and mystery.
I love this series because they are good mysteries and the historical background is well researched and somehow it seems to reflect the current historical moment.
I can't wait to read the next book in this series.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC
yvonne84's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
vesper1931's review against another edition
4.0
Thirteen years ago in 1920 Henry Sinclair was killed, now accusations have been made that Rowland Sinclair killed his father. Old secrets are revealed but will they help to prove his innocence or not. Then another murder is discovered and the noose is tightened around Rowland.
An enjoyable and interesting mystery revealing more of the history of the Sinclair family.
A NetGalley Book
An enjoyable and interesting mystery revealing more of the history of the Sinclair family.
A NetGalley Book