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Canaletto and the Case of Westminster Bridge by Janet Laurence

expendablemudge's review

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2.0

Rating: 2* of five

It's amazing how many historical figures had hitherto-unknown crime-solving careers! Just astonishing that we never learned of Dr. Johnson's career as a thief-taker from that master of the art of amanuensis-ing, Boswell. Perfectly amazing that Benj. Franklin is famous for "Poor Richard's Almanack" but not for his crime-solvig prowess. And now, not to be outdone, the shade of Canaletto comes back...in London no less!...to resolve mysterious evildoings at the behest of no less a personage than Pitt the Elder.

Bosh.

I am glad to suspend disbelief, truly I am, and I can see past the facts to the story in most cases. But this cadaver is too far gone to reanimate even with Frankenstein's help. The writing is no better than serviceable. The plotting is average at best. The idea strikes me as a "me too me too" sort of an effort, cashing in on a trend.

Oh hell. Not recommended. Don't bother looking for it, if it's given to you gratefully accept and quietly return it, and if confronted with your perfidy, send the injured party to me. I shall defend you against any accusation save that of sensible use of the limited number of eyeblinks one gets in this life.
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