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bmip666's review against another edition
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
shanaqui's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Heads You Lose did some very interesting things, from my point of view: the sympathy with a particular character was genuinely affecting, to me at least, and I'm noting some patterns with her work that intrigue me. As a story, though, there were a few things that bothered me. It's a bit spoilery to go into them in depth, so I'll just start by saying that I think in the end I'd say it was worth reading, at least for me as a fan of this period of mystery/crime fiction, but I do have caveats and content warnings to go with that.
The main caveat is the fact that the plot hinges on the oft-derived trope of a mentally ill killer, one who has blackouts and commits crimes unbeknownst to himself. That means the third-person narration is sometimes a bit unreliable, as it sticks close to particular characters' POV, and thus misleads the reader. You have to read very closely to catch the clue, and of course you're not looking there for it.
I did think that the ending was rather better than the "psycho killer with blackouts" trope portended. There's a lot of pathos in the ending for that particular character and how it comes about.
I would also note that there's a Jewish character who is treated somewhat sympathetically, and yet at the same time with some anti-Semitic tropes. Of course this was common in the crime fiction in and around the Golden Age (Dorothy L. Sayers did similar in Whose Body?), but it's worth knowing going in.
I am noticing that Brand doesn't do much bringing her villains to justice. They usually die in some kind of appropriate way -- not in the way that some other detective novels do, with a "you should write a confession and shoot yourself, or I'll put the police in possession of what I know", but still, they each die. It has less of a "detective as judge and jury" ring, and more like... "the universe will put things right, somehow". Either way, an interesting thing to note, as I read more of Brand's work.
The main caveat is the fact that the plot hinges on the oft-derived trope of a mentally ill killer, one who has blackouts and commits crimes unbeknownst to himself. That means the third-person narration is sometimes a bit unreliable, as it sticks close to particular characters' POV, and thus misleads the reader. You have to read very closely to catch the clue, and of course you're not looking there for it.
I did think that the ending was rather better than the "psycho killer with blackouts" trope portended. There's a lot of pathos in the ending for that particular character and how it comes about.
I would also note that there's a Jewish character who is treated somewhat sympathetically, and yet at the same time with some anti-Semitic tropes. Of course this was common in the crime fiction in and around the Golden Age (Dorothy L. Sayers did similar in Whose Body?), but it's worth knowing going in.
I am noticing that Brand doesn't do much bringing her villains to justice. They usually die in some kind of appropriate way -- not in the way that some other detective novels do, with a "you should write a confession and shoot yourself, or I'll put the police in possession of what I know", but still, they each die. It has less of a "detective as judge and jury" ring, and more like... "the universe will put things right, somehow". Either way, an interesting thing to note, as I read more of Brand's work.
sadiqua_fatima's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
shellystilger's review against another edition
2.0
This book was first published in 1941, and it bugs me that the Goodreads listing, as well as the audiobook information lists only the re-release date of 1988. Either way, it hasn’t aged all that well. Much more frank about sexuality than many contemporary novels, it is also much more explicitly antisemitic, classist and racist, and that’s a drag. It’s true that the less sympathetic characters are the ones expressing the grossest antisemitism, so maybe that’s something to consider.
crazygoangirl's review
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
2.0
This is my first book by Christianna Brand and unfortunately might be my last! Listened to this on Audible. The narrator was alright.
This is the first in her Inspector Cockrill series, in which a gathering of six close friends at Pigeonsford House become involved in a horrific murder. The Squire of the house, Stephen Pendock is host to Lady Hart and her two grandchildren, Venetia married to Henry and her twin Francesca, single and loved desperately by a Captain James Nichol and the Squire himself in the desperate way that I so abhor! I’m not fond of love that a man has for a woman whom he’s been around as a child! I find that downright creepy! Grace Morland, a spinster neighbour desperately in love with Pendock and jealous of Francesca is found horrifically murdered in the gardens of the estate and the cast of characters is dragged into a seemingly endless investigation led by Inspector Cockrill.
I’ve yet to find an Inspector as inept as this one is. Although Moresby by Anthony Berkeley isn’t far behind! From allowing suspects to roam free, handle evidence and generally conduct a parallel investigation according to their own whims and fancies, he has no control and apparently no skills! Brand’s plotting is haphazard and she concentrates more on emotions and feelings rather than the basics of a murder investigation. This is published in 1941, and I expected a proper police procedure. Instead characters make random guesses as to guilt and innocence and investigate accordingly. Even murder is apparently excusable if the motive is ‘noble’ as judged by them. Unbelievable🤦🏻♀️
The whole thing was fantastical and unbelievable from start to finish. The writing isn’t bad but all those ‘darlings’ and ‘dears’ made me cringe 🤪 The murders themselves were gorier than I expected in a cosy mystery and the climax was unnecessarily emotional and sappy. I’d guessed the culprit before the Inspector did and frankly didn’t give a damn about any of the characters by the end.
Won’t be reading Brand mysteries for a while. But might read her Nurse Matilda stories on which Nanny McPhee is based! Didn’t know she’d written children’s literature!
This is the first in her Inspector Cockrill series, in which a gathering of six close friends at Pigeonsford House become involved in a horrific murder. The Squire of the house, Stephen Pendock is host to Lady Hart and her two grandchildren, Venetia married to Henry and her twin Francesca, single and loved desperately by a Captain James Nichol and the Squire himself in the desperate way that I so abhor! I’m not fond of love that a man has for a woman whom he’s been around as a child! I find that downright creepy! Grace Morland, a spinster neighbour desperately in love with Pendock and jealous of Francesca is found horrifically murdered in the gardens of the estate and the cast of characters is dragged into a seemingly endless investigation led by Inspector Cockrill.
I’ve yet to find an Inspector as inept as this one is. Although Moresby by Anthony Berkeley isn’t far behind! From allowing suspects to roam free, handle evidence and generally conduct a parallel investigation according to their own whims and fancies, he has no control and apparently no skills! Brand’s plotting is haphazard and she concentrates more on emotions and feelings rather than the basics of a murder investigation. This is published in 1941, and I expected a proper police procedure. Instead characters make random guesses as to guilt and innocence and investigate accordingly. Even murder is apparently excusable if the motive is ‘noble’ as judged by them. Unbelievable🤦🏻♀️
The whole thing was fantastical and unbelievable from start to finish. The writing isn’t bad but all those ‘darlings’ and ‘dears’ made me cringe 🤪 The murders themselves were gorier than I expected in a cosy mystery and the climax was unnecessarily emotional and sappy. I’d guessed the culprit before the Inspector did and frankly didn’t give a damn about any of the characters by the end.
Won’t be reading Brand mysteries for a while. But might read her Nurse Matilda stories on which Nanny McPhee is based! Didn’t know she’d written children’s literature!
maplessence's review against another edition
3.0
3.5★
I'll start by saying I prefer reading uncensored. If a few offensive words or expressions are edited out, who knows what else could be changed?
But Brand's first anti-Semitic comment (yes, there was more than one) was tossed out so casually. For me this made it all the more shocking. This may explain why Brand's adult books are now so hard to find.
Before the book begins we are given a character list, which finishes with;
Kind of fun having clearly defined parameters, but the story goes off the boil at the end, because the author
An easy quick read and interesting as a depiction of life in wartime Britain. I enjoyed enough to search out Brand's best known adult book, [b:Green for Danger|1024750|Green for Danger|Christianna Brand|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1436252130s/1024750.jpg|1010989]
Edit; 18/8/17 Just to clarify (after discussion with other members of the Reading the Detectives Group )Brand has her characters think or say racist things. This doesn't mean Brand herself is racist. I guess this has parallels with the recent [b:The Black Witch|25740412|The Black Witch (The Black Witch Chronicles, #1)|Laurie Forest|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1487956992s/25740412.jpg|45580046] controversy.
I'll start by saying I prefer reading uncensored. If a few offensive words or expressions are edited out, who knows what else could be changed?
But Brand's first anti-Semitic comment (yes, there was more than one) was tossed out so casually. For me this made it all the more shocking. This may explain why Brand's adult books are now so hard to find.
Before the book begins we are given a character list, which finishes with;
Among these very ordinary people were found two victims and a murderer.
Kind of fun having clearly defined parameters, but the story goes off the boil at the end, because the author
Spoiler
decides to give everyone a turn at being Chief Suspect. This manages to become both tortuous and boring for this reader. & I was disappointed that Fran wasn't one of the victims. Even though this book was written in 1941, both Fran & her slightly less annoying sister Venetia were written as Bright Young Things & Fran came across more as a Spoilt Brat - in particular her behaviour at the inquest. Were we meant to find that appealing? Or even understandable?Seriously???An easy quick read and interesting as a depiction of life in wartime Britain. I enjoyed enough to search out Brand's best known adult book, [b:Green for Danger|1024750|Green for Danger|Christianna Brand|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1436252130s/1024750.jpg|1010989]
Edit; 18/8/17 Just to clarify (after discussion with other members of the Reading the Detectives Group )Brand has her characters think or say racist things. This doesn't mean Brand herself is racist. I guess this has parallels with the recent [b:The Black Witch|25740412|The Black Witch (The Black Witch Chronicles, #1)|Laurie Forest|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1487956992s/25740412.jpg|45580046] controversy.
ssejig's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Grace Morland is a painter and she's been using that excuse to come and sit on Stephen Pendock's terrace at Pigeonsford Estate. Venetia Gold is a golden woman and she is mirrored by her twin Fran whose mien is rather darker. Grace is jealous of Fran who is young and vivacious and whom she assumes is after Mr. Pendock. When Fran gets a new hat, Pen shows his favor and Grace bites back that she wouldn't be caught dead in that hat.
Well, it turns out that she IS found dead in that hat. Then, while the house guests are mourning Grace, another person is murdered. It's a twisty tale that is definitely a product of its time.
People familiar with Agatha Christie will probably figure out early who the killer is. I'm usually terrible and I figured it out. The problem is that Brand's sensibilities are jarring to read in a more enlightened time. Lots of sweeping generalizations that are racially based.
Well, it turns out that she IS found dead in that hat. Then, while the house guests are mourning Grace, another person is murdered. It's a twisty tale that is definitely a product of its time.
People familiar with Agatha Christie will probably figure out early who the killer is. I'm usually terrible and I figured it out. The problem is that Brand's sensibilities are jarring to read in a more enlightened time. Lots of sweeping generalizations that are racially based.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Xenophobia