kbmertz's review against another edition
3.0
Ended too quickly with not enough resolution - just left you to draw conclusions. Overall an interesting book, exciting in parts, and a good story.
organchordsandlightning's review against another edition
4.0
One-sentence synopsis: Becker is a detective that investigates people's mental standing for a lawyer; he is summoned to investigate an author and becomes entrenched in a mystery that involves the murder of two children.
I thought the premise for the book was really well done, it's nice to have a backstory more interesting than a generic 'private detective' take. Becker himself is kind of flat, though. I thought the 'what actually happened in that trek through the jungle' subplot was also interesting, and found myself captivated by both the journal entries and narration by various members of the party.
Towards the end, though, I found myself a little disappointed about the ending. I'm glad it didn't completely boil down to 'Sir Owain was nuts', but the Big Bad seemed to come out of nowhere and it didn't quite sit right with me. However, it was still great to get through.
I thought the premise for the book was really well done, it's nice to have a backstory more interesting than a generic 'private detective' take. Becker himself is kind of flat, though. I thought the 'what actually happened in that trek through the jungle' subplot was also interesting, and found myself captivated by both the journal entries and narration by various members of the party.
Towards the end, though, I found myself a little disappointed about the ending. I'm glad it didn't completely boil down to 'Sir Owain was nuts', but the Big Bad seemed to come out of nowhere and it didn't quite sit right with me. However, it was still great to get through.
lazygal's review against another edition
3.0
The subtitle is a bit confusing: this is a novel as much as it is a mystery (and this goes back to the question I've been asking for the past year or so - why are we using "a novel" as a subtitle? is there the risk we can't tell fact from fiction?).
There are two intertwined questions here, the first being "who killed the two little girls, and how is this related to the assaults on Grace and Evangeline years ago?" and "is Sir Owain insane?". Our hero is, of course, concerned that perhaps the answers to one lead to the other. Sebastian Becker works for the Crown in the role of Visitor in Lunacy, helping determine whether someone is capable of handling his (or her) affairs or needs to be put in "Bethlam" (aka "St. Mary Bethlehem Hospital" or Bedlam). His previous training, however, was as a Pinkerton detective, and he uses this to help Steven Reed figure out what's happening in Arnmouth.
The two questions do appear to be related, and Sebastian's investigation leads to some interesting characters, including the aforementioned Evangeline, now a suffragette working in the Inns of Court. The two, along with Sebastian's son Robert (whom I thought had Down's Syndrome, given the name of his doctors, but it's more ASD-like) try to determine the truth of the ill-fated Amazon trip that Sir Owain led, and whether he is now mad as a result.
The ending is a little rushed yet nonetheless satisfying. The questions are answered and were not telegraphed way in advance - always nice in a mystery. The descriptions of the Amazon, medicine 100 years ago and the suffrage movement make add to the atmosphere in an organic way (in other words, they don't feel tacked on to the mystery to give it a setting).
ARC provided by publisher.
There are two intertwined questions here, the first being "who killed the two little girls, and how is this related to the assaults on Grace and Evangeline years ago?" and "is Sir Owain insane?". Our hero is, of course, concerned that perhaps the answers to one lead to the other. Sebastian Becker works for the Crown in the role of Visitor in Lunacy, helping determine whether someone is capable of handling his (or her) affairs or needs to be put in "Bethlam" (aka "St. Mary Bethlehem Hospital" or Bedlam). His previous training, however, was as a Pinkerton detective, and he uses this to help Steven Reed figure out what's happening in Arnmouth.
The two questions do appear to be related, and Sebastian's investigation leads to some interesting characters, including the aforementioned Evangeline, now a suffragette working in the Inns of Court. The two, along with Sebastian's son Robert (whom I thought had Down's Syndrome, given the name of his doctors, but it's more ASD-like) try to determine the truth of the ill-fated Amazon trip that Sir Owain led, and whether he is now mad as a result.
The ending is a little rushed yet nonetheless satisfying. The questions are answered and were not telegraphed way in advance - always nice in a mystery. The descriptions of the Amazon, medicine 100 years ago and the suffrage movement make add to the atmosphere in an organic way (in other words, they don't feel tacked on to the mystery to give it a setting).
ARC provided by publisher.
claudia_is_reading's review
4.0
A truly great book. The portrait of the era is wonderfully done, the characters are lively and interesting, and the mystery engaging and the end surprised me.
And even if this belongs to a series, it can be perfectly read as a stand-alone. I did, and I didn't feel that there was something amiss or missing.
The narration was superb.
And even if this belongs to a series, it can be perfectly read as a stand-alone. I did, and I didn't feel that there was something amiss or missing.
The narration was superb.
prof_shoff's review
3.0
This is a somewhat complex story, with lots of little twists and turns leading down nonessential paths. Quietly interesting.
sk888888's review against another edition
2.0
Read for book club. Skimmed a lot (while crime & mysteries are definitely my favorite 'reads' I just could not get into this one. The last two chapters were, finally, interesting.
gawronma's review against another edition
3.0
First I think 3 and a half stars would be a more accurate rating. I truly enjoyed it. The book felt like a nice mix of mystery, horror and suspence. At times it felt like I was reading an old movie serial from the 30's. A really enjoyable read.
beckylej's review against another edition
4.0
Sir Owain Lancaster's account of his expedition to South America has left many questioning the man's sanity. The entire team of explorers and Lancaster's own wife and son were killed. No one is left to back up Lancaster's tale of strange and murderous creatures.
Sebastian Becker's job is to investigate Lancaster's state of mind. But when he arrives in Arnmouth, another crime has just occurred -- two girls have been brutalized and murdered on Lancaster's estate. Could Lancaster be behind the murders?
The premise of this mystery is really unique -- Becker is a former Pinkerton who now works as an investigator for an asylum. The historical setting makes it that much more fantastic.
Sebastian Becker's job is to investigate Lancaster's state of mind. But when he arrives in Arnmouth, another crime has just occurred -- two girls have been brutalized and murdered on Lancaster's estate. Could Lancaster be behind the murders?
The premise of this mystery is really unique -- Becker is a former Pinkerton who now works as an investigator for an asylum. The historical setting makes it that much more fantastic.
aditurbo's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed reading this book and liked the detective character in its center, but it was a little meh. The story was a little too far-fetched, and so were some of the plot twists. Important characters were killed off without anyone else losing step or practically noticing. The psychological side was somewhat superficial, too. Not sure I would make too much effort to read any sequels if they come.