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jessthebookworm's review against another edition
3.0
3 and a half stars.
I only realised once I had started reading this book that it was the same author who had written the Russian Concubine. If had known that, I probably would not have picked the book up in the first place.
Anyway, I am glad that I did pick this book up.
The story follows Jessica, as she deals firstly with the disappearance of her brother Georgie when she is younger, and now as an adult, the disappearance of her brother Timothy. Her brother Timothy's disappearance causes her to travel to Egypt to find him, and unravel the mystery of his disappearance.
I must say that I enjoyed the parts of the story written from Georgie's perspective, being unsure of whether or not it is accurate, it was interesting to be given an insight into an autistic mind.
The book was a page turner, but unfortunately filled with too many convenient turns, and a bit of a rushed and unpolished ending, otherwise it would have gotten 4 stars.
I only realised once I had started reading this book that it was the same author who had written the Russian Concubine. If had known that, I probably would not have picked the book up in the first place.
Anyway, I am glad that I did pick this book up.
The story follows Jessica, as she deals firstly with the disappearance of her brother Georgie when she is younger, and now as an adult, the disappearance of her brother Timothy. Her brother Timothy's disappearance causes her to travel to Egypt to find him, and unravel the mystery of his disappearance.
I must say that I enjoyed the parts of the story written from Georgie's perspective, being unsure of whether or not it is accurate, it was interesting to be given an insight into an autistic mind.
The book was a page turner, but unfortunately filled with too many convenient turns, and a bit of a rushed and unpolished ending, otherwise it would have gotten 4 stars.
twistinthetale's review
2.0
This was a book with plenty of potential but there was something missing. I just didn't feel the chemistry between the main characters and the multiple, intersecting storylines felt clumsy and forced. I made it to the end but it felt like an effort.
renate_djvw's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
3.75
specialk046's review against another edition
3.0
This book seemed to have a different vibe from her other novels, which I really enjoyed.
jaclynder's review against another edition
4.0
Shadows on the Nile is a mystery set in 1932 London and Egypt. Jessica Kenton’s stable life is threatened when her younger brother, Timothy vanishes. Jessica is charged with finding her brother, never dreaming that it will take her to exotic Egypt. Along the way, Jessica gains the “help” of impoverished aristocrat, Monty, who has his own motives for getting involved. On the trail for her brother, Jessica finds herself with more trouble than she bargained for and her family’s closely held secret will be revealed.
This was my first Furnivall novel and I loved it! The novel was very atmospheric and I loved the transition from London to Egypt and the contrast that these two made. The mystery was revealed slowly and at times I was frustrated at the pacing, but it never made me want to put the book down. Within Jessica’s narrative we also have interludes by what starts out as a mysterious voice, which we later learn is Jessica’s “true” brother. While I liked the writing style in her brother’s voice I did think it hampered the pacing a little bit. The storyline with Jessica’s “real” brother also seemed like a little bit of an awkward addition to the mystery and I have mixed feelings about its inclusion.
I also liked the romance aspect to the book, it was never the centre of the story, but added another layer to the central mystery plot. Monty was a rather ambiguous character, making it difficult to understand his motives for helping Jessica. What’s never in question is Monty’s feelings towards Jessica, but reader’s are kept in suspense as to whether or not Monty is the “good guy.” I liked the addition of this relationship and I think it will appeal to readers who want a more character-driven novel.
The time period in which Shadows on the Nile was set is what really made this book for me. I find Egypt in the 1930s to be extremely interesting period since it’s characterized as a time of exploration and cultural pillage. I liked that Furnivall addressed the moral ambiguity of British citizens removing Egyptian artifacts without permission. It’s an interesting period and to be honest, completely reminds me of the movie, The Mummy – minus the whole supernatural dead rising from the grave to wreck havoc on the city. Since I loved that movie, I felt predisposed to enjoy Shadows on the Nile. While Shadows did not have any supernatural elements to it, the atmospheric historical setting really appealed to me.
Overall, I loved the mystery, the historical setting and the dash of romance that rounded out this novel, which is saying something since I’m very picky about my historical fiction.
*Review copy provided by Edelweiss. Review with read alikes available here.
This was my first Furnivall novel and I loved it! The novel was very atmospheric and I loved the transition from London to Egypt and the contrast that these two made. The mystery was revealed slowly and at times I was frustrated at the pacing, but it never made me want to put the book down. Within Jessica’s narrative we also have interludes by what starts out as a mysterious voice, which we later learn is Jessica’s “true” brother. While I liked the writing style in her brother’s voice I did think it hampered the pacing a little bit. The storyline with Jessica’s “real” brother also seemed like a little bit of an awkward addition to the mystery and I have mixed feelings about its inclusion.
I also liked the romance aspect to the book, it was never the centre of the story, but added another layer to the central mystery plot. Monty was a rather ambiguous character, making it difficult to understand his motives for helping Jessica. What’s never in question is Monty’s feelings towards Jessica, but reader’s are kept in suspense as to whether or not Monty is the “good guy.” I liked the addition of this relationship and I think it will appeal to readers who want a more character-driven novel.
The time period in which Shadows on the Nile was set is what really made this book for me. I find Egypt in the 1930s to be extremely interesting period since it’s characterized as a time of exploration and cultural pillage. I liked that Furnivall addressed the moral ambiguity of British citizens removing Egyptian artifacts without permission. It’s an interesting period and to be honest, completely reminds me of the movie, The Mummy – minus the whole supernatural dead rising from the grave to wreck havoc on the city. Since I loved that movie, I felt predisposed to enjoy Shadows on the Nile. While Shadows did not have any supernatural elements to it, the atmospheric historical setting really appealed to me.
Overall, I loved the mystery, the historical setting and the dash of romance that rounded out this novel, which is saying something since I’m very picky about my historical fiction.
*Review copy provided by Edelweiss. Review with read alikes available here.
adastrawithbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-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? Yes
3.5
tharina's review against another edition
2.0
Ai. This book tries so hard, but somehow just falls short. The ingredients are there for a great story, but it doesn't come together in the end.
Kate Furnivall clearly did a lot of research into the era, but the snippets of information inserted randomly into paragraphs read like annoying Wikipedia entries. It's like the book wanted to keep reminding you that it was set in 1932, lest the dates above the chapters weren't enough.
People don't say things like "four years ago in 1928" in ordinary conversation; it's either "four years ago" or "in 1928" (or, more likely, something such as "about four of five years ago" or "I think it was in 1928"). The only character who can get away with this Wikipedia-esque behaviour is Georgie, because his behaviour places him on the autism spectrum.
The various 'clues' which lead Jessie to Tim are so implausible and so unlikely. I just couldn't buy into it - and I've bought into Sophie Hannah plots in the past!
Popsugar 2017: A book about travel.
Kate Furnivall clearly did a lot of research into the era, but the snippets of information inserted randomly into paragraphs read like annoying Wikipedia entries. It's like the book wanted to keep reminding you that it was set in 1932, lest the dates above the chapters weren't enough.
People don't say things like "four years ago in 1928" in ordinary conversation; it's either "four years ago" or "in 1928" (or, more likely, something such as "about four of five years ago" or "I think it was in 1928"). The only character who can get away with this Wikipedia-esque behaviour is Georgie, because his behaviour places him on the autism spectrum.
The various 'clues' which lead Jessie to Tim are so implausible and so unlikely. I just couldn't buy into it - and I've bought into Sophie Hannah plots in the past!
Popsugar 2017: A book about travel.
lizakessler's review against another edition
3.0
I think I got this at the used book store by work. Hadn't heard of the author before. It was fine, but very wordy. All the twists in the final reveal were a little much.
kali's review against another edition
I was immediately pulled into this mystery by the heart-wrenching choice of Jessie’s parents to institutionalise her 5-year-old brother Georgie and replace him with an adopted brother Tim in 1912. Fast forward to 1932 and Tim has gone missing and left clues for Jessie to follow and find him in Egypt. Little does she know that since he was a young teenager, Tim has been visiting Georgie. Twists and turns, page turner, though there are some plot holes.
grimoiregrove's review against another edition
4.0
I received this book through Goodreads First Reads. (Uncorrected Proof)
*Spoiler Free*
In 1912 London one night Jessie Kenton hears her little brother, Georgie, scream and wakes up the next morning find him gone. Her mother and father never speak of him again.
Twenty years later, Jessie's other brother, Timothy, vanishes. with the guilt over never finding Georgie she sets out to find Timothy which leads her to Egypt along with the help from Sir Montague Chamford.
This is told from different characters' points of view. It was quite easy to follow as the points of view changed from one character to another. To me that was a big plus. There were a few grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors, since it was an uncorrected proof it did not bother me as much. I loved the descriptive details throughout the story. I found it easier to picture the surrounding the characters described. The author provided a lot of information of Egypt and many other things through the story so that you are not left wondering or confused. I feel the author did very well in her research of Egypt for this novel.
All in all, I enjoyed my time reading this novel. It was a refreshing difference from what I usually read.
Would I read it again?
Sure
Would I recommend it to others?
yes
*Spoiler Free*
In 1912 London one night Jessie Kenton hears her little brother, Georgie, scream and wakes up the next morning find him gone. Her mother and father never speak of him again.
Twenty years later, Jessie's other brother, Timothy, vanishes. with the guilt over never finding Georgie she sets out to find Timothy which leads her to Egypt along with the help from Sir Montague Chamford.
This is told from different characters' points of view. It was quite easy to follow as the points of view changed from one character to another. To me that was a big plus. There were a few grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors, since it was an uncorrected proof it did not bother me as much. I loved the descriptive details throughout the story. I found it easier to picture the surrounding the characters described. The author provided a lot of information of Egypt and many other things through the story so that you are not left wondering or confused. I feel the author did very well in her research of Egypt for this novel.
All in all, I enjoyed my time reading this novel. It was a refreshing difference from what I usually read.
Would I read it again?
Sure
Would I recommend it to others?
yes