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mwgerard's review against another edition
2.0
Rather disappointing overall.
http://cineastesbookshelf.blogspot.com/2011/08/review-return-of-captain-john-emmett-by.html
http://cineastesbookshelf.blogspot.com/2011/08/review-return-of-captain-john-emmett-by.html
jengirlreads's review against another edition
4.0
Another in my line of post-World War I mysteries -- some of the themes are very similar to the Charles Todd books, but the writing is crisp and engaging, and the mystery was compelling. A solid beginning to a mystery series.
thereclamationproject's review against another edition
4.0
For the past couple of years I've come to enjoy the interwar period a great deal. This is due largely in part to Jacqueline Winspear's Maisie Dobbs series and Charles Todd's Inspector Rutledge series. And although I have no idea if Elizabeth Speller plans to make a series out of her newest novel, I would be all for it.
Speller's novel, The Return of Captain John Emmett, has Laurence Bartram, a veteran of the war and living in London, involved in trying to find out what happened to his old school mate, John Emmett. Bartram is asked by Emmett's sister Mary, to find out why her brother killed himself in a forest near the hospital he was staying at.
"In years to come, Laurence Bartram would look back and think that the event that really changed everything was not the war, nor the attack at Rosieres, nor even the loss of his wife, but the return of John Emmett into his life."
Laurence is reluctant to even begin his journey because he hadn't been friendly with Emmett since their years at school together. However, Laurence is stalled emotionally and professionally, so he begins asking questions.
The investigation leads Laurence into the complicated life of John Emmett during and immediately after the war. Emmett was involved in the execution of a fellow soldier who deserted the Army during the war and his life quickly unravels from there, ending with a stay in a mental hospital.
Laurence himself has dealt with some difficult demons, especially his experiences during the war, but also the death of his wife and child in childbirth. At times Laurence is the typical reluctant hero, but it's his internal conflict, which we don't know much about, but can sense, is really what pulls the reader in.
What I appreciate about Speller's novel is that it doesn't linger over the shell shock many soldiers experienced after the war. Though this is a crucial experience of the post World War I world, I've read too many novels that deal with this topic. Speller's investigation into the other side effects of war, regret, anger, shame and perseverance, made her characters more intriguing and engaging. And like any good mystery novel, I thought I had figured out what happened, only to have it turned upside down.
This is a great novel about a sad time in our history and I hope to follow along with Laurence on some future investigations.
*eBook/ARC provided courtesy of NetGalley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Speller's novel, The Return of Captain John Emmett, has Laurence Bartram, a veteran of the war and living in London, involved in trying to find out what happened to his old school mate, John Emmett. Bartram is asked by Emmett's sister Mary, to find out why her brother killed himself in a forest near the hospital he was staying at.
"In years to come, Laurence Bartram would look back and think that the event that really changed everything was not the war, nor the attack at Rosieres, nor even the loss of his wife, but the return of John Emmett into his life."
Laurence is reluctant to even begin his journey because he hadn't been friendly with Emmett since their years at school together. However, Laurence is stalled emotionally and professionally, so he begins asking questions.
The investigation leads Laurence into the complicated life of John Emmett during and immediately after the war. Emmett was involved in the execution of a fellow soldier who deserted the Army during the war and his life quickly unravels from there, ending with a stay in a mental hospital.
Laurence himself has dealt with some difficult demons, especially his experiences during the war, but also the death of his wife and child in childbirth. At times Laurence is the typical reluctant hero, but it's his internal conflict, which we don't know much about, but can sense, is really what pulls the reader in.
What I appreciate about Speller's novel is that it doesn't linger over the shell shock many soldiers experienced after the war. Though this is a crucial experience of the post World War I world, I've read too many novels that deal with this topic. Speller's investigation into the other side effects of war, regret, anger, shame and perseverance, made her characters more intriguing and engaging. And like any good mystery novel, I thought I had figured out what happened, only to have it turned upside down.
This is a great novel about a sad time in our history and I hope to follow along with Laurence on some future investigations.
*eBook/ARC provided courtesy of NetGalley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
traciemasek's review against another edition
3.0
I've now gone from reading a bunch of westerns to reading a bunch of Edwardian-era mysteries. I forgot how much I like reading mysteries, although I treated this one poorly, not giving it the proper attention I should have. I forgot a few names and characters, but luckily I was reading this on Kindle so I could search easily for the former references to trigger my memory. I figured out the one part early even though it didn't really feel to me like a "figure it out/whodunnit" type story. It was enjoyable to sit back and let it unfold. It's not a great mystery, but I liked reading it. Full disclosure: most likely the reason I liked it so much is I'm so obsessed with Downton Abbey and this takes place right after World War I, so it fit right in with that obsessed.
Other non-relevant observation: I've been reading books that take place during the same time period (between 1880 and 1925) alternating between Edwardian England and the American West, and I feel quite lost in England but had mad fantasies about being a cowboy.
Other non-relevant observation: I've been reading books that take place during the same time period (between 1880 and 1925) alternating between Edwardian England and the American West, and I feel quite lost in England but had mad fantasies about being a cowboy.
kamome_reads's review against another edition
3.0
Dragged plot. Not thrilling enough. Weak portrayal of the protagonist. Good history setting, rich vocabulary and nice writing style though.
git_r_read's review against another edition
5.0
This could almost be labeled amateur sleuth, but it doesn't have the same feel as others I've read. It felt more like historical mystery along the lines of Maisie Dobbs, written by Jacqueline Winspear. That may only be because of the time the book is set, after WWI.
Soldiers have come home from the war in various states of wellness or injury. This is also a view of the class system in England and the changes that were occurring.
Laurence Bartram is at odds with his life. He's home from the war, his wife and child died while he was fighting. He has enough money to set aside to live reasonably well without having to immediately find a job. He's writing a book about the architecture of the churches in England. Then he hears from the sister of an old schoolmate. Mary wants Laurence to find out why her brother committed suicide. He came home mentally exhausted from the war, but was doing so much better at the convalescent home where he was recovering. Then Emmett's body is found, dead from what looks to be a self-inflicted wound.
Mary thinks that Laurence must have been closer to him than she. Added to the fact that they both fought in the war, maybe Laurence has insight into what might have caused the death.
Laurence and his friend Charles proceed to investigate, finding out more than they originally imagined would be the story.
There's human greed and pettiness causing more grief and death even among the allies.
I loved this slow moving book. I immediately bought the second in the series and I can't wait to read the next.
Soldiers have come home from the war in various states of wellness or injury. This is also a view of the class system in England and the changes that were occurring.
Laurence Bartram is at odds with his life. He's home from the war, his wife and child died while he was fighting. He has enough money to set aside to live reasonably well without having to immediately find a job. He's writing a book about the architecture of the churches in England. Then he hears from the sister of an old schoolmate. Mary wants Laurence to find out why her brother committed suicide. He came home mentally exhausted from the war, but was doing so much better at the convalescent home where he was recovering. Then Emmett's body is found, dead from what looks to be a self-inflicted wound.
Mary thinks that Laurence must have been closer to him than she. Added to the fact that they both fought in the war, maybe Laurence has insight into what might have caused the death.
Laurence and his friend Charles proceed to investigate, finding out more than they originally imagined would be the story.
There's human greed and pettiness causing more grief and death even among the allies.
I loved this slow moving book. I immediately bought the second in the series and I can't wait to read the next.
eososray's review against another edition
3.0
I love mysteries set in WWI and one with a physiological aspect had to be read.
The damage of war is not always in the physical wounds but the emotional and mental wounds that were not understood by either the medical field or the friends and family at home. The author does a wonderful job of portraying this in the story and most especially in the main character of John Emmett.
The mystery wasn't stunning though it was an integral and vital part of the story. The conclusion of this story took far too long after finding out the answer to the mystery but it was a good book for the most part.
The damage of war is not always in the physical wounds but the emotional and mental wounds that were not understood by either the medical field or the friends and family at home. The author does a wonderful job of portraying this in the story and most especially in the main character of John Emmett.
The mystery wasn't stunning though it was an integral and vital part of the story. The conclusion of this story took far too long after finding out the answer to the mystery but it was a good book for the most part.
appletonkelli's review against another edition
4.0
This wonderful WW1 mystery kept me guessing until nearly the end of the book.
mildemakrel's review
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
ecclescake's review
3.0
An excellent recounting of the horror of war, but especially the specific horror of the Great War.
I found myself getting some of the many characters confused (especially those who were only referred to, rather than actually "appearing" in the story), and had to glance back a couple of times to remind myself exactly who was who.
The mystery element was well written and I didn't guess "whodunnit". In fact I wasn't completely convinced there was a "dunnit" until the final revelation, which was very chilling.
I found some of the action a bit slow, but on the whole would recommend this book as a good read on many levels.
I found myself getting some of the many characters confused (especially those who were only referred to, rather than actually "appearing" in the story), and had to glance back a couple of times to remind myself exactly who was who.
The mystery element was well written and I didn't guess "whodunnit". In fact I wasn't completely convinced there was a "dunnit" until the final revelation, which was very chilling.
I found some of the action a bit slow, but on the whole would recommend this book as a good read on many levels.