Scan barcode
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.
tlchand's review against another edition
4.0
I'm a sucker for a good historical fiction - and this one didn't disappoint. Loved the mystery element.
msievers's review against another edition
3.0
An interesting tale of WWI using a mysterious death as a means of telling the story in flashback. As a mystery novel, it was not quite captivating enough, but as historical fiction, it was more satisfying.
ladyhighwayman's review against another edition
3.0
The Return of Captain John Emmett is a mystery novel set in post-Great War London. Laurence Bartram, an officer in the war, is trying to get on with his life when he receives a letter from a Mary Emmett, sister to John Emmett, an old school friend of Laurence's. She informs Laurence that her brother has killed himself while in a veterans' hospital and wants Laurence's help in understanding why.
Laurence, in a quest to help Mary, starts digging into John's past, which soon leads him in the mysterious pasts of others from the war. He starts thinking that perhaps John didn't kill himself, after all. He senses secrets are being kept and there is something much larger going on.
For a mystery novel, there wasn't much action. John, with the help of a friend named Charles, goes around asking questions. People seem to easily open up, perhaps relieved that they can unburden themselves with things they've kept inside for ages. There is a lot of dialogue.
As the story goes on, things start to steadily unfold, and I wasn't sure exactly where the story was going for a while, but I was intrigued. I found the end satisfying. While the mystery was solved, other parts of the story were not tied up in a neat little bow, which I liked, and it was a nice ending.
Laurence, in a quest to help Mary, starts digging into John's past, which soon leads him in the mysterious pasts of others from the war. He starts thinking that perhaps John didn't kill himself, after all. He senses secrets are being kept and there is something much larger going on.
For a mystery novel, there wasn't much action. John, with the help of a friend named Charles, goes around asking questions. People seem to easily open up, perhaps relieved that they can unburden themselves with things they've kept inside for ages. There is a lot of dialogue.
As the story goes on, things start to steadily unfold, and I wasn't sure exactly where the story was going for a while, but I was intrigued. I found the end satisfying. While the mystery was solved, other parts of the story were not tied up in a neat little bow, which I liked, and it was a nice ending.
lgiegerich's review against another edition
3.0
Generally, I liked it. Interesting protagonist, good evocation of the time period. But it just seemed to take to long to get anywhere mystery-wise, which was bound up in perhaps a too nearly coincidental manner. It probably didn't need to be 436 pages.
affiknittyreads's review against another edition
4.0
This is somewhat like the Maisie Dobbs series, in its setting and that it is ostensibly a mystery, but really is more about the character development. It's a little darker and grittier, though (which is not to say that it's terribly dark or gritty). I enjoyed it; I don't know if this is the beginning of a series, but I'd certainly read more featuring these characters.
heather_g's review against another edition
3.0
Lots of interesting characters. A story based on a military execution of a British officer and the service men involved, told from perspective of a friend of one of those men who is investigating his death on behalf of his sister. A pleasant story
bibliobethreads's review against another edition
3.0
An okay book with a bit of a mystery behind it about the death of the strange captain john emmett. Unfortunately I didn't find it exciting enough but I can see why others would enjoy it.
hollyberrybooks's review
4.0
I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/10529353
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/10529353