Kirjailijakuva

A. J. MacKenzie

Teoksen The Body on the Doorstep tekijä

17 teosta 119 jäsentä 3 arvostelua

Sarjat

Tekijän teokset

Merkitty avainsanalla

Yleistieto

Jäseniä

Kirja-arvosteluja

1796 - St Mary in the Marsh, Romney Marsh, Kent and the Reverend Hardcastle, answers a knock at his door late one night, only to find a dying man.
What does his last words mean, what is the significance of the shots heard that night, is there any connection to the various smuggling rings up and down the coast, or is it as the inhabitants fear a prelude to an invasion by the French.
Enjoyed this first in the series and will look out for the next one.
A NetGalley book
 
Merkitty asiattomaksi
Vesper1931 | 1 muu arvostelu | Jul 29, 2021 |
From the blurb:1796,Kent, a killer at large, a family feud and a house with a secret. Doesn't it sound good? 
The year is 1796,the United States have gained their independence some 20 years previously, the British took part of Canada from the French and the French fleet is ready (or so it seems) to invade Britain. The relationship between the British, the Americans  ( republicans) and the French( revolutionary) is slightly troubled,to say the least. Against this background a small coastal community, and more specifically Reverend Hardcastle  (who is also a Justice of Peace) is confronted with murder  ( and smugglers, French spies and an adorable Irish wolfhound who is not particularly brave  (a rabbit frightened the hell out of him)).The historical setting is marvellous, it is very atmospheric and the main characters are endearing. 
But strangely enough, the last chapters are perhaps a bit long-winded with too much gunpowder, spies and cloak and dagger and somehow it kills all that atmospheric tension. 
Still, all in all, a very good read. 
… (lisätietoja)
 
Merkitty asiattomaksi
Obi2015 | Jul 19, 2020 |
Kent in 1796 is a county rife with rumour and intrigue. Down on the cost smugglers import tobacco and alcohol, hoping to outwit both the customs and the excise, the local people are either actively involved, support the smugglers or turn a blind eye. Meanwhile just a few years after the French revolution the french army is cutting a swathe through Europe and Southern England is alert from signs of invasion. In the middle of this is the Reverend Hardcastle, one-time man about town with a bright future, now serving the parish of St Mary in the Marsh and sinking into an alcoholic fug. When a man is shot and found dying on his doorstep Hardcastle is plunged into a plot involving espionage, treason and betrayal.

This is a most impressive debut from a new writing team. The setting pre-dates most of the war between England and France, i.e.. pre-Bonaparte, but is beautifully realised with lots of understanding of both the politics and everyday life. The setting of Romney Marsh is visualised, particularly effect are the descriptions of fog and darkness, and the characters of Hardcastle and Chaytor are very engaging and with obvious backstories that are hinted at. The plot is cleverly put together with differing explanations and characters and motives that may or may not be true. All in all a terrific book and I want to read more!
… (lisätietoja)
 
Merkitty asiattomaksi
pluckedhighbrow | 1 muu arvostelu | Jun 26, 2017 |

You May Also Like

Associated Authors

Ric Jerrom Narrator

Tilastot

Teokset
17
Jäseniä
119
Suosituimmuussija
#166,388
Arvio (tähdet)
4.0
Kirja-arvosteluja
3
ISBN:t
28

Taulukot ja kaaviot