Queen Anne (b. 1665, d. 1714) was the "Last Queen of England" because the act of union occurred in her reign. She was pregnant many times, but none of her children survived. Or did they?
Genealogist Jefferson Tayte is at a conference in England when his friend and colleague dies in his arms. Tayte and Prof. Jean Summer take on the job that his colleague was working on, which involves the long-ago execution of five members of the Royal Society and a possible heir to the throne via Anne's line of descent.
Soon, though, it also involves murder in the present day, motivated by both politics and greed.
This is the third book in the Jefferson Tayte series, but I don't think you need to read the others first.
Showing posts with label Mystery.. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mystery.. Show all posts
Saturday, May 26, 2018
Wednesday, April 18, 2018
Book review: The Cutting Edge by Jeffery Deaver
The Cutting Edge is the latest novel in the Lincoln Rhyme series, which is one of my favorite series. For those who don't know, Lincoln Rhyme is a criminalist who is also a quadriplegic. He's one of the best in the world at analyzing crime scenes but, since he became disabled, he relies on others to be do the physical examination of the scenes. This novel can be read without reading any of the earlier ones (although I think reading the series in at least rough order would be more enjoyable).
As in all of the books in the series, Rhyme is called in to help on a serial murder case. Relatively early on, we learn that the villain, who is crazy, is killing engaged couples because of their diamond rings - he thinks making diamonds is horrible.
Also as in all the books, there are twists and twists until the final page. Deaver is a master of fitting together all the pieces of his plots so that they make sense. However, I think he takes it one step too far in this book, so it's not my favorite of the series. But it's still very good and will keep you turning the pages.
NOTE: There are scenes of extreme violence in this book. If that turns you off, you shouldn't read it.
As in all of the books in the series, Rhyme is called in to help on a serial murder case. Relatively early on, we learn that the villain, who is crazy, is killing engaged couples because of their diamond rings - he thinks making diamonds is horrible.
Also as in all the books, there are twists and twists until the final page. Deaver is a master of fitting together all the pieces of his plots so that they make sense. However, I think he takes it one step too far in this book, so it's not my favorite of the series. But it's still very good and will keep you turning the pages.
NOTE: There are scenes of extreme violence in this book. If that turns you off, you shouldn't read it.
Friday, February 23, 2018
Book review: Dead Souls by Ian Rankin
John Rebus drinks too much. He smokes too much. He has trouble with authority figures and his relationships with his peers aren't the greatest, either. For fans of this series by Ian Rankin, none of this is news. Nor is it news that Rebus is an excellent detective and a likable figure.
Dead Souls is the 10th novel in the John Rebus series and one of the best. This is Scottish noir at its darkest. Here, Rebus is dealing with a colleague's seemingly senseless suicide, child abuse and its cover-up, a missing child and a serial killer. All these plots intertwine, involving Rebus and those closest to him in their web.
Dead Souls features all the things that Rankin does best: A labyrinthine plot, excellent dialogue and socially troubling and confusing issues. John Rebus is out to solve crimes but he is also out to right wrongs. But the best intentions can go astray when dealing with the darkest aspects of the human soul; in the real world, as in <i>Dead Souls,</i> criminal guilt and innocence are easier to establish than their moral analogues, and many villains were themselves victims at some point. Rankin deals with this well, letting Rebus see the moral ambiguities of life without ever sliding into the sort of relativism that says no one is guilty of anything.
If that isn't enough, Rankin continues to portray John Rebus' native Edinburgh at its best and worst. Although I am not familiar with the city in real life, I am growing familiar with it through this series of books.
Ian Rankin was born in Fife in 1960. He graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 1982. He began writing novels while working on a PhD (not completed) and his first Rebus novel was published in 1987.
Dead Souls is the 10th novel in the John Rebus series and one of the best. This is Scottish noir at its darkest. Here, Rebus is dealing with a colleague's seemingly senseless suicide, child abuse and its cover-up, a missing child and a serial killer. All these plots intertwine, involving Rebus and those closest to him in their web.
Dead Souls features all the things that Rankin does best: A labyrinthine plot, excellent dialogue and socially troubling and confusing issues. John Rebus is out to solve crimes but he is also out to right wrongs. But the best intentions can go astray when dealing with the darkest aspects of the human soul; in the real world, as in <i>Dead Souls,</i> criminal guilt and innocence are easier to establish than their moral analogues, and many villains were themselves victims at some point. Rankin deals with this well, letting Rebus see the moral ambiguities of life without ever sliding into the sort of relativism that says no one is guilty of anything.
If that isn't enough, Rankin continues to portray John Rebus' native Edinburgh at its best and worst. Although I am not familiar with the city in real life, I am growing familiar with it through this series of books.
Ian Rankin was born in Fife in 1960. He graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 1982. He began writing novels while working on a PhD (not completed) and his first Rebus novel was published in 1987.
Monday, October 10, 2016
Book review: Widows' Walk by Robert Parker
Year published: 2002
Date I finished reading: Oct 10, 2016
Genre: Mystery
Rating: B-
Review: Widows' Walk is the 29th book in the Spenser series. When Nathan Smith is shot to death, his widow, Mary, is suspect number 1. They were alone in the house together. They fought earlier in the day. He's insured for $10,000,000. But .... Spenser is hired by her lawyer to investigate. And, very quickly, things get very complicated and very violent.Too complicated for me. I got lost.
Widows' Walk is among my least favorite in the series. Not only is the plot too complex, but there are uncomfortable scenes of Spenser and others not quite disapproving of police brutality and there are some unfortunate confusions about the nature of homosexuality. I expect better of Mr. Parker and, ususally, I get it.
Date I finished reading: Oct 10, 2016
Genre: Mystery
Rating: B-
Review: Widows' Walk is the 29th book in the Spenser series. When Nathan Smith is shot to death, his widow, Mary, is suspect number 1. They were alone in the house together. They fought earlier in the day. He's insured for $10,000,000. But .... Spenser is hired by her lawyer to investigate. And, very quickly, things get very complicated and very violent.Too complicated for me. I got lost.
Widows' Walk is among my least favorite in the series. Not only is the plot too complex, but there are uncomfortable scenes of Spenser and others not quite disapproving of police brutality and there are some unfortunate confusions about the nature of homosexuality. I expect better of Mr. Parker and, ususally, I get it.
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