Deeply odd. Though it's quick-paced and grappling with some fascinating topics, none of the characters behave like real people. Then toward the end there's an abrupt left turn featuring a fictional African country that practices cannibalism. I found it, if not outright racist, deeply uncomfortable. A bizarre little book.
funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No
lighthearted medium-paced

  • made me realise how little i know about the lord lucan case, in that it's just become a sort of phrase without an etymology, a shorthand for mysterious goings on.
  • always surreal to read a 21st century spark. what do you mean 'laptop computer'?
  • i'm not sure i'm convinced by myself on this, but if i wanted to be provocative in a room full of scottish literature scholars, i might say something like "there's major sparks and there's minor sparks. an example of a major spark is the prime of miss jean brodie, and an example of a minor spark is literally any of her other novels." it's just that prime is really powerful in its ellisions, jumps and gaps, whereas in her other novels, that style consistently makes me feel like i missed something, am scrambling a bit to keep up.

A rather slight though darkly humorous look at what may have happened to Lord Lucan twenty-five years after he fled justice. I listened to the audio version and Davina Porter did her usual excellent job.

harvio's review

1.0

- my lowest rating ever given to a book that I've finished
- repetitive, choppy, and difficult to read, this poorly-written fictional/surrealistic interpretation of a real-life story was a real exercise in frustration for me
- the real story, upon which this book was based, was so interesting that I kept hoping to learn more about it
- In 1974, the 7th Earl Of Lucan (a member of the British aristocracy) accidentally murdered his children's nanny in an abortive attempt to kill his wife. He then completely disappeared!
- I wouldn't mind ready a non-fiction account of this case.

Delightfully witty and deliciously wicked, this was a fast, fun summer read.

Glad it was only three tapes.
challenging funny mysterious medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I found this book entertaining but very weird. I still can't tell if I liked it or not 

Twisty mystery with somewhat wicked humor. Loved the ending.