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3.36 AVERAGE
3.36 AVERAGE
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Wasn't bad... wasn't great, storyline was OK, just moved too slowly for me and just couldn't get into the style of writing
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
mysterious
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A very interesting book: a wee bit of a pastiche of the mysteries of author Josephine Tey (real name Elizabeth Mackintosh) with Josephine herself as the main character. Loads of paratextualism: the Detective Insector is presented as the model for Tey's Inspector Grant, when presumably the influence goes the other way round; and the actress Lydia Beaumont is similarly the model of/modelled from Tey's Marta Hallard (Lydia's lover is even called Marta). One character, John Terry, is obviously and definitely Sir John Gielgud, and the portrayal of the excitement around Mackintosh's play Richard of Bordeaux seems to be historically accurate. Lovers of Josephine Tey will enjoy all these resonances; and I imagine that any fan of Golden Age Detection Fiction would appreciate this murder, with its roots in the First World War. Not quite a 'cosy'; one for readers of Tey, Sayers, Allingham, and Marsh.
i read The Daughter of Time back in college and remembered really enjoying it. I really enjoyed Upson's story based on the author Josephine Tey. A great mystery which kept me in suspense until the very end.
'To become an expert in murder….cannot be so difficult.’
This is the first in the series of Golden Age crime novels featuring Josephine Tey, the crime writer. I’ve read a few of the series, not in order and thought I would go back to where it all began.
It’s 1934 and Josephine is on her way to London to see her West End play, she meets a young woman and befriends her on the journey, but by it’s end Elspeth Simmonds has been brutally murdered. Her friend Detective Inspector Archie Penrose believes the killing is connected to Tey and that the spiteful killer wants to ensure she is a victim of her own success.
‘A happy cast, an untroubled crew and death in the wings- what more could we ask for?’
This story just oozes Golden Age vibes, 1930’s theatreland is brilliantly recreated and the plot is wonderfully staged. The characters are great, especially Tey herself. I’ve been down a few rabbit holes reading about her life and her work and theatre links as I often do when I read fictional reimaginings of real people and it’s fascinating.
This is a really clever plot with plenty to keep an armchair sleuth on their toes. Jealousies, family secrets, and the consequences of WW1 on peoples lives, it all ties up beautifully. I was absolutely hooked on this one and I’m so glad I’ve still got a few more of this series to read, even if it’s out of order!
✩✩✩✩✩
This is the first in the series of Golden Age crime novels featuring Josephine Tey, the crime writer. I’ve read a few of the series, not in order and thought I would go back to where it all began.
It’s 1934 and Josephine is on her way to London to see her West End play, she meets a young woman and befriends her on the journey, but by it’s end Elspeth Simmonds has been brutally murdered. Her friend Detective Inspector Archie Penrose believes the killing is connected to Tey and that the spiteful killer wants to ensure she is a victim of her own success.
‘A happy cast, an untroubled crew and death in the wings- what more could we ask for?’
This story just oozes Golden Age vibes, 1930’s theatreland is brilliantly recreated and the plot is wonderfully staged. The characters are great, especially Tey herself. I’ve been down a few rabbit holes reading about her life and her work and theatre links as I often do when I read fictional reimaginings of real people and it’s fascinating.
This is a really clever plot with plenty to keep an armchair sleuth on their toes. Jealousies, family secrets, and the consequences of WW1 on peoples lives, it all ties up beautifully. I was absolutely hooked on this one and I’m so glad I’ve still got a few more of this series to read, even if it’s out of order!
✩✩✩✩✩