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jonathanrobert's review
funny
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
doodlebuginarug's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
annieb123's review against another edition
5.0
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Bryant & May: Hall of Mirrors is the 15th (!!) book in Christopher Fowler's glorious series featuring an ensemble cast of synergistic misfits. The quality of this series simply can't be overstated. The characters are perfectly drawn and obey believable internal motivations. They're always 'in character'.
This is one of my favorite series. I anticipate each new entry and despite having received review copies, I buy copies and indeed have recommended and gifted books in the series to friends. Although Hall of Mirrors is temporally displaced from most of the rest of the PCU books, the seeds are there for the unfolding of future events.
It was genuinely touching to see the genesis of quirky trademarks like Bryant's pot plant, ratty striped scarf, and hippie-style Mini Victor. I loved seeing Bryant and May doing what they do together.
In exploding the classic English country house mystery, Mr. Fowler provides a perfect blending of tongue in cheek sarcasm, wonderful humor, engaging mystery and fun. I loved seeing Bryant and May trapped in the countryside and as always lying under threat of an administrative sacking for them and the PCU.
This episode of the series could be read as a standalone, however, I strongly recommend starting from one of the 'current' books, especially since this book provides the origin for so many lynchpins of the books released earlier.
As always, the author's research and background are meticulous. I didn't notice any glaring anachronisms. The inconvenience of not having access to internet searches, Wi-Fi, mobile phones and other electronic doo-daddery is clear and present.
This book (and the series as a whole) are sharply funny. They are biting and fast paced and funky and truly superlatively well written.
I recommend this book and the series wholeheartedly.
Five stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Bryant & May: Hall of Mirrors is the 15th (!!) book in Christopher Fowler's glorious series featuring an ensemble cast of synergistic misfits. The quality of this series simply can't be overstated. The characters are perfectly drawn and obey believable internal motivations. They're always 'in character'.
This is one of my favorite series. I anticipate each new entry and despite having received review copies, I buy copies and indeed have recommended and gifted books in the series to friends. Although Hall of Mirrors is temporally displaced from most of the rest of the PCU books, the seeds are there for the unfolding of future events.
It was genuinely touching to see the genesis of quirky trademarks like Bryant's pot plant, ratty striped scarf, and hippie-style Mini Victor. I loved seeing Bryant and May doing what they do together.
In exploding the classic English country house mystery, Mr. Fowler provides a perfect blending of tongue in cheek sarcasm, wonderful humor, engaging mystery and fun. I loved seeing Bryant and May trapped in the countryside and as always lying under threat of an administrative sacking for them and the PCU.
This episode of the series could be read as a standalone, however, I strongly recommend starting from one of the 'current' books, especially since this book provides the origin for so many lynchpins of the books released earlier.
As always, the author's research and background are meticulous. I didn't notice any glaring anachronisms. The inconvenience of not having access to internet searches, Wi-Fi, mobile phones and other electronic doo-daddery is clear and present.
This book (and the series as a whole) are sharply funny. They are biting and fast paced and funky and truly superlatively well written.
I recommend this book and the series wholeheartedly.
Five stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
carolwk's review against another edition
1.0
I was so uninterested I couldn't force myself to finish it. I think I'm giving up on this series.
mike_brough's review against another edition
4.0
A really good Bryant & May story, despite the complaints I'd read beforehand about the 60s country house setting being 'unsuitable'.
The detectives are slightly vague, unformed, unfinished versions of their current-day selves but they're more than recognisable. And engaging.
The story is traditional, Golden Age hokum but still enjoyable.
Chapter 49, Hello, Goodbye, had me in tears.
The detectives are slightly vague, unformed, unfinished versions of their current-day selves but they're more than recognisable. And engaging.
The story is traditional, Golden Age hokum but still enjoyable.
Chapter 49, Hello, Goodbye, had me in tears.
judyward's review against another edition
4.0
In 1969 youngish detectives Arthur Bryant and John May are involved in an English country house weekend mystery with the usual hilarious results. I am so in love with this series that I am already anxious for the next book to be published. No pressure, Christopher Fowler, but, seriously, get to writing.
kirkw1972's review against another edition
4.0
I read the first of these books last month and really enjoyed it so I was looking forward to this one and it did not disappoint (I’ve the 13 in the middle to pick up at some point).
It mentions in the beginning that this story is going to follow on the lines of an Agatha Christie mystery with everybody stuck in an old country house while the detectives try and solve a murder. The actual murder doesn’t take place until about half way through the book. Up until then our heroes Bryant and May are trying to protect Monty Hatton-Jones the weekend before he is to be lead witness in a court trial where his former friend is accused of building flats with inferior concrete leading to deaths including children.
There are a lot of characters here but each one is uniquely crafted so you rarely confuse them. They’re all enjoyable even if most of them are only there to wangle some cash out of the super rich new owner of Tavistock Hall. There’s plenty of the usual humour. There’s some good social commentary of the time. I half worked out the main twist at the end, I was just a little way off with my thinking but there are lots of twists and turns within the story.
Each of these books work well as a stand alone and they do really bring up vivid details of the times the stories are set.
I’ve really enjoyed the two books I’ve read in this series and looking forward to working my way through the rest of them.
Free arc from netgalley and Random House
It mentions in the beginning that this story is going to follow on the lines of an Agatha Christie mystery with everybody stuck in an old country house while the detectives try and solve a murder. The actual murder doesn’t take place until about half way through the book. Up until then our heroes Bryant and May are trying to protect Monty Hatton-Jones the weekend before he is to be lead witness in a court trial where his former friend is accused of building flats with inferior concrete leading to deaths including children.
There are a lot of characters here but each one is uniquely crafted so you rarely confuse them. They’re all enjoyable even if most of them are only there to wangle some cash out of the super rich new owner of Tavistock Hall. There’s plenty of the usual humour. There’s some good social commentary of the time. I half worked out the main twist at the end, I was just a little way off with my thinking but there are lots of twists and turns within the story.
Each of these books work well as a stand alone and they do really bring up vivid details of the times the stories are set.
I’ve really enjoyed the two books I’ve read in this series and looking forward to working my way through the rest of them.
Free arc from netgalley and Random House
tilted_back's review against another edition
4.0
Bryant & May are well-written, quirky, but credible. A very good mystery.
annarella's review against another edition
5.0
I'm a fan of Bryant & May books and this one met all my expectations. It's a very good book full of humour and funny and entertaining characters.
It was really interesting to read about their youth and the description of the historical time was both entertaining and interesting.
The plot was great and funny, sometimes made me laugh loud.
It's strongly recommended.
Many thanks to Random House and Netgalley
It was really interesting to read about their youth and the description of the historical time was both entertaining and interesting.
The plot was great and funny, sometimes made me laugh loud.
It's strongly recommended.
Many thanks to Random House and Netgalley
historical_bookworm's review
4.0
Another excellent edition to a wonderful series! Full of twists and turns that leaves you wanting more and enjoying each moment until the end when the killer is caught.