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sandin954's review against another edition
4.0
Another well written though deliberately paced story from one of my favorite authors. There was quite a lot going on this book including literary fame, The Spanish Civil War, family relationships, and even a bit of romance but it was all handled very deftly and the ending was quite suspenseful.
t_m41's review against another edition
4.0
Not his absolute best, but well characterised and historically fascinating.
clairereviews's review against another edition
3.0
Review: Hand in Glove by Robert Goddard Published by: Bantam Press (12th November 1992)
ISBN: 978-0593029251
Synopsis:
When Beatrix Abberley, sister of an English poet who died fighting for the Republicans in the Spanish Civil War, is murdered, it appears that burglary was the motive. But Beatrix has been a keeper of secrets and, as her god-daughter, Charlotte, investigates, she discovers that Beatrix has been hiding many dangerous things…
My Review:
This is one of those books that has been languishing on my TBR shelf for far too long, so I thought I'd take a break from all the newer books and read an oldie. This has taken me an absolute age to read, something that's never a good sign. Unfortunately, for me it wasn't an oldie but goodie and I was really disappointed with it as it seemed to promise much more.
The characters are, on the whole, interesting and well formed, the story an interesting and intriguing one and there were a couple of twists. It just seemed far too lengthy. By the time the conclusion was nearing completion, I no longer cared about it and felt I should've quit a long while back.
ISBN: 978-0593029251
Synopsis:
When Beatrix Abberley, sister of an English poet who died fighting for the Republicans in the Spanish Civil War, is murdered, it appears that burglary was the motive. But Beatrix has been a keeper of secrets and, as her god-daughter, Charlotte, investigates, she discovers that Beatrix has been hiding many dangerous things…
My Review:
This is one of those books that has been languishing on my TBR shelf for far too long, so I thought I'd take a break from all the newer books and read an oldie. This has taken me an absolute age to read, something that's never a good sign. Unfortunately, for me it wasn't an oldie but goodie and I was really disappointed with it as it seemed to promise much more.
The characters are, on the whole, interesting and well formed, the story an interesting and intriguing one and there were a couple of twists. It just seemed far too lengthy. By the time the conclusion was nearing completion, I no longer cared about it and felt I should've quit a long while back.
mehrangezmr's review against another edition
2.0
There is a special place in my heart for vintage murder mysteries but this was not a keeper.
didactylos's review against another edition
4.0
By about a third of the way in I reckoned the story was about to conclude..... hmmm. Masterful plotting that just keeps adding twist after twist. Only reservation would be the sometime Mills and Boonish quality of the romance elements.
pelicaaan's review against another edition
1.0
Could have been better, but for a shockingly spineless heroine.
alissynia's review against another edition
3.0
This novel was written in the 1990s and I did enjoy the slightly old fashioned feel to the book. The main characters, a group of everyday people thrown together by murderous circumstance had no opportunity to Google or use their mobile phones but they managed to work together to try and solve the crime.
The characters were well written and the writing style readable. I would have given the book four stars but the book just felt too long. The plot was convoluted and twisting and it just all felt a little improbable. However I did enjoy the book and would like to try another Robert Goddard novel.
The characters were well written and the writing style readable. I would have given the book four stars but the book just felt too long. The plot was convoluted and twisting and it just all felt a little improbable. However I did enjoy the book and would like to try another Robert Goddard novel.
eigendecomp's review against another edition
5.0
Definitely of one Goddard's best books. In fact, it's the best I've read so far (out of 8) but I do have to read some of his old ones yet.
It's what one expects (an old mystery wreaking havoc on the present-day lives of some innocent-looking people, lots of lies and secrets uncovered in the processes, some murders, a bit of catharsis and redemption in the end) and some more.
Fewer plot twists than the usual Goddard book (which is a good thing, actually!) and a pleasant surprise in that instead of the standard damaged-in-some-way-but-fundamentally-good male protagonist we got here two - a male and a female (and less damaged than usual...).
Perhaps the reason Goddard's books (well, most of them) are so engrossing is that they are about crime and mysteries all right, but they are also about families and how messed up they can be.
It's what one expects (an old mystery wreaking havoc on the present-day lives of some innocent-looking people, lots of lies and secrets uncovered in the processes, some murders, a bit of catharsis and redemption in the end) and some more.
Fewer plot twists than the usual Goddard book (which is a good thing, actually!) and a pleasant surprise in that instead of the standard damaged-in-some-way-but-fundamentally-good male protagonist we got here two - a male and a female (and less damaged than usual...).
Perhaps the reason Goddard's books (well, most of them) are so engrossing is that they are about crime and mysteries all right, but they are also about families and how messed up they can be.
vic_the_postie's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
trilliz's review against another edition
5.0
I liked this much more than Into the Blue (which I also liked) - started reading it in the morning, stayed up too late to finish it!