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abookishwonderer's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
jbleyle63's review against another edition
4.0
It took this reader a chapter or two to properly adjust to the anxiety-ridden first person narration of fussy introvert Sydney Silchester as he recounts this tale of bee-keeping in south England.
vsbedford's review against another edition
3.0
All right bit of Sherlock Holmesish-ness that, unfortunately, is stretched from what would probably a great short story to a sort-of disappointing novella. The writing is a bit muddled in that Edwardian way of never-ending sentencing and vague allusions to emotions (so, well-done in nailing that) but the mystery is neither exciting nor mysterious. A good read for before bedtime with some tea.
I received an ecopy from the publishers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ecopy from the publishers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
iwanttoreadallthebooks's review against another edition
2.0
Did not enjoy this one at all. Slow and dull.
htetrasme's review
4.0
This was simply a fantastically enjoyable read. As a Sherlock Holmes fan I found the mysterious and ingenious "Mr. Mycroft" -- a rural beekeeper who it's strongly hinted is a certain famous detective a great deal of fun.
The real great strengths here though are Heard's prose -- readable, fine-tuned, and evocative -- and the delightful character he creates through it. Sydney Silchester comes through a fully-formed, believable, interesting example of a punctilious, particular, judgmental, superior, rude, reclusive, and temperamental -- yet still elusively likable -- fellow with every funny and quiet-but-potent sentence.
The atmosphere of rural claustrophobia and the juxtaposition of the huge danger made very believable from Hereford against the trivial-seeming manifestations of it are very well achieved. Heard, a philosopher, philosophizes just enough to be satisfying without being didactic. I'm very impressed with him as a writer and will be seeking out more of his books, starting with the two further books that chronicle Mr. Mycroft.
The real great strengths here though are Heard's prose -- readable, fine-tuned, and evocative -- and the delightful character he creates through it. Sydney Silchester comes through a fully-formed, believable, interesting example of a punctilious, particular, judgmental, superior, rude, reclusive, and temperamental -- yet still elusively likable -- fellow with every funny and quiet-but-potent sentence.
The atmosphere of rural claustrophobia and the juxtaposition of the huge danger made very believable from Hereford against the trivial-seeming manifestations of it are very well achieved. Heard, a philosopher, philosophizes just enough to be satisfying without being didactic. I'm very impressed with him as a writer and will be seeking out more of his books, starting with the two further books that chronicle Mr. Mycroft.
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