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kanejim57's review against another edition
4.0
When William McKinley, the 25th President of the United States, is shot by anarchist Leon Czolgosz, Secret Service agents Walter George and Harry Swayne, are chosen by senior advisors to the President to investigate whether or not Czolgosz acted alone.
In chasing down leads between Buffalo, Cleveland, and Chicago, George and Swayne, find themselves at odds with their leaders, wealthy and influential business men, and a group of people who are sympathetic to Czolgosz. But they also find themselves being shadowed by group of men who are ready to kill them as well.
Who are they and who are giving them orders to follow and target George and Swayne? And did Czolgosz really act alone or was he part of a conspiracy that reaches to the highest levels of the American government?
Lawrence Goldstone has taken a significant event in American history, the third assassination of an American president, and developed a very good piece of historical fiction around the event. Assassin of Shadows captures, this reviewer believes, the tenor of the times as well as how law enforcement did their work in the pre-Miranda days.
George and Swayne are no nonsense agents but also very human when it comes to relationships and love. They are supported by a cast of interesting people, rich and poor who keep you guessing as you read regarding whether or not they had a part in the assassination of McKinley.
And then there is the ending...
I liked this novel for it plot, the characters, and the explorations of themes that were part of an emerging modern America in which those who had, wanted to have more, and those who did not, were angry with how the common laborer was treated.
I gave this novel a four-star rating on Goodreads.
Note: I received a Ebook ARC from the Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a review. I was not required to write a positive review.
In chasing down leads between Buffalo, Cleveland, and Chicago, George and Swayne, find themselves at odds with their leaders, wealthy and influential business men, and a group of people who are sympathetic to Czolgosz. But they also find themselves being shadowed by group of men who are ready to kill them as well.
Who are they and who are giving them orders to follow and target George and Swayne? And did Czolgosz really act alone or was he part of a conspiracy that reaches to the highest levels of the American government?
Lawrence Goldstone has taken a significant event in American history, the third assassination of an American president, and developed a very good piece of historical fiction around the event. Assassin of Shadows captures, this reviewer believes, the tenor of the times as well as how law enforcement did their work in the pre-Miranda days.
George and Swayne are no nonsense agents but also very human when it comes to relationships and love. They are supported by a cast of interesting people, rich and poor who keep you guessing as you read regarding whether or not they had a part in the assassination of McKinley.
And then there is the ending...
I liked this novel for it plot, the characters, and the explorations of themes that were part of an emerging modern America in which those who had, wanted to have more, and those who did not, were angry with how the common laborer was treated.
I gave this novel a four-star rating on Goodreads.
Note: I received a Ebook ARC from the Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a review. I was not required to write a positive review.
thisbookishcat's review
mysterious
medium-paced
3.0
*Disclaimer: I was given an advanced readers copy of this novel. In no way does this influence my views or opinions of this novel.*
Although this book took me quite a while to get into, it was a very pleasant read! There was just enough humour and intrigue to keep things moving along while little hints of things were happening here and there.
My biggest reason for not scoring this higher was the attention to details; there were times I would have preferred more details and subtle hints of things happening, instead of finding out about something two chapters later. I also wasn't huge on the romantic story line in it, it didn't add anything for me and could honestly have been done away with, although it does lead to decent character development.
Overall, it was a good read.
Although this book took me quite a while to get into, it was a very pleasant read! There was just enough humour and intrigue to keep things moving along while little hints of things were happening here and there.
My biggest reason for not scoring this higher was the attention to details; there were times I would have preferred more details and subtle hints of things happening, instead of finding out about something two chapters later. I also wasn't huge on the romantic story line in it, it didn't add anything for me and could honestly have been done away with, although it does lead to decent character development.
Overall, it was a good read.
treepark's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
1.0
gawronma's review against another edition
3.0
The ending was so much better than the beginning and the middle of the book.
sarrie's review against another edition
3.0
Perhaps a 3.5?
I enjoyed this, though my reading got stretched out for longer than I think made the story enjoyable. That of course is not fault of the book's. I quite like the characters and the writing style once I was sunk into the style of the story.
I enjoyed this, though my reading got stretched out for longer than I think made the story enjoyable. That of course is not fault of the book's. I quite like the characters and the writing style once I was sunk into the style of the story.
howjessicareads's review
3.0
Really enjoyed 98% of this. Didn’t love the surprise ending. Full review coming for Shelf Awareness.
stephend81d5's review
3.0
thanks to the publishers and net galley for a free copy in return for an open and honest review
this book was initially a slow burner but picked up as it went along, based on the assassination of president McKinley and the plot to kill the president and the sting in the tail at the end which was slightly surprising
this book was initially a slow burner but picked up as it went along, based on the assassination of president McKinley and the plot to kill the president and the sting in the tail at the end which was slightly surprising
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