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they_planet's review against another edition
3.0
Always love myself a good historical fiction murder mystery, and one set in Sydney is even better!
Also, first book I've read that didn't villanise the communists which was also pretty great.
Also, first book I've read that didn't villanise the communists which was also pretty great.
czarina_misha's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
ccurox's review against another edition
It wasn’t as advertised. There was no mystery or sleuthing and it was more about the fear of communism than anything in else. Writing was alright but the plot was not what I signed up for.
brobison's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
kraley's review against another edition
3.0
This is a bit different than my regular cozy mysteries. The mystery itself was not the plot. Learning about the interactions between the communists and the fascists was much more the focus. The characters were strong and likable. It did make me want to look up more about post WWI Australia.
destinykaylani's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
classysmarta's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
kcfromaustcrime's review against another edition
3.0
A FEW RIGHT THINKING MEN introduces Rowland Sinclair to fans of Australian historical crime fiction. Set in 1930's Sydney and Yass, A FEW RIGHT THINKING MEN takes a reader into a world where the affects of the Great Depression are being felt, and the tension between the Proto-Fascists and Communists in Australian society veers dangerously close to civil war.
Not that the central character of this novel, Rowland Sinclair, is feeling any of the Depression affects. He is the youngest son of an extremely wealthy, influential farming family. His oldest brother runs the farm on a day to day basis, the middle brother was killed in the First World War. A painter, he lives in the family mansion in Sydney, along with a selection of his closest artist friends. Under his patronage, although it's really more friendship and generosity, they lead a life of luxury, privilege and ease. That doesn't stop them mixing with Communist elements - committed or fringe-dwellers.
When Rowland's uncle (of the same name) is bashed in his home and dies, Rowland returns to the family homestead for the funeral and a visit over Christmas with his mother, brother and sister-in-law. He finds his mother more and more mentally disturbed by the loss of her middle son, and his brother deeply involved with the New Guard. The New Guard was a mostly NSW, Sydney-centric proto-fascist movement committed to fighting the perceived "Communist threat". The Old Guard boasted a similar philosophy but were altogether more shadowy and militant. Both these movements were convinced that armed rebellion against the communists was required, and New Guard actively campaigned the overthrow of the then NSW Premier Jack Lang. For those interested in these things, the man who cut the ribbon at the opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge before the Premier could, Captain Francis de Groot, was a member of the New Guard... but I digress.
A FEW RIGHT THINKING MEN is set in a very short period of Australian history when open rebellion was discussed and enmity and mistrust held very close to hearts. The battles between the Old and New Guard, the Communists, and sympathisers from all sides are covered within the context of this book, which has, at the heart of it a fairly simple murder plot. Even though Rowland Sinclair, the elder, is bashed to death, the death is mostly handled delicately and there's very little dwelling on the events and/or details. Where this book is very strong is in the clarity of the events that it describes, the way that the characters of Rowland and his friends are seamlessly woven into a true history, and the manner in which this period in Australia is described.
Not that this is a heavy, hard-work historical novel. The characters are wonderfully drawn. Rowland and friends are eccentric, but not overly so, they fit within that period of history well. The members of the New and Old Guard's are nicely shadowy, dedicated to the cause, slightly mad in their own right, but not cartoonish or overdone. There are light touches of humour, and there are some sad moments - the loss of Rowland the elder, the descent of Rowland's mother into complete madness are deftly drawn.
A FEW RIGHT THINKING MEN would be a good book for readers who like their murder and mayhem more on the incidental side. It's not that hard to pick the why very early on, and the who narrows down as events progress. But the murder doesn't read as the point of this book. It's the overall environment, and that short, sharp, mad period of Australian history, which is really very well handled.
Not that the central character of this novel, Rowland Sinclair, is feeling any of the Depression affects. He is the youngest son of an extremely wealthy, influential farming family. His oldest brother runs the farm on a day to day basis, the middle brother was killed in the First World War. A painter, he lives in the family mansion in Sydney, along with a selection of his closest artist friends. Under his patronage, although it's really more friendship and generosity, they lead a life of luxury, privilege and ease. That doesn't stop them mixing with Communist elements - committed or fringe-dwellers.
When Rowland's uncle (of the same name) is bashed in his home and dies, Rowland returns to the family homestead for the funeral and a visit over Christmas with his mother, brother and sister-in-law. He finds his mother more and more mentally disturbed by the loss of her middle son, and his brother deeply involved with the New Guard. The New Guard was a mostly NSW, Sydney-centric proto-fascist movement committed to fighting the perceived "Communist threat". The Old Guard boasted a similar philosophy but were altogether more shadowy and militant. Both these movements were convinced that armed rebellion against the communists was required, and New Guard actively campaigned the overthrow of the then NSW Premier Jack Lang. For those interested in these things, the man who cut the ribbon at the opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge before the Premier could, Captain Francis de Groot, was a member of the New Guard... but I digress.
A FEW RIGHT THINKING MEN is set in a very short period of Australian history when open rebellion was discussed and enmity and mistrust held very close to hearts. The battles between the Old and New Guard, the Communists, and sympathisers from all sides are covered within the context of this book, which has, at the heart of it a fairly simple murder plot. Even though Rowland Sinclair, the elder, is bashed to death, the death is mostly handled delicately and there's very little dwelling on the events and/or details. Where this book is very strong is in the clarity of the events that it describes, the way that the characters of Rowland and his friends are seamlessly woven into a true history, and the manner in which this period in Australia is described.
Not that this is a heavy, hard-work historical novel. The characters are wonderfully drawn. Rowland and friends are eccentric, but not overly so, they fit within that period of history well. The members of the New and Old Guard's are nicely shadowy, dedicated to the cause, slightly mad in their own right, but not cartoonish or overdone. There are light touches of humour, and there are some sad moments - the loss of Rowland the elder, the descent of Rowland's mother into complete madness are deftly drawn.
A FEW RIGHT THINKING MEN would be a good book for readers who like their murder and mayhem more on the incidental side. It's not that hard to pick the why very early on, and the who narrows down as events progress. But the murder doesn't read as the point of this book. It's the overall environment, and that short, sharp, mad period of Australian history, which is really very well handled.
smitchy's review against another edition
4.0
This is the first book in the Rowland Sinclair Mysteries series and it is a fun and intriguing romp through an era in Australian / New South Wales history I certainly don't know much about (I'm from Victoria). Sydney in 1931-32 is a powder keg. The Great Depression is biting hard and unemployment is rising. Communism and unionism is appealing to the increasing hungry masses and in response there is a growing conservative movement that is rapidly building to fascism.
Right in the middle of this combustive mix is Rowland Sinclair, upper crust gentleman by birth and dissolute artist by choice. Rowland lives in comfort thanks to his family money - he has opened his family's city home to a mix of fellow artists and writers, all of whom have socialist sentiments or outright communist leanings. Rowland is the black sheep of his conservative family and the death of Rowland's uncle and a trip to his brother's country estate throws Rowland into more intrigue than he bargained on.
Soon Rowland is playing a dangerous game of double bluff as he deals with the New Guard, the Old Guard, Communists and the Police.
Gentill does a great job of blending history and fiction in this book and if you loved Kerry Greenwood's Miss Fisher series or enjoy a bit of classic Christie-style crime then this series is for you.
Right in the middle of this combustive mix is Rowland Sinclair, upper crust gentleman by birth and dissolute artist by choice. Rowland lives in comfort thanks to his family money - he has opened his family's city home to a mix of fellow artists and writers, all of whom have socialist sentiments or outright communist leanings. Rowland is the black sheep of his conservative family and the death of Rowland's uncle and a trip to his brother's country estate throws Rowland into more intrigue than he bargained on.
Soon Rowland is playing a dangerous game of double bluff as he deals with the New Guard, the Old Guard, Communists and the Police.
Gentill does a great job of blending history and fiction in this book and if you loved Kerry Greenwood's Miss Fisher series or enjoy a bit of classic Christie-style crime then this series is for you.