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4.18 AVERAGE
4.18 AVERAGE
My least favorite novel so far in this series. Matthew lost a lot of respect from me.
Three consecutive books in a series where the author has got 5 out of 5. Well done!!! Now to book four!
I fell in love with so many characters in this book.
1. Matthew. If I was reborn as a young man with black hair and gray eyes in the 18th century, I’d want to be him and no one else. I dont think hes given enough credit for the shit he’s put himself through in the name of justice. I have no clue how he sleeps at night and im very worried about his mental health. I just want to give the man a hug.
2. Greathouse. Im strangely attracted to him because he scares me, which i think i like. I respect him for taking responsibility of the situation and for fighting so damn hard to survive and for his “liberal” (considering the time period) views on Indians and Africans. The man is a strong-headed bull but hes proved that he has the damn right to be.
3. Tom. I want to say he needs a hug but I don’t think anyone could convince him to do that without loosing an eye. I have admiration for that kid bc he’s had a horrid life but is still a kind person. He has every right to be a raging serial killer but he has the composure of a monk at 13! I hope he comes back later and happier too.
4. Walker of two worlds. The poor guy wasn’t insane he was traumatized and he deserved every good thing life had to offer. He deserved to find a wife and have kids and have revenge on the english fuckers that hurt him. He was so capable and talented and… if hes insane well then crown me the new damn queen of bedlam.
5. Zed. When he screamed I- i stopped breathing. I was gonna bawl my fucking eyes out. Im also a little attracted to him because he scares the living crap out of me. I’ll never understand why thats my type
1. Matthew. If I was reborn as a young man with black hair and gray eyes in the 18th century, I’d want to be him and no one else. I dont think hes given enough credit for the shit he’s put himself through in the name of justice. I have no clue how he sleeps at night and im very worried about his mental health. I just want to give the man a hug.
2. Greathouse. Im strangely attracted to him because he scares me, which i think i like. I respect him for taking responsibility of the situation and for fighting so damn hard to survive and for his “liberal” (considering the time period) views on Indians and Africans. The man is a strong-headed bull but hes proved that he has the damn right to be.
3. Tom. I want to say he needs a hug but I don’t think anyone could convince him to do that without loosing an eye. I have admiration for that kid bc he’s had a horrid life but is still a kind person. He has every right to be a raging serial killer but he has the composure of a monk at 13! I hope he comes back later and happier too.
4. Walker of two worlds. The poor guy wasn’t insane he was traumatized and he deserved every good thing life had to offer. He deserved to find a wife and have kids and have revenge on the english fuckers that hurt him. He was so capable and talented and… if hes insane well then crown me the new damn queen of bedlam.
5. Zed. When he screamed I- i stopped breathing. I was gonna bawl my fucking eyes out. Im also a little attracted to him because he scares the living crap out of me. I’ll never understand why thats my type
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Yet another awesome book by Robert McCammon!
This is the third book in his Matthew Corbett series that the author describes as the "combination of the mystery and puzzles of Sherlock Holmes, the action of James Bond, the weird villains of Dick Tracy, the atmosphere of the Hammer costume-piece horror films on the '50s, and bringing in my interest in American history, detective fiction, and whatever else I might conjure up to a series."
This time around, I would say that the emphasis is on the "weird villain" part of that equation. The character of Mister Tyranthus Slaughter (briefly introduced in the previous volume, [b:The Queen of Bedlam|437627|The Queen of Bedlam (Matthew Corbett, #2)|Robert R. McCammon|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1256067027s/437627.jpg|16695860]) is one of the best villains I've ever encountered. I have recently read Thomas Harris' [b:Red Dragon|28877|Red Dragon (Hannibal Lecter, #1)|Thomas Harris|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1309285070s/28877.jpg|925503] and comparisons to Hannibal Lecter are inevitable even though this novel takes place in Colonial America. He is a serial killer as well as an extremely intelligent and conniving dude. Just what the chess-playing Matthew Corbett (now an apprentice "problem solver" for the London-based Herrald Agency) requires in a skillful opponent. The author's background of writing horror novels definitely comes out in this novel as well, not only in the character of Slaughter but also in some of his associate characters and their gruesome actions.
If you're looking for a great historical mystery series and aren't afraid of a little carnage ala "Sweeny Todd" then I highly recommend this series to you. But definitely start with the first one, (on my all-time favorites list): [b:Speaks the Nightbird|1525997|Speaks the Nightbird|Robert R. McCammon|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347740182s/1525997.jpg|16692325].
This is the third book in his Matthew Corbett series that the author describes as the "combination of the mystery and puzzles of Sherlock Holmes, the action of James Bond, the weird villains of Dick Tracy, the atmosphere of the Hammer costume-piece horror films on the '50s, and bringing in my interest in American history, detective fiction, and whatever else I might conjure up to a series."
This time around, I would say that the emphasis is on the "weird villain" part of that equation. The character of Mister Tyranthus Slaughter (briefly introduced in the previous volume, [b:The Queen of Bedlam|437627|The Queen of Bedlam (Matthew Corbett, #2)|Robert R. McCammon|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1256067027s/437627.jpg|16695860]) is one of the best villains I've ever encountered. I have recently read Thomas Harris' [b:Red Dragon|28877|Red Dragon (Hannibal Lecter, #1)|Thomas Harris|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1309285070s/28877.jpg|925503] and comparisons to Hannibal Lecter are inevitable even though this novel takes place in Colonial America. He is a serial killer as well as an extremely intelligent and conniving dude. Just what the chess-playing Matthew Corbett (now an apprentice "problem solver" for the London-based Herrald Agency) requires in a skillful opponent. The author's background of writing horror novels definitely comes out in this novel as well, not only in the character of Slaughter but also in some of his associate characters and their gruesome actions.
If you're looking for a great historical mystery series and aren't afraid of a little carnage ala "Sweeny Todd" then I highly recommend this series to you. But definitely start with the first one, (on my all-time favorites list): [b:Speaks the Nightbird|1525997|Speaks the Nightbird|Robert R. McCammon|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347740182s/1525997.jpg|16692325].
adventurous
dark
tense
This seriers started out as good mystery novels but this last novel was a typocal "psycho serial killer" with gratuitous violence...albeit set in the 18th century..very disappointing.....
adventurous
dark
tense
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:
Complicated
Probably my least favourite in the series so far but still very good. Looking forward to reading more. Matthew is a great character.
One of the true pleasures of my reading life the past 8 years or so has been the re-emergence of Robert McCammon to writing. Known primarily for his horror novels in the 80s (Swan Song being the best of that lot), he went on to write a highly effective coming-of-age tale called Boy's Life, a classic for many, then moved on to a few suspense thrillers before he sort of vanished in the mid 90s. What happened, we now know, was that McCammon had moved on to writing historical fiction, which he had dabbled with before in The Night Boat and The Wolf's Hour, but publishers were wary of these non-McCammon novels, and McCammon essentially quit for a while. Well, I hope those publishers are gagging on their crow about now, as McCammon emerged in 2002 with Speaks the Nightbird, a tale of witchcraft set in Colonial America featuring Matthew Corbett, a magistrate's assistant. Matthew has since become the character in an ongoing series of novels set in this time frame, the latest of which is Mister Slaughter, a novel that is so beautifully never what it seems that you'll be reading in joy right until the last page. McCammon combines history, mayhem, grisly murder, mystery, adventure, love, honor, betrayal, slavery, Native Americans, and so much more into a tale that never lags but practically sags with emotion and relevance. I cannot wait for the next Matthew Corbett adventure. If you have yet to read one, please pick up Speaks the Nightbird and start the adventure.