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kazzle_69's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
shanaqui's review against another edition
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? Yes
2.0
Christianna Brand's mysteries aren't entirely my thing, and London Particular is perhaps the not-my-thingest. One of the major characters, Rosie, has been sleeping around and got pregnant, and much of the narrative revolves around tearing her down for it -- exposing her petty lies without sympathy, and to put it baldly, slut-shaming her all the way. Some of the other characters pity her, and yet it's not a kind sort of pity.
Of course, the book and its judgements are a product of their time, but that doesn't make it any more pleasant to read. Rosie's a careless girl, true enough, and her actions make her a little unlikeable at times, but none of that is helped by the fact that the narrative doesn't like her. Oddly enough, she reminds me of Thea Gilmore's song "Rosie", not just in name.
Anyway, the mystery itself is alright. It avoids some of the trends I've seen in Brand's other books, so it surprised me a little in that sense, and there's some genuine tension in the court scenes, and in the way some of the characters try to shield each other, stand up for one another. But... mostly Brand's work isn't quite my thing. I don't think she had much sympathy for other women who didn't fit her mould, and it shows.
Of course, the book and its judgements are a product of their time, but that doesn't make it any more pleasant to read. Rosie's a careless girl, true enough, and her actions make her a little unlikeable at times, but none of that is helped by the fact that the narrative doesn't like her. Oddly enough, she reminds me of Thea Gilmore's song "Rosie", not just in name.
Anyway, the mystery itself is alright. It avoids some of the trends I've seen in Brand's other books, so it surprised me a little in that sense, and there's some genuine tension in the court scenes, and in the way some of the characters try to shield each other, stand up for one another. But... mostly Brand's work isn't quite my thing. I don't think she had much sympathy for other women who didn't fit her mould, and it shows.
the_fickled_starfish's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
sianski's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
bev_reads_mysteries's review against another edition
4.0
London Particular (aka Fog of Doubt) was reportedly Christianna Brand's favorite among her own novels. It tells the story of Raoul Vernet and his unexpected visit to the Evans home in London. He chooses the night of a real "pea-souper" of a fog--also known as a London particular--to visit his former paramour Matilda Evans and arrange a chance to talk to her alone. The night ends most unexpectedly indeed...Raoul will be struck down by a "mastoid mallet" in the hallway of the Evans' house and Inspector Cockrill--Cockie--will have to work his way through seven suspects to find the killer. The only thing is...every step forward seems to eliminate one more suspect until there are none left.
Rosie Evans, Matilda's sister-in-law, is at the center of the mystery. Rosie has returned from finishing
school abroad unwed and pregnant. She's tells a different story of how this came about to each of her family members and friends--from Matlida, to her dotty grandmother, to Melissa Weekes (secretary/girl of all work), to her sometime boyfriend Damien to her brother's partner Dr. Edward Robert Edwards ("Tedward"). Her objective is to find someone who will help her fund a visit to an abortionist to solve her problem--and she tells the tale she feels most likely to work on the sympathies of each person. Unfortunately, for Rosie, they all think she should have the child. The only one kept completely in the dark is her brother, Dr. Evans.
When Raoul is killed, it seems that someone thought he had appeared to spill the beans about Rosie OR that he wanted to blackmail Rosie or someone else about the situation OR that someone thought he was responsible for Rosie's condition. But who is that someone? And...since everyone seems to be covering up for someone else...how in the world will Cockie and the other policemen be able to get to the bottom of it all?
This novel has some very neat plotting and memorable characters. The best of the bunch are the grandma who, to liven things up, regularly imagines herself the heroine of one of her lusty romance novels--"riding" across the desert (bedroom) and being forced leave her worldly goods behind (tossing them out the window) AND Matilda who carries on the most interesting conversations both with herself and others. It also makes for an interesting murder mystery when there is no palpable, discernible reason for the death and all of the suspects know and like one another to the point of covering up and nearly all of them being willing to confess or at least be arrested to protect someone else. It isn't uncommon for authors to use that theme with one character, but I don't believe I've read a novel where the confessions were quite so numerous. Four stars.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting. Thanks.
Rosie Evans, Matilda's sister-in-law, is at the center of the mystery. Rosie has returned from finishing
school abroad unwed and pregnant. She's tells a different story of how this came about to each of her family members and friends--from Matlida, to her dotty grandmother, to Melissa Weekes (secretary/girl of all work), to her sometime boyfriend Damien to her brother's partner Dr. Edward Robert Edwards ("Tedward"). Her objective is to find someone who will help her fund a visit to an abortionist to solve her problem--and she tells the tale she feels most likely to work on the sympathies of each person. Unfortunately, for Rosie, they all think she should have the child. The only one kept completely in the dark is her brother, Dr. Evans.
When Raoul is killed, it seems that someone thought he had appeared to spill the beans about Rosie OR that he wanted to blackmail Rosie or someone else about the situation OR that someone thought he was responsible for Rosie's condition. But who is that someone? And...since everyone seems to be covering up for someone else...how in the world will Cockie and the other policemen be able to get to the bottom of it all?
This novel has some very neat plotting and memorable characters. The best of the bunch are the grandma who, to liven things up, regularly imagines herself the heroine of one of her lusty romance novels--"riding" across the desert (bedroom) and being forced leave her worldly goods behind (tossing them out the window) AND Matilda who carries on the most interesting conversations both with herself and others. It also makes for an interesting murder mystery when there is no palpable, discernible reason for the death and all of the suspects know and like one another to the point of covering up and nearly all of them being willing to confess or at least be arrested to protect someone else. It isn't uncommon for authors to use that theme with one character, but I don't believe I've read a novel where the confessions were quite so numerous. Four stars.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting. Thanks.
dan78's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting book, atmospheric with a host of characters all with a secret or two about them.
I really enjoyed the style and modern tone of the book but I was disappointed with the court room ending (I'm just not a fan) still a good read.
I really enjoyed the style and modern tone of the book but I was disappointed with the court room ending (I'm just not a fan) still a good read.
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