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topdragon 's review for:
Mister Slaughter
by Robert R. McCammon
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].