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A review by shanaqui
Murder as a Fine Art by Carol Carnac
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? It's complicated
4.0
Murder as a Fine Art is one of E.C.R. Lorac's books under the "Carol Carnac" pen-name, and features Rivers and Lancing rather than Macdonald. I do prefer the books which feature Macdonald, because he seems a bit more human and sympathetic than Rivers or Lancing: my sense is that the puzzle of it is more important than the human element in the books featuring them.
Which is not to say that Lorac's usual attention to character and place is absent: the story is set within a building called Medici House, in a post-war government Ministry, and the Minister himself is a sympathetic character, one you find yourself hoping isn't entangled in the crime. There's definitely still a good eye to what people are like: for example, the two detectives agree that the deceased was probably not hated by his subordinates, as there's a sort of affectionate nickname for him suggesting toleration of his foibles. And Medici House is very carefully evoked, its splendours and inconveniences all at once.
But overall there's a lot of time spent on the howdunit, on procedure, and my impression is that there'd be a bit less of that with Macdonald -- or perhaps it'd feel more hands on? Personal? I'm not sure exactly; maybe it's just that I don't feel I "know" Rivers and Lancing and what they'll do or care about.
Anyway, it's still an enjoyable puzzle. Not a favourite, but absorbing and worthwhile.
Which is not to say that Lorac's usual attention to character and place is absent: the story is set within a building called Medici House, in a post-war government Ministry, and the Minister himself is a sympathetic character, one you find yourself hoping isn't entangled in the crime. There's definitely still a good eye to what people are like: for example, the two detectives agree that the deceased was probably not hated by his subordinates, as there's a sort of affectionate nickname for him suggesting toleration of his foibles. And Medici House is very carefully evoked, its splendours and inconveniences all at once.
But overall there's a lot of time spent on the howdunit, on procedure, and my impression is that there'd be a bit less of that with Macdonald -- or perhaps it'd feel more hands on? Personal? I'm not sure exactly; maybe it's just that I don't feel I "know" Rivers and Lancing and what they'll do or care about.
Anyway, it's still an enjoyable puzzle. Not a favourite, but absorbing and worthwhile.