A review by robinwalter
The Sharp Quillet by Brian Flynn

mysterious relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.5

This was a very interesting addition to the Bathurst series. The "why" was revealed in the prologue, and that meant it was obvious how the "who" had to be connected to that "why".  Because the reader had in some ways more data to start with than Bathurst, it was fun to watch him make a few stumbles along the way.

The tone of the book was bright and fun, too. This exchange between Bathurst and McMorran nicely sums up their relationship

McMorran: "Where am I?"

“Drinking Lady Madrigal’s best Scotch, if 'm any judge.”

“You misjudge me. Sorely. If I did join her in a wee spot, it was merely out of courtesy to her, and just to keep her company. You ought to know by now that I rarely drink when I'm on duty.”

“I do. There’s not a lot offered to you these days. Opportunity would be a fine thing. ”

Banter like that made this a pleasant read, while the mystery elements were nicely handled. Bathurst genuinely struggled with key parts of the case, and the tension in the climactic final chapter was palpable.  Perhaps that's why a rare instance of truly CLUNKY writing leapt out at me. 

" With swift and lightning-like instancy, Anthony flung himself upon the aggressor. "


I mean UGH, what needlessly repetitive tautology! Then again, when it comes to being WRONG about language, Flynn's fixation on the etymological fallacy rears its tiresome head in this one too. As he often has in the past, Bathurst takes a big step forward in a case by gaining, quote:

 a closer acquaintance with the word and its absolute, etymological meaning. "

The idea that  a word, ANY word, has an "absolute" meaning based on its etymology is a mountain of merde, of course. It is, in fact, "nice" (ycliu). But that doesn't stop Flynn leaning on it in many of his BAthurst stories, this being one of them. 

Hoary old linguistic chestnuts aside, this was a ripper of a tale, one where I was again certain I knew who the killer was, and was again wrong. The my pick and the killer did share some important characteristics, so  I was kind of in the ballpark.  I'm looking forward to taking Bathurst on again soon.