Take a photo of a barcode or cover
robinwalter's Reviews (1.87k)
The Professor and the Madman: A Tale of Murder, Insanity, and the Making of the Oxford English Dictionary
DID NOT FINISH: 35%
The book promised to focus on two 'protagonists', buy by 35% of the ways through, the actual editor of the OED had played only a 'minor' role. Too much mayhem, murder and lunacy, not enough Murray and lexicography.
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A very tense mystery thriller. I enjoyed the setting and the unflinching depiction of modern day Pakistan. The identity of the villain mastermind was obvious, but the outworking of the tale was well done, including the realistically bitter-sweet ending.
What I really loved was the presentation of Karachi and the culture of Pakistan. The language and the food was all familiar, while at the same time the stark honesty of the story killed any desire to visit the part of the world where my Dad grew up.
What I really loved was the presentation of Karachi and the culture of Pakistan. The language and the food was all familiar, while at the same time the stark honesty of the story killed any desire to visit the part of the world where my Dad grew up.
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A lot of fun, especially the droll sniping at Australia. Also quite intricately plotted, the mystery held up well. A shame he only wrote this one.
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Very, very samey. The Julian Hyperia dance is getting old and only a late outburst from Julian lifted this one to 3.75
Not what I was expecting, not for me
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
A well constructed mystery, even if most of the key elements were unusually easy to figure out
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A bit of a mixed bag, but any story with Caroline in it tends to not gel with me
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
A really warm fuzzy wrap up for the series. The murder mystery was no mystery at all, the culprit was obvious from the beginning, but it was not the focus of the story.