Whispers of Vivaldi by Beverle Graves Myers

First Sentence: The one thing I never miss about the opera career that had brought me fame and fortune is jolting from one engagement to another in lumbering mail coaches, watching the roadside vegetation unfold in brain-numbing boredom.

Tito Amato is determined to prove himself, to Maestro Torani, as worthy of being the director of the Teatro San Marco. But they are competing for their audience against another theater with a more modern style of programming. When a composer presents to Tito a glorious new opera, styled in the manner of Vivaldi, Tito wants it to be the season opener. The opera house’s patron agrees, but only if Tito can sign Angeletto, a spectacular castrato singer from Naples, to sing. However, is the singer truly a castrato, or a woman in disguise? What is the motive for the brutal attack on Maestro Torani? It all leaves Tito searching for answers.

What a fascinating look at the being-the-scenes wrangling, politics and rivalries of a theater. Myers than takes all those intricacies and incorporates them into the equally complex layers of society and religion.

Oh, how helpful would have been a Cast of Characters. It did become very confusing, at times, trying to remember who everyone was and how they fit into the story. Even so, the characters are fascinating. Tito is the narrator. For those who follow the series, it is interesting to see how his life has evolved. However, it’s of no matter for those who have not as Myers does provide an adequate backstory both for Tito and his wife, Liya. Their relationship adds an extra dimension which brings particular depth to the book and her use of Tarot and scrying set her apart.

The fact that Tito works with the head of investigation, Messer Grande, adds realism to the story. Messer Grande is an interesting character in this own right…”I was familiar with the look that settled on Messer Grande’s face. Documents were leaping from drawer to drawer in the cabinet that made up his spectacular memory.”

The use of Vivaldi as a character was wonderfully done. It is particularly interesting as he never actually appears in the story. It was very nicely done.

Myers has a wonderful voice…”Venice never slept. Well, perhaps you could argue that my city drowsed during the worst of the summer heat, when the wealthy made their annual villeggiatura to cooler mainland estates. But a deep, snoring, head-buried in pillows sleep? Never.” It is also very clear that she knows, and loves, music. Tito’s complaint about the soprano’s style is one with which I agree about many of today’s singers…”His original tutor must have schooled him in nothing but embellishment, so determined was Angeletto to add thrills and tremolos at every opportunity. Neapolitans! They wouldn’t recognize moderation if it smacked them across the fact and challenged them to a duel.”

“Whispers of Vivaldi” is not all about music. There is also a wonderful false path, an excellent plot twist and heart-pounding suspense. I highly recommend it for lovers of music and/or historical mysteries.

WHISPERS OF VIVALDI (Hist Mys-Tito Amato-Venice-1745) – VG+
Myers, Beverle Graves – 6th in series
Poisoned Pen Press, 2014

Hunting Shadows by Charles Todd

First Sentence: He’d tried to put the war behind him.

A sniper killer at Ely Cathedral causes Inspector Ian Rutledge to travel to Cambridgeshire. A separate shooting in a different village does have a witness, but her testimony makes no real sense. The biggest barrier to Rutledge’s investigation is the apparent lack of motive in either case and lack of connection between the two victims. With the third shooting, and a target who survives, Rutledge starts looking to the past for both the motive, and for the killer.

The opening chapter is rather different and unusual, but completely engrossing. Todd’s descriptions are wonderfully atmospheric.

It’s very nice that an accounting of Hamish is offered that both explains him to new readers yet doesn’t interrupt the flow for recurring readers. Much focus is given to Rutledge, yet it’s not boring or repetitive. He is a fascinating character about whom we want to know more. His relapse into a flashback of the war is very effective and painful without being overly description. The understanding of the rector made the scene all that more powerful for its subtly. His dealing with his shell shock/PTSD is a tragic thread which connects the series and other characters of whom there are many who’ve suffered the effects of war.

Sometimes, it is the little things that matter. It’s nice that, with all the driving to-and-fro Rutledge does, we finally having him stopping for petrol occasionally.

“Hunting Shadows” is a good read. While one appreciates the doggedness of Rutledge’s investigation and the way he puts the information together in order to identify the killer, I didn’t feel a particularly strong connection to any character other than Rutledge, and wishing I had.

 
HUNTING SHADOWS (Hist Mys-Insp. Ian Rutledge-England-1920) – Good
Todd, Charles – 16th in series
William Morrow, 2014

March 4 - Reading Place

A comfortable chair, a pillow for my back.  A large window for the day, a good lamp for night reading.  A table at hand, an ottoman for my feet, and a soft blanket in case it's chilly.  What more does one need for a perfect reading place.

March 1: Last Book I Read

I liked this much more than I expected to.

Welcome to March - Rabbit, Rabbit

A Facebook group--Eat, Sleep, Read--has started a monthly Book Photo Challenge.  Since photography is one of my three favorite hobbies, along with reading and crocheting, I've decided to play along. 

Here is the list of photographs for March:

A Place of Confinement by Anna Dean

First Sentence: My dear Eliza, I am in prison and I do not know how much longer I can bear my confinement.

Spinster Dido Kent has been sent off to Charcombe Manor with wealthy and demanding Aunt Manners. Upon arriving, she learns that Miss Letitia Verney is missing, though to have eloped to Gretna Green with Tom Lomax, wastrel son of Dido’s suitor, William. There is more than one puzzle to keep Dido busy. Why does no one seem concerned about Letitia?  Why is Aunt Manners giving her jewelry to George, a brother she dislikes? Why is crying heard from a deserted part of the manor house? And most urgently, how can Dido prevent Tom from being hung for the murder of a man visiting George’s new resort town near the estate.

From the very opening, it is hard to resist Ms. Dido Kent and the charming letter to her sister. Ms. Dean very cleverly creates the atmosphere of there being a mystery about to unfold without resorting to the cliched use of a portent.

Anyone familiar with Jane Austin will find themselves equating Dean’s characters with those of Austin. Dean captures the details of the period perfectly from the societal structure, to the inclusion of a chamber horse, to the style of speech. “…And would you seek to change the world’s opinion on the matter?” “I do not presume so far… I seek only to act as my conscience dictates. It is a matter of integrity, Mr. Lomax, not revolt.” The relationship between Dido and William Lomax is wonderfully written and completely appropriate to the characters and the period.

Yet set into this period of lightness, Dean introduces murder and an element of the Gothic and dread through a grim discovery made by Dido. There does appear to be a small oversight in the logic needed to solve the crime, but it can be forgiven considering the very clever plot twist and even bigger surprise. The sub-theme of duty is very effective and adds depth to the story.

“A Place of Confinement” is wonderful. I do love Dido Kent and admire Ms. Dean’s skill of creating a character who solves crimes in a way that is completely believable considering the constraints placed upon her by the period in which she is set. Do treat yourself and begin the series at the beginning.

A PLACE OF CONFINEMENT (Hist Mys/Ama Sleuth-Dido Kent-England-Georgian/1807) – VG+
Dean, Anna – 4th in series
Minotaur Books, 2013

CLAIRE DEWITT AND THE BOHEMIAN HIGHWAY by Sara Gran

First Sentence: I met Paul when a friend of my friend Tabith played at the Hotel Utah late on Thursday night.

An ex-boyfriend of PI Claire DeWitt is found dead. The police believe it was a robbery gone wrong, but Claire isn’t convinced, particularly when were appear to be links to the past. While Claire investigates, she sends her new assistant, Claude, off on a case of miniature horses that have gone missing from a ranch in Marin County.

Sara Gran has such a wonderful, original voice and often writes passages that make you stop and think…”Maybe it was true: Life was a series of words we’d been given to arrange as we pleased, only no one seemed to know how. A word game with no right solution, a crossword puzzle where we couldn’t quite remember the name of that song.” She is very good at expressing small truths, “Everyone things their grief is the first grief. Everyone things their grief is primary and everyone else’s is secondary.”

When some author’s characters refer to past cases, you feel as though you’ve missed a book in the series. When Claire refers to past cases, it is almost as an aside and assures you that it is fine that you don’t know the details. That said, it is very helpful to have read the actual first book in this series, “…City of the Dead.”

Told in first person, this is very much a character-driven book. It is fascinating to see how Gran incorporates different philosophical beliefs into Claire’s thought process. And then there is the book by the French detective Jacques Silette which seems to have almost magical properties of his own and becomes something of an on-going character in the series.  Claire, however, is far from being a paragon of virtue. She excels in vices; legal and illegal and the focus on these significantly and adversely effect the reader's view of the character.  Rather than want to know her better, she becomes someone you'd likely avoid.

Description and sense of place are also among Gran’s strengths, even if she does get a bit Map-Quest-y at times. For those who live, or know, the San Francisco Bay Area well, it is delightful following Claire to places so familiar to us. For those who don’t, her descriptions and details provide the feeling of being there.

Unfortunately, what is severely lacking is the mystery. It is there, but it seems the clues were not.

“…Bohemian Highway” sadly lacks the charm, humor and magic of Ms. Gran’s first book. I found myself more annoyed by Claire, than entranced by her. I do hope Ms. Gran’s next book finds its way back to the appeal of the first, but I’m not completely certain I’ll be there to read it.

CLAIRE DEWITT AND THE BOHEMIAN HIGHWAY(PI-Claire DeWitt-New York City-1980s) – Okay
Gran, Sara
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2013

An Old Betrayal by Charles Finch

First Sentence: The long green benches of the House of Commons were half-deserted as the evening session began, scattered with perhaps a few dozen men.

Charles Lenox has a very full life.  He has a wonderful wife, infant daughter and a seat in Parliament. Although it is a very busy time in Parliament, Charles Lenox agrees to meet with a former colleague’s client. But it’s the murder of a country squire that returns Lenox to his former profession of investigation, at least part time. Lenox finds this to be much more than a simple murder. Instead, it’s a case which could impact the nation.

Finch opens with a very good introduction to the main characters, providing both background and a clearly established sense of time and place. There is also an unusual set up right from the start that adds just a touch of humanity and humor to the story. Asking about the outfit worn by an 18-month old child, Lenox says “I have never understood this strange tradition that has us dress our small boys in martial clothing. This one seems to be wearing a regimental jacket.” Rather than describing the details of the season, he has Lenox equate Spring, not with nature, but with the events and posturing of the London Season. That’s not to say his traditional use of description is not evocative, for it assuredly is.

Finch’s details on the period, both in appearance and in conveying the spoken, and unspoken, rules of society are exacting. “…Toto burst into tears, burying her face in Jane’s quickly encircling arms. In a woman of slightly lower birth it would have been a distasteful spectacle. Rules soften toward the top, however.” He includes wonderful bits of historical detail, such as how Charing Cross obtained its name and the etymology of “hogwash.”

The dialogue also contributes to the sense of time as it reflects the speech of the period. There are actually historical figures deftly woven into, and critical to, the plot. Again, the details are very impressive although I do suspect some liberty was taken with Campbell’s Soup being available in England during that time.

What was rather fascinating was watching Finch, and ergo Lenox, balance both the investigation, the demands of his personal life and those of Parliament. The mystery keeps one involved and provides wonderful twists along the way with a motive clearly linked to actual events in history.

“An Old Betrayal” is a very good read and entry to a wonderful series which should be read in order.

AN OLD BETRAYAL (Hist Mys/Lic Invest-Charles Lenox-England-1875) – VG
Finch, Charles – 7th in series
Minotaur Books, 2013

THE TRUTH OF ALL THINGS by Kieran Shields

First Sentence: At the sound of footsteps in the alley, Maggie Keene dimmed the gas lamp and sidled up to the room’s only window.

Deputy Marshal Archie Lean is summoned to a murder scene. The body of a prostitute is found, pinned to the earth with a pitchfork, her heads and limbs laid out to represent a pentagram, and her body parts removed—all in the traditional method of killing a witch. Also on the scene is Cyrus Grey, Indian and former Pinkerton who studied anatomy. In spite of their different approaches, the two men must join forces and stop a killer.
 
This had all the elements that would normally have appealed to me; historical, police procedural, Maine, witch trials, occult. Of course, the very small print did not help that, but that’s the fault of the publisher, not the author. Still, had I been engrossed in the story, I would have persevered. Instead, I found it just didn’t hold my interest. 

The main characters of Lean and Grey were too clearly fashioned after Watson and Holmes, almost to the point where they felt plagiarized, but with the names changes. The anachronisms were overwhelming, the speech had no reflection of the period; it seemed much too modern. As for setting, it is an area I know well. However, beyond a map-quest tour of the area, the sense of place was not evocative.

“The Truth of All Things” was a slog to read with stereotypical characters and no strong sense of time or place. I abandoned it after the first 150 pages. I did try, but just couldn’t stay with it.

THE TRUTH OF ALL THINGS (Hist Mys/Pol Proc-Archie Lean/Perceval Grey-Maine-1892) – DNF
Shields, Kieran – 1st in series
Broadway Paperbacks, 2012