Review of Carole Lawrence’s Edinburgh Twilight…
Edinburgh Twilight. Carole Lawrence, author.* Talk about satisfying two of my reading preferences at once! Hmm…maybe three: this novel’s setting is Ian Rankin’s dark Edinburgh underbelly, only in 1880; it’s a British-style mystery, with a Glasgow-born inspector playing the major role; and it’s first-rate historical fiction in addition to being an excellent mystery/crime story. I could hardly put this one down long enough to sip my Jameson!
Inspector Hamilton is a complex character with as much baggage as Rankin’s Inspector Rebus, and then some. He lost his parents in a terrible fire, and he has the burn scars to prove it. The arsonist was never captured, which is Hamilton’s motivation for becoming a policeman, although his father was also one. (Makes you wonder if the arsonist was on a payback mission, but the author doesn’t even hint at that. Maybe for later novel?)
The reader also is introduced to Hamilton’s Aunt Lillian, a Miss Marple/Esther Brookstone-type saucy character who often slips back into her Glasgow accent. That’s my only complaint, because the author’s transliteration of that accent propagates along with the tale—she should give the reader the initial flavor and then forget about it. The reader also meets Hamilton’s boss, assistant, and a street urchin who becomes essential to Hamilton’s investigation. All wonderful characters.
Not so wonderful is the serial killer. He’s on the loose, and Hamilton wants to find him as soon as possible before he kills again. Hamilton is unsuccessful, though, so the mystery and suspense builds, as the killer matches wits with the detective and his aides while killing again. Through it all, the reader discovers the vast gulf between rich and poor, the plight of Irish immigrants in the city, and the dark evil that can lurk in criminal minds.
Standard plot, right? Okay, but the interesting characters, all different, and noir setting make up for the weak plot. And remember, this is 1880, so the era also contributes to the setting. The author’s mesmerizing skill with words far exceeds the magical prowess of her villain.
In spite of the plot, this story is a well written mystery/crime novel. For any newbie author looking for examples on how to write them, studying how it’s put together will be enlightening. I’ve already finished #2 number two in the series, and I understand the author is strolling the streets of Edinburgh in preparation for #3. Good luck to her.
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*Note from Steve: I will no longer indicate either publisher or date of publication in my book reviews. I usually don’t indicate price either. This allows “evergreen books,” which I often read, play on an equal playing field with recently published books—same for indie, small press, and Big Five books. If interested, the reader can follow the links I give here to Amazon, where the cover, blurb, and “peek inside” can provide more information than I can in my brief reviews.
And, as strange as it seems, you should not pay much attention to those book reviews, of my books or anyone else’s, especially those on Amazon or even my own reviews. Instead use the information I’ve indicated for your final buying decision. You have a right to make your own reading choices—they’re completely subjective, after all. The fact that I like or dislike a book or certain elements in it is only my opinion—yours might be entirely different, and I wouldn’t want you to accuse me of leading you astray.
Of course, I have no ax to grind here, and I don’t play favorites.
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Comments are always welcome.
Son of Thunder. #2 in the “Esther Brookstone Art Detective Series.” This sequel to Rembrandt’s Angel has Esther Brookstone, now retired from Scotland Yard, obsessed with finding St. John the Divine’s tomb, using directions left by the Renaissance artist Sandro Botticelli. The disciple’s missionary travels and Botticelli’s trip to the Middle East make for three travel stories that all come together. Esther’s boyfriend, Interpol agent Bastiann van Coevorden, has problems with arms dealers, but he multitasks by trying to keep Esther focused and out of danger. The reader can also learn how their romance progresses. History, archaeology, romance, and art make for a tasty stew in this mystery/thriller novel soon to be published by Penmore Press in print and ebook formats. While it can be read independently of the first book, you can learn more about Esther and Bastiann in Rembrandt’s Angel—available in print and ebook formats at Amazon and in ebook format at Smashwords and the latter’s affiliated retailers (iBooks, B&N, Kobo, etc.) and lenders (Overdrive, etc.).
Around the world and to the stars! In libris libertas!
