The life of scholarly contemplation enjoyed by the Fellows of Sheepshanks College, Cambridge, is shattered when the Pryevian Librarian collapses and dies at High Table owing to a slug of arsenic in his port, and the recently discovered holograph copy of Shakespeare's earliest poem, "Cupid and Psyche," is found to be missing from the college library. John Saltmarsh, a Sheepshank's Fellow and closet writer of detective novels, sets out to solve these conundrums. The waters are further muddied by a rapist who stalks the streets of Cambridge in an academic gown.
This book does well in one category: mystery. Though it seems as though the author was at times trying to show that she knows a lot of big words the plot, which speeds up after the 4th chapter, will make you ponder who the murderer is 24/7. The truly unique span of characters make this book really something new. And the conclusion you will most likely never see coming. The book has only 2 flaws: 1 a couple chapters had some very meaningless information and, 2, the end chapters had some references to things that the book didn't seem in the category for. All in all though this is a decent book that will fill your life until the last page has been read.
A Good Old-Fashioned Mystery
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 19 years ago
Dorsey Fiske writes as if she wishes she were Dorothy Sayers. Since I wish a lot of people were Dorothy Sayers :-), this is fine with me. Her prose has many interesting turns of phrase and is refreshing to read. The pace is stately -- it doesn't drag, but it doesn't keep you up all night, either. Most of the violence is off-stage, and the first murder victim and the murderer are both people that one wouldn't mind seeing the end of. In short, it's a classic cozy. If classic cozies appeal to you, then this should be a great read for you. If you like your mysteries tough and sharp-edged, then look elsewhere.
ThriftBooks sells millions of used books at the lowest everyday prices. We personally assess every book's quality and offer rare, out-of-print treasures. We deliver the joy of reading in recyclable packaging with free standard shipping on US orders over $15. ThriftBooks.com. Read more. Spend less.