I'm just getting back into the routine of things after the holiday celebrations, so it's good to join Barbara, the hostess of Tuesday Intros, with the opening lines of a book that I've just finished reading. I chose it from the library because I liked the cover and thought, ah, yes, I know all about London rain, I've padded about with it dripping down my neck often enough!
I'd never heard of the author but discovered that she's written a number of books featuring the central character, Josephine Tey. What did I think of it? Far too over researched for my taste. I'm confident that all the period details were accurate but they slowed the story down and caused me to be uninvolved in the story line.
Just goes to show, you can't tell a book from it's cover!
Bummer that the book was not what you hoped.
ReplyDeleteI read about the author on the fly leaf and it sounded promising, Cambridge graduate blah blah. She obviously has had to write too many college essays backed by hard fact!
DeleteA book that I can not involved with becomes a book half read.
ReplyDeleteThat's sensible of you, Maybe, after all, there are so many great books, why stick with one you don't like? For some reason, however, once I've started a book I've got to read on to the end. Unless I simply can't stand it!
DeleteI've been meaning to try this series, though I sometimes have issues with using 'real' people in fictional books. Sorry it didn't work well for you. I'll probably pick up the first book at some point just to see how I get along with it.
ReplyDeleteAh, Kay, it sounds as though you know far more about this author than I do, perhaps you will enjoy her writing. I often find real people in books disconcerting - did they REALLY say/do that?
DeleteI love the cover and the title...but I suspect I wouldn't enjoy an "over researched" book, either. I do love this historical period, though.
ReplyDeleteHere's mine: “THE VANISHING YEAR”
Yes, the cover and title are lovely, quite romantic. In reality rain in London is rather miserable!
DeleteThe thing that interests me is that there was an author named Josephine Tey (pseudonym for Elizabeth MacKintosh) who wrote delicious mysteries. I might try one on the strength of that alone. Here's my link for today: http://wp.me/p4DMf0-1s6
ReplyDeleteMs M, like Kay, above, I think you are far better informed than I am. Now I'll have to google Elizabeth Mackintosh.
DeleteI'm always glad to learn about a new series, but I'm sorry that the book didn't work for you.
ReplyDeleteWhen you discover a book that you really like then it's always a bonus when it is just one in a series. I won't be hunting for anymore of these however.
DeleteI would have picked it up as well. If I'm browsing I will ALWAYS choose a book for its cover (and many times be greatly rewarded). Same with LPs back in the day. I would never have discovered Janacek, Samuel Barber and many others were the covers of those albums not so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if it's the same in the States, Michelle, but here in Blighty there is a return to LPs, part of the attraction being the creative possibilities of the album covers.
DeleteToo bad this one wasn't as great as it's cover. (Because it is a really great cover!)
ReplyDeleteYes, that cover promised more than it delivered!
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