Hoppa över den här serien och läs istället "The Harry Houdini mysteries". Det är tre böcker som har allt det som "Oscar" saknar; starka karaktärer, kvickhet, spänning, tidsatmosfär, och framför allt - det oväntade. "Oscar" släpar sig fram utan mål. Några fräcka citat här och är räcker inte. En os...
Although there are still instances of 'let me tell you something fascinating-but-unnecessary about Oscar Wilde', this was a far more enjoyable read than the first book. The plot was ingenious – quite Agatha Christie-esque, I thought – and satisfying. My biggest frustration is that despite all the...
Good sequel to the candlelight murders. I particularly enjoyed that there are more "celebrities" turning up in this one, for example Bram Stoker and Walter Sickert, who at one point was a suspect for being Jack the Ripper (Particia Cornwell maintains that theory still today). Again the book is fu...
Detektīvi gan nav mans iemīļotais žanrs grāmtām, un pilnīgi notiekti filmas formātā šis darbs man patiktu krienti vairāk (paradokss, ka detektīvfilmas gan man daudzas patīk, romāni teju nekad.Ideja par vienā darbā saliktiem vairākiem slaveniem rakstniekiem (bez Vailda tur ir Arturs Konans Doils u...
As historical fictions go, this is a whirlwind of a collection of fascinating historical characters. While Wilde is the star, one cannot deny the allure of the other characters such as La Grange. Reading this book brings to mind the old adage: life is stranger than fiction. The perversities; absu...
Brandreth is a well-known broadcaster, but I hadn't realised he was such a prolific writer, having established the real Oscar Wilde in a fictional new career as an amateur detective. Set in the 1880s, mostly in Paris, this is a tale of drinking, drugs, and phenomenal acting. Edmond La Grange, the...
I suppose problem number one is that this is book 5. I haven't had 4 books to build up an appreciation for the character Wilde. At any rate, I've made it half way through but am giving up. I don't like Wilde, I don't like Doyle, I'm not at all interested in what happened, I find the writing pedan...
Oscar Wilde and Arthur Conan Doyle go to the Vatican for a bit of sleuthing. Why not?The book turned out to be a lot of fun. Lots of little tidbits on the Vatican, its places and how it operates, as well as some interesting conversation from the two leads.We received the paperback as a gift. Just...
Knowing of Gyles Brandreth from the television and radio, I rather thought this book might be a little “sophisticated” for me. He’s a vastly intelligent man and, like Stephen Fry, he often loses me with his mind but I needn’t have worried, because The Candlelight Murders(as it's known in the UK) ...
There is a rich seam of reading out there for people who enjoy intrigue, scheming and double dealing as part of the plot. This is, of course, the political diary. I was drawn to this one by seeing the author on afternoon TV, where he completely takes over any show he’s on with his humour, quick w...
Breaking the Code Baker, Kenneth 1, 2, 3, 4 Baker, Nicholas 1 Baldry, Tony 1, 2 Baldwin, Stanley 1 Banks, Matthew 1 Banks, Tony 1, 2 Barbour, Anthony and Diana 1 Barker, Tom 1 Barlow, Stephen (Stevie) 1n, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 Barnett Legh, Camilla 1 Barrit, Des 1 Bates, Michael 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Bauwens,...
She had a presence that was compelling and a look that took my breath away. Her face was long and lean, yet full of life. Her green eyes were huge and accentuated by the strength of her eyebrows land her aquiline nose. It was a face you would not forget. It was a face that I felt I already knew&m...
Conan Doyle, a true Scot, opted for porridge (with salt, not cream), followed by the kippers. Oscar settled for half a dozen Turkish cigarettes, coffee and Napoleon brandy.‘You must excuse me, gentlemen. I have spent the night with a vampire.’‘Who is this young man?’ demanded Conan Doyle in a hoa...
I had gone in answer to his urgent summons—a telegram that reached me in my room in Gower Street at nine o’clock: COME TO THE CADOGAN AT ONCE. BRING GALOSHES AND INSPIRATION. OSCAR. I found my friend seated at a corner table, alone, the débris of breakfast all around him. In his right hand he...
He had been seated there for an hour – for two, perhaps. At five o’clock, with narrowed eyes – hooded but amused – he had scrutinised the passengers from the paddle steamer – the Victoria from Newhaven – as, bags and baggage in hand, porters in tow, they had trooped by on their way from the quays...