★★★★★ 4
Leaves You Wanting More
I read about this novel right after Christmas, but I decided to order it anyway. It was not supposed to arrive until some time in February, so I was pleasantly surprised when I received it within a few days of my order. With the snow finally falling in the Chicago area, I knew this would be a good time to read this book.
The book begins with a summary of the case with somewhat overwrought language. However, as it moves on to the characters, it becomes more successful. It is important to remember that the novel was written in the 1940s, which means that we have a world that is slower paced than the 21st century. Of course we are looking at a wealthier segment of society in rural England, but this pace allows us to study the scenery and the characters more carefully. This is a world with a mansion that can house a number of guests for Christmas with these guests being able to stay over a few days with a pleasant host.
The characters are mostly forgettable with the major exception of Mordecai Tremaine as the amateur detective who helps solve the case. He is a character who is unforgettable. The ending is well plotted, and it leaves the taste of a delicious Christmas dinner in the mouth of the reader.
The author, Francis Duncan, wrote in the 1930s and 1940s, and this is the first book of his to be republished. I can only hope that other books by this author will be republished as well and republished soon or at least in time for me to read them by next Christmas. Without knowing anything about his other books, it would be nice to think that I could have other seasonal stories waiting for me in the future. The ending still remains in my mind, even several weeks after I have read the book. It would be delicious to meet Mordecai Tremaine again.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 26, 2016
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