Nina

She's done it again. Interwoven several story lines and even some breathtaking action while contrasting the mores and beliefs of Victorian England. I truely admire her work.

Really. Altho I adore her novels, my hopes for her atuobiography were dashed after about 10 minutes. I did manage 2/3 of it, but it really did put me to sleep. Too bad

This very much puts me in mind of "Turn of the Screw". I wonder if the author had this on her mind. It is a story within a story within a story, and a mystery within a mystery. In addition, there are supernatural elements, and an "unreliable witness" (a narrator who cannot necessarily be believed).
Not an easy read, but a good one -- and satisfying.

This is a really good story, and it's pretty well written. But it's 4 times as long as it should be. A tightening up by an editor would have made this move like a thriller. Quelle dommage!

The title sums it up. This book goes around and on and on. I've listened to enough books (and read a good many:-) to know when something is well-written. Shame because underneath all the wordiness is an interesting story. Not the best reader either.

Yep, that's a quote from the book, and it's also the tone of the book. You don't want to listen to this if you're a bit depressed. Yet, it's got redeeming passages and ideas. Of course, part of the cynicism is the reader, but it's not written for a happy reader:-)

It's not bad, but it pales in comparison to the Victorian mysteries. Probably because she is used to taking her time to develop complex, fascinating characters, this shorter form just doesn't cut it.

Sad when a TV show is better than the books it is based on. But I think that may be because the show has time limits. As far as I can tell, there are no more editors alive and working.
This is way too long, so it's difficult to tell how it would be when well-edited

If you like the Monk/Hester characters, this doesn't dissapoint. No one does character development like Perry!

It's a good story and there are many good passages, but it's very wordy and way too long. Do writers get paid by the page? I find this to be a common problem.

We all remember the Shirley Temple movie, and I don't think I'm spoiling anything to say that the ending in the book is different. That said, I did enjoy the story, but found it difficult listening. I normally have no problem w British accents, but I think this recording is not the best.