POSSIBLE SPOILERS. This book has so much going for it. The writing is lovely, with many a marvelous turn of phrase, or an observation that rings so true. The author paints a vivid picture of post war England/Scotland, including all the cracks and rot of a society in transition. The modern times already arriving and the mores and manners of the past are both a backdrop and an explanation for the mysteries. Her characters are complex. But with the first person viewpoint we don't see or hear more than Dandy does, and most of the little mysteries that appear are not addressed. As other reviewers have said, the middle lags in endless cycling through the facts-something that feels very true to how the mind works in these circumstances, but which makes for tediousness, which makes for less careful reading.
So although the diamonds are found, the dozen dangling ends only make one hope that the sequels have some answers. What is most frustrating is the last paragraph, "Finally the last piece fell into place." it begins. But does the author tell us what it is and what it means? No, she does not.
I am sure I missed a clue in the book somewhere, and that a careful reader would know what the big truth is. But I am not inclined to go back and read it through again to find the key. The personalities of almost everyone in the book rather put me off the first time through.
So here is my recommendation. Read the book for the clever language, and read it carefully. When you figure out the ending, drop me a line.
So although the diamonds are found, the dozen dangling ends only make one hope that the sequels have some answers. What is most frustrating is the last paragraph, "Finally the last piece fell into place." it begins. But does the author tell us what it is and what it means? No, she does not.
I am sure I missed a clue in the book somewhere, and that a careful reader would know what the big truth is. But I am not inclined to go back and read it through again to find the key. The personalities of almost everyone in the book rather put me off the first time through.
So here is my recommendation. Read the book for the clever language, and read it carefully. When you figure out the ending, drop me a line.
Cathy C. (cathyskye) -
I've heard some good things about Catriona McPherson's Dandy Gilver series over the years, and since I love Scotland and that period of time, I thought it was time to give the first book in the series a try. I've read many books about World War I and the years leading up to the conflict as well as its aftermath. The prologue of After the Armistice Ball immediately wove its spell and took me right to that time when the fighting was finished, and people were taking their first tentative steps in a brand-new world. I also fell in love with Dandy Gilver and her slightly arch, slightly sarcastic, sense of humor. Her husband is a paragon of predictability, and I had fun watching Dandy as she plotted how to take her little investigative tours with spouse Hugh being none the wiser.
The mystery of the diamonds and the murder is a true puzzler, and Dandy definitely needs the help of Alec Osborne, fiance of Cara Duffy. There are real diamonds, there are fake diamonds, there are false trails, and people aren't always whom they seem to be. I joined Dandy in confusion on more than one occasion. However, one thing about this book drove me up the wall and across the ceiling: how Dandy and Alec came to solve the crime. How? By endless talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, talk. And when these two weren't rehashing everything for the millionth time, Dandy was think, think, think, think, thinking about it. This book told me that I need a bit more action in my mysteries, and it reminded me of something else.
As a rule, I don't read Golden Age mysteries because I don't enjoy them-- especially if the crime solver is a female. Most females of the era don't have unlimited travel privileges. They have a few opportunities to see, observe, and question, and then they must retire to their parlors to ponder everything over endless cups of tea. After the Armistice Ball is written in the style of one of these classic Golden Age mysteries. If you read them and enjoy them, you're going to love Dandy Gilver. Unfortunately, although I enjoy Dandy Gilver, Golden Age mysteries just are not my cup of Darjeeling.
The mystery of the diamonds and the murder is a true puzzler, and Dandy definitely needs the help of Alec Osborne, fiance of Cara Duffy. There are real diamonds, there are fake diamonds, there are false trails, and people aren't always whom they seem to be. I joined Dandy in confusion on more than one occasion. However, one thing about this book drove me up the wall and across the ceiling: how Dandy and Alec came to solve the crime. How? By endless talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, talk. And when these two weren't rehashing everything for the millionth time, Dandy was think, think, think, think, thinking about it. This book told me that I need a bit more action in my mysteries, and it reminded me of something else.
As a rule, I don't read Golden Age mysteries because I don't enjoy them-- especially if the crime solver is a female. Most females of the era don't have unlimited travel privileges. They have a few opportunities to see, observe, and question, and then they must retire to their parlors to ponder everything over endless cups of tea. After the Armistice Ball is written in the style of one of these classic Golden Age mysteries. If you read them and enjoy them, you're going to love Dandy Gilver. Unfortunately, although I enjoy Dandy Gilver, Golden Age mysteries just are not my cup of Darjeeling.
