Helpful Score: 2
Takes place in the 1800s with Edgar A. Poe playing an interesting, if almost clownish, role. A retired detective, Gus Landor, is called upon to solve a murder which has occured on the grounds of West Point where it happens that Poe is a student. The aging detective harbors some serious grief and mysteries within himself that will eventually be disclosed to the reader. Poe's role in this story is to be an aide and confidante to Mr. Landor. The plot is devious and has many twists and turns including a heart breaking (what else?) romance for Poe. The chief complaint that I have with this book is that it seems to go on forever. Surely it would have been a lot more exciting with less droning and more action.
But many consider this a superb example of good mystery writing. So who am I to dispute them? Nevertheless I am only giving it three stars for the above mentioned reasons.
But many consider this a superb example of good mystery writing. So who am I to dispute them? Nevertheless I am only giving it three stars for the above mentioned reasons.
Helpful Score: 1
Early in 1800s, 1830 to be precise, the reader is at West Point when a young cadet is discovered hanged presumably a suicide. The mystery focuses on his death but others occur as well. I liked the writing and found it interesting that Cadet Fourth Class Edgar Allan Poe plays a significant role in the novel. He is a rogue and stands out at the Point among other cadets, continuing to march at his own pace.
Superintendent Colonel Sylvanus Thayer decides not to call the police but Augustus Landor instead. Retired and living nearby he is a former New York City police detective of some fame. It is he who points out that the first death was really murder. And, of course, more murders occur.
If one is a Poe fan, one finds the unraveling of this mystery delightful. I quite enjoyed the novel including communications between Thayer and Landor. Some reviewers say the novel is slow moving. I did not find it so. I loved the prose and the tale as it was told.
Superintendent Colonel Sylvanus Thayer decides not to call the police but Augustus Landor instead. Retired and living nearby he is a former New York City police detective of some fame. It is he who points out that the first death was really murder. And, of course, more murders occur.
If one is a Poe fan, one finds the unraveling of this mystery delightful. I quite enjoyed the novel including communications between Thayer and Landor. Some reviewers say the novel is slow moving. I did not find it so. I loved the prose and the tale as it was told.
