I think this is one of the best British mystery novels I have ever read. Brilliantly written with detective/antagonist storyline development moving simultaneously toward ending. I highly recomment this book. Also the sequel and I am waiting for the third in the series which comes out this summer.
Helpful Score: 4
Great mystery. Protagonist has his own issues to deal with while working the case which takes place in the shadow of WWl. Good character development; riveting plot; a little romance; a little humor. Well written and a page turner.
Helpful Score: 2
Excellent historical mystery
Helpful Score: 2
Excellent. The main characters are well drawn. The impact of WWI on these characters is very well described, and the horrors of that war made real. I enjoyed this book a lot, and recommend it to anyone who enjoys good mysteries, especially historical mysteries.
Helpful Score: 2
this is the first book in Airth's new series on life in a small town after WWI, with a police inspector John Madden. The richness of the descriptions, of life as a London policeman, and life after WWI is very well done. A good solid read.
Helpful Score: 1
This is the first of the Inspector Madden mysteries and it's a great one! As rural England slowly emerges from World War I, a particularly vicious attack on a household in a small village leaves five butchered bodies and no explanation for the killings. Scotland Yard sends Inspector John Madden, still recovering from his own harrowing war experience and from the deaths of his wife and child, to investigate. You're sure to enjoy reading this very well written mystery.
A most excellent multiple, murder mystery set in post-World War I Britain. I was hooked before I had read 25 pages, and requested the other books in this series. The author does a very good job of inserting police investigative techniques into the story.
The only thing I'm willing to say about the ending is something Yogi Berra once said, "It ain't over 'til it's over."
The only thing I'm willing to say about the ending is something Yogi Berra once said, "It ain't over 'til it's over."
Beverly H. (GainesvilleGirl) -
Well written, but slow going. The moody old country English atmosphere is wonderful for those who are fans of this style. I am, so I am enjoying the story, but even for ME, it's very slow moving. The murders are horribly brutal, and the melancholy feeling is ever present. However there IS a little sunshine here and there, with a spark of romance to relieve the tension. Rennie Airth is good, very good. I will always read his books!
The kind of book you find hard to pit down!
Great World War I thriller!
Criminal psychology and good Scotland Yard detective work. This book takes place right after WWI and is an "edge of the seat serial killer thriller".
A very good mystery set in post WWI England
This is a first novel-his second has just come out in hardcover and I hear its not as good. This book however is one of the best thrillers I've read in years. It takes place in post WWI England.
Excellent, excellent mystery. I've been looking for this book for 2 years and it was worth the wait. Set in 1920's England, still influenced by WWI, Detective John Madden is faced with a serial killer. Very well written.
Rennie Airth does not fail to deliver. River of Darkness is not only a great mystery but is a touching account of a detective who was traumatized by World War I.
Kimberly N. (kimberlyrav) -
What a ride! This book was totally awesome! I love John Madden, an inspector in this book. This is book one in the trilogy of John Madden. This book is set in England in the aftermath of WW1. Nominated for the Edgar Award for best novel. I read this long into the night, unable to stop when each chapter came. A real page turner. The New York times even mentioned it as a notable book. The characters, the setting, each move the killer makes in this book, the descriptions, the tactics by the constables, inspectors and the screwy minded killer make this phenomenal. This is a must for mystery lovers!
Ron K. (WhidbeyIslander) -
A little long, but very readable and enjoyable. It's setting is similar to that of the Inspector Rutledge stories of Charles Todd (England shortly after WWI), but without the annoying presence of Rutledge's dead former comrade in arms. Madden is less haunted by the war, but still carries scars from it.
Edgar award nominee, NY Times Notable book
I guess I just don't like books of this type, but I am sure some one will love it.
