astrangerhere's Reviews (1.31k)

The theatrical detail was amazing. I was reminded rather strongly of PD James' Ispector Dalgliesh. There was alot more a picture of what goes on inside Sir Alleyn's head this time around and I ratehr enjoyed it.

I've only ever read the (publication) first book in this series - the seminal Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe. This is somewhat of a diversion for me. I've not read these books since i was a small child, and 20 years later they are just as interesting.

While I found the book to be both educational and informative, the narrative itself felt disjointed. I had no sense of the passage of time and got no personal sense of the man. The book felt like episodes of a non-linear cop show rather than a cohesive narrative.

I want to give this 2.5 stars. It felt like a letdown after the first two books. The prince and pauperish story felt stale, save for the ever-present Aslan, who was the highlight of the book.

"... but to be alone while surrounded by people, the one sane man in a mad place -- that was loneliness."

"Arthur had never before challenged a man to a duel, but in this moment he understood the magnificent reasonableness of the tradition. It was either that or slugging him outright this very second, which didn't seem nearly so gentlemanly."

"Chivalry is the very soul of manhood. It is what separates men from beasts."

"I think I love the idea that problems have solutions. I think that's the appeal of mystery stories, whether they're Holmes or someone else. IN those stories we live in an understandable world. We live in a place where every problem has a solution, and if we were only smart enough, we could figure them out."

Marsh is really hitting her stride. And the more I read of Alleyn, the more I see Detective Inspector Adam Dalgliesh.

A little long, and a little meandering in some places, the story was still a fascinating one.