Rating: 
Summary: Great mystery with beautiful writing
Review: Highly recommended for all mystery buffs who are also interested in World War I aftermath in England. A Great Read!
Rating: 
Summary: Superior Police Procedural
Review: Historically based crime novels are popular. This is one of the best of this subgenre. Set in the more contemporary but still unfamiliar world of post-WW1 England, this book combines the police procedural with elements of the psychological crime novel. The story is told from both the prespective of the police and a psychopathic, but capable, serial killer. The period detail is convincing. The characters are drawn well, the plotting is superior, and the quality of writing very good. A very enjoyable book. I look forward to the sequel.
Rating:
Summary: Not your typical English Mystery
Review: I bought this book because I was looking for something a little different from the action/suspense novels I typically read. Post WWI England setting, a Scotland Yard inspector, I figured I could expect a modern Sherlock Holmes or some stuffy intellectual mystery scenario.Boy, was I wrong. If you are a fan of action, this book has more than enough for your tastes. There's violence, sex, intrigue, and one truly haunting psychotic killer. And memorable characters. From inspector Madden to the young constable Billy Styles and Dr. Helen Blackwell, all with fantastic little personal quirks that make them all the more human. If you are squeamish, you might want to skip over some of the murder scene depictions. The language doesn't bother me but there's some pretty graphic stuff here. It helps to reveal the depravity of the killer, but if you can't take it, just turn the page. One odd observation is that Airth is rather fond of the exclamation point. I've never seen so many in one book. They're everywhere. It works though. Keeps the tone strangely jovial, even with the undercurrents of theoretical criminal psychology and the brooding inspector Madden's determination to find his man. Lots of subtle humor in the narrative as well. If you're an adreneline junkie, you shouldn't let this book pass you by, but it should appeal to readers of all kinds. Its one of those stories that you get really involved in. You never want it to end. And when it does, you want more. Can't wait to see what Rennie Airth comes up with next, and I hope he keeps his promise to bring back the character of Inspector Madden. I strongly suggest you buy this book.
Rating:
Summary: Buy This Book.
Review: I bought this book because I was looking for something a little different from the action/suspense novels I typically read. Post WWI England setting, a Scotland Yard inspector, I figured I could expect a modern Sherlock Holmes or some stuffy intellectual mystery scenario. Boy, was I wrong. If you are a fan of action, this book has more than enough for your tastes. There's violence, sex, intrigue, and one truly haunting psychotic killer. And memorable characters. From inspector Madden to the young constable Billy Styles and Dr. Helen Blackwell, all with fantastic little personal quirks that make them all the more human. If you are squeamish, you might want to skip over some of the murder scene depictions. The language doesn't bother me but there's some pretty graphic stuff here. It helps to reveal the depravity of the killer, but if you can't take it, just turn the page. One odd observation is that Airth is rather fond of the exclamation point. I've never seen so many in one book. They're everywhere. It works though. Keeps the tone strangely jovial, even with the undercurrents of theoretical criminal psychology and the brooding inspector Madden's determination to find his man. Lots of subtle humor in the narrative as well. If you're an adreneline junkie, you shouldn't let this book pass you by, but it should appeal to readers of all kinds. Its one of those stories that you get really involved in. You never want it to end. And when it does, you want more. Can't wait to see what Rennie Airth comes up with next, and I hope he keeps his promise to bring back the character of Inspector Madden. I strongly suggest you buy this book.
Rating:
Summary: Less becomes more in this well written murder "mystery".
Review: I found this novel concerning the hunt for a serial killer in post-WW I England to be an enjoyable read. From the character development to the plot progression to the relevance of the historical era, the author exhibits a literary style that is subtly restrained but thoroughly satisfying.
Rating:
Summary: Not your typical English Mystery
Review: I have been reading mysteries for over 35 years and happened upon this one at Amazon.com through a book list recommendation. After finishing this book I'm looking for anything else this author has written. I want to know more about Inspector Madden's past, present and future. His setting in post WWI England is a window to a time not so long ago but forgotten in this techno-world we live in today. While I am quite comfortable living in today, I am curious about this period of time and the attitudes of a people who survived being bombed in two major wars. One has to respect the courage of a people who picked up their lives and "got on with it". So you're getting more than an English whodoneit...but you won't be disappointed in the mystery either. There is more than the usual graphic detail but in order to be truly appalled and terrified by the mind of the killer, you need to look through Madden's eyes and see the horror of a man turned monster.
Rating:
Summary: EXCELLENT WRITING -- NOT TO BE MISSED
Review: I loved this book. Refreshingly different set in the WWI era. A suspenseful thriller with a beautifully written love story on the side. I highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Good book,but...
Review: I really liked this book & especially liked the relationship between Madden & Styles. But was disappointed with the role of Dr. Blackwell. On the back of the book, it says "With the help of Dr. Helen Blackwell, who introduces him to the latest developments in criminal psycology, Madden sets out to identify & capture the killer." What? All Dr. Blackwell did was introduce him back to sex. Dr. Weiss, I believe was the one to introduce the psycological information. How disappointing. The story was good, but I was looking forward to Madden & Dr. Blackwell making discoveries together, as the book suggested. I guess I was hoping it would be similar to "The Alienest" by Caleb Carr. Very good book - if you liked this one, you will like that.
Rating:
Summary: Only Put it Down if the Kettle Boils
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Although it did not evoke the sense or fabric of the period (one always wondered when the hell this took place) fortunately there was a description of the odd car that helped. I would not have read this book had not Pat Barker (Regeneration, Eye in the Door, Ghost Road ..Booker Prize) suggested it. I can understand why. It is a real thriller and a joy to rush through. Airth does not have the depth of Pat Barker nor the expereince but given time I think Airth will go beyond the watery fare of Patricia Cornwall and her ilk and provide us with the option I think we need. It is not the cookie cutter thriller that gets served up by Grisham and Cornwall. Not predictable and well written.
Rating:
Summary: River Of Darkness/A Friendly Favorite
Review: I was captivated by John Madden of Scotland Yard, a damaged
veteran of WWI, the sinister killer and most especially Madden's
love interest, Dr. Helen Blackwell. Fine romantic descriptions
of their passion for each other amidst the sinister deceptions
of the villain. Indeed, John Madden was a lucky dog! I'm trying
to locate the author's two earlier works, Snatch, and Once a
Spy.
| 
