Rating: 
Summary: Predictably good.
Review: The best evidence of the fine writing in this novel is a back cover blurb that gives away much of the plot, yet in no way diminishes the pleasure of reading the book.
Basically the story follows Brat Farrar, who successfully assumes the identity of long presumed dead Patrick Ashby to inherit a fortune. What sets the book apart is the development of Brat's character. His feeling and motivation is examined sympathetically, and in many ways that is what drives the novel.
There are a number of minor shortcomings to the book. In contrast to the wonderful development of Bee and Brat, the character of Simon is drawn fairly shallowly. He seems to be a bit of a stock villain and his motivations are never examined. Also, the ending was a little to pat. It doesn't seem likely that the scenario could be wrapped up as cleanly and quickly as indicated in the book. But apart from those quibbles it was, all in, an excellent book.
Rating: 
Summary: Suspenseful mystery for those who dislike the formula kind
Review: The story is seen from the viewpoint of its title character, Brat Farrar, a foundling who grew up in an orphanage somewhere in England, he ran away to sea, traveled around and lived in America for awhile. When the book begins, Brat has just returned to England, he is stopped by an aging actor while walking along a street. The actor has been struck by Brat's amazing resemblance to someone he knows, Simon Ashby, who is due on his 21st birthday to inherit the family estate, though Simon was not the original heir - it should have been his twin, Patrick, who apparently committed suicide when they were 13. The actor makes Brat a proposition, he is persuaded to pose as Patrick come back and claim the family fortune. This was my first Josephine Tey mystery, and it kept me up late, I couldn't wait to find out what would happen. Originally published in 1949, this author was well known for writing great mysteries that did not follow formulas. Tey has chosen the British countryside and the world of horse breeding as the setting for this one, an enjoyable read, old-fashioned, British, with a country pastor and a character called Aunt Bee. Some things are perhaps predictable, for example I guessed pretty early on who Brat really was, but there were still plenty of other surprises along the way. This would have been a great Hitchcock film.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Book!
Review: This book is a true mystery classic, and it is written as only Tey can write them. I had seen a movie made from this story before I read the book. Although the movie was very true to the original manuscript, the book is much, much better. Like all of Tey's stories, this book is not a simple murder mystery. The plot is ingenious. Even though the reader is partly in the secret from early on in the story, the suspense is developed and maintained until the very end. The reader comes to sympathize with Brat early on in the story, and we wonder how he's going to get out of the web of lies and deceit he has made. I enjoyed the country "horsey" setting, and the family is pure delight. Ms. Tey was a wonderful author!
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Book!
Review: This book is a true mystery classic, and it is written as only Tey can write them. I had seen a movie made from this story before I read the book. Although the movie was very true to the original manuscript, the book is much, much better. Like all of Tey's stories, this book is not a simple murder mystery. The plot is ingenious. Even though the reader is partly in the secret from early on in the story, the suspense is developed and maintained until the very end. The reader comes to sympathize with Brat early on in the story, and we wonder how he's going to get out of the web of lies and deceit he has made. I enjoyed the country "horsey" setting, and the family is pure delight. Ms. Tey was a wonderful author!
Rating:
Summary: great mystery, great setting. A delight to read!
Review: This was a 3 part series on PBS in the early '80's Is there a copy of this in existence? I would love one. Masterpiece Theater quality, and lots of British stable yards and horses!
Rating:
Summary: A first-rate mystery of impersonation and deception.
Review: When foundling drifter Brat Farrar is offered the proposition to pose as the aristocratic Ashby family's long-missing heir (whom he strongly resembles), he finds it impossible to resist. What he did not reckon on was the growing attraction to his own "sister" and the veiled enmity of the younger twin "brother," whom he has displaced as the master of the Ashby estate. The author expertly draws the characters so that we always favor the likable Brat, despite his fraudulent part in the scheme. When it becomes obvious that his life is in danger and that there is something decidedly suspicious about the death of the real Patrick Ashby, the suspense builds unrelentingly, keeping the reader's eyes riveted to the book. In addition to the suspense and the excellent characterizations, there is the extremely interesting background of English horse breeding and racing, which the Ashby fortunes are currently built upon.P>Yes, you can see some of the incidents coming ahead of time, but that's the way it is in real life. The author is honest with the reader in letting us know what is developing as the hero himself discovers it. Overall, this is a great read, an excellent novel of suspense.
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