Whom the Gods Love

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful book
Review: As I read this historical mystery, I kept wondering why I had not previously heard of Kate Ross. Her wonderful ability to use the written word and her fascinating discription of London society in 1825 created exactly the kind of book that I enjoy. The mystery part of the book was good, but the author's ability to "turn a phrase" is the thing that sets Kate Ross apart from other good mystery writers in my opinion. The "detective" in this mystery, Julian Kestrel, is a young English gentleman who moves in high society in London in 1825. He is witty and urbane and totally charming. Ms. Ross wrote four Julian Kestrel books before her death. This is the third book in the series. Normally, with excellent authors such as Ms. Ross, it is best to start a seies with the first book in the series. If you like history and a little romance and a brilliant command of the English language mixed with mystery, you will find Kate Ross to be very satisfying.

Rating:
Summary: Adequate Series Entry
Review: Engrossing at the beginning, a tad disappointing at the end, this is an acceptable entry in the Julian Kestrel series. As always, Julian and 1820s London are appealing. Competent, but not as memorable as the exceptional "Cut To The Quick."

Rating:
Summary: Loved this book!
Review: I am a huge fan of Kate Ross and think that Whom the Gods Love is her best novel yet (I'm reading them in order). It is such a tragedy that there is only one more book in this series. Ms. Ross has made the historical mystery accessible to all of us.

Rating:
Summary: excellent novel; not Ross's best
Review: I enjoyed this novel, as I do all of Kate Ross's work. The period detail and dialogue are accurate, and Ross keeps the plot moving while developing strong characters. The end was a little weak in comparison to what she has done with other Julian Kestrel books, which is why I only gave this 4 stars.

Rating:
Summary: Kate Ross' death put an end to beautifully written books
Review: I have read all of Kate Ross' books and was enthralled by each one! Go right now and order her four books. I can't put into words how much I enjoyed them. You will too. Julian Kestral, the protagonist, is one that you will not easily forget. I loved all of them.

Rating:
Summary: Kate Ross' death put an end to beautifully written books
Review: I have read all of Kate Ross' books and was enthralled by each one! Go right now and order her four books. I can't put into words how much I enjoyed them. You will too. Julian Kestral, the protagonist, is one that you will not easily forget. I loved all of them.

Rating:
Summary: I mourn Julian Kestrel
Review: I mourn Julian Kestrel, and even more, I mourn Kate Ross, the gifted writer who created him. I would have read ten, twenty or more Kestrel books, but alas, there are only four. In WHOM THE GODS LOVE, Kestrel investigates the death of a "golden boy" who turned out to have a nasty way of ferreting out other people's secrets and turning them to his advantage. The question is, which of Alexander Falkland's many victims finally killed him? Like Anne Perry, the late Ms. Ross touched on the social problems of the time, but her touch was lighter. I recommend WHOM THE GODS LOVE and all the other Kestrel books to anyone who enjoys the work of Anne Perry and Dorothy L. Sayers.

Rating:
Summary: I mourn Julian Kestrel
Review: I mourn Julian Kestrel, and even more, I mourn Kate Ross, the gifted writer who created him. I would have read ten, twenty or more Kestrel books, but alas, there are only four. In WHOM THE GODS LOVE, Kestrel investigates the death of a "golden boy" who turned out to have a nasty way of ferreting out other people's secrets and turning them to his advantage. The question is, which of Alexander Falkland's many victims finally killed him? Like Anne Perry, the late Ms. Ross touched on the social problems of the time, but her touch was lighter. I recommend WHOM THE GODS LOVE and all the other Kestrel books to anyone who enjoys the work of Anne Perry and Dorothy L. Sayers.

Rating:
Summary: The Best of the Series
Review: Kate Ross's death of cancer in March 1998 was a tragic loss and I'm saddened that we'll never have a new Julian Kestral mystery to savor. Of Ross's four books, "Whom the Gods Love" is my favorite not only for the extraordinarily vivid personalities Ross created, but for the slow and increasingly horrifc revelations about the victim's character. This is a masterful novel and can, should, must be read.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: So many historical mysteries are lightweight on either the historical or the mystery side (sometimes on both). Kate Ross's mysteries are strong in both aspects. I'm a great fan of historical mysteries and Ross's are some of the very best that I've read. Her characterization is masterful, and her writing style is elegant and compelling. I'm only deeply disappointed that there won't be anymore coming, due to the author's death. At least she left a wonderful legacy in her four Julian Kestrel books.