From Publishers Weekly
When a strange man appears in William Trenchard's garden in St. John's Wood, one evening in 1882, and claims to be the former fiance of his wife Constance, Trenchard's whole life is overwhelmed. James Davenall had been missing, declared a suicide, for 11 years--and his younger brother Hugo had inherited the Davenall baronetcy. Yet, if James "Norton," as he calls himself, is not the missing man, who is he? And why does his mother Catherine call Norton an imposter while Constance recognizes him as her lost love? A sensational trial that threatens to eclipse the famous Tichborne Case looms as Trenchard (who's fighting to hold on to his wife and his mental equilibrium) and Richard Davenall--a cousin, who may be Hugo's father--certain that Norton is a phony, carry out their own investigations. The outcome of the trial is tragic and explosive, and the surprises and mystery continue as Richard changes his mind about James, and as the tight and intricate plot moves back and forth in time. A large cast of characters plays a part in the mystery, as becomes clear in the shocking denouement. Goddard ( In Pale Battalions ) goes from strength to strength in terms of invention, and this exciting story, with its careful complexity and completeness--no loose ends--is a joy to read. Literary Guild alternate.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an alternate
Hardcover
edition.
From Library Journal
These productions of Goddard's suspense-filled novels are equally well read by Paul Shelley (Take No Farewell) and Michael Kitchen (Painting the Darkness). Both readers skillfully portray ordinary middle-class British professional men who are caught in circumstances beyond their abilities to cope. Driven to take any risk to save their loved ones, they act out of impulse, not intelligence, often with unfortunate results. Take No Farewell centers around a cad, Geoffrey Staddon, who left Consuela, the love of his life, in an abusive marriage so that he could shine as an architect in proper Edwardian England. Years later when Consuela is charged with murder and her daughter appeals to him for help, he realizes that he can redeem himself at least in his own eyes and, in an unexpected twist, even in Consuela's. William Trenchard of Painting the Darkness is threatened when his wife's first love, believed dead, reappears to claim his inheritance and Mrs. Trenchard. Trenchard fights with all his heart, but, unfortunately, his skills are not equal to those of his enemy's. Goddard is known for his intricate plot twists and ability to keep the listener intensely involved to the last sentence. Shelley and Kitchen are fine readers, modulating their voices and accents to differentiate characters and adapting their pacing to reflect the mood of the scene. Both recordings are recommended for popular collections. Juleigh Muirhead Clark, John D. Rockefeller Jr. Lib., Colonial Williamsburg Fdn., VA
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to the
Audio Cassette
edition.
by Robert Goddard
by Robert Goddard
by Robert Goddard
by Robert Goddard
by Robert Goddard
