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Inspector Trave #1
The Inheritance
In order to exonerate the estranged son of a murdered World War II veteran, an ageing police inspector must investigate a priceless relic in order to figure out which of five other suspects was willing to kill for such a valuable artifact. By the acclaimed author of Final Witness, who is the grandson of J. R. R. Tolkien. (Mystery & detective).
602 pages, Hardcover
First published April 13, 2010
29 people are currently reading
788 people want to read
About the author
Simon Tolkien
18Ìýbooks178ÌýfollowersSimon Tolkien was born in England in 1959 and grew up in a small village outside Oxford. His grandfather was J.R.R. Tolkien, professor of philology and the author of The Lord of the Rings. Simon was educated by Benedictine monks at Downside School, and then went on to Oxford University, where he studied Modern History at Trinity College. Since 1994, he has been a successful barrister in London, specializing in criminal justice, where, according to British custom, he regularly appears on behalf of both the prosecution and the defense. His wife, Tracy, is an American who owns a vintage clothing store in Kings Road, Chelsea. They have two children and live in London.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 153 reviews
November 24, 2018
3.75*
A decent whodunnit, in which a dedicated detective must unravel a mystery which began in France at the end of WW2.
He’s in a race against time to save a young man, who he believes is innocent, from being hanged.
I enjoyed this book, it was fast paced, with some interesting characters, and kept me guessing.
A decent whodunnit, in which a dedicated detective must unravel a mystery which began in France at the end of WW2.
He’s in a race against time to save a young man, who he believes is innocent, from being hanged.
I enjoyed this book, it was fast paced, with some interesting characters, and kept me guessing.
March 15, 2010
When I first began to read The Inheritance, I groaned inwardly because I thought it was going to be another DaVinci Code clone. Admittedly I’d read Dan Brown’s blockbuster and thought it was OK, but wasn’t enamored with it as much as other readers and certainly didn’t want to read another mystery in the same vein.
I was pleasantly surprised. Simon Tolkien’s The Inheritance is a very good read. It held my interest, was NOT a regurgitated DaVinci Code, and I thought, well written. Since I’m a fan of historical fiction the story line, blending incidents during WWII and later in the 50’s aftermath, was also in its favor. The detailed explanation of the process leading up to a prisoner’s execution by hanging was both gruesome and enlightening. So, too, did I find the trial; I guess there was no such thing as a judge’s impartiality in the 1950s.
I’d recommend The Inheritance and look forward to another book by Simon Tolkien.
I was pleasantly surprised. Simon Tolkien’s The Inheritance is a very good read. It held my interest, was NOT a regurgitated DaVinci Code, and I thought, well written. Since I’m a fan of historical fiction the story line, blending incidents during WWII and later in the 50’s aftermath, was also in its favor. The detailed explanation of the process leading up to a prisoner’s execution by hanging was both gruesome and enlightening. So, too, did I find the trial; I guess there was no such thing as a judge’s impartiality in the 1950s.
I’d recommend The Inheritance and look forward to another book by Simon Tolkien.
February 3, 2014
Sometimes there is the unpleasant experience of reading a book that you immensely enjoy, and then finding yourself souring on it at the story progresses. This was my experience with *The Inheritance* by Simon Tolkien. Yes, he’s related to the other Tolkien. J. R. R. Tolkien was his grandfather, in fact. This book was very frustrating for me, because it had so many elements that I normally would enjoy in a book, but in the end, these failed to interest me.
The book starts out with a p...moreSometimes there is the unpleasant experience of reading a book that you immensely enjoy, and then finding yourself souring on it at the story progresses. This was my experience with *The Inheritance* by Simon Tolkien. Yes, he’s related to the other Tolkien. J. R. R. Tolkien was his grandfather, in fact. This book was very frustrating for me, because it had so many elements that I normally would enjoy in a book, but in the end, these failed to interest me.
The book starts out with a prologue that sets up the dark secret that would be the focus of the novels. The narrative then skipped to 1950’s England, where a young man is on trial for the murder of his father, a wealthy professor and retired World War II colonel. The evidence is stacked against him, and he is sure to be convicted and hung for his alleged crimes. The detective who arrested him for the original crime grows to believe the young man to be innocent, but is thwarted in his efforts to prove the innocence of the accused due to the efforts of the prosecution and a corrupt, biased judge.
Eventually, the police detective, Trave, does find the truth. All seems to be going well, until the end of the story, where things take a strange twist. The sudden plot twist seemed to be out of left field, as they would say. If I didn’t know any better, I would say that Tolkien was trying to copy Arthur Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie. In fact, much of the storytelling style is reminiscent of these two mystery authors, but done in a very shoddy manner. If imitation is a form of flattery, this is flattery of a clumsy, clunky kind.
To be sure, the book had its good points. The historical time period, referencing 1950’s England, the World War II European theater flashbacks, the look into the inner workings of the English justice system, and the brilliant courtroom drama. In fact, the only thing that saved the book from being a total bust was the above areas. The book would be utterly contemptible without these elements.
This is sad, because Simon Tolkien has the talents for writing of his grandfather. I would actually give him the compliment of saying that his actual prose itself is better than that of J. R. R. Tolkien. Unfortunately, there is more to writing a great story than just the ability to write well. One has to have something to actually *say*. A story to *tell*. Tolkien’s storytelling and world building are rather lackluster, and nowhere near the ability of his renowned grandfather.
The story seemed to be attempting to copy the more murky aspects of a few of the Holmes tales and Christie novels that made for some of the more chilly, yet fun, mysteries of the two. It fell flat, because Christie in her novels, and Doyle in his Holmes stories is able to draw the reader’s interest. You care about the characters, and find the tale interesting. For the most part, the mystery is mostly solved by the characters with ample evidence. Rarely is a *Deus ex machine* used, as here it is by Tolkien.
I just couldn’t find anything likable about most of the characters, and those that I did find somewhat likable were not ones I was given satisfactory information about. Tolkien introduces such a large assortment of characters that he was unable to spend much time on any one of them. The characterization was not bad, for what it was, but it was incomplete for the most part. Even where it was extensive, it was much less than would have been preferable. For the most part, it was superficial.
The other annoying part was that Tolkien seems to have put in some political and religious criticisms in the novel. His opposition to the death penalty and for the conservative ideas of the Tories in England are quite apparent. Do not get me wrong, this is fine. I don’t mind reading someone’s viewpoint, even if they oppose my own on certain points. My problem is that if the author is going to present the political ideas in a very heavy-handed manner, they had better have a pretty compelling story to keep the reader interested regardless. Whether ideas that I disagree with as in Tolkien’s case, or am split on my agreement and disagreement with, as in Tom Clancy or Terry Goodkind, some authors are just plain clumsy about how they inject their beliefs into the books that they write. Unlike the equally heavy-handed Clancy and Goodkind, Tolkien is unable to write in such a way so as to draw the reader into the story. It’s disappointing, because his grandfather and the other Inklings, including C. S. Lewis, were able to write their beliefs into stories without being iron-fisted about it all.
The ending of the story was what made the novel wholly unsatisfying. Not only did a *Deux ex machina* occur to end the story, which is quite annoying, but the ending was abrupt, and the bad guys got away. Yes, spoiler alert, the young man is cleared, but the bad guys get away, but not before hurting even more people to do it. In the end, it is hard to sympathize with the reason for their crimes, even though we are meant to do so, I think. It is also something for which we should feel sympathy. The level of evil they commit, however, is hard to feel sympathy towards. They get pleasure in their power to hurt people. Even when they show some mercy and do good near the end of the novel, they still are entirely, ruthlessly aware and proud of their power. In short, the bad guys win, and that leaves a bad taste in my mouth. The stories of Tolkien’s inspirations, Doyle and Christie, where the bad guys won were well-written, so it was still a good read regardless. Plus, you were not encouraged to actually cheer for the bad guys. Here, you were encouraged to cheer for some truly nasty, evil people, who hurt others and ruined lives.
This book was an incredible disappointment to me. I love mystery stories, and Tolkien has so much promise, and such deep knowledge of the ins and outs of the English justice system. I should have been able to give this book “five stars�. Yet, I find that I can give it hardly any credit at all, for I found this book to be barely worth reading in the end. A fun story, at its base level, but barely so. Quite sad. Not recommended.
----
I received this novel from St. Martin’s Press for the purposes of writing a review for them. I must emphasize that they do not ask for a particular type of review, whether positive or negative. I truly appreciate the chance to review this book, and the above opinions are my honest viewpoint. I also want to give my sincere thanks to St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to review this book, and thank you all for reading this review.
The book starts out with a p...moreSometimes there is the unpleasant experience of reading a book that you immensely enjoy, and then finding yourself souring on it at the story progresses. This was my experience with *The Inheritance* by Simon Tolkien. Yes, he’s related to the other Tolkien. J. R. R. Tolkien was his grandfather, in fact. This book was very frustrating for me, because it had so many elements that I normally would enjoy in a book, but in the end, these failed to interest me.
The book starts out with a prologue that sets up the dark secret that would be the focus of the novels. The narrative then skipped to 1950’s England, where a young man is on trial for the murder of his father, a wealthy professor and retired World War II colonel. The evidence is stacked against him, and he is sure to be convicted and hung for his alleged crimes. The detective who arrested him for the original crime grows to believe the young man to be innocent, but is thwarted in his efforts to prove the innocence of the accused due to the efforts of the prosecution and a corrupt, biased judge.
Eventually, the police detective, Trave, does find the truth. All seems to be going well, until the end of the story, where things take a strange twist. The sudden plot twist seemed to be out of left field, as they would say. If I didn’t know any better, I would say that Tolkien was trying to copy Arthur Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie. In fact, much of the storytelling style is reminiscent of these two mystery authors, but done in a very shoddy manner. If imitation is a form of flattery, this is flattery of a clumsy, clunky kind.
To be sure, the book had its good points. The historical time period, referencing 1950’s England, the World War II European theater flashbacks, the look into the inner workings of the English justice system, and the brilliant courtroom drama. In fact, the only thing that saved the book from being a total bust was the above areas. The book would be utterly contemptible without these elements.
This is sad, because Simon Tolkien has the talents for writing of his grandfather. I would actually give him the compliment of saying that his actual prose itself is better than that of J. R. R. Tolkien. Unfortunately, there is more to writing a great story than just the ability to write well. One has to have something to actually *say*. A story to *tell*. Tolkien’s storytelling and world building are rather lackluster, and nowhere near the ability of his renowned grandfather.
The story seemed to be attempting to copy the more murky aspects of a few of the Holmes tales and Christie novels that made for some of the more chilly, yet fun, mysteries of the two. It fell flat, because Christie in her novels, and Doyle in his Holmes stories is able to draw the reader’s interest. You care about the characters, and find the tale interesting. For the most part, the mystery is mostly solved by the characters with ample evidence. Rarely is a *Deus ex machine* used, as here it is by Tolkien.
I just couldn’t find anything likable about most of the characters, and those that I did find somewhat likable were not ones I was given satisfactory information about. Tolkien introduces such a large assortment of characters that he was unable to spend much time on any one of them. The characterization was not bad, for what it was, but it was incomplete for the most part. Even where it was extensive, it was much less than would have been preferable. For the most part, it was superficial.
The other annoying part was that Tolkien seems to have put in some political and religious criticisms in the novel. His opposition to the death penalty and for the conservative ideas of the Tories in England are quite apparent. Do not get me wrong, this is fine. I don’t mind reading someone’s viewpoint, even if they oppose my own on certain points. My problem is that if the author is going to present the political ideas in a very heavy-handed manner, they had better have a pretty compelling story to keep the reader interested regardless. Whether ideas that I disagree with as in Tolkien’s case, or am split on my agreement and disagreement with, as in Tom Clancy or Terry Goodkind, some authors are just plain clumsy about how they inject their beliefs into the books that they write. Unlike the equally heavy-handed Clancy and Goodkind, Tolkien is unable to write in such a way so as to draw the reader into the story. It’s disappointing, because his grandfather and the other Inklings, including C. S. Lewis, were able to write their beliefs into stories without being iron-fisted about it all.
The ending of the story was what made the novel wholly unsatisfying. Not only did a *Deux ex machina* occur to end the story, which is quite annoying, but the ending was abrupt, and the bad guys got away. Yes, spoiler alert, the young man is cleared, but the bad guys get away, but not before hurting even more people to do it. In the end, it is hard to sympathize with the reason for their crimes, even though we are meant to do so, I think. It is also something for which we should feel sympathy. The level of evil they commit, however, is hard to feel sympathy towards. They get pleasure in their power to hurt people. Even when they show some mercy and do good near the end of the novel, they still are entirely, ruthlessly aware and proud of their power. In short, the bad guys win, and that leaves a bad taste in my mouth. The stories of Tolkien’s inspirations, Doyle and Christie, where the bad guys won were well-written, so it was still a good read regardless. Plus, you were not encouraged to actually cheer for the bad guys. Here, you were encouraged to cheer for some truly nasty, evil people, who hurt others and ruined lives.
This book was an incredible disappointment to me. I love mystery stories, and Tolkien has so much promise, and such deep knowledge of the ins and outs of the English justice system. I should have been able to give this book “five stars�. Yet, I find that I can give it hardly any credit at all, for I found this book to be barely worth reading in the end. A fun story, at its base level, but barely so. Quite sad. Not recommended.
----
I received this novel from St. Martin’s Press for the purposes of writing a review for them. I must emphasize that they do not ask for a particular type of review, whether positive or negative. I truly appreciate the chance to review this book, and the above opinions are my honest viewpoint. I also want to give my sincere thanks to St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to review this book, and thank you all for reading this review.
October 11, 2023
What is the inheritance?
´¡²Ô»åâ€�
Who does it really belong to?
1944. Wartime. The story opens with two men coming to a home in France demanding something from the family living there. The family are reluctant to part with it.
´¡²Ô»åâ€�
In return, the two men, kill the inhabitants of the home.
When readers next return to the story, 15 years later, we are thrust within a locked room murder mystery in which a son is accused of killing his father, a famed Oxford historian.
The son, Stephen proclaims his innocence.
A policeman Inspector (Trave) is convinced of the son’s guilt, but as the son’s execution comes close, his doubts concern him.
Could his brother, Silas have done it?
°¿°ùâ€�
Someone else with a more sinister motive?
Something happened in France years ago�
Could it shed light on the father’s murder?
Can the detective find out and save Stephen in time?
How will what happened in the past explain the present?
Everyone has a motive, and no one is telling the truth.
Secrets. Lies. Twists. Deception. Betrayal. Revenge.
Perfect page-turning family suspense drama.
July 31, 2010
A pretty good read. S. Tolkein has improved since his last book --- feels less like he's tryng too hard. Maybe he's finding his style. The plot is adequately complex. I figured out that Stephan's girlfriend, Mary, had to be part of the killing of his father after his brother Silas was cleared --- or that Trave, the police detective who had investigated the case felt he was no longer one of the prime suspects. The two women, Shasa Vigne, who was his father's manuscript aide, and Mary, the actress who needed money for her mother's operation, both appeared to be possible suspects for the murder. Both hated Cade for destroying their families.
The only thing I don't like about Tolkien's work is the extreme amount of violence, especially violence against women that he steeps his plots in. I can't say it's gratuitous. It would be hard to hate Cade, and his servant Ritter, witout the violence they do. But couldn't this violence be dealt with "stage left?"
The ending felt especially good, with Stephan coming to thank Trave for saving his life from the gallows, and confessing that he felt bereft of everything now that he knew that Mary had just used him to get to his father. And Trave showing Stephan the place where his son had died and giving him the only reason to live --- because that's all there is and you've been saved from death.
The only thing I don't like about Tolkien's work is the extreme amount of violence, especially violence against women that he steeps his plots in. I can't say it's gratuitous. It would be hard to hate Cade, and his servant Ritter, witout the violence they do. But couldn't this violence be dealt with "stage left?"
The ending felt especially good, with Stephan coming to thank Trave for saving his life from the gallows, and confessing that he felt bereft of everything now that he knew that Mary had just used him to get to his father. And Trave showing Stephan the place where his son had died and giving him the only reason to live --- because that's all there is and you've been saved from death.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 30, 2017
I was surprised at how much I enjoyed reading this story and how quickly I was drawn in. Without a lot of action, bloodshed or other tactics, this story carries its own drama and you are in for some edge of your seat reading.
Because its almost a locked room mystery: a young man stands accused of killing his estranged father. His finger prints are on the murder weapon and on the key to the room. It was known that he had had words with his father; had yelled that his father deserved to die. And shortly afterwards, the father indeed was dead.
And while the young man's barrister and the detective feel that the young man is innocent, they are unable to gain any traction as the judge and the prosecutor tie up everything in a neat, much too neat, package. Now there is only a short time in which to bring the truth to light.
Because its almost a locked room mystery: a young man stands accused of killing his estranged father. His finger prints are on the murder weapon and on the key to the room. It was known that he had had words with his father; had yelled that his father deserved to die. And shortly afterwards, the father indeed was dead.
And while the young man's barrister and the detective feel that the young man is innocent, they are unable to gain any traction as the judge and the prosecutor tie up everything in a neat, much too neat, package. Now there is only a short time in which to bring the truth to light.
February 12, 2010
This is a book that offers a multitude of converging noxious relationships calculated to keep the reader riveted. We have (1) multiple characters engaged in one form of subterfuge or another, (2) a war hero whose actions were anything but heroic, (3) a murder to be solved - was it for monetary gain or revenge, (4) a prosecutor who is out for a conviction - and doesn't want anyone challenging his version of what happened and why (5) a police officer who has more than a passing interest in pursuing the evidence that might free an accused man who reminds him of his deceased son, (7) a secret worth killing for and (6) a critique of a British justice system that executes the convicted individual within weeks not years thereby limiting the chance of repeated appeals.
Author, Simon Tolkien skillfully intertwines the threads of a WWII crime with current day scenarios of participants engaged in acts of conspiracy, deceit, adultry, revenge and murder. Integral to the story is the centuries old mystery of a codex whose solution, it is said, will divulge the final resting place of the jeweled Cross of St. Peter. Tolkien gifts his readers with a flowing verbal pictorial that is a finely executed mixture of a "cozy", historical fiction, suspenseful courtroom drama, and a series of quests worthy of Don Quixote.
While some readers may guess the truth well before the end of the tale, all are sure to enjoy the many intriguing twists and turns of this well crafted and literate whodunit. All I can say is "Who needs hamburger (Dan Brown) when steak (Simon Tolkien) is on the menu!" 4 ½ stars and a "heads up" to any Hollywood studio looking for a great vehicle. Some casting suggestions: Jeremy Irons or Liam Neeson as Colonel Cabe, Alex O'Loughlin as Stephen, Christian Bale as Silas, Alfred Molina as Ritter, Natalie Portman as Mary, Kiera Knightley as Sasha, Jude Law as Paul.....well you get the idea.
Author, Simon Tolkien skillfully intertwines the threads of a WWII crime with current day scenarios of participants engaged in acts of conspiracy, deceit, adultry, revenge and murder. Integral to the story is the centuries old mystery of a codex whose solution, it is said, will divulge the final resting place of the jeweled Cross of St. Peter. Tolkien gifts his readers with a flowing verbal pictorial that is a finely executed mixture of a "cozy", historical fiction, suspenseful courtroom drama, and a series of quests worthy of Don Quixote.
While some readers may guess the truth well before the end of the tale, all are sure to enjoy the many intriguing twists and turns of this well crafted and literate whodunit. All I can say is "Who needs hamburger (Dan Brown) when steak (Simon Tolkien) is on the menu!" 4 ½ stars and a "heads up" to any Hollywood studio looking for a great vehicle. Some casting suggestions: Jeremy Irons or Liam Neeson as Colonel Cabe, Alex O'Loughlin as Stephen, Christian Bale as Silas, Alfred Molina as Ritter, Natalie Portman as Mary, Kiera Knightley as Sasha, Jude Law as Paul.....well you get the idea.
June 1, 2011
I really wanted to like this book, but for some reason I had a hard time finishing it. The story seemed interesting, but for some reason I just couldn't wait to get this book over with. Maybe it was the writing style. Maybe it was the pace. I can't really put my finger on it. The story is set in the mid 1950's in a town just outside of London. It centers on the murder of a wealthy scholar who was allegedly killed by his second son because he was about to be disinherited in his father's new will. The wealthy scholar that was killed was a former officer in the military that served in WWII. He and two of his soldiers ruthlessly executed a french family during the war in his search for a codex that would lead him to the Cross of Peter, a cross made from Jesus' cross that was embellished with gems and hidden centuries ago. Trying to make sense of all of it is a beleagured police inspector who eventually follows the evidence to unwind the complicated tale.
March 12, 2021
It's like I was reading How to Get Away With Murder script with storyline being set in the late 1950s. More then a half of the book is in a courtroom. Although I'm not against that sort of stuff in a book, this one just didn't hit the note. The thing that should've been the main mystery wasn't and in the end everything was explained to easily. It's also very easy to guess who the killer is right from the beginning (or maybe it was just me, but choice was kinda obvious), the only question you get answer to is 'Why that person?' near the end of the book.
April 6, 2010
Firstly, I would like to thank St. Martin's Publishing Group for putting up an ARC of The Inheritance as a giveaway on the Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ site. The book comes out on April 13, 2010, and I would definitely recommend purchasing it. The Inheritance is a combination of historical novel and mystery. Stephen Cade, son of a famous historian, is accused of murdering his father--all the evidence points to him, and he has motive. But as the book goes on, we find out more about the other characters that were in the manor house that night, and suspicion shifts from one person to the next.
I really enjoyed The Inheritance. It was extremely captivating, and kept me guessing up until the very last chapter. Simon Tolkien writes in an entirely different style than his grandfather J.R.R. Tolkien, but at the same time it is evident that writing must be a family affair among the Tolkiens. Unlike Box 21, the characters in The Inheritance are very relatable (except perhaps Paul...and I don't think he's supposed to be relatable), and Tolkien is very good at shifting the suspicions of his audience from one character to the next as the book progresses. Additionally, Tolkien's background as a lawyer shows through in the plot and writing of The Inheritance.
I would definitely recommend reading The Inheritance if you like mysteries or historical novels, or if you are interested in reading Simon Tolkien's writing because he is related to THE Tolkien. Again, the book comes out on April 13, and the Amazon link is here:
I really enjoyed The Inheritance. It was extremely captivating, and kept me guessing up until the very last chapter. Simon Tolkien writes in an entirely different style than his grandfather J.R.R. Tolkien, but at the same time it is evident that writing must be a family affair among the Tolkiens. Unlike Box 21, the characters in The Inheritance are very relatable (except perhaps Paul...and I don't think he's supposed to be relatable), and Tolkien is very good at shifting the suspicions of his audience from one character to the next as the book progresses. Additionally, Tolkien's background as a lawyer shows through in the plot and writing of The Inheritance.
I would definitely recommend reading The Inheritance if you like mysteries or historical novels, or if you are interested in reading Simon Tolkien's writing because he is related to THE Tolkien. Again, the book comes out on April 13, and the Amazon link is here:
July 5, 2015
There are so many "religious/conspiracy/thrillers" on bookshelves these days that it seems this genre has been done way too many times. However, Simon Tolkien throws into this genre a murder mystery and some good courtroom scenes. Overall, I liked it but I found a few passages that were confusing and perhaps could have been edited for clarification. It's fairly easy to figure out "who-done-it" once a specific character comes into play, but this character comes into play too late for my own taste, and I just don't like it when writers do that, it's like the author wasn't sure about his/her own direction and just pulled something out of a hat. It's a fun read, though, a perfectly okay weekend diversion.
March 12, 2013
Had the "who" figured out pretty early on, and some good and ultimately verified guesses at the "why" and "how," but the intricate plot, fast pace, and my growing fondness for certain characters kept me involved to the end.
Tolkien is not likely to become one of my favorite authors, since I doubt I'd ever knowingly re-read this book, but someone I can turn to when I want a quick read that's a little different from my usual.
Tolkien is not likely to become one of my favorite authors, since I doubt I'd ever knowingly re-read this book, but someone I can turn to when I want a quick read that's a little different from my usual.
May 5, 2013
crime mystery thriller based in 1950's oxford where an art historian's son is on trial for his father's murder but the shadow of what happened in france in 1944 hangs shadows over the son's trial and the missing st peter's cross and the marjean codex . interesting and easy going read but felt however the ending was a bit rushed
February 15, 2017
I'm so happy I landed upon Simon Tolkien's books! I am also happy to learn he has a few more books in this series. I thoroughly enjoyed it and read it in one sitting. I have this bad habit of staying up late and reading books to the end, but sometimes you go with it. A bit of history, a bit of mystery and a bit of crime, well worth reading.
October 30, 2012
This book is intricately plotted. In fact, it is so intricately plotted that I finished it so I could find out which dull, unlikeable character was lying to or double-crossing which other dull, unlikeable character all for unappealing motives. Save yourself and your weekend. Don't start.
March 26, 2017
When I think about the inheritances of the major young characters, and the murders and suspicions among them, I decided on 4 stars instead of 3, because this book is much more complex than I realized while reading it.
February 15, 2018
I confess, I began this book with a slanted view. It seemed like a person trying to ride the celebrity of his name, and I doubted his ability to hold his own. Even when I started reading the book, the first few chapters seemed a little hackneyed, riddled with phrases worn by too many pens.
However, as I read the book, it came into its own. Tolkien seemed to find his voice, which, from the beginning was different from his grandfather's, a period tale set firmly in our own world with no magic, no towering heroes. The story was compared to other suspense novels on the cover, and, with a hint of opportunism from the publisher, Dan Brown. That comparison, at least, is one that Tolkien I hope benefited from, but he's better than Brown, and other readers would quickly see that.
Trave is a good character. The book is only somewhat about him though. It's more about the people surrounding the mystery and Trave comes into the story more at the end. He serves his purpose, but this book helps him begin making his mark, establishing his persona. That's good.
The book is clean and most people who die deserve to die (not including the family at the beginning whose death happened so far in the story's past that it comes across as nearly forgotten history), except poor Jeanne Ritter, whose primary role in the story is tragic victim. I feel bad for her. Stephen, the primary suspect, is likable, idealistic, sympathetic and the reader does not wonder that his illusions have suffered in the events that transpired.
I did not think so at the beginning, but I will be seeking out the next installment of Tolkien's work. It's good and I'm glad he survived what had to be an initial undue scrutiny and unfair comparison to his grandfather. I was guilty, but while I began the book as an exercise in rounding out a sharp corner in my Inklings readings, I am convinced by this good author's work. Read Tolkien for his own sake.
However, as I read the book, it came into its own. Tolkien seemed to find his voice, which, from the beginning was different from his grandfather's, a period tale set firmly in our own world with no magic, no towering heroes. The story was compared to other suspense novels on the cover, and, with a hint of opportunism from the publisher, Dan Brown. That comparison, at least, is one that Tolkien I hope benefited from, but he's better than Brown, and other readers would quickly see that.
Trave is a good character. The book is only somewhat about him though. It's more about the people surrounding the mystery and Trave comes into the story more at the end. He serves his purpose, but this book helps him begin making his mark, establishing his persona. That's good.
The book is clean and most people who die deserve to die (not including the family at the beginning whose death happened so far in the story's past that it comes across as nearly forgotten history), except poor Jeanne Ritter, whose primary role in the story is tragic victim. I feel bad for her. Stephen, the primary suspect, is likable, idealistic, sympathetic and the reader does not wonder that his illusions have suffered in the events that transpired.
I did not think so at the beginning, but I will be seeking out the next installment of Tolkien's work. It's good and I'm glad he survived what had to be an initial undue scrutiny and unfair comparison to his grandfather. I was guilty, but while I began the book as an exercise in rounding out a sharp corner in my Inklings readings, I am convinced by this good author's work. Read Tolkien for his own sake.
October 29, 2021
I figured Simon was probably a mediocre writer trying to capitalize on his famous grandfather, JRR's, name, so my expectations weren't high. But I was pleasantly surprised. This is an excellent, complex whodunnit with realistic characters and situations, and enough intrigue to make it hard to put down.
The story begins in France at the end of WW2 where British Colonel John Cade and two accomplices murder a French family while trying to find the Cross of St Peter and the killings are blamed on the retreating Nazis. Fast forward to 1959: Cade is murdered in his study and his son is charged with the crime. Detective William Trave is the investigator who initially charges the younger Cade, but he soon has doubts.
If this book accurately depicts how the British legal system works, it makes me glad I'm American. Much of it seemed weird and unfair.
Spoiler alert! Don't read below if you don't want to know the ending.
My one complaint was with how he ended it: I don't think a confession written by Trave and signed by a woman who disappears immediately after giving it would have been likely to have changed the minds of those in power when nothing before did. That was weak, but the thing that annoyed me was Tolkien skipped right over the scene where Trave would confront the evil prosecutor, Thompson, with the evidence and where we should have gotten to see Stephen released. I felt cheated out of what should have been the happiest scene of the book.
The story begins in France at the end of WW2 where British Colonel John Cade and two accomplices murder a French family while trying to find the Cross of St Peter and the killings are blamed on the retreating Nazis. Fast forward to 1959: Cade is murdered in his study and his son is charged with the crime. Detective William Trave is the investigator who initially charges the younger Cade, but he soon has doubts.
If this book accurately depicts how the British legal system works, it makes me glad I'm American. Much of it seemed weird and unfair.
Spoiler alert! Don't read below if you don't want to know the ending.
My one complaint was with how he ended it: I don't think a confession written by Trave and signed by a woman who disappears immediately after giving it would have been likely to have changed the minds of those in power when nothing before did. That was weak, but the thing that annoyed me was Tolkien skipped right over the scene where Trave would confront the evil prosecutor, Thompson, with the evidence and where we should have gotten to see Stephen released. I felt cheated out of what should have been the happiest scene of the book.
January 6, 2018
Doesn't really warrant a full 2 stars. I read Tolkien's first novel several years back and remember enjoying it. This one was leaden, weirdly paced, derivative (Da Vinci Code-like hunt for a medieval relic), and suspenseless. Set in England 1959, the protagonist is a detective uneasy about his investigation of a murdered professor, whose son now awaits a death penalty trial. The narration changes point of view frequently; it actually took me about half the book (plus noticing the bracketed subtitle as listed on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ) to understand the detective as the central figure. I think the shifting POV contributes to the flatness of the story, as you never get very far inside any one character's head.
I was irritated by a non-parallel construction in the second sentence ("...the silver-grey branches had crackled and broke..."), an its/it's error about 50 pages in, and overly long sentences. Maybe better editing could have saved the story. I'll bet the BBC could still make a decently compelling miniseries out of it, in any case.
I was irritated by a non-parallel construction in the second sentence ("...the silver-grey branches had crackled and broke..."), an its/it's error about 50 pages in, and overly long sentences. Maybe better editing could have saved the story. I'll bet the BBC could still make a decently compelling miniseries out of it, in any case.
December 19, 2020
I found this book to be completely engrossing and a lovely 2-day escape from the Pandemic. It took me back to a 1959 England. World War II is still a fresh memory and those who committed war crimes still aliveand well, and dangerous--not frail old men. And there was a war crime.
Inspector Tave of Scotland Yard is depressed and is just going through the motions of life. His only child is dead, and his wife has left him. Then, he's called in as the police witness for a murder case and becomes convinced that the accused is innocent. The clock is ticking. England still has the death penalty. Worse, if convicted, the accused will be executed within weeks of the end of the trial.
The court scenes were fascinating. English courts are so different than American ones. English lawyers who defend and prosecute are called barristers. (Solicitors do wills, deeds etc.) Judges have incredible latitude when advising the jury. I understand that Mr. Tolkien was a barrister, and this showed in his descriptions of the trial.
Inspector Tave of Scotland Yard is depressed and is just going through the motions of life. His only child is dead, and his wife has left him. Then, he's called in as the police witness for a murder case and becomes convinced that the accused is innocent. The clock is ticking. England still has the death penalty. Worse, if convicted, the accused will be executed within weeks of the end of the trial.
The court scenes were fascinating. English courts are so different than American ones. English lawyers who defend and prosecute are called barristers. (Solicitors do wills, deeds etc.) Judges have incredible latitude when advising the jury. I understand that Mr. Tolkien was a barrister, and this showed in his descriptions of the trial.
May 23, 2024
This is a hard reaction to express. The beginning drew me in and I was interested. But by the 1/2 way point I didn't want to return and ended up reading 2 other books. Better ones.
Then I returned and did finish. It is the writing style of continuity / pace that made this a slog for most of the middle portions. For me- the violence and nasty in several characters also seemed over the top. Not unbelievable, but just disgusting.
Overall, the plot and the primes included, this book was a downer. I wouldn't read others of his- because it isn't only this particular time period either. It is the view of narrator "eyes" as well that just drones on for me. Particularly joyless view! And also one which continually inserted politico which grated on me.
Then I returned and did finish. It is the writing style of continuity / pace that made this a slog for most of the middle portions. For me- the violence and nasty in several characters also seemed over the top. Not unbelievable, but just disgusting.
Overall, the plot and the primes included, this book was a downer. I wouldn't read others of his- because it isn't only this particular time period either. It is the view of narrator "eyes" as well that just drones on for me. Particularly joyless view! And also one which continually inserted politico which grated on me.
June 26, 2018
I found this book interesting, the characters differed: in relationships, in behavior, some with wealth and some less then. I did sense that the twist and turns in the story made me reconsider who was on the losing end and who was getting away with.... well, overall I do recommend this book that has thinking. Note: personally, I thought the book stuck to the characters development and the storyline and not a lot on landscape and scenery.
April 13, 2019
A bit tough to get started but as the trial picked up so did the novel. I had to hold my breath as I waited for the big reveal and the find. I didn't see it coming and was totally surprised. A good story with evil and gullible characters with a setting that highlights the trauma of war nearly 20 years on.
April 5, 2024
Actual rating 2.5 stars
This is a decent mystery, but the story seemed disjointed. It was difficult to like most of the characters, and much time was spent on the rivalry between Stephen and Silas. The ending seemed removed from the police investigation and Inspector Trave sometimes seemed like a minor character throughout the course of the book.
This is a decent mystery, but the story seemed disjointed. It was difficult to like most of the characters, and much time was spent on the rivalry between Stephen and Silas. The ending seemed removed from the police investigation and Inspector Trave sometimes seemed like a minor character throughout the course of the book.
May 30, 2017
Would've give it 5 stars but for the fact that I guessed the culprit pretty early on. Overall, a good plot, I liked the characters and it's been a good while since I read a good thriller like this. Glad to have finally read it :D
December 5, 2019
Old fashioned and straightforward, maybe partly because of the 1950s stately home setting, honourable detective, and idealistic young wrongly-accused. Some red herrings, but I found it far too easy to work out who the guilty party was.
January 25, 2020
This was a reasonably enjoyable thriller, but I was disappointed by the ending. It sure seem that SImon does not share the faith of his grandfather, which of itself, does not taint the book, except for the 'moral' at the end about living your life as best you can; kind of lame.
March 30, 2021
Taut well paced mystery with a plot driven by events occuring in the waning days of WWII. It does lead one to wonder how much crime was ignored on the grounds "the Nazi's did it". Considerable period detail including quite of bit of detail on 1950s executions.
January 22, 2018
grandson of JRR Tolkien
crime investigator novel
crime investigator novel
January 27, 2018
Enjoyable, but not amazing. I didn’t not-like it, but I wasn’t blown away either.
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