A slow burn and then the heat turns up!
The Almanack by Martine Bailey
The philosophy of time, destiny and the stars pervade this intricate historical mystery in which a young woman determines to avenge her mother’s death. 1752, Midsummer.
Britain is changing from the Julian to the Georgian Calendar. Eleven days were cut from the calendar. A sense of confusion is abroad. Following a desperate summons from her mother, Tabitha Hart departs London for her home village of Netherlea – only to discover that her mother has drowned. Determined to discover the truth about the Widow Hart’s death, Tabitha consults her mother's almanack and uncovers a series of cryptic notes describing her mother’s terror of someone she names only as ‘D’. Teaming up with young writer Nat Starling, Tabitha begins a race against time to unmask ‘D’ before more deaths follow. But as the summer draws to a close and the snow sets in, cutting off Netherlea from the outside world, Tabitha and Nat are forced to face the darkest hours of their lives. With the year predicted by the Almanack to meet a ‘violent, bloody end’’ will Tabitha survive long enough to bring her mother’s killer to justice?
Both Tabitha and Nat have a chequered past, which explains much as the story goes on, including some stunning revelations.
This story crept up on me, and with its fascinating look into social behaviours of the times guided, as they were by perceived truths. Half way through I was well and truly caught. I was wondering whether to make this a four star novel because of the slow start but upon reflection I realized that this method is an important tool that draw the reader in.
I found myself feverishly reading the Almanck heading for each chapter, wondering if I could guess at what might follow, or rather how things might follow. Of course, only after reading the chapter would I know what the Almanack referred to, if at all. The mystery element flowed thick and fast. It was like looking at the stars to give you answers, without interpretation. What could be seen as a generality becomes more and more pointed and deadly.
The use of the Almanack as a constant to the action sets this Georgian historical mystery apart from others of its ilk. Well played!
A Severn ARC via NetGalley
*****
Britain is changing from the Julian to the Georgian Calendar. Eleven days were cut from the calendar. A sense of confusion is abroad. Following a desperate summons from her mother, Tabitha Hart departs London for her home village of Netherlea – only to discover that her mother has drowned. Determined to discover the truth about the Widow Hart’s death, Tabitha consults her mother's almanack and uncovers a series of cryptic notes describing her mother’s terror of someone she names only as ‘D’. Teaming up with young writer Nat Starling, Tabitha begins a race against time to unmask ‘D’ before more deaths follow. But as the summer draws to a close and the snow sets in, cutting off Netherlea from the outside world, Tabitha and Nat are forced to face the darkest hours of their lives. With the year predicted by the Almanack to meet a ‘violent, bloody end’’ will Tabitha survive long enough to bring her mother’s killer to justice?
Both Tabitha and Nat have a chequered past, which explains much as the story goes on, including some stunning revelations.
This story crept up on me, and with its fascinating look into social behaviours of the times guided, as they were by perceived truths. Half way through I was well and truly caught. I was wondering whether to make this a four star novel because of the slow start but upon reflection I realized that this method is an important tool that draw the reader in.
I found myself feverishly reading the Almanck heading for each chapter, wondering if I could guess at what might follow, or rather how things might follow. Of course, only after reading the chapter would I know what the Almanack referred to, if at all. The mystery element flowed thick and fast. It was like looking at the stars to give you answers, without interpretation. What could be seen as a generality becomes more and more pointed and deadly.
The use of the Almanack as a constant to the action sets this Georgian historical mystery apart from others of its ilk. Well played!
A Severn ARC via NetGalley
*****
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