Death In The Valley Of Shadows (2008)

About book Death In The Valley Of Shadows (2008)

First Sentence: What a morning it had been.Apothecary John Rawlings is surprised when a man, Aidan Fenchurch, runs into his shop asking to be hidden from his former mistress. Once the very unpleasant woman is gone, Fenchurch is pleased to hear John also assists Sir John Fielding, magistrate of Bow Street and asks that John keep a document accusing the woman should he suddenly die. Fenchurch is murdered on his doorstep that night but his is only the first of many deaths with each new suspect dying before the killer can be identified by John and Bow Street.Ms Lake has a clear and wonderful voice and writes with delightful humour. Her descriptions are so visual, you want to pack and go, yet so filled with background information, such as the scene with the salesman for sheaths and cundums, as to make you an informed traveler. The details of social behavior and custom, as well as the syntax and cadence of dialogue define the story’s place and time. It is those extra details which enrich the story and add to the experience of reading it. John is a character who has grown with the series. No longer a somewhat callow, but talented young man, he is now a mature and very responsible man who has a remarkably understanding wife. I particularly like his honesty to his wife and to himself, as to why he works with Bow Street. Joe Jaco, first officer to Sir John Fielding (the Blind Beak), of Bow Street is an intriguing character, and one about whom we learn a bit more with each book. Although the author provides sufficient back story on the principal characters for readers new to the series, I recommend reading the series in order. There is an excellent balance to the story between John’s life with his family and friends, internal musings, medical knowledge and information, and the drama and suspense of the investigation. The pacing and flow are very well done, fluctuating between highs and lows. The level of suspense increases to a very dramatic ending. Even the characters comment on the case having a Shakespearean feel in the number of bodies that accumulates. Only toward the end did I begin to suspect the killer. I am an admitted fan of this series and this is another very good contribution to it. As I’m reading the series in order, it’s nice to know I’ve many more books ahead.DEATH IN THE VALLEY OF SHADOWS (Hist Mys-John Rawlings-England-Georgian) – VG+Lake, Deryn – 9th in seriestAllison & Busby, ©2003, UK Hardcover – ISBN: 0749006412[image error]

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