Andrew K. (kuligowskiandrewt) -
Author Tasha Alexander weaves two separate tales together centered around the ancient cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum in her newest book, âIn the Shadow of Vesuviusâ. In the main story, set approximately 100 years ago, her recurring sleuth Lady Emily Hargreaves visits the ruins of Pompeii and discovers that one of the bodies in the archeological dig died a LOT more recently than those being unearthed in the volcanic ash. In the other, slave girl and poet Kassandra explores life after being freed from servitude.
Astute readers may suspect that these tales will intersect â in novels like this, they typically do. But if so, how, when the protagonists are wandering the same streets but are some 1900 years apart?
Ms. Alexander manages to provide TWO engaging tales in one book â for someone like me who likes to juggle multiple books at the same time, it reduces the temptation to move to a second book when the story keeps changing time periods and characters!! I admit that I picked up on the foreshadowing of Kassandra's wanderings underneath Mt. Vesuvius in 79AD â of course, it is no mystery to anyone who has read ANY history how this tale is destined to climax. However, I did NOT figure out the murderer in the main story centered around Lady Hargreaves. Yes, I easily determined who did NOT do it; the more emphasis placed on a characters guilt equals the less likely they actually did it! However, with so many characters present who had a potential motive â and of course, with potential motives that have not been disclosed â the actual villain of the piece was a surprise to me almost to the point where it became clear to our protagonist.
This is the first book in the series that I have read. It will not be the last; I have already acquired a few others in the series to begin to play catch-up with my reading.
Rating: 5 stars
Astute readers may suspect that these tales will intersect â in novels like this, they typically do. But if so, how, when the protagonists are wandering the same streets but are some 1900 years apart?
Ms. Alexander manages to provide TWO engaging tales in one book â for someone like me who likes to juggle multiple books at the same time, it reduces the temptation to move to a second book when the story keeps changing time periods and characters!! I admit that I picked up on the foreshadowing of Kassandra's wanderings underneath Mt. Vesuvius in 79AD â of course, it is no mystery to anyone who has read ANY history how this tale is destined to climax. However, I did NOT figure out the murderer in the main story centered around Lady Hargreaves. Yes, I easily determined who did NOT do it; the more emphasis placed on a characters guilt equals the less likely they actually did it! However, with so many characters present who had a potential motive â and of course, with potential motives that have not been disclosed â the actual villain of the piece was a surprise to me almost to the point where it became clear to our protagonist.
This is the first book in the series that I have read. It will not be the last; I have already acquired a few others in the series to begin to play catch-up with my reading.
Rating: 5 stars
Brad W. (bewilbered) reviewed In the Shadow of Vesuvius (Lady Emily, Bk 14) on + 36 more book reviews
I have loyally read all the books in this series but I feel it's gone downhill precipitously since DEATH IN THE FLOATING CITY, set in Venice--I think that's as far back as book 7? For half a dozen books now and more, Alexander insists on ricocheting between the regular cast in Victorian times and some other heretofore unknown character--often deep in the past. Does she fear she can't sustain interest in Colin and Emily and company long enough for a full book? I would rather keep the momentum of the story with them and have them delve into antiquity for answers rather than hear from the people living in antiquity.
Like many of the series of this type, children are ignored and barely thought of, home with Nanny. But one of the saving graces here is a NEW familial twist that many will like. I'm just not sure how long I can keep going with this series.
Like many of the series of this type, children are ignored and barely thought of, home with Nanny. But one of the saving graces here is a NEW familial twist that many will like. I'm just not sure how long I can keep going with this series.
