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Oscar Wilde And The Vampire Murders: A Mystery (2010)

by Gyles Brandreth(Favorite Author)

3.6 of 5 Votes: 1

ISBN

143915368X (ISBN13: 9781439153680)

languge

English

genre

Historical Fiction

publisher

Touchstone

series

The Oscar Wilde Murder Mysteries

review 1: Murder will out but uncovering the murderer almost proves incidental as we are given the grand tour of England—its royal halls, opium dens, hotels, music halls and restaurants. The novel is lush in its descriptions of late 19-century Britannia but the author wisely keeps us focused on the story. Told in mostly epistolary form (much like a certain 1897 novel about an infamous vampire), the nature of very different men is outlined and fleshed out as it winds to its grim conclusion. Still, it is Oscar Wilde who commands center stage. The author has dug deep into the history of this fascinating, witty and vibrant person who almost reads like a work of fiction himself. Rarely off guard, ever quick with an aphorism or incisive insight, Brandeth’s Wilde is so much like what w... moree know of the man himself, it’s as if the author spent hours sitting down with Wilde, avidly devouring his conversation, mannerisms and observations. What keeps me from giving the novel my wholehearted endorsement is its depiction of women. The female sex is given short shrift in this book. They are either good women, most prized in their usefulness, docility and tolerance to their husbands’s affairs, lively mistresses (young and pretty, of course; they are universally cast aside when their looks wane) or pathetic victims of society’s spite and indifference. Wives are nearly invisible. Constance Wilde and Louisa Conan Doyle are read about mainly through letters; they get no dialogue. As victims, they are rarely wept over or mourned. The duchess’s death that calls for Wilde’s involvement gets the most attention. The subsequent murder of a dance hall actress is summarily swept aside through a falsified journalistic report and the killing of a poor deaf-and-dumb servant is dispatched with such swift distaste she might have been a pile of dust discovered on the living room floor. As one character shrewdly states, she believes she will be remembered after her death as being a royal man’s mistress rather than for her acting skill.Perhaps it was simply the nature of the time’s that had women relegated to such shadowy roles. I just couldn’t help but feel the neglect of the distaff sex and wished it could have been otherwise.
review 2: After I finished laughing at the cover, I realized I had already read a book in this series before and really enjoyed it. So I thought 'what the heck' and decided to give it a read.I was a little disappointed that it didn't go the sci-fi route and have actual vamps, but I got over it.Intriguing concept and I loved the small twist and as everything started coming together for the end reveal.The plot was a little drawn out and not quite strong enough to carry the book. However, the characters were. I really enjoyed seeing everyone get pulled along for the ride in this mystery and they are what made the story. It felt like I was a fly on the wall watching all of these good friends converse. I love Robert, but he didn't feel like he had enough to do. Even one of other characters commented on not knowing Robert's part in everything. I hope the next book in this series that I stumble across has him in more of a role.Despite all the negatives, it held my interest, made me laugh out loud on various occasions, and had me reading it on my spare time so that I could spend more time with all of these guys. less

Download links for: Oscar Wilde and the Vampire Murders: A Mystery

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