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Charles Jessold, Considered As A Murderer (2010)

by Wesley Stace(Favorite Author)

3.35 of 5 Votes: 2

ISBN

0224089889 (ISBN13: 9780224089883)

languge

English

genre

Mystery & Thriller

publisher

Jonathan Cape

review 1: This novel is narrated by a music critic, Leslie Shepherd, who was the late Charles Jessold's friend and supporter. In the first half of the book, he recounts one version of the events that led to the murders of Jessold's wife and lover and Jessold's own suicide. In the second, he recounts another, quite different version of these events. I have to say that the first half of the book was laborious; I almost gave up. The second half, however, was entirely unexpected and riveting--worth it all.
review 2: As this historical, literary mystery opens, we read the 1923 British newspaper clipping of the double-murder and suicide involving a promising composer, Charles Jessold. The story, as it unfolds, tells about the lead up to this event and about the years subseque... morent from the perspective of the narrator who is a music critic, friend and co-composer. Unfortunately, I have little knowledge nor interest in British music of the early 20th century and so I was often bored by the musical minutiae discussed. What I did enjoy, however, was the author's wonderful use of language and turns of phrase. The mystery was intriguing in that I didn't question the facts early on and by the end had to acknowledge that things are not always as they seem. The resolution, while compelling was also very disturbing to me. Although the beginning of this book was very tedious for me, I fully enjoyed the 2nd half and can definitely recommend it. less

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