ISBN: 1-7887-0261-0 Order from: Recorded Books
This generally pleasant, literary and feminist novel of historical mystery and real-time suspense is well written, but suffers from periods of strained plot and too-prickly heroine.
Reviewed by David on September 29, 2000
Genre: Mystery (Romance, Historical, Occult)
Synopsis: Karen Holloway, a junior English professor is thrilled when she finds and publishes several poems by a previously unknown American author from the early nineteenth century. The discovery of a whole novel by the woman who wrote under the name "Ismene" can catapult Karen into fame.
Eager to get her hands on and study the rare find, Karen runs into academic rivals, murky historical sources, and unpleasant accidents. As the historical research unfolds, Karen's life seems to parallel in some ways the life of the mysterious author, as romance and peril intermix in a colonial Virginia town.
Full Review: Karen, the protagonist of this novel, starts off as a rather annoyingly prickly feminist professor. Until the latter half of the book, the lack of a sense of humor creates little sympathetic connection between the reader and the viewpoint character. On the good side, several supporting characters, in particular Karen's friends, prove both sarcasticly humorous and feistily entertaining.
The action—and the sense of humor—seem to improve in the second half of the book. The narrative of the found novel, parallels in some ways Karen's own adventures, without being overly obvious. Described in small amounts, by the end of the book the possibly autobiographical plot of the fictitious novel becomes as interesting as Karen's own adventures. The ending is a bit disappointing, if quite plausible.
While relatuively light on the romantic elements, at times this novel suffers from following too closely some romantic conventions. The supernatural elements, while rare, bring little value to the novel and could have been left out without much effect.
On the whole, the book has enough humorous moments, good supporting characters and skillful writing to make reading it a pleasant experience, despite somewhat slow plot and conventional romantic elements.
Overall: 5.5; Plot: 5; Characters: 5.5; Style: 5.5; World-building: 5.5; Originality: 5;
Copyright date 1995, Recorded Books, 1993, Audio cassette, 10 cassettes
ISBN: 1-7887-0261-0 Order from: Recorded Books