| Publisher | Severn House |
|---|---|
| Date Published | 30 September 2016 |
| ISBN-10 | 0727886606 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-0727886606 |
| Format | hardcover |
| Pages | 256 |
| Price | £ 20.99 |
Death Notes
by
Researcher Phin Fox finds himself on the west coast of Ireland investigating the death of a 19th century Russian musician.
Review
The rather grandly-named Phineas Fox isn’t an escapee from a 19th century mystery. Instead, he’s a professional researcher, firmly grounded in the present day.
Not that he is overcome with enthusiasm for his latest would-be commission, which is to research 19th century violinist Roman Volf for a TV documentary. There’s plenty of scandal there for the programme-makers, as Volf was hanged for his part in the assassination of Tsar Alexander II – and he was also a notorious womaniser with a very juicy private life.
Phin only changes his mind when some initial research uncovers the fact that Volf couldn’t have been involved. The trail takes him to the west coast of Ireland where he encounters the reclusive Maxim Volf, plus a range of villagers whose stories seem to overlap with Phin’s investigations. He soon discovers that Volf may have had an illegitimate son – a musical hall artist called Mortimer Quince, who may have had links to Galway.
Meanwhile, Beatrice Drury is returning to the remote cottage, Tromloy, two years after her husband and daughter were killed in a car accident. But there are odd occurrences and a strange little girl from the village called Jessica …
Sarah Rayne tells the story in a nicely confiding tone and with an admirably light touch – I loved the running gag with Phin’s rugby playing neighbour and his riotous parties which encourage Phin to escape to Ireland to start digging around.
At times the plotlines seem disparate, as the focus is on Phin, Bea, Jess and her family, and a mysterious man who has lost his memory. But Rayne juggles them adroitly, even if Bea’s story is rounded off a touch too pat.
Death Notes has a Gothic feel to it. There’s a hint of woo-woo, but nothing that overwhelms the tale. What Rayne does do is really nail village life and the odd cast of people who inhabit the place. It’s a clever tale spanning two continents.
Not that he is overcome with enthusiasm for his latest would-be commission, which is to research 19th century violinist Roman Volf for a TV documentary. There’s plenty of scandal there for the programme-makers, as Volf was hanged for his part in the assassination of Tsar Alexander II – and he was also a notorious womaniser with a very juicy private life.
Phin only changes his mind when some initial research uncovers the fact that Volf couldn’t have been involved. The trail takes him to the west coast of Ireland where he encounters the reclusive Maxim Volf, plus a range of villagers whose stories seem to overlap with Phin’s investigations. He soon discovers that Volf may have had an illegitimate son – a musical hall artist called Mortimer Quince, who may have had links to Galway.
Meanwhile, Beatrice Drury is returning to the remote cottage, Tromloy, two years after her husband and daughter were killed in a car accident. But there are odd occurrences and a strange little girl from the village called Jessica …
Sarah Rayne tells the story in a nicely confiding tone and with an admirably light touch – I loved the running gag with Phin’s rugby playing neighbour and his riotous parties which encourage Phin to escape to Ireland to start digging around.
At times the plotlines seem disparate, as the focus is on Phin, Bea, Jess and her family, and a mysterious man who has lost his memory. But Rayne juggles them adroitly, even if Bea’s story is rounded off a touch too pat.
Death Notes has a Gothic feel to it. There’s a hint of woo-woo, but nothing that overwhelms the tale. What Rayne does do is really nail village life and the odd cast of people who inhabit the place. It’s a clever tale spanning two continents.
Reviewed 07 January 2017 by Sharon Wheeler
