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Edie Investigates
by
Nick Harkaway (Goodreads Author)
From the author of The Gone-Away World and the forthcoming Angelmaker—an exhilarating espionage murder-mystery eShort.
There has been a strange death in the quiet village of Shrewton: old Donny Caspian has lost his head. In the Copper Kettle tea rooms, Tom Rice, a junior nobody from the Treasury, puzzles over the details of the case. He has been sent by his superiors to ov...more
There has been a strange death in the quiet village of Shrewton: old Donny Caspian has lost his head. In the Copper Kettle tea rooms, Tom Rice, a junior nobody from the Treasury, puzzles over the details of the case. He has been sent by his superiors to ov...more
ebook, 60 pages
Published
February 14th 2012
by Knopf
(first published January 1st 2012)
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Mar 16, 2012
Angie
added it
I read this because the author will be at the VA Book Festival this week, and I wanted a sense of his writing. I had a mixed reaction.
I really liked the understated Brit wit style of the beginning, but that seemed rather less evident as the story went along. There were some abrupt transitions, and the ending also seemed abrupt and either unfinished or I didn't understand it. And some of it goes beyond the amusingly absurd, as when one of the characters think back to when he was in charge of moni...more
I really liked the understated Brit wit style of the beginning, but that seemed rather less evident as the story went along. There were some abrupt transitions, and the ending also seemed abrupt and either unfinished or I didn't understand it. And some of it goes beyond the amusingly absurd, as when one of the characters think back to when he was in charge of moni...more
This is a review issued with a warning - I enjoyed this a great deal, but it clearly exists as part of the larger context of the author's novel Angelmaker (the first chapter of which is included along with the story), and which I haven't yet read. I'm not entirely sure Edie Investigates works in a straightforward way as a piece of stand alone fiction, more as a piece of meta around the novel, like an iTunes Extra.
That said, there was a lot to love here (four stars worth, in fact) - the descripti...more
That said, there was a lot to love here (four stars worth, in fact) - the descripti...more
It's been a while since i've read Nick Harkaway and it's not really like anything else out there, i should have known but yet again i wasn't ready. Edie investigates is a short story bursting at the seams with writing thick and juicy, every little aside is so chock full of details and colour that it's easy to get sidetracked and lost into the side stories.
The first chapter of Angelmaker though is on another level altogether, lighter, more direct and yet at the same time even more complex, impecc...more
The first chapter of Angelmaker though is on another level altogether, lighter, more direct and yet at the same time even more complex, impecc...more
Having already read Angelmaker, I am well acquainted with Edie. I was so happy to read a little side story and spend a little more time in her brilliant,cooky mind. This little gem takes you on a ride, going wherever the stream takes you next. I enjoyed the lack of typical transitions and just went with it, always getting lost in the story again only to be led somewhere else. Yes, we would have liked to have more at the ending; but Nick Harkaway is such a talented author that I believe we will a...more
I stumbled across this after hearing about Angelmaker, an interesting sounding book by a Cornish author. Then this - a short story featuring one of the same characters, surely an easy introduction to his writing?
I should have been worried by the author's confession that this was his publisher's idea, and I was prepared to cut it a little slack because of that. It overcame it's tawdry origins magnificently though.
A short, sharp, funny story that comes across like Douglas Adams writing Miss Marple...more
I should have been worried by the author's confession that this was his publisher's idea, and I was prepared to cut it a little slack because of that. It overcame it's tawdry origins magnificently though.
A short, sharp, funny story that comes across like Douglas Adams writing Miss Marple...more
After reading Angelmaker I thought I'd read this novella. It failed to live up to the quality of either Angelmaker or The Gone-Away-World.
I am a bit curious if I had read it before Angelmaker if I would have liked it more (as perhaps in some ways it stands as a tease to the Novel) or if it would have turned me off the novel altogether.
I suppose I'm glad I read it after, just in case.
I am a bit curious if I had read it before Angelmaker if I would have liked it more (as perhaps in some ways it stands as a tease to the Novel) or if it would have turned me off the novel altogether.
I suppose I'm glad I read it after, just in case.
This is a sort of prequel chapter to pique your interest in Angelmaker. It's full of all the superb prose, wry humour and intrigue you always find with Nick Hakaway. The only thing I'd want more of is to give it all room to breath, to allow his wonderfully tangential style to really work it's magic. And you'll get that in spades in the full novel, so no complaints about this novella here.
3.5-4 stars. Resolution wasn't entirely satisfying, but I liked the characters and enjoyed it, which was the point. Short story featuring an 82 year old lady who happens to be a retired spy. Funny. Meant to be a teaser for Harkaway's new novel Angelmaker. I haven't read either of his novels yet, so this was a test run, and after finishing it, I'm in.
Nick Harkaway makes me tired.
I read this in two sittings. The first half I think I wasn't in the mood for his convoluted prose, and I really had to slog through it. My second sitting went much quicker, but it still made me tired.
If you liked the Gone-Away World, you'll like this. And probably like Angelmaker too. I think I'm going to pass.
I read this in two sittings. The first half I think I wasn't in the mood for his convoluted prose, and I really had to slog through it. My second sitting went much quicker, but it still made me tired.
If you liked the Gone-Away World, you'll like this. And probably like Angelmaker too. I think I'm going to pass.
Prelude to Harkaway's next novel Angelmake, which I'm pretty excited about, and this is a charming intro to one character. I was, probably unrealistically, kinda hoping for a completely self-contained story rather than a prologue to the larger piece, and this is very much the latter, but aside from that entirely personal issue, this did the business nicely.
I loved this short story--not only is the female protagonist kickass, but she shows that women over 50 can still be kickass. I also love the fact that she is not at all grandmotherly, and she is described as the "anti-Miss Marple." The first chapter of Harkaway's upcoming novel, _Angelmaker_, was very intriguing, so I'm awaiting it impatiently.
Liked it a lot... but it really is just a teaser for Angelmaker. Was pleasantly surprised that it was a bit of a cold-war thriller in some ways. Looking forward to more, particularly from the Legacy Board, although the flashbacks to Edie's youth were the most vital and compelling parts of the story. A great character there....
I loved the heart out of Edie Banister in Angelmaker. She has steel nerves, comprehensive spy experience, and a creepy old dog with glass balls for eyes and a farting problem. I can't wait to read more about her!
Was interested but not entirely satisfied by Harkaway's GoneAway World, so wanted to read this before sending away for Angelmaker. After reading this short, I've placed my order. Loved the characters, loved the setup. I can't wait to get the book. Charming and funny.
7/10
This short story has a lot going for it in terms of writing – it’s funny, charming, and full of detail. So much detail in fact, that once or twice the story meanders into arguably unnecessary territory, but it worked for me, so no harm done. I highlighted quite a few passages that I found amusing, most of which were related to Edie, who I think is a fantastic character. I couldn’t help but worry about her – she is in her eighties, after all – but she’s defied expectations of being a weak lit...more
This short story has a lot going for it in terms of writing – it’s funny, charming, and full of detail. So much detail in fact, that once or twice the story meanders into arguably unnecessary territory, but it worked for me, so no harm done. I highlighted quite a few passages that I found amusing, most of which were related to Edie, who I think is a fantastic character. I couldn’t help but worry about her – she is in her eighties, after all – but she’s defied expectations of being a weak lit...more
Good to see a bit more of Edie Bannister from "Angelmaker" - although if you haven't yet read that (and you should) it's worth noting that there are very slight spoilers here: some of Edie's background and talents are revealed.
A great short story companion to Angel Maker. If you liked Angel Maker you'll want to make sure you read this. Even if you haven't read Angel Maker, it's a good sampling of what you're missing out on.
Edie Investigates was the perfect answer to a long layover this past week. As a prelude to Angelmaker, it effectively presented characters I want to know more about. It also gave hints of a world that I intensely want to explore. Highly enjoyable prose as expected from author Nick Harkaway. This short novella whet my appetite for more while leaving me sufficiently satisfied with the story it had to tell.
I really wanted to like this short story considering the tie-in with Angelmaker, but it fell flat and didn't add much to the world.
See my review for Angelmaker, a great little story that complements the novel.
Wonderfully witty and a great teaser for The Angelmaker!
A really quick read, provides fun (and non-essential) background for Angelmaker.
Fun short story
Definitely an appetizer. The writing is skilled, but slightly disorienting, so it requires some patience before getting to the meat of the story. But there are enough disconnected, interesting threads that I'm quite interested in checking out Angelmaker next. Mission accomplished.
I suspect they put this short story out for the primary reason of drawing attention to a full novel that Harkaway has recently published. And it worked. I liked the writing, the wit, and Edie the octogenarian British spy. Definitely intend to read the longer offering now!
Expecting an overindulgent foray into the young life of Edie Banister, I was pleasantly surprised by a contemporary intrigue in the form of a delicious literary morsel. The world begins with them and it is a bombastic one.
I need to reread this. I don't think I was in the right frame of mind the first time, as I had difficulty getting into the story.
++ lovely introduction to Edie's character in "Angelmaker"
-- we want more of Edie!!
-- we want more of Edie!!
May 23, 2013
Ahmed Naguib
marked it as to-read
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Nick Harkaway was born in Cornwall, UK in 1972. He is possessed of two explosively exciting eyebrows, which exert an almost hypnotic attraction over small children, dogs, and - thankfully - one ludicrously attractive human rights lawyer, to whom he is married.
He likes: oceans, mountains, lakes, valleys, and those little pigs made of marzipan they have in Switzerland at new year.
He does not like: b...more
More about Nick Harkaway...
He likes: oceans, mountains, lakes, valleys, and those little pigs made of marzipan they have in Switzerland at new year.
He does not like: b...more
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Dec 24, 2012 11:41am