Sign in with Facebook
93rd out of 267 books
—
1,243 voters
A Study in Revenge (Archie Lean #2)
by
Kieran Shields (Goodreads Author)
In 1893, a trail of ashen footprints leads Deputy Archie Lean to the body of a murdered thief. The man’s exposed flesh has been horribly burned and occult symbols mark the nearby walls. Most troubling of all is what Lean witnessed two days earlier: this same man being lowered into his grave without a burn mark on him. Once again, the Portland, Maine, police deputy must tur...more
Hardcover, 384 pages
Published
January 8th 2013
by Crown
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
1,815)
Apr 01, 2013
Arlena
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Shelves:
4-stars,
a-good-book,
adult-read,
ebooks,
indian,
my-reviews,
mystery,
part-of-series,
religion,
thriller,
twist-and-turns,
young-adult
Author: Kieran Shields
Published by: Crown Publishers
Age Recommended: YA - Adult
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Book Blog For: GMTA
Rating: 4
Review:
"A Study in Revenge" by Kieran Shields was a good mystery, historical,thriller series. I have not read the first book 'The Truth of all Things' and maybe that was why I didn't understand some parts of this novel but what I could understand ....I did like. I had a feeling I was still missing something that had gone on in the first novel...but again it was a ver...more
http://www.themaineedge.com/buzz/a-di...
Shields continues his good work in repurposing the idea of the literary superdetective. Perceval Grey is one of the most engaging characters in recent memory, and he continues to grow. His half-Abenaki heritage comes a bit more to the forefront; the sense of a man without a place is heightened. Shields also contrasts Grey – an Indian raised among white men – with the character of Chief Jefferson, a white man who grew up among native tribes. This contrast s...more
Shields continues his good work in repurposing the idea of the literary superdetective. Perceval Grey is one of the most engaging characters in recent memory, and he continues to grow. His half-Abenaki heritage comes a bit more to the forefront; the sense of a man without a place is heightened. Shields also contrasts Grey – an Indian raised among white men – with the character of Chief Jefferson, a white man who grew up among native tribes. This contrast s...more
This book is fabulous for people who are interested in history, alchemy, and mystery. There is a strong sense of place and history both within the story's time period (Victorian) and their past going back to the Revolution. Deputy Lean and Grey's relationship was an obvious homage to Holmes and Watson but also characters in their own right.
There are series that you can read out of order, and series where the story builds and it is difficult to appreciate without the whole story. This book is def...more
There are series that you can read out of order, and series where the story builds and it is difficult to appreciate without the whole story. This book is def...more
“A Study in Revenge” by Kieran Shields, published by Crown Publishers.
Category – Mystery/Thriller
This mystery is a period piece that takes place in 1893 in Portland, Maine. Archie Lean, a police detective, is called to the scene of a gruesome murder. A body is found that has been partially burned. Archie knows who has been burned but is puzzled because it is the same person he buried several days ago, a man that was shot to death. To make matters worse Archie finds occult symbols on the walls of...more
Category – Mystery/Thriller
This mystery is a period piece that takes place in 1893 in Portland, Maine. Archie Lean, a police detective, is called to the scene of a gruesome murder. A body is found that has been partially burned. Archie knows who has been burned but is puzzled because it is the same person he buried several days ago, a man that was shot to death. To make matters worse Archie finds occult symbols on the walls of...more
By Kieran Shields
Crown Publishers (Random House), 372 pgs
978-0-307-98576-7
Submitted by Random House
Rating: 4, Read This Book!
Deputy Marshal Archie Lean of the Portland Police and private detective Perceval Grey are back in the sophomore effort from Kieran Shields, author of The Truth of All Things, which I reviewed on this site last week. A Study in Revenge may be Mr. Shields's sophomore effort, but it is most assuredly not sophomoric: more confident storytelling, relentless plotting, expert tim...more
Crown Publishers (Random House), 372 pgs
978-0-307-98576-7
Submitted by Random House
Rating: 4, Read This Book!
Deputy Marshal Archie Lean of the Portland Police and private detective Perceval Grey are back in the sophomore effort from Kieran Shields, author of The Truth of All Things, which I reviewed on this site last week. A Study in Revenge may be Mr. Shields's sophomore effort, but it is most assuredly not sophomoric: more confident storytelling, relentless plotting, expert tim...more
Shields follows up on his strong debut, The Truth of All Things, with another novel featuring the intrepid Detective Archie Lean and private investigator Perceval Grey. Although the murders again bear a strong resemblance to the occult, Shields has managed to parlay this into a whole new plot twist. The badly burned body of a career thief turns up in an abandoned building days after it was buried in Portland’s Evergreen Cemetery. How and why was it disinterred? And what does this have to do with...more
This was a Goodreads giveaway.
I did find the author a good writer but the book did moved slowly for me. I do feel the story could of moved faster. Found myself loosing interest. I love mysteries and I did make myself finish the book.
His characters where well done and reminded my of a Holmes and Doctor Watson but this did not take place in England but Victorian era of 1890's Portland Maine. They are following the murder of a local thief with some questions of maybe having something to do with th...more
I did find the author a good writer but the book did moved slowly for me. I do feel the story could of moved faster. Found myself loosing interest. I love mysteries and I did make myself finish the book.
His characters where well done and reminded my of a Holmes and Doctor Watson but this did not take place in England but Victorian era of 1890's Portland Maine. They are following the murder of a local thief with some questions of maybe having something to do with th...more
A Study in Revenge is a very good follow up to The Truth of All Things, featuring Deputy Archie Lean and Perceval Gray, set in 1892 Portland ME. A year has passed since the events which brought Grey and Lean together. When Lean has another crime with occult overtones he somewhat reluctantly calls on Grey for assistance in the investigation. A petty thief is discovered with gruesome burns in an abandoned house- the problem is that man had already been murdered and buried! Occult symbols appear at...more
I was disappointed. I loved the first one, although it was a bit grisly for my taste. As a Portlander, I was thrilled to have characters on streets and in buildings I recognize, and thought the story was exciting and well told. This second book let me down. I definitely doesn't stand alone without the foundation of the first, and the characters didn't really grow at all. I'd like to know a bit more of their personalities. The plot seemed convoluted and contrived, and at times, it felt like I was...more
I didn't know that this was the second book in a series, but "A Study In Revenge" read just fine as a stand-alone book.
Perceval Grey is a Victorian private investigator and police consultant in Portland, Maine. He is really good at figuring out mysteries, which this book had plenty of... A few too many, actually. Viking runes, explosions, the occult, mysterious tunnels, robberies, shootings, burnings,and grave robbing, just to name some. I think that fewer plot twists and fewer pages could have...more
Perceval Grey is a Victorian private investigator and police consultant in Portland, Maine. He is really good at figuring out mysteries, which this book had plenty of... A few too many, actually. Viking runes, explosions, the occult, mysterious tunnels, robberies, shootings, burnings,and grave robbing, just to name some. I think that fewer plot twists and fewer pages could have...more
http://www.cozylittlebookjournal.com/...
I wanted to love this book. I wanted to love it so much. It's a Victorian-era detective novel set in the 1890's. I was expecting something like Alex Grecian's The Yard. Of course, it's set in New England instead of London, but I was still very excited.
And it started out really well. The body of a local thief is discovered under unusual circumstances, with evidence of the occult (or at least somebody trying to stage it to look that way). The problem is, th...more
I wanted to love this book. I wanted to love it so much. It's a Victorian-era detective novel set in the 1890's. I was expecting something like Alex Grecian's The Yard. Of course, it's set in New England instead of London, but I was still very excited.
And it started out really well. The body of a local thief is discovered under unusual circumstances, with evidence of the occult (or at least somebody trying to stage it to look that way). The problem is, th...more
Jan 03, 2013
Tien
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
those who like Sherlock Holmes or Mistress of the Art of Death
This review is in relation to the second book in the Archie Lean series. Whilst my review will not contain spoilers from the first book, I would recommend that you read the first book (The Truth of All Things) as it will provide much background to this book.
Perceval Grey is the American Sherlock Holmes. Unlike Holmes, however, he needs also work in the face of Society’s prejudice to the colour of his skin (being of Mixed Indian heritage). When he is intrigued, he will commit his all to be able t...more
Perceval Grey is the American Sherlock Holmes. Unlike Holmes, however, he needs also work in the face of Society’s prejudice to the colour of his skin (being of Mixed Indian heritage). When he is intrigued, he will commit his all to be able t...more
Complicated Plot...Compelling Characters...Satisfying Conclusion
I have been looking forward to this book since reading Kieran Shields' terrific debut novel, The Truth of All Things, early last year. That book introduced the two main characters - Perceval Grey and Archie Lean - and several others, including the villain Jotham Marsh. I truly enjoyed the story of "Truth" while being ontroduced to the characters...the story in "Study/Revenge" was more complicated and - frankly - convoluted than "Tru...more
I have been looking forward to this book since reading Kieran Shields' terrific debut novel, The Truth of All Things, early last year. That book introduced the two main characters - Perceval Grey and Archie Lean - and several others, including the villain Jotham Marsh. I truly enjoyed the story of "Truth" while being ontroduced to the characters...the story in "Study/Revenge" was more complicated and - frankly - convoluted than "Tru...more
I wish I'd known this was the second book in a series before I read it. Initially, there are only references to the earlier story which don't seem to really impact this story, but as everything progresses, the two become more enmeshed. Even in the face of this, however, I really enjoyed this book. It has a gothic feel, set in 19th century Maine. What I enjoyed most was the sarcastic humor of the two main characters. Their dialogue is quite amusing. This provides a nice balance for the darkness o...more
Two men each a detective, one a Deputy Marshal Archie Lean and the other a private detective Perceval Grey working together to solve many different crimes entangled with one large mystery. The storyline is well developed,you do have some religion , some Greek alphabet, some murder, and research. Characters were wonderfully developed , they were each special in their own right.
I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a Victorian mystery.
Thanks to Net Galley and Crown Publishing.
I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a Victorian mystery.
Thanks to Net Galley and Crown Publishing.
*Goodreads firstreads giveaway winner*
When I first started reading A Study in Revenge I was not sure how I would feel about it. It took a little getting used to the time frame. However, the more you read the more you become accustomed to the nuances.
The author, to the best of my knowledge, maintained a true representation of the time. He also wove a wonderful mystery while doing so. I definitely saw similarities to Sherlock Holmes. At the same time I could also see some similarities to the Pend...more
When I first started reading A Study in Revenge I was not sure how I would feel about it. It took a little getting used to the time frame. However, the more you read the more you become accustomed to the nuances.
The author, to the best of my knowledge, maintained a true representation of the time. He also wove a wonderful mystery while doing so. I definitely saw similarities to Sherlock Holmes. At the same time I could also see some similarities to the Pend...more
Ummmmmmmm... I'm kinda torn at this one. I think I liked it, but I think I would have liked it much more if I was able to have read the first book in the series (not that I wasn't able to, I just was unaware of it:)). Anyway, this novel read like a Sherlock Holmes story, and the characters were reminiscent of Holmes and Watson. I have no doubt that the first book is a great lead in to this book. My big problem was the language. It was a little drawn out and boring. However, there were some scene...more
My Thoughts:
Smart! Smart! Smart!
Why do I say this? This read like an 1893 version of CSI. I liked the way Perceval Grey used evidence, the obvious and the not so obvious, to put together clues to help Deputy Archie Lean solve a murder. The plot had a little of everything - mystery, intrigue, a tad amount of sex and even unrequited love. I particularly enjoyed the interaction between Grey and Lean - witty, intelligent and occasionally snarky (I like snarky as long as it’s not directed at me)
I hav...more
Smart! Smart! Smart!
Why do I say this? This read like an 1893 version of CSI. I liked the way Perceval Grey used evidence, the obvious and the not so obvious, to put together clues to help Deputy Archie Lean solve a murder. The plot had a little of everything - mystery, intrigue, a tad amount of sex and even unrequited love. I particularly enjoyed the interaction between Grey and Lean - witty, intelligent and occasionally snarky (I like snarky as long as it’s not directed at me)
I hav...more
I received this book free through the Goodreads First Read giveaways. I was pleasantly surprised. It is a well written, clean book (very little language) and a good mystery. I was not totally surprised by the ending, but the author does a good job keeping things hidden throughout the book so the ending isn't totally given away. The book was not the fastest read, but I enjoyed the detail, the development of the characters and the setting in Portland, Maine.
It was a slow book in places and hard to get through. I could not help but compare it to Sherlock Holmes which I felt the author was trying to make the characters be. It was clear that this was a sequal to an earlier novel and that it was written so that there could be a 3rd or 4th novel, but honestly how many times can the same person get away with crimes in a community in the late 1800's. This was a Good Reads book that I won. I enjoy mysterys and crime novels but this was just tried too hard...more
Couldn't get past page 25 - Author so busy filling me in on the previous book, it felt more like a promotional vehicle than anything else. Also, if Shields is trying to replicate Sherlock Holmes, he better grab me with the character right off - and didn't do that.
This book is almost as good as book one, the librian and her daughter do not have as big a role and of course some of the characters form book one have to be missing. But the cop and the half blood are solving mysteries in Portland Maine again. A well done second novel with good character development.
I liked this book as much as the first book in this series. The inspector is aided by a Sherlock Holmes like detective, who is a charming rich guy, who is also half native American. They kept me guessing until the end who and how the murders took place.
Though it felt as though the main character, Perceval Grey, was trying a little too hard to be Sherlock Holmes, I did enjoy the story. And it was fun to read something from my hometown area in Maine. I'll certainly check out more by this author.
Read my full review @ http://bit.ly/T0wfhc
My opinion: I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE when I find intelligently written historical fiction mysteries. This book is a prime example! This book was beautifully laid out in its' mystery storyline divulging just enough to keep its' readers "whistle wet" while telling a very different type of mystery than your typical historical mysteries, which tend to bore me to tears at this point!
His characters were approachable and well thought out. What I loved most about the...more
My opinion: I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE when I find intelligently written historical fiction mysteries. This book is a prime example! This book was beautifully laid out in its' mystery storyline divulging just enough to keep its' readers "whistle wet" while telling a very different type of mystery than your typical historical mysteries, which tend to bore me to tears at this point!
His characters were approachable and well thought out. What I loved most about the...more
Good 19th century detective novel in the Holmesian mode. Plot moves along at a brisk pace. Good characters. This is apparently the second appearance of this detective. I'm interested in reading the first. Pretty good stuff.
Late 1800's and although the atmosphere of this series is somewhat Victorian, the actual setting is in Portland Maine. Deputy Archie Lean is called to the investigate the double death of a man and the situation is so peculiar he must call in criminalist Percival Grey. This duo is a bit reminiscent of Sherlock and Watson, but Grey is not quite as arrogant as Sherlock. This is a very interesting series, this book being the second, love the well developed characters and the story itself which ties...more
I really enjoy the two characters Lean and Grey and the story plot is always a nice mystery with lots of twists. I hope Kieran plans to continue this series.
It was a good book but I think anyone reading it should read the previous book. The disconnect I felt with the characters never went away no matter how far in the book I was and that I felt would not have happened had I read the previous book The Truth of All Things. Another part that I just didnt like with this book was the use of the telephone. It just seemed out of place to me in a book that is to be historical fiction. While the telephone may have been invented and been in use for the time p...more
Great mysteries with occult leanings. Can't wait for the next one!
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
KIERAN SHIELDS grew up in Portland, Maine. He graduated from Dartmouth College and the University of Maine School of Law. He continues to reside along the coast of Maine with his wife and two children. This is his first novel.
More about Kieran Shields...
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
Apr 02, 2013 11:17am