Oscar Wilde and a Game Called Murder: A Mystery

Oscar Wilde Murder Mysteries #2

by Gyles Brandreth

The second witty installment in an astonishingly authentic historical mystery series featuring detective Oscar Wilde and his partner in crime, Arthur Conan Doyle

It's 1892, and Wilde is the toast of London, riding high on the success of his play Lady Windemere's Fan. While celebrating with friends at a dinner party he conjures up a game called "murder" that poses the Who would you most like to kill? Wilde and friends -- including Arthur Conan Doyle, Bram Stoker, and poet Robert Sherard (the novel's narrator) -- write the names of their "victims" on pieces of paper and choose them one by one. After leaving the party, Wilde scoffs at the suggestion that he may have instigated a very dangerous game indeed....

The very next day, the game takes an all-too- sinister turn when the first "victim" turns up dead. Soon Wilde and his band of amateur detectives must travel through the realms of politics, theatre, and even boxing to unearth whose misguided passions have the potential to become deadly poisons...not only for the perpetrator of the seemingly perfect crimes but also for the trio of detectives investigating them.

Richly atmospheric and as entertaining as Wilde himself, this book is the second in a series destined to delight mystery readers and fans of historical fiction alike.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Crime, Historical Mystery, Historical, Mystery Thriller

392 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Full name: Gyles Daubeney Brandreth.
A former Oxford Scholar, President of the Oxford Union and MP for the City of Chester, Gyles Brandreth’s career has ranged from being a Whip and Lord Commissioner of the Treasury in John Major’s government to starring in his own award-winning musical revue in London’s West End. A prolific broadcaster (in programmes ranging from Just a Minute to Have I Got News for You), an acclaimed interviewer (principally for the Sunday Telegraph), a novelist, children’s author and biographer, his best-selling diary, Breaking the Code, was described as ‘By far the best political diary of recent years, far more perceptive and revealing than Alan Clark’s’ (The Times) and ‘Searingly honest, wildly indiscreet, and incredibly funny’ (Daily Mail). He is the author of two acclaimed royal biographies: Philip Elizabeth: Portrait of a Marriage and Charles Camilla: Portrait of a Love Affair. In 2007/2008, John Murray in the UK and Simon & Schuster in the US began publishing The Oscar Wilde Murder Mysteries, his series of Victorian murder mysteries featuring Oscar Wilde as the detective.

As a performer, Gyles Brandreth has been seen most recently in ZIPP! ONE HUNDRED MUSICALS FOR LESS THAN THE PRICE OF ONE at the Duchess Theatre and on tour throughout the UK, and as Malvolio and the Sea Captain in TWELFTH NIGHT THE MUSICAL at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Gyles Brandreth is one of Britain’s busiest after-dinner speakers and award ceremony hosts. He has won awards himself, and been nominated for awards, as a public speaker, novelist, children’s writer, broadcaster (Sony), political diarist (Channel Four), journalist (British Press Awards), theatre producer (Olivier), and businessman (British Tourist Authority Come to Britain Trophy).

He is married to writer and publisher Michèle Brown, with whom he co-curated the exhibition of twentieth century children’s authors at the National Portrait Gallery and founded the award-winning Teddy Bear Museum now based at the Polka Theatre in Wimbledon. He is a trustee of the British Forces Foundation, and a former chairman and now vice-president of the National Playing Fields Association.

Gyles Brandreth’s forebears include George R. Sims (the highest-paid journalist of his day, who wrote the ballad Christmas Day in the Workhouse) and Jeremiah Brandreth (the last man in England to be beheaded for treason). His great-great-grandfather, Benjamin Brandreth, promoted ‘Brandreth’s Pills’ (a medicine that cured everything!) and was a pioneer of modern advertising and a New York state senator. Today, Gyles Brandreth has family living in New York, Maryland, South Carolina and California. He has been London correspondent for “Up to the Minute” on CBS News and his books published in the United States include the New York Times best-seller, The Joy of Lex and, most recently, Philip Elizabeth: Portrait of a Royal Marriage.

Reviews

[Tessa Nadir · Rating 5 out of 5]

O nebunie de carte! Cine nu si-ar dori vreodata ca mai multi dintre autorii sai preferati sa stea la aceeasi masa, sa joace un joc incitant al mortii, ca apoi crimele sa curga si ei sa fie la conducerea anchetei? In mod cert acest roman reprezinta fantezia secreta, vinovata a tuturor iubitorilor de romane politiste. Astfel, ii avem la cina pe faimosii scriitori Oscar Wilde, Bram Stoker si Arthur Conan Doyle, toti 3 prieteni foarte buni.
Opera il are in prim plan pe Oscar Wilde care aduna 14 oameni la masa si le propune un joc in care fiecare trebuie sa scrie pe o hartie pe cine ar dori sa omoare. Atat numele lui cat si al sotiei sale va figura pe lista. Cand oamenii incep sa moara, exact in aceeasi ordine in care cartonasele au fost extrase, Oscar Wilde alaturi de prietenii sai scriitori, incepe sa investigheze.
Cartea ne propune un mister inchegat, complex, care pune la incercare mintea cititorului, personajele sunt foarte carismatice, erudite iar dialogurile sunt rafinate, pline de umor si de aforisme.
Personajul Oscar Wilde este foarte apropiat de realitate si nu are cum sa nu fie indragit de cititori.
Mi s-a parut interesanta opinia protagonistului despre tirajul cartii sale "Evantaiul doamnei Windermere": "Tirajul meu ideal cuprinde 500 de exemplare cadou pentru prieteni, 600 pentru marele public si 100 pentru piata americana."
Ca incheiere, cateva dintre multele aforisme pe care le gasim cu abundenta in carte:
"Artistul nu poate fi degradat la nivelul unui servitor al publicului."
"Nu sunt sigur ca trebuie sa ne asteptam ca orice casatorie sa dureze mai mult de 7 ani."
"Lauda ma face umil, replica Oscar, dar cand sunt tinta abuzului stiu ca am ajuns pe culme."
"Ambitia e ultimul refugiu al esecului."
"Toata viata m-am straduit sa distrez clasa muncitoare, sa infurii clasa de mijloc si sa fascinez aristocratia."
"Din astrolog s-a nascut astronomul, din alchimist, chimistul, din hipnotizator, psihologul."
"Ratiunea e opusul iubirii. Lasa-ne un dram de iluzie. Nu ne face sa devenim periculos de sanatosi la minte."
"La urma urmei, dorinta e o maladie, o nebunie sau amandoua."

[Farah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me begin with saying that I'm the biggest fan of mystery, not romance. This book consists of nothing but mystery and drama. Not a hint of romance, of course unless you add all the pervertedness and Daubeney with his prostitutes (I know, ew). For all you Romance lovers, please head in a different direction because this book is in no way suitable for you.

Characters
I love love love (*40 more times) Oscar Wilde. He's that mix of sweet cleverness but with humor designed for philosophers. And excuse me, before you say anything, I consider myself to be a philosopher. Wilde is clever because he's a good listener. Good listeners always have good come backs. I swear half this book was Oscar roasting people and I was about that life! His humor is very light hearted and is like music to my ears. Whenever he talks formally, I squeak due to me blushing. I can't believe I have a crush on a gay dude. *dead gay dude (that was my bad)

Plot
Anything involving murder or crime is from my nature so I react pretty ideally. I love the thought of playing a game that is considered to be dangerous but others are too vulnerable to really understand. The game they played was for everyone to write down who they most likely want to murder and have it read out loud anonymously. The best part was when Oscar started finding out who picked who. LIKE THE SHADE THOUGH!!! I swear they reminded me of the Kardashians.

Conclusion
Every character played an important role and I admire it. Brandreth really thought and planned out his story and I applaud him a thousand percent for that. If you are willing to read it, make sure to expect the unexpected. This book couldn't have been written in a better way. I feel like I have truly gotten to know Oscar Wilde and his so-called "unordinary reputation." I think every book would be a whole lot better written formally. Cause I am about that 'elegant and sophisticated' life now.

[Inese Okonova · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gribējās izlasīt kādu "intelektuālo" detektīvu, bet šis bija tāds ļoti so so. Pretenziju daudz, satura maz.

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oscar Wilde and the Ring of Death is so amazingly good, I could not put it down, hence finishing it over 4 days. I do not know much about Oscar Wilde's life apart from the obvious facts, but this story has given me such an insight into his character and his world. I love the way Oscar is portrayed as a highly respected man with a great mind and such a way with people as to make them love him more, he also has this ability to predict what is to happen next, simply by being so observant and mindful of his surroundings. With regard to the actual plot, it was very clever and I had no idea what the outcome would be until it actually happened. When it did, Oscar delivered the conclusion with such style and detail, that one wonders why he did not uncover crimes for a living. What was an added bonus to the story was the other literary figures who made an appearance as his good friends - I won't spoil this for anyone, you will see for yourself. On that note, I have to read the rest of the series.

[Xenopheles]

In this installment, we see Oscar turning from effervescent to snarky. His flaws are more revealed, and yet you love him more as a man for it. The mystery is much darker, more complex, and there is a host of more character to know and love.

[Kailey (Luminous Libro) · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF at page 83.
Oscar Wilde has a supper club with his friends, and he proposes a game where they all write down the name of a person they would want to murder. Everyone thinks it's a silly parlor game, until the people named begin to die off one by one in suspicious circumstances.

I don't really know why I picked up this book in the first place. Oscar Wilde is not at all someone that I admire, so I did not enjoy reading about him and his sordid life. I'm surprised I made it as far as I did in the book before setting it aside.

The writing style is extremely descriptive. Every little detail of clothing and hair and facial features, and the furniture and the curtains and the menu for dinner is all described in every chapter. It was just too much! It would have been better to leave a little something to the imagination.

This book has been screened on the Screen It First website. To see some of the sensitive content, check it out on Screen It First. https://screenitfirst.com/book/oscar-...

[Erastes · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had been looking forward to this book ever since I had finished the first one, Oscar Wilde and the Candlelight Murders.

At the risk of sound like Oscar, sadly, the journey is so often much more fun than the terminus. Where the first book captured me with with its sparkle this one bored me rather than entertained.

While Brandreth does a good job of taking one on a tour of fin de siecle London (with a map, no less, this time!) and introduces us to many interesting characters, real-life ones and invented, I felt this book simply didn’t hang together in the same way that the first book did. I was often confused and whole scenes would go by which turned out to entirely useless in furthering the plot in any way. I think that Brandreth was attempting, in a Christie fashion, to create red-herrings, but it wasn’t done with any conviction and I never once was led down any path. In fact, I went through the entire book not knowing, or indeed not even caring enough to suspect anyone at all.

What annoyed me particularly was that Oscar was not charismatic in this book, he was extraordinarily annoying. I am not enough of a Wilde fan to know whether the sayings he continually came out with were his own, or Brandreth’s, but I couldn’t help but think that most of the book was just Brandreth trying to be clever. Literally nothing happened for half the book, and nothing appeared to be happening for the other half.

The denouement was a complete surprise because other than the smallest of clues, there was literally no indication that this person was marked as the murderer. I like to be surprised, after all isn’t that part of the fun of reading a murder mystery? but I don’t like to go WTF? HIM? WHY? When the big moment comes. I was still boggling, even after Oscar Explained It All.

I know that the tradition in some murder stories is to have the amateur sleuth amazingly clever and the police incredibly dim, but in this book, EVERYONE, from the police to Conan Doyle to Robert Sherrad (the narrator) are thick as two short planks, and the only one with two brain cells to rub together is Wilde.

Not that I wanted a gay story, as the first book had a strong homosexual theme, but with Bosie on the scene and with their affair obviously in full swing, I would have expected a little more to be made of that. What did amuse me, though, was that Bosie’s older brother was also suspected of ‘unnaturallness’ with a politician.

I’d say that if you really really liked the first one, then get this from the library before shelling out any money on it. I have to say, also, that I don’t appreciate the first eight or so pages of any book I read to be filled with reviews of that particular book.

[A.E. Marling · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you've ever entertained the desire to hobnob with Oscar Wilde, this book is for you. Though I found the mystery engaging and at times intense, the book revolves around the fop playwright and his friends having luncheon, drinking, and smoking. And what friends they are! The straight-laced Arthur Conan Doyle complains about Sherlock Holmes, hoping that character isn't all people will remember him by. Bram Stoker booms his laugh. And the adorable but potential-sociopath Bosie holds Wilde in his thrall.

The premise is that the deductive powers of Sherlock Holmes were based at least in part on the mega-mind that was Oscar Wilde, and let's face it, the only thing that can make a detective more interesting than the big SH himself is heart-seeking wit and an arsenal of quips. The author portrays Wilde with spooky clarity, both his charm and his failings, and after reading this book you'll feel you met him.

The author commands not only quips and perfection of character but also weaves as much history as possible into the story. The grid is introduced, as well as the rules for modern boxing. (The latter should interest zero percent of the book's target market, but at least it's nice historical flavor.)

I have a suggestion to best enjoy the novel: Skip the epilogue / afterward. It summarizes what happens to the primary (non-murdered) characters after the story, recounting their achievements and demises. I found it depressing after the satisfying final chapter. Leave it for later, if at all.

[Surreysmum · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very structured mystery, complete with seating plans at two parallel dinners (beginning and end) and a grid. Nonetheless, it is not mechanical, and the motivations for the various murders and possible murders are driven by character, and though implausible, not impossible. The Wilde / Conan Doyle friendship - implausible in itself, given their wildly different characters - is very well drawn. The Marquis of Queensberry and his boxing rules have a large part to play in this one, and the Marquis himself does not come off at all well, though his sons do rather better - Drumlanrig, in particular, seeming like a rather nice if somewhat beleaguered young chap; Bosie is (doubtless accurately) described as being beautiful but indolent and selfish. I enjoyed, as always, Brandreth's deliberate wide range of eccentrics in late nineteenth-century London. Looking forward to the next in the series.

[Ria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great title in the Oscar Wilde mystery novels.
When Oscar gives a luncheon party and plays a deadly game things take a sinister turn...
Oscar decides to invite his guests to partake of a game called "Murder" where each guest chooses absolutely anyone they feel they hate enough to want to murder, just hypothetically speaking but when some of the characters listed as the party guests choices to kill wind up mysteriously dying Oscar and his sidekicks Robert Sherard and Arthur Conan Doyle are on the case but this time Oscar has a vested interest in solving this series of crimes as quickly as possible because he and his wife Constance are two of the last names listed and plucked out of the "'Murder" hat....
Exciting and fast paced and rich In accurate historical detail and a wealth of real characters of the period.
An inventive and highly enjoyable murder mystery series.

[Aisling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even if you are not a massive Oscar Wilde fan (and if you're not, what is wrong with you?!?) this is a fantastic mystery. This book crackles with wit, tension, mysteries, and is reminiscent (but dare I say better) than the Sherlock Holmes cannon. And, more oddly, Conan Doyle is a prominent character in this book. A bit slow off the mark but fantastic from then on. I will be choosing this series for my next bookgroup pick!

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not only is Gyles Brandreth a skillful and colourful raconteur, he is also an exceedingly good mystery writer. Oscar Wilde and the Ring of Death is proof positive of that.
The dramatist personae is made up of a mixture of historical figures known to Wilde, such as the author Bram Stoker and the artist Walter Sickert, and characters created by the author.
The story itself is quite complex and expertly plotted. Robert Sherard is once again the narrator.
This is a dark, somewhat seedy tale, with prostitution, cock fighting and child trafficking amongst its themes.
Did I like this book? No, I didn't. I LOVED it, and I look forward to reading the next one.

[Nancy Cook-senn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another complex mystery (murders in a boxing ring and in a locked house) featuring Oscar and his friends, Arthur Conan Doyle, Robert Sherard, Bram Stoker, Willing Hornung, Wat Sickert, and various others including The Marquess of Queensberry and actor Charles Brookfield.

[Alan Porter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just exquisite

[Muaz Jalil · Rating 3 out of 5]

Found it in the Orleans Value Village. Very atmospheric, but the plot was a bit thin and relies too much on contrived coincidence

[Berna Labourdette · Rating 4 out of 5]

El segundo tomo de la serie sobre Oscar Wilde como un detective aficionado, solucionando pistas en compañía de Robert Sherard (su biográfo) y Conan Doyle (con un gran guiño a que éste se habría inspirado en Wilde para el personaje de Mycroft Holmes). El autor, logra mostrar a Wilde en toda su complejidad, usando para ello personas y situaciones reales, aunque las intrigas sean inventadas. En esta oportunidad, hay un juego de muerte en el que se ven involucrados Alfred Douglas y el Marqués de Queensberry y donde Wilde desplega todas sus dotes de observación y astucia. MUY entretenido, no sólo para fans de Wilde, sino de las novelas de detectives.  Hay mucha información sobre el período victoriano también.  

[Marthese Formosa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Oscar Wilde Murder Mystery series and the first one I read. They can be read as stand-alone though from this book I realized I want to read them all. They follow different times in Wilde's life and create instances where he has to solve a murder.

In this book whose name comes from two things 1.boxing and 2. a game of 'murder'. Wilde organized a monthly dinner with his friends where they also play different games. In this case, they play a game where they say if they could, who would they murder. After the dinner, chronologically, the victims start dying.

It's a good murder mystery. There are sub-plots, diversions where you think someone did it then you are proven wrong and hints given where you realize some things but don't have the bigger picture. That bigger picture is told to the reader by Wilde.

The book is narrated by Robert Sherard and the book features other historical figures like Constance Wilde, Arthur Conan Doyle, Bram Stoker and Wat Sickert among others. It was interesting to see these artists, known for their work in everyday life.

Apart from the mystery, I loved the interactions between Bosie (Lord Alfred Douglas) and Wilde as well as Wilde's interaction with Francis Douglas (lord Drumlanrig although these titles confused me like the titles given to Oscar's sons), Bosie's older brother and his interaction with Lord Queensberry (the brother's father). In my head I was calling them the brother-in-law and the father-in-law. It was entertaining. It was also interesting to see the possible relationship between Francis and Lord Roseberry. The Sapphic relationship between poetesses Bradley and Cooper was also another small highlight. Conan Doyle's character was very enjoyable as well. He was moderate and sensible.

Gyles Brandreth knows his Wilde. His character was almost autobiographical and this sayings and quotes inserted in everyday conversation added to the plot. Wilde isn't a nice character. He can be generous but also pretentious, loathes physical activities and cannot look at ugly things or people. His obsession with beauty is worrisome but he admits to it himself. On a most positive note, although he was unfaithful to his wife, he did care for her and protected her as much as he could. He was also not sexist or objectifying and although some arguments were not that positive (that a woman was someone's daughter or sister- because that shouldn't change the fact that she is first and foremost her own person) he did try to counter an argument.

It was also interesting to see Victorian affection and entertainment. People entertained each other and dined together and kissed each other in affection. Some movies or books when dealing with Victorian way of life seem to get this wrong and focus on the repression only. Basically, I learned a lot from this book, including how boxing started as a sport. Wilde liked to be charmed and amused and the reader was as well. I highly recommend this book and I will be reading the other five books if I can!

There are some Trigger warnings: blood loss, allusions to pedophilia, mentions of bestiality and animal cruelty, murder and animal slaughter. All non-graphic.

[Chazzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another in the series of Oscar Wilde as a detective. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is again in it and also Bram Stoker, Walter Sickert and the Marquess of Queensbury.

During a dinner of the Socrates Club, Wilde proposes a game of Murder with the question of "Who would you kill?" Each attendee writes their choice on a slip of paper which are then drawn randomly and read. All is done in fun and games until the names on that list start turning up dead in the sequence they appear on the list. Who is the murderer? Are the deaths related or are they chance events?

Wilde and the amateur detectives find themselves searching in the realms of politics, theatre and hidden secrets while trying to solve the murders before the next one happens. Relationships and personal histories are revealed in their search for the solutions.

Once again I enjoyed the feeling of being in Victorian London. A not so proper period. The descriptions of the characters and their actions; the scenes of the events all contribute to the enjoyment. There is action and also puzzlement as the pieces of the puzzle start to fit in an order that will give the whole picture.

[Jeff Barber · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second of Gyles Brandreth's Oscar Wilde series. The author clearly has done a lot of historical research and real life figures like poet Robert Sherard and author Arthur Conan Doyle are introduced as sidekicks for Oscar.

The plot, which owes a lot to Agatha Christie tropes, is overly complicated and ultimately not all that compelling. Oscar proposes a "murder" game where club members anonymously write down the name of a person they would love to see murdered. Real murders ensue with the victims' lives being taken in exactly the order the victims' names were read out at the club meeting.

I'll probably continue reading this series, but I don't like it that much. My problem is that I don't like Brandreth's sleuth version of Oscar Wilde at all. His version of Oscar and mine just don't align well and it's jarring. Brandreth's Oscar has highly improbable Sherlock Holmes-like powers of observation and deductions -- how else could he solve the cases of this mystery series! Brandreth's Oscar also tosses off real and pseudo Oscar Wilde witticisms so unflaggingly, it's more than a bit fatiguing. Brandreth's Oscar is forever showing what a generous, sweet, gentle soul he is and how devoted he is to his wife Constance. In short, Brandreth's Oscar is just too good to be true.

Though Alfred Lord Douglas shows up as a louche (definitely gay) minor character, Brandreth's Oscar displays hardly any sexuality, let alone gay sexuality. Brandreth's Oscar is all poses, none of them taken too seriously. I can agree with Brandreth that Oscar was brilliant, entertaining, and arrogant. But I think Oscar was also insecurely needy and self-destructively reckless and self-indulgent. In sanitizing Oscar to make him an effective sleuth, Brandreth has discarded the flawed complexity of the man that made him interesting in the first place.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oscar Wilde is solving crimes while rubbing elbows with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Robert Sherard, and in this book, Bram Stoker. What's not to like?

Once more, knowing a good deal about Oscar Wilde's life story gives more than a few sentences a somber, albeit still witty, tint, something I thoroughly enjoy. Still, even if you know nothing about Oscar Wilde, you'll feel you know a great deal about him after this. The way Brandreth captures Wilde's personality...it's pretty amazing.

The crime of this novel revolves around a special dinner where each guest anonymously names a person they'd like to see murdered and then, as circumstances would have it, it would appear that these wishes are coming true as name after name winds up dead.

I think it's a sign of a compelling narrative that I was half-tempted to create my own notebook grid to coordinate the information that Wilde reveals. Who exactly wrote down what name on each slip is parceled out slowly throughout the book, ever so slowly absolving some members while casting doubt on others. It's rather well done, in my honest opinion.

If I have any complaint, it's that the use of Bram Stoker was not really important. He was barely there and didn't interact with the main characters much. His role could've been filled by any fictional (or non-fictional, but less famous) character. It's a minor gripe, but considering how heavily Sir Arthur Conan Doyle factors into this series so far, I was hoping for another literary giant to be super relevant. Still, if that's all I can say negatively, it hardly ruins an otherwise fantastic mystery.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

After instigating an after-dinner game where the guests have to write down the name of someone they would like to murder, Oscar Wilde is disturbed when the first victim to be mentioned in their game, is killed not long after. Soon more victims from the game are killed, one after another, in the order that their names were read out, and Mr. Wilde himself is on that list. Aided by his friend, real life biographer, and the narrator of the Oscar Wilde detective series, poet Robert Sherard, as well as appearances from Arthur Conan Doyle and Bram Stoker, Wilde sets out to solve yet another murder mystery in the way only he knows how, with panache and his trademark wit firmly in tow.
Brandreth has crafted another well plotted mystery and, while I am no expert other than being a fan of 'The Importance of Being Ernest', has captured Wilde's dialogue and manners perfectly. It's not hard-hitting, dark or overly violent, it's a fairly fast-paced whodunit that was easy to read and engage with. Not to mention fun to read so I raced through it as I did the last one. I can't wait for more and await them eagerly.

[Lilisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in the late 1800s, this whodunit features the charming, witty and audacious Oscar Wilde as the detective with Arthur Conan Doyle and Robert Sherard as his companions. It’s the second in the Oscar Wilde series and stems from Wilde’s convening of the Socrates Club - a group of 13 men who dine together regularly. To liven up the dinner party on a Sunday evening in May 1892, Wilde introduces the deadly game of “Murder” – each person has to anonymously write the name of someone he would want to murder on a slip of paper. This proves deadly when one of "victims" turns up dead, followed by another and another... And now it’s up to Wilde to solve the mystery. As always Gyles Brandreth does a great job writing in the voice of Wilde and presenting us with the many characteristics of Wilde – flamboyant, insightful, witty and uniquely him. Other than the book could have been about 50 pages shorter, it’s a good whodunit read that flexes the mind and offers insight into the charming and mercurial personality of Oscar Wilde.

[Riju Ganguly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much better than the first book in the 'Oscar Wilde Murder Mysteries' series, this novel was a faster read, with more clues being scattered across the pages, all of which succeeded in being rather neatly tied up at the end. This one also presents Oscar Wilde in a more clearer light. My only grudge is that the series continues with Arthur Conan Doyle being relegated to a footman-like status in story-after-story. Nevertheless, the reading experinece was pleasing enough. Recommended.

[Androcles · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gyles Brandreth writes beautifully.
This particular book which reminded me somewhat
of Agatha Christie's 'Ten Little Indians', I
found didn't quite match up to his earlier books.
Some of the plot was a wee bit 'far-fetched', and
at other times rather predictable.
Notwithstanding, an enjoyable historical romp.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It was easy reading during lunch time at work. I don't often read mystery series books but when I saw that Oscar Wilde was the main character, I was intrigued. This kept my attention and this series is making me want to learn more about Wilde and his works. I intend to read the others at some point. "Life is too important to be taken seriously!"

[Neil Kirkham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Another great read here from brandreth again. I look forward to reading his third book in the series. Would highly recommend. Great knowledge of Wilde mixed with a great mystery story.

[Dianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aceasta serie este un fel de omagiu adus lui Oscar Wilde, in care prietenul sau sustine ca fusese si ajutor de detectiv in viata sa super piperata. Eu sunt o mare fana Oscar Wilde, mi-a placut de el de cand am descoperit Portretul lui Dorian Gray dar opera mea preferata de la el este clar Lord Arthur Savile’s crime. Mi-a placut de el intr-un mod autentic, mi se pare ca este unul dintre cei mai interesanti oameni care au trait vreodata. Viata sa a fost traita la maxim si este demna de poveste, este demna sa traiasca pe veci, sa fie amintita mereu. Ce stia Oscar Wilde cel mai bine sa faca era sa traiasca, sa iubeasca, sa simta placere si sa scrie. Dar era un om destept, placut, sensibil.

Calitati rar intalnite intr-un singur suflet.

Imi plac povestiile cu detectivi mai ales cele clasice asa ca am fost super multumita cand am dat din greseala peste aceasta serie.

Ce imi place la aceasta carte, pe langa misterul provenit din crime, sunt conversatiile intre cei mari ai vremii, Wilde, Conan Doyle, Bram Stoker. Mi se pare fascinant sa gasesc interesanta o conversatie fara oprire in care se vorbeste despre nimic. Cartea este extrem de bine scrisa, autentica, clasica si politista.

Actiunea are loc in momentul in care 13 oameni cu tot cu Wilde se vad la Clubul Socrate, club infiintat intr-un hotel de catre Wilde pentru a-le anima ziua plictisitoare de duminica. Dupa cina se joaca un joculet numit Crima, in care fiecare participant trece in mod anonim pe un biletel numele persoanei pe care ar vrea sa o omoare. Ceilalti trebuie sa ghiceasca cine a scris persoana si de ce vrea sa il omoare.

All fun and games, pana cand crimele au loc si in viata reala iar pe acele biletele s-a gasit si numele lui Oscar si a sotiei sale Constance.

Este un portret al societatii de atunci si este spectaculoasa iar crimele sunt genial intersectate.

Desi are aproape 500 de pagini, se citeste super usor si este misterioasa de la inceput la sfarsit.

O recomend si chit ca este serie, nu conteaza ordinea citirii, nu tine cont de asta.

[Omiai · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, I loved the first in this series 'oscar wilde and the candlelight murders', and have done a review about it as well. I was really looking forward to this one, as the setting is just my kind of murder mystery story.

So first off, I really enjoyed this book, and would have given it 4 stars, right up until the end, when it really dissappointed me.

I adored the characters, as I did when I read the first book. Brandreth has captured Wilde, Bosie, Constance and the children wonderfully, and although I don't know as much about the other characters, like Arthur conan doyle and robert sherard, they come across as excellent characters, full of life and wonderfully written! Doyle doesn't feature as much in this book as the first, as he spends much more time with his wife. The other characters who show up are just as full of life, although considering several are killed, you don't get long to get to know them, so when they did die, I didn't really feel upset by it.

The story is clever, and I didn't see the ending coming, I wont spoil it for you. But it really did dissappoint me. I feel a much better ending could have been put in place, without much difficulty, but I wasn't impressed by the one we were given.

But to be fair, the rest of the story was very good, I would still recommend you read it, especially if you've read the first in the series. But i wouldn't expect as much from this one as the first, and I don't think i'll be reading it again.

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t usually read mystery/murder books. However I thoroughly enjoyed this story in which Oscar Wilde and his friends meet up for a dinner when, during the course of the evening, Wilde creates a new game. Each guest is required to write down the name of a character they would like to kill. After which, they are required to guess at the guest who named each victim on the list.
However this “murder“ game turns deadly serious, as one after another the names on the list are found dead or disappear mysteriously. It is left to Oscar, with the assistance of his close friends, to solve the mystery and reveal the identity of the real murderer in their midst. This requires urgent action, as the names of Constance, his wife, and that of Wilde himself appear on the list.
The historical characters are beautifully brought to life by the author. Their eccentric lifestyles are well described. The tension builds as the story moves towards its climax and the mystery is solved.
A charming, amusing, imaginative murder/mystery. Compelling reading.

[Pharlap · Rating 3 out of 5]

"... I noted down the wines in my journal especially: with the fish, an extraordinarily silky white Burgundy; with the beef, an 1888 Margaux so mellow...".
This part of the book interested me most - menus and wine lists.
Impressive!
Also a lifestyle of these rich and famous in 1892 London - meeting friends in cafes and restaurants. Visiting libraries, theatres, sometimes even spending night in own home.
Children's governess asking whether mother and her guest would join children for a lunch.
I had a full trust that the author very accurately pictured a week in a life of Oscar Wilde and his friends.
As for the main topic - the ring of death - I found the idea quite bizarre and disgusting, but I assume it let the author to put some nerve in otherwise very decadent life of main characters. It allowed also to present great detective talent of Oscar Wilde.
Summarising - thoroughly investigated and perfectly presented story about nothing.