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The Architect of Murder
Major Alec Marshall VC, newly back in London, is enlisted to make inquiries into the will of the late Cecil John Rhodes, the wealthiest man in the British Empire. That same night one of the witnesses to the will, Eric Lowenstein, is found beaten to death in a seedy boardinghouse, where he was lodging under a false name.As London prepares for King Edward VII's coronation, Marshall discovers that Lowenstein harbored a deadly secret concerning not only the vast fortune Rhodes amassed, but the very future of the Empire. Marshall's investigation takes him into the dark heart of a flawed genius, and sets him on a personal journey that will change his life forever.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published February 27, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 26, 2019
Alec Marshall, soldier and ex-policeman has returned to England from Africa partly to sort out the affairs of his sister. Ellen, a veterinary surgeon, was killed in an accident. When confronted by Ellen's friend Roberta Paterson doubts begin to surface concerning the accident. But where will his investigation lead.
An entertaining and well-written story with its detailed plotting.
An entertaining and well-written story with its detailed plotting.
July 7, 2010
First Sentence: I’m not sure why I decided to return to London when I did.
Major Alec Marshall served as a policeman prior to his joining the army and receiving the Victoria Cross. Alec has returned to England after learning of his sister, Dr. Ellen Marshall. Her close friend, Miss Roberta Paterson, believes Ellen was murdered and wants Alec to investigate.
Supt. William Melville of Scotland Yards, CID, is short of men owing to the upcoming coronation of Edward VII, would also like Marshall’s help. Cecil Rhodes, one of the wealthiest men in Great Britain has died. The witnesses to the last two codicils, two of whom are in London are needed in Cape Town. Assigned to work with Inspector Truegood, they find one of the witnesses murdered and uncover a plan set to impact the future of the British Empire.
It is always wonderful to pick up a book which looks somewhat interesting and find it to be completely fascinating and exciting.
McGregor has created interesting, substantive characters. The protagonist, Alec Marshall, is one of the most fully drawn characters I’ve read in awhile. Although initially, it is challenging to put together the pieces of Alec’s background, particularly with people misrepresenting his rank, it does sort itself out. While he utilizes the logic and skills he learned as a policeman and a soldier, what I particularly liked was the breath of emotion given to Alec.
Roberta Paterson has a career and supports the vote for women but is still aware of social conventions. Truegood is a cop’s cop; he’s unimpressed by Alec and distrustful of his motives but will cover his back when the situation requires it.
Historical events and figures are incorporated in a realistic manner. Because of the number of characters, it could have been confusing. McGregor avoided that pitfall by reminding us of who the characters and their relationship to each other. Rather than this being redundant, it provides clarity and is well incorporated into the plot.
McGregor employs Alec in conveying the sense of time and place. With his transition back into London, we witness his observations on telephones, the crowds, traffic, noise and the smell of the air. There are descriptions of the manners and multi-course meals of the period, with particular attention given to men’s attire and facial hair, and the various levels of economic and social strata. The tendresse which develops between Alec and Roberta is completely appropriate to the period.
A lot of information had to be included for the story to make sense, but I was never bored. There are shocking revelations and very dramatic confrontations. The story was informative, educational, exciting, suspenseful, dramatic and altogether wonderful. I can’t wait for the next book.
THE ARCHITECT OF MURDER (Hist Mys-Alec Marshall-England-Gaslight/1901) – Ex
McGregor, Rafe – 1st in series
Hale, ©2009, UK Hardcover – ISBN: 9780709087281
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Major Alec Marshall served as a policeman prior to his joining the army and receiving the Victoria Cross. Alec has returned to England after learning of his sister, Dr. Ellen Marshall. Her close friend, Miss Roberta Paterson, believes Ellen was murdered and wants Alec to investigate.
Supt. William Melville of Scotland Yards, CID, is short of men owing to the upcoming coronation of Edward VII, would also like Marshall’s help. Cecil Rhodes, one of the wealthiest men in Great Britain has died. The witnesses to the last two codicils, two of whom are in London are needed in Cape Town. Assigned to work with Inspector Truegood, they find one of the witnesses murdered and uncover a plan set to impact the future of the British Empire.
It is always wonderful to pick up a book which looks somewhat interesting and find it to be completely fascinating and exciting.
McGregor has created interesting, substantive characters. The protagonist, Alec Marshall, is one of the most fully drawn characters I’ve read in awhile. Although initially, it is challenging to put together the pieces of Alec’s background, particularly with people misrepresenting his rank, it does sort itself out. While he utilizes the logic and skills he learned as a policeman and a soldier, what I particularly liked was the breath of emotion given to Alec.
Roberta Paterson has a career and supports the vote for women but is still aware of social conventions. Truegood is a cop’s cop; he’s unimpressed by Alec and distrustful of his motives but will cover his back when the situation requires it.
Historical events and figures are incorporated in a realistic manner. Because of the number of characters, it could have been confusing. McGregor avoided that pitfall by reminding us of who the characters and their relationship to each other. Rather than this being redundant, it provides clarity and is well incorporated into the plot.
McGregor employs Alec in conveying the sense of time and place. With his transition back into London, we witness his observations on telephones, the crowds, traffic, noise and the smell of the air. There are descriptions of the manners and multi-course meals of the period, with particular attention given to men’s attire and facial hair, and the various levels of economic and social strata. The tendresse which develops between Alec and Roberta is completely appropriate to the period.
A lot of information had to be included for the story to make sense, but I was never bored. There are shocking revelations and very dramatic confrontations. The story was informative, educational, exciting, suspenseful, dramatic and altogether wonderful. I can’t wait for the next book.
THE ARCHITECT OF MURDER (Hist Mys-Alec Marshall-England-Gaslight/1901) – Ex
McGregor, Rafe – 1st in series
Hale, ©2009, UK Hardcover – ISBN: 9780709087281
[image error]
May 15, 2020
Major Alec Marshall, an ex-policeman has returned to England to sad tidings. His sister Ellen has died in an unfortunate accident.
While back he is enlisted to help Supt. Melville of Scotland Yard. There’s a case and things don’t add up.
The body has been found of Eric Lowenstein, one of only two witnesses to the will of Cecil Rhodes, a very rich man.. is there anything to the murder related to the will? Or just wrong place wrong time?
Marshall, with the aid of Inspector Truegood find links that could shake the British Empire at it’s highest level!
While cracking this case Alec become close to his sister’s best friend, Miss Roberta Paterson. Roberta is struggling to come to terms with the death of Ellen and believes there could be more too it that meets the eye... Alec promises to find out the truth.
When reviewing my notes what I’ve mainly highlighted is the characters and their development…and just how good it was. There’s plenty of detail added to the plot to set the scene but the characters alone shine for me. Believable, interesting, and fun.
Truegood, my favourite, a big brute of a man but he's as straight as they come. You know he will get the job done. I loved every scene with him in even though he’s a man of few words.
I found myself easily sucked into this one, the plot is expertly woven and the flow perfect, chapter length just how I like it. At not much over 200 pages there’s a lot packed in, and damn.. it’s pretty good.
While back he is enlisted to help Supt. Melville of Scotland Yard. There’s a case and things don’t add up.
The body has been found of Eric Lowenstein, one of only two witnesses to the will of Cecil Rhodes, a very rich man.. is there anything to the murder related to the will? Or just wrong place wrong time?
Marshall, with the aid of Inspector Truegood find links that could shake the British Empire at it’s highest level!
While cracking this case Alec become close to his sister’s best friend, Miss Roberta Paterson. Roberta is struggling to come to terms with the death of Ellen and believes there could be more too it that meets the eye... Alec promises to find out the truth.
When reviewing my notes what I’ve mainly highlighted is the characters and their development…and just how good it was. There’s plenty of detail added to the plot to set the scene but the characters alone shine for me. Believable, interesting, and fun.
Truegood, my favourite, a big brute of a man but he's as straight as they come. You know he will get the job done. I loved every scene with him in even though he’s a man of few words.
I found myself easily sucked into this one, the plot is expertly woven and the flow perfect, chapter length just how I like it. At not much over 200 pages there’s a lot packed in, and damn.. it’s pretty good.
July 18, 2019
want to read about deep at heart englishness? this is your book.
August 1, 2022
Too many layers for me to follow. I didn’t know who was who.
June 17, 2010
At the time I read this, my notes indicate that I found it interesting. My notes state that it was not bad nor good.
Want to Read
May 21, 2019Endeavour Media
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews