Kensington Court

by Carol Smith

paperback, fine (as new)

Genres: Fiction, Mystery

528 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Librarian's Note: There is more than one author with this name.

Carol Smith was born in London and worked in the book trade, both in London and New York, before becoming a full-time writer herself. For much of that time she ran her own literary agency, focussed on finding and developing new talent, although now her own writing takes up most of her time. She lives in Kensington. She also writes under the name Alex Crowe.

Reviews

[Ally · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is all gothic gore and melodrama, and a LOT of fun. If you like your fun with a bit of blood. Which, it has to be said, I do. Also, there is a genuine affection for London, and I got very homesick throughout. Which I also loved. I'm giving it three stars because it really is just absolute fun, nothing transcendant, but certainly a good horror story. Also I could never work out whether it was the author or the characters who were sexist, and I'm usually better at knowing that sort of thing. And I should warn you, there are a few loose ends that didn't end properly, for me. (Amelia's secret love, and the whole Ramon thing.) But most of the characters are genuinely likeable, even though most of them are terrible people, and the weak-willed pushover Kate we meet in the beginning turns out to be an AMAZING character.

Worth a read

[Christopher Winterburn · Rating 3 out of 5]

very enjoyable though I thought I was going to hate it but it turned out to be something along the lines of a Midsummer Murder case of whodunnit. I think what kept me glued to the story were the strong characters and how they related to one another. I can personally relate to Mrs Adelaide Potter being that I too am an old harridan, but a male one. I liked how the author slowly unwraps the history and personality of each of the characters.

I wasn't always sure who the murderer was going to be although my initial guess was right, because there's a few red herrings thrown in along the way to make you think it's going to be someone else.

Sadly there's a lot of spelling mistakes and typos in the Kindle edition which although annoying, didn't really ruin what turned out to be a very good read.

[Kelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

I recently found out this has been updated. I read the original in 1997. I wanted to like it but I didn’t. It was page after page of the main character working and looking out of a window, her cat and maybe some shopping. It took too long for other characters to be introduced. The plot was very slow.

[Ms Elizabeth D Gartside · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read

[The Twins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well this book has definitely all the indicators to be a fantastic read, unfortunately it only comes up to a good read!The build up and introduction too long but then it definitely picks up and the tension is building - anybody could be the murder! Just to be let down by a flat and disappointing ending...Well good enough for a rainy weekend with a nice glass of Sauvignon Blanc or two.

[Joanne Rawson · Rating 3 out of 5]

The blurb say "A rattling good thriller" & "scary." Well I found it neither of these two. As a story goes it was well written, a good story line minus the thriller part.
On the whole if you like a good thriller, then this is not the book you are looking for.

[Karin · Rating 1 out of 5]

There was something about the story, which I can't put my finger, that made the book seem very dated. The end was absolutely terrible.