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The Death of Knowledge
Everyone knows there’s no crime in the City of Scolaris. Try telling that to the dead man!
Born into servitude, Quill relies on the Master for everything. But when they uncover a body, she’s sent away from the only home she’s ever known. Forced to serve the corpse’s widow, she discovers a world of power and prejudice, secrets and lies, a world she doesn’t recognise.
Meanwhile, in the City Guard, Deputy Red set out to be a trailblazer, a rebel. At least that’s the story he told himself. Imagining a career of action and intrigue, what he didn’t bank on was zero crooks and the boss from hell. Excited by the prospect of a case, Red must choose between following orders or trusting his instincts.
When the finger of suspicion points perilously close to home, Quill and Red’s paths cross with disastrous consequences. And as the quest for justice reaches its climax, both have to make choices that change their lives forever.
Perfect for armchair sleuths, The Death of Knowledge offers an exciting twist on a traditional murder mystery, keeping you guessing until the very last word.
Born into servitude, Quill relies on the Master for everything. But when they uncover a body, she’s sent away from the only home she’s ever known. Forced to serve the corpse’s widow, she discovers a world of power and prejudice, secrets and lies, a world she doesn’t recognise.
Meanwhile, in the City Guard, Deputy Red set out to be a trailblazer, a rebel. At least that’s the story he told himself. Imagining a career of action and intrigue, what he didn’t bank on was zero crooks and the boss from hell. Excited by the prospect of a case, Red must choose between following orders or trusting his instincts.
When the finger of suspicion points perilously close to home, Quill and Red’s paths cross with disastrous consequences. And as the quest for justice reaches its climax, both have to make choices that change their lives forever.
Perfect for armchair sleuths, The Death of Knowledge offers an exciting twist on a traditional murder mystery, keeping you guessing until the very last word.
- GenresCozy MysteryFantasy
302 pages, ebook
Published March 1, 2022
21 people are currently reading
54 people want to read
About the author
Lou Collins
9 books127 followersClick the FOLLOW button to be notified when Lou Collins has a new release.
For a FREE cozy from Lou Collins: https//loulovesbooks.com/larceny.
Welcome to the part where I talk about myself as if I didn’t write this. Let’s pretend it’s not awkward and carry on.
Lou Emerson writes as Lou Collins because she likes to be mysterious, a little extra, and frankly, using a pen name creates an excellent alibi.
She writes the Chloe Essex Cozy Mysteries; twisty, funny, and ever so slightly bonkers whodunnits set in Essex, England.
When not chained to her laptop, she also enjoys ballet, theatre, and true crime (watching, not committing, though don’t quote me), and is leading a quiet rebellion against ironing in favour of just one more chapter. She lives in the UK with her family, far too many mugs, and an enormous TBR pile.
Learn more at https://loulovesbooks.com and follow Lou on BookBub for the latest on new releases and sales: https://loulovesbooks.com/BookBub
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
February 7, 2022
I received an advanced copy of The Death of Knowledge and this is my honest review.
"Knowledge is King" - A captivating story with lots of twists and turns that I didn't expect. Quill's appreciation for beauty in a world refusing to acknowledge its existence and Red's tireless search for the truth and his ability to question the status quo kept me running along the journey with them. I could not put this book down. Highly recommend to anyone who loves a good mystery. This is Collins' first novel but reads like an author that has published several books and has set the solid foundations for more gripping stories to come. I look forward to reading more in the series.
"Knowledge is King" - A captivating story with lots of twists and turns that I didn't expect. Quill's appreciation for beauty in a world refusing to acknowledge its existence and Red's tireless search for the truth and his ability to question the status quo kept me running along the journey with them. I could not put this book down. Highly recommend to anyone who loves a good mystery. This is Collins' first novel but reads like an author that has published several books and has set the solid foundations for more gripping stories to come. I look forward to reading more in the series.
February 16, 2022
Such a great read, I was lucky enough to receive an advance copy and this is my honest review.
I thoroughly enjoyed Lou Collins first book which takes the reader to another world, another society that has some more than similarities to our own. The mysterious disappearances and the main character Quill’s search for answers keeps you reading this hard-to-put-down book (often said but this really is) spans the societal divide in this other world.
The main plot is interspersed with subplots that make you want to know more about the beautifully described characters. The surroundings and details of rooms and their contents take you right there, I certainly was able to picture them. I hope I get the opportunity to revisit the places and the people again as I definitely would like to know what happens next!
I thoroughly enjoyed Lou Collins first book which takes the reader to another world, another society that has some more than similarities to our own. The mysterious disappearances and the main character Quill’s search for answers keeps you reading this hard-to-put-down book (often said but this really is) spans the societal divide in this other world.
The main plot is interspersed with subplots that make you want to know more about the beautifully described characters. The surroundings and details of rooms and their contents take you right there, I certainly was able to picture them. I hope I get the opportunity to revisit the places and the people again as I definitely would like to know what happens next!
March 3, 2022
Death of Knowledge was a captivating and fascinating read with many twists and turns. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Set in the fictional city of Solaris where the pursuit of knowledge is everything. When there’s a mysterious murder Quill and Red go on a journey to find the truth.
I found Lou Collins’ writing style very fascinating and I couldn’t put this book down. The conceptualization and plot of this book was amazing and I was on the edge of my seat while reading. This was a fast-paced murder mystery that ends on an open note, leaving the possibility of more books in the future.
Rating: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I found Lou Collins’ writing style very fascinating and I couldn’t put this book down. The conceptualization and plot of this book was amazing and I was on the edge of my seat while reading. This was a fast-paced murder mystery that ends on an open note, leaving the possibility of more books in the future.
Rating: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
February 6, 2022
I received an advance copy of The Death of Knowledge, I would like to share my thoughts.
Firstly, I love reading it is a passion some might say obsession. So I was delighted to be asked to review this book.
If like me you are a keen sofa sleuth then this is a must read. From the very start I felt transported to Scolaris and felt determined to solve the mystery. However, thankfully as it is a cleverly written I was kept guessing until the end.
Collins writes with genuine creativity and intensity that draws you in and keeps you hostage! I would not hesitate to recommend this book.
Firstly, I love reading it is a passion some might say obsession. So I was delighted to be asked to review this book.
If like me you are a keen sofa sleuth then this is a must read. From the very start I felt transported to Scolaris and felt determined to solve the mystery. However, thankfully as it is a cleverly written I was kept guessing until the end.
Collins writes with genuine creativity and intensity that draws you in and keeps you hostage! I would not hesitate to recommend this book.
January 31, 2022
I received an advance copy of The Death of Knowledge and this is my honest review. I was an avid reader in my younger days but since having children I have fallen off the wagon somewhat through lack of time/energy. I was a bit worried when I was asked to review this book especially as it is not my genre of choice. I am a convert, I read the book in a few days as I couldn’t put it down and couldn’t wait to find out what was going to happen. I loved the concept and the beautifully descriptive writing really brought it to life. The characters are well written and the plot keeps you wanting more to the very end. I am as ever in awe of anyone who can write like this and I cannot wait for the next book in the series…hurry up and write it!!
March 1, 2022
‘The Death of Knowledge’ made me fall head over heels for Quill, Red and the world of Scolaris. I’m not quite sure where you would place this book on the genre spectrum as it felt like a fantasy world as I was reading it but it also had some very modern references to ‘cars not being allowed’! Wherever it falls I thoroughly enjoyed being transported into this world and would happily return again and again. It was a multi layered narrative - the mystery aspect and also a social commentary on ‘those who have’ and ‘ those that don’t’. I devoured this book on a day I wasn’t feeling that well pain wise and it literally helped transport me away from it all. I have said before that books are my medicine and this was definitely was the case here. I was riveted from the start and honestly read it in one sitting as I was desperate to know what happened to Quill and Red!
Quill is a defecto (servant class) but has a comfortable position serving the Master of the Library in a city where knowledge is everything. Every action taken is to further knowledge - serious knowledge though as anything deemed artistic or vanity is not allowed in Scolaris. She dreams of one day being a scholar herself as she loves reading and furthering her studies. When her and her Master discover a body in the reading room they are soon embroiled in why he was killed!
I adored Quill as a character and honestly hope I will be able to read more of her story! She is such a strong and loyal young woman. Red is also an intriguing character that I enjoyed reading about. In a society that has no crime why is there a guard in the first place?!
For a debut novel I thought it was an accomplished piece of writing with strong characters and a well constructed plot and world. This is a strong start to hopefully a long series!
Quill is a defecto (servant class) but has a comfortable position serving the Master of the Library in a city where knowledge is everything. Every action taken is to further knowledge - serious knowledge though as anything deemed artistic or vanity is not allowed in Scolaris. She dreams of one day being a scholar herself as she loves reading and furthering her studies. When her and her Master discover a body in the reading room they are soon embroiled in why he was killed!
I adored Quill as a character and honestly hope I will be able to read more of her story! She is such a strong and loyal young woman. Red is also an intriguing character that I enjoyed reading about. In a society that has no crime why is there a guard in the first place?!
For a debut novel I thought it was an accomplished piece of writing with strong characters and a well constructed plot and world. This is a strong start to hopefully a long series!
February 22, 2022
The Death of Knowledge is based in the fictional city of Scolaris, where the pursuit of knowledge is all important and overwhelms everything else - love, beauty, creativity. The city is split into 5 divisions - Law, Science, Medicine, Technology and Architecture - and there is a clear caste system between the academics in the cities, and the Defactos who live on the outskirts and have no real importance or place in society.
Everyone knows their place and sticks to their roles - until Defactos start going missing and there is a murder. Only two people seem to be interested in finding out the truth - Quill who is a Defacto and Red who is a city guard. Against the odds, they work together to get to the bottom of the strange goings on.
There are interesting points about the attainment of knowledge for it's own sake without being able to apply it - such as the Police Chief who spends his life studying law but is unable to put it into action. There is the age old question of who can be trusted with knowledge, and whether the power corrupts. And although it is forbidden, beauty cannot help to break through, such as the colours of a butterflies wings or the view of the stars seen by an old Defacto who lives in the outskirts.
I like the character development of Quill and Red throughout, and the friendships that Quill formed, showing that relationships are far more important than the search for knowledge in and of itself.
Essentially a fast paced murder mystery, this has a fantasy twist which is introduced in the first chapter and touched on again at the end - although this isn't fully explained, the storyline is left open and as the title alludes to, there will be more to come in which I feel the fantasy world will be further explored and developed.
I really enjoyed the story - finding it easy to read and engaging and will definitely keep an eye out for the second one to learn more about this world and its inhabitants.
Everyone knows their place and sticks to their roles - until Defactos start going missing and there is a murder. Only two people seem to be interested in finding out the truth - Quill who is a Defacto and Red who is a city guard. Against the odds, they work together to get to the bottom of the strange goings on.
There are interesting points about the attainment of knowledge for it's own sake without being able to apply it - such as the Police Chief who spends his life studying law but is unable to put it into action. There is the age old question of who can be trusted with knowledge, and whether the power corrupts. And although it is forbidden, beauty cannot help to break through, such as the colours of a butterflies wings or the view of the stars seen by an old Defacto who lives in the outskirts.
I like the character development of Quill and Red throughout, and the friendships that Quill formed, showing that relationships are far more important than the search for knowledge in and of itself.
Essentially a fast paced murder mystery, this has a fantasy twist which is introduced in the first chapter and touched on again at the end - although this isn't fully explained, the storyline is left open and as the title alludes to, there will be more to come in which I feel the fantasy world will be further explored and developed.
I really enjoyed the story - finding it easy to read and engaging and will definitely keep an eye out for the second one to learn more about this world and its inhabitants.
June 30, 2022
5 star success!
This story is told from two solid points of view—Quill's and Red's. Quill is a young girl, a servant, and a Defactos. As such she is considered an undesirable and one of the lowest member of society. Unlike most Defactors who live outside the City of Scolaris in the slums, Quill lives in the city. Her master is a prestigious professor and keeper of the Library. In Scolaris, knowledge and its pursuit holds the reins of power. Red is a deputy of the City Guard, the city's arm of law and order. The irony is that there is no real crime in Scolaris. That is, until there is—the murder of an important and influential scholar. At this point, Quill and Deputy Red's paths intersect. This murder threatens both of them in different ways and will have to work together to stop this killer.
I loved the story, the characters, and the pithy imagery. The mystery is satisfying. It's well written and its tone reminds me of Azimov's Detective Elijah Baley series. Scolaris is totally different than Azimov's fictional worlds, but the quality is a match. I highly recommend The Death of Knowledge.
This story is told from two solid points of view—Quill's and Red's. Quill is a young girl, a servant, and a Defactos. As such she is considered an undesirable and one of the lowest member of society. Unlike most Defactors who live outside the City of Scolaris in the slums, Quill lives in the city. Her master is a prestigious professor and keeper of the Library. In Scolaris, knowledge and its pursuit holds the reins of power. Red is a deputy of the City Guard, the city's arm of law and order. The irony is that there is no real crime in Scolaris. That is, until there is—the murder of an important and influential scholar. At this point, Quill and Deputy Red's paths intersect. This murder threatens both of them in different ways and will have to work together to stop this killer.
I loved the story, the characters, and the pithy imagery. The mystery is satisfying. It's well written and its tone reminds me of Azimov's Detective Elijah Baley series. Scolaris is totally different than Azimov's fictional worlds, but the quality is a match. I highly recommend The Death of Knowledge.
March 7, 2022
The story is based in the city of Scolaris, where the driving force is the pursuit of knowledge, at the cost of all other things. The caste system, puts Quill in the defactos, the lowest members of society living on the outskirts of the city, while the academics live within the city walls. There are also gate guards such as Red who ends up helping Quill find out the truth.
I took an instant liking to both Quill and Red and that remained throughout the book. They were three dimensional, likeable and credible, had some great character development too. Other characters were no so likeable but that just made them more interesting.
I found I wanted to propel myself into the story, which was written in a way that let me visualise the scenes as if I was a casual observer. I like that. Overall, I was very impressed with this book which I am happy to recommend to anyone, not just fans of crime or womens’ fiction. I gave The Death Of Knowledge, by Lou Collins, four stars.
I took an instant liking to both Quill and Red and that remained throughout the book. They were three dimensional, likeable and credible, had some great character development too. Other characters were no so likeable but that just made them more interesting.
I found I wanted to propel myself into the story, which was written in a way that let me visualise the scenes as if I was a casual observer. I like that. Overall, I was very impressed with this book which I am happy to recommend to anyone, not just fans of crime or womens’ fiction. I gave The Death Of Knowledge, by Lou Collins, four stars.
February 24, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this mystery thriller. The ending wasn’t what I expected and left it wide open for a continuation of the series which I can’t wait to get my hands on. The writing flowed beautifully and pulled me in effortlessly. While the ending wasn’t watch shattering omg that’s it ( I think we will have to wait for that one in a following book) I didn’t expect how it would end and has left me wanting.
Quill and Red are both growing in their own right and I can’t wait to see how they go. I definitely recommend giving this one a go
February 26, 2022
A fantastic debut novel!
A friend recommended this book to me, and it was a winner. This unique story is based around the fictional city of Scolaris, which is split up into five sectors and where knowledge is king. When someone is murdered in the city, Quinn and Red take it upon themselves to search for the truth.
The writing style is unique and flows well, and the character development is spot on. If you’re an armchair sleuth and enjoy a good murder mystery, you’ll adore this book.
A friend recommended this book to me, and it was a winner. This unique story is based around the fictional city of Scolaris, which is split up into five sectors and where knowledge is king. When someone is murdered in the city, Quinn and Red take it upon themselves to search for the truth.
The writing style is unique and flows well, and the character development is spot on. If you’re an armchair sleuth and enjoy a good murder mystery, you’ll adore this book.
July 7, 2022
Highly inventive world-building and eloquent use of language are the two outstanding elements of this read. Although a mystery, it would also appeal to fantasy readers.
In a segregated society of the have and have-nots, knowledge and the pursuit of knowledge are everything. The arts and anything of beauty are suppressed as dangerous ideas. Somehow crime and wrongdoing are things of the past. So much so that when people disappear and someone is murdered, no one knows what to do. It becomes a steep learning curve for everyone.
More intrigue than suspense but it does keep you guessing.
In a segregated society of the have and have-nots, knowledge and the pursuit of knowledge are everything. The arts and anything of beauty are suppressed as dangerous ideas. Somehow crime and wrongdoing are things of the past. So much so that when people disappear and someone is murdered, no one knows what to do. It becomes a steep learning curve for everyone.
More intrigue than suspense but it does keep you guessing.
July 8, 2022
The Death of Knowledge is a captivating read, luring readers to the land of Scolaris, where perfection prevails. "Knowledge is king" is the law of this mythical land, but exceptions exist. Quill and Red are distinct, memorable and brave characters. When a few Defactos (the lowest people in Scolaris' hierarchy), it is up to Quill and Red to unearth what truly happened. The stakes are high when notable characters are murdered. Lou Collins is a talented writer who weaves a balance between narration, descriptions and dialogue. I cannot believe this is the writer's debut novel! The character development between Quill and Red is well done, igniting the beauty of friendship and the application of knowledge. I must admit that the beginning and ending were vague, but the doorway to another book remains. I will certainly keep my eye out for the next book and can't wait to return to Scolaris. A 4-star read!
I received an advance copy of The Death of Knowledge. This honest review is left voluntarily.
I received an advance copy of The Death of Knowledge. This honest review is left voluntarily.
February 22, 2022
this was a really unique take on the cozy mystery novel, the storyline was unique and different. The characters were interesting and I enjoyed going through this read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 31, 2022
I love mystery and I love fantasy and this book gave me both ... mystasy if you will. Set in a dystopian type fantasy world where prejudice and discrimination is rife. The city is divided into 5 key districts known as Architecture, Law, Medicine, Science and Engineering - with residents constantly striving to gain more knowledge in the subject area of their district. However those who are not educated are forced to live in slums and have a life of servitude to the people within the districts.
I found the book to have such a fast pace which helped add an extra depth to the story and the tension. It was twisty and unpredictable and had a good level of character development.
I really enjoyed reading and it left me wanting more. It is a ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 read for me.
#AD #gifted #Lovesbookstours #Booktour #bookreviewersofinstagram #Book #booknerd #booknerdigans #mystery #fantasynovels #mystasy
I found the book to have such a fast pace which helped add an extra depth to the story and the tension. It was twisty and unpredictable and had a good level of character development.
I really enjoyed reading and it left me wanting more. It is a ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 read for me.
#AD #gifted #Lovesbookstours #Booktour #bookreviewersofinstagram #Book #booknerd #booknerdigans #mystery #fantasynovels #mystasy
May 22, 2022
An unusual and exciting read.Quill sent away when they found a dead body discovers a world of power of sins and lies. Deputy Red on the case has a hard time following orders.Both Quill and Red want justice. A great read.
July 7, 2025
I'll recommend it for young readers, like 12 to 14 year olds who want to check out mystery. Or definitely someone wanting to learn English. It'll be great for them. It's paced wonderfully too, for them that is.
pictures that were included inside as well
but this book isn't for us veteran readers
pictures that were included inside as well
but this book isn't for us veteran readers
April 29, 2022
intriguing
Although it took a little time to get into, once I did, it became real page turner. I could imagine it being made into a film.
Although it took a little time to get into, once I did, it became real page turner. I could imagine it being made into a film.
July 18, 2022
An Entertaining and Intelligent Mystery
The Death of Knowledge by Lou Collins is a difficult book to categorize. Part fantasy, part murder mystery, part YA fiction, this first installment of A Scolaris Mystery is a blend of all three genres. In it we follow the efforts of Quill, a young woman who is a member of the servant class called Defectos whose Master is the custodian of the library in Scolaris, a city renowned for its pursuit of knowledge. Soon Quill’s quiet and scholarly life is disrupted by a dead body and a murder mystery to be solved with help of a young deputy of law and order who is investigating the mysterious disappearances of a number of Defectos in the city.
I found the development of setting, plot, and character especially strong in The Death Of Knowledge. Scolaris is an intriguing place of contradictions where knowledge is all consuming in its citizens, yet they are blind to the social injustices of its class system - and to the beauty that surrounds them. The characters too are well drawn, especially the two leads, Quill and Deputy Red, who both question the conventions of their society. In addition, the plot is a complex one with many twists and turns that kept me guessing until its surprising conclusion which neatly wraps up the many subplots, but not all. After all, there will be a sequel.
Perhaps my only criticism is in its style. Although its author is adept at lovely imagery and smart dialogue, I thought her syntax could be more fluid. At times some sentences dangled, forcing me to reread them. Other times sentence fragments were used too much, making connections between ideas difficult for me to see. Still, I highly recommend The Death of Knowledge as an entertaining and intelligent mystery.
The Death of Knowledge by Lou Collins is a difficult book to categorize. Part fantasy, part murder mystery, part YA fiction, this first installment of A Scolaris Mystery is a blend of all three genres. In it we follow the efforts of Quill, a young woman who is a member of the servant class called Defectos whose Master is the custodian of the library in Scolaris, a city renowned for its pursuit of knowledge. Soon Quill’s quiet and scholarly life is disrupted by a dead body and a murder mystery to be solved with help of a young deputy of law and order who is investigating the mysterious disappearances of a number of Defectos in the city.
I found the development of setting, plot, and character especially strong in The Death Of Knowledge. Scolaris is an intriguing place of contradictions where knowledge is all consuming in its citizens, yet they are blind to the social injustices of its class system - and to the beauty that surrounds them. The characters too are well drawn, especially the two leads, Quill and Deputy Red, who both question the conventions of their society. In addition, the plot is a complex one with many twists and turns that kept me guessing until its surprising conclusion which neatly wraps up the many subplots, but not all. After all, there will be a sequel.
Perhaps my only criticism is in its style. Although its author is adept at lovely imagery and smart dialogue, I thought her syntax could be more fluid. At times some sentences dangled, forcing me to reread them. Other times sentence fragments were used too much, making connections between ideas difficult for me to see. Still, I highly recommend The Death of Knowledge as an entertaining and intelligent mystery.
March 1, 2022
In the city of Scolaris, knowledge is king. At the centre of this city is a library, home to Quill, a servant to the library’s Master. There is no crime in Scolaris so when Quill discovers a dead body, it’s a shock to everyone including the City Guard. Suspicion falls on Quill’s master so she must help uncover the truth before she loses the only home she has ever known.
Meanwhile, Deputy Red has been hearing about people going missing and is determined to get to the bottom of it. When Quill and Red’s paths cross they try and work together before anyone else gets hurt.
I loved the world building in this novel. The idea that knowledge is all important and things like art, music and beauty are forbidden is so interesting. The city itself is divided into five different sectors focusing on what they believe to be important; Law, Science, Medicine, Technology and Architecture. There is also a very clear class system in place with scholars at the top and servants or Defectos at the bottom. These Defectos are forced to live on the outskirts of town and are very much looked down upon. So much so that when they start to go missing, the authorities aren’t keen to investigate.
Quill is a very sweet and naïve character who has been somewhat sheltered by her life inside the Library. She’s very intelligent however and longs to become more than a Defecto. There was good character development from both Quill and Red throughout the book, with Quill slowly becoming more worldy-wise and Red becoming more confident and independent.
I liked how the mystery developed and how the various plot strands came together. There were also hints to an overarching mystery, possibly involving the disappearance of Quill’s father years ago, which was very intriguing. This is the first in a series so I’m sure that will be touched on more in the next book.
A minor point which didn’t sit quite right with me was the character of the Chief. He seemed a little too much of a stereotypical bad guy and I would have loved to see a little bit more nuance.
I was gifted a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
Meanwhile, Deputy Red has been hearing about people going missing and is determined to get to the bottom of it. When Quill and Red’s paths cross they try and work together before anyone else gets hurt.
I loved the world building in this novel. The idea that knowledge is all important and things like art, music and beauty are forbidden is so interesting. The city itself is divided into five different sectors focusing on what they believe to be important; Law, Science, Medicine, Technology and Architecture. There is also a very clear class system in place with scholars at the top and servants or Defectos at the bottom. These Defectos are forced to live on the outskirts of town and are very much looked down upon. So much so that when they start to go missing, the authorities aren’t keen to investigate.
Quill is a very sweet and naïve character who has been somewhat sheltered by her life inside the Library. She’s very intelligent however and longs to become more than a Defecto. There was good character development from both Quill and Red throughout the book, with Quill slowly becoming more worldy-wise and Red becoming more confident and independent.
I liked how the mystery developed and how the various plot strands came together. There were also hints to an overarching mystery, possibly involving the disappearance of Quill’s father years ago, which was very intriguing. This is the first in a series so I’m sure that will be touched on more in the next book.
A minor point which didn’t sit quite right with me was the character of the Chief. He seemed a little too much of a stereotypical bad guy and I would have loved to see a little bit more nuance.
I was gifted a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
August 21, 2022
The Name of the Rose Meets Ancient Greece Meets Philip Dick.
Lou Collin's The Death of Knowledge is a well written book that combines elements readers would see in The Name of the Rose and the works of Philip Dick. A murder mystery that does have the reader guessing who did it, the book is set in a dystopian caste society that might be what Ancient Greece would have become had it evolved on a different course. The most interesting three dimensional characters who drive the narrative are Quill and Red. Another interesting character Kai should have been developed more. So could the person who is revealed to be the murderer. The other characters like the Chief, Mrs. Hawkins, and the Master, are predictable literary character elements. After a slow start, the book takes off after the discovery of the first victim. For readers who like murder mysteries with a message (the theme of a discriminatory plutocratic society towards the have nots oozes throughout the book,) this would be a good choice to try out. I look forward to Mr. Collin's second installment in the series.
Lou Collin's The Death of Knowledge is a well written book that combines elements readers would see in The Name of the Rose and the works of Philip Dick. A murder mystery that does have the reader guessing who did it, the book is set in a dystopian caste society that might be what Ancient Greece would have become had it evolved on a different course. The most interesting three dimensional characters who drive the narrative are Quill and Red. Another interesting character Kai should have been developed more. So could the person who is revealed to be the murderer. The other characters like the Chief, Mrs. Hawkins, and the Master, are predictable literary character elements. After a slow start, the book takes off after the discovery of the first victim. For readers who like murder mysteries with a message (the theme of a discriminatory plutocratic society towards the have nots oozes throughout the book,) this would be a good choice to try out. I look forward to Mr. Collin's second installment in the series.
August 3, 2023
I'd give this story 3.4 stars. Some points kept me from giving it a 4. But I did finish the book.
Because I read it on a tablet, I haven't gone back to check this. But I thought the narrator said she was 24 years old. If that's so, her actions make her immature, maybe 16.
If you are looking for a story that feels like a mystery, you will have that. But you must get past the first half of the book first.
Red is completely likable, but I never figured out why a 30 something year old cop still lives with his abusive, cold-hearted parents.
Throughout I also struggled with the premise behind the story: a caste system. How did a world of intellectuals develop a two-class system? The blindness of the haves surpasses credibility as does the wisdom of the sweet young man who alone of the characters–other than Wit–acts like an adult.
It's a curious quick read. See if you stumble where I did.
Because I read it on a tablet, I haven't gone back to check this. But I thought the narrator said she was 24 years old. If that's so, her actions make her immature, maybe 16.
If you are looking for a story that feels like a mystery, you will have that. But you must get past the first half of the book first.
Red is completely likable, but I never figured out why a 30 something year old cop still lives with his abusive, cold-hearted parents.
Throughout I also struggled with the premise behind the story: a caste system. How did a world of intellectuals develop a two-class system? The blindness of the haves surpasses credibility as does the wisdom of the sweet young man who alone of the characters–other than Wit–acts like an adult.
It's a curious quick read. See if you stumble where I did.
January 4, 2023
Lou Collin's The Death of Knowledge is a well written book that combines elements readers would see in The Name of the Rose and the works of Philip Dick. A murder mystery that does have the reader guessing who did it, the book is set in a dystopian caste society that might be what Ancient Greece would have become had it evolved on a different course. After a slow start, the book takes off after the discovery of the first victim. For readers who like murder mysteries with a message (the theme of a discriminatory plutocratic society towards the have nots oozes throughout the book,) this would be a good choice to try out. I look forward to Mr. Collin's second installment in the series.
September 20, 2023
This story gives an interesting insight into how this supposedly utopian world ticks, based around happenings in the Great Library of Scolaris. The pursuit of knowledge for the common good appears to be going well, but when unexplained deaths occur, servant Quinn helps unravel what's really going on. I enjoyed this journey into another world with different values.
I received an ARC from the author, but this is my opinion.
I received an ARC from the author, but this is my opinion.
December 24, 2022
Absolutely wonderful book I recommend reading the death of hope beforehand ,it really is a great piece of work ,not something I’ve read in the past but thoroughly enjoyed the angst in the storytelling
February 22, 2023
An amazing beginning to a new series. Quill is sent away to work for a dead man’s widow instead of her home she knows. Intriguing from beginning to end. What will happen to Quill now. Can’t wait for the next one.
February 25, 2023
This book was a slow starter. It developed with time as I read further. Two main characters developed as the book went along. Wonder about the murderer as that came out of left field.
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