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Vale of Tears (Bradecote and Catchpoll #5) by Sarah Hawkswood (Sept/Oct 25)
By Susan · 5 posts · 11 views
By Susan · 5 posts · 11 views
last updated Sep 20, 2025 02:26PM
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Vale of Tears (Bradecote and Catchpoll #5) - SPOILER Thread - (Sept/Oct 25)
By Susan · 5 posts · 7 views
By Susan · 5 posts · 7 views
last updated Sep 21, 2025 08:01AM
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What Members Thought
Absolutely and totally fun novel, reminiscent of those old cliffhanger series things. I would recommend this book to readers who like what I would call "literary" mysteries, rather than the more fast-food type of reads (although, I must say, some of the ffrs (fast-food reads) are pretty good so I'm not slamming them -- I have read hundreds in my time). Anyway, this one demands a little more of your patience & time, but you will be rewarded in the long run.
brief plot review w/o spoilers
Set in Mo ...more
brief plot review w/o spoilers
Set in Mo ...more
This is a fun, historical mystery/romp. The first book in the series sees us introduced to our hero, forced to give up his education and work due to the death of his debt-ridden father. The orphaned Fandorin becomes a civil servant, fourteenth class, in Tsarist Russia. He spends much of his time writing reports, so when there is the public suicide of a wealthy young man in a park, he is happy to rush off (as far as his corset will allow) and investigate. He finds a young heir who has left his mo
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This is certainly an action-packed book. Fandorin defies death throughout, although having said that, he does not come across as being particularly bright, just extremely lucky. His ability does however become recognized and he manages to get promoted. The plot was a good one and the telling of it was well done, although I did have suspicions about one character. I had to smile at the phrase American Roulette instead of Russian. I would probably have awarded this 4 stars but I was irritated by t
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Begining with a bang (literally), this story has lots of intrigue, suspense, beautiful women, suspects in high places, and secrets galore. Fandorin as an engaging main character and I enjoyed the author's writing style. It was very smooth and easily carries the reader along on Fandorin's adventures. Fandorin is absolutely entertaining in his interactions with Moscow's upper crust and the book is worth it for his adventures in Amalia's house. Amalia is a fine character in her own right. The myste
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3.5*. The first in a series of thrillers set in 19th century Russia introduces Erast Fandorin, a young policeman with a knack for solving mysteries. This one involves secret international societies, mysterious beauties, travel from Moscow to St Petersburg to London and other European capitals, gun battles, carriage chases, and lots of adventure. Yet somehow it didn't capture my interest or attention as required.
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3.5 stars - enjoyed the Russian settings, time and plot. It's quite a romp and great fun.
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Very clever and enjoyable.
Sep 19, 2012
Marianne
marked it as to-read
Aug 20, 2013
Deborah
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Jun 10, 2015
Jinx
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Jul 13, 2018
Ann
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Jul 21, 2021
Lekeshua
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Dec 09, 2023
Reema
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Feb 23, 2024
Patti D'Ambrosca Taylor
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Sep 20, 2024
Seda Asolar
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