The Parlor PI's discussion
Things In Half Shadow - Book One Thru Two
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A tangly web weaving around my questioning mind is that I see where Lucy's coming from but the other? Not as much. And what offers me another layer of mystery as I set out to learn if Mrs. Pastor was legit is was it natural causes, or murder that took her to a higher plane? And if latter, who or what killed her?
Well, gotta dash. The mystery is further afoot! Don'tcha just love it?
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I agree, Mr.Clark is not as strong as I thought he was when he first approached Lucy. He was tough then but certainly folded like a house of cards when she turned the tables and exposed his past. Speaking of that...so what's with the drama there? Does he really think that anyone would care beyond a few days that he's got a new identity due to his family history? (Didn't want to give anything away there for others not this far in the book).I kind of have to admire Lucy for taking care of her brother without benefit of family or financial support and she is doing well. I don't think she's really even hurting anyone with her seance's.
And WHAM what an ending to Book 2! The last chapter where we are introduced to Lenora Grimes Pastor was riveting.
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Allison, the meeting with Lenora Grimes Pastor was riveting. Before I started the book, I shopped synops and one implied that the medium(s) were all phonies (that spoiled things a li'l for me) yet a few of the readings feel quite opposite for as earlier stated, I'd love it to be the real deal over the readings being bogus. And I don't mean those that we see in teenage horror flicks where ghouls rise up from the dead ready to gobble up anyone 'tween the age of 15 to 21. lol Just a real contact from the other side. We get that from this book!
Anyone see the series, Ripper Street? Well, Lucy reminds me of the attractive madam from that series. However, Mr. Clark does not read like her opposite. The American in Ripper Street is much more feisty than our Mr. Clark. Not a bad thing, just a thing. Enjoy, PI's!
Yes I think I would like to believe that there are mediums out there who are not fakes. I can see where being able to contact a departed loved one could be cathartic for some and also a relief plus it would sure be handy if, in the event of a murder, they could tell us who done it. What are we to make of the Leonora Grimes seance then? Is it fake or real? It sure seemed real to me and to Clark as well. And, if Clark was using a fake name, how would anyone have been able to get his info to use?
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I seemed real to me too, Allison. Maybe it depends on how long he's been off grid with old name and on grid with new name. Good question though.
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I would. Not super syrupy yet a cozy. No real graphic violence, body in the library-ish, no serious profanity. More on par with Poirot or Holmes material.
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I'll start up discussion of the second part on Monday next week. I've a busy weekend up ahead and I'm not sure of my reading time... Too bad you are all so far ahead of me!
Pghfan wrote: "I made it through the second book and yes, you are right, there is quite the ending there! Ms. Pastor makes Lucy look like a piker, with all the (presumably) fake stuff going on in the seance. I ..."Oh yes, I didn't remember that Clark is only 25 years old. That makes sense then that he would be concerned about his marriage to Violet.
I don't know that I would consider this a cozy. In most cozies, imo, the innocent bystanders seem to force themselves into investigating and Clark/Lucy are not doing that. Yes, they happened to be on the scene when a death occurred, a murder, and will be suspects but they do not appear to be running around chasing clues. Maybe that will change later though.
I do agree it is very similar to an Agatha Christie type murder mystery (a thinkers mystery if you will) as opposed to the new-fangled mysteries where the mini-van driving Mom solves the murder while juggling bags of groceries and dropping kids off at soccer games.
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I love this description, Allison! We do seem to do a lot of those, and they have their interest, but this is certainly out of our usual book for discussion mode.
Pghfan wrote: ""...as opposed to the new-fangled mysteries where the mini-van driving Mom solves the murder while juggling bags of groceries and dropping kids off at soccer games."I love this description, Allis..."
Plus I got to use the word "new-fangled" lol.
This book is certainly not one of those types of cozies but I'm really liking it. It is written really well and seems to just flow. I have a feeling this will have a deeper, more complicated "who done it" than the mysteries I've been reading lately.
GOT THE BOOK TODAY FROM THE LIBRARY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'll get started on it tonight and hopefully get caught up with all of you by the end of the weekend!
Jill wrote: "GOT THE BOOK TODAY FROM THE LIBRARY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'll get started on it tonight and hopefully get caught up with all of you by the end of the weekend!"Wonderful! I'm thinking you'll like it...I'm enjoying it so far and it seems to read really quickly.
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Story does flow. I've stayed up past a couple bedtimes to keep reading and turning 'em pages.
A nice break from cupcakes, cats and carpooling capers. As we agree, the cookie whodunits have their place but lately those stories seems more about theme than mystery. IMHO anyway.
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Jill wrote: "GOT THE BOOK TODAY FROM THE LIBRARY!!!!!!!!!!!! I'll get started on it tonight and hopefully get caught up with all of you by the end of the weekend!"
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Started it last night, and it grabbed my attention. Suppose to have thunderstorms coming thru today, and the way this town loses electricity made sure I had plenty of ice, charcoal, batteries, and water for the pets and us, hubby got his beer, and I made sure I had plenty of tea, pop, ice coffee, and all that good stuff, plenty of things to snack on, and both the kindle and nook are charging. I'm ready for the storms to hit, so I can sit and read this book, also got a couple of back up books just in case. The news said a little while ago, that the county over from me 564 homes are without electricity. So I'm glad I'm prepared.
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Yes, this is a good one. More action set to come, PI's.
Don't want to spoil so I'll wait but it's another late night to bed. lol This bunch (characters, author) knows how to keep reader on toes, wide awake.
Good stuff all way 'round, PI's! Enjoy!
Hope all is well Jill, sounds you like are a PI "Girl Scout" and are prepared whatever the weather brings. Way to go on the beer for hubby! A happy hubby during an electrical outage is WAAAYYY better than an unhappy hubby, lol.We're getting ready to BBQ here and no clouds in sight. My Kindle is charged and I'm ready for more reading tonight and as far as I know no thunderstorms.
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Re: Howdunit? Though we know murder was accomplished by means of poison and that there is no apparent means of delivery, could it be that it was shot from ceiling above? Like a hatch from which a dart could be blown at the medium. With a quick movement, the tip is removed by accomplice who was séance participant? Just playing armchair sleuth. :-)
Allison wrote: "Hope all is well Jill, sounds you like are a PI "Girl Scout" and are prepared whatever the weather brings. Way to go on the beer for hubby! A happy hubby during an electrical outage is WAAAYYY bett..."Thanks Allison, round one of the thunderstorms passed electricity didn't even flicker, but it did rain hard and the wind howled and we sat inside watched it from the big window in the living room. The lightening was pretty. Round 2 hit about 2 this morning, it only woke me and the dogs up....hubby slept thru it. Round 3 is suppose to hit sometime this afternoon.
It doesn't matter if he's happy or not, I just tell him to go to his room and to take the cat with him....lol....the cat is the only one in the house that will sympathize with hubby.
I am so enjoying this book, Good job Tina!!!!!!!! I found myself laughing when he was at the seance and he was looking under the table for some wires or string to make the bells rings. I think the author is doing a great job on the description and settings that I can actually see what is going on. ok, off to get the errands ran so that I can get back home before the storm hits again. It's getting a little dark south of me, and I want to get everything done and paid and get home before the storms hit again and I can just sit and read this after noon.
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Jill wrote: "Allison wrote: "Hope all is well Jill, sounds you like are a PI "Girl Scout" and are prepared whatever the weather brings. Way to go on the beer for hubby! A happy hubby during an electrical outage..."Glad things are not too bad for you, with the storms and all. Frankly, sequestered inside my house for a day (or two) sounds like Heaven right about now. I'd love to sit and read all afternoon.
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Yes, if I didn't know better, I'd say Mr. Finn was participant in mediums' sessions with the likes of Barnum and Houdini. He sure knows the art and the mid-1880's era. Problem is after reading a great book, to whom do we turn next? lol
Anyway, I am losing sleep over Mr. Finn and his literary characters' hijinks. Staying up late, turning those pages. Just returned from a carriage ride with hat and veil askew. How did this fish get in my petticoat, anyway?? lol
Hang on tight, PI's. You're not in The Parlor any more. You're in Philly, 1869, chasing clues!
Thanks Allison, round one of the thunderstorms passed electricity didn't even flicker, but it did rain hard and the wind howled and we sat inside watched it from the big window in the living room. The lightening was pretty. Round 2 hit about 2 this morning, it only woke me and the dogs up....hubby slept thru it. Round 3 is suppose to hit sometime this afternoon.
It doesn't matter if he's happy or not, I just tell him to go to his room and to take the cat with him....lol....the cat is the only one in the house that will sympathize with hubby.
I am so enjoying this book, Good job Tina!!!!!!!! I found myself laughing when he was at the seance and he was looking under the table for some wires or string to make the bells rings. I think the author is doing a great job on the description and settings that I can actually see what is going on. ok, off to get the errands ran so that I can get back home before the storm hits again. It's getting a little dark south of me, and I want to get everything done and paid and get home before the storms hit again and I can just sit and read this after noon.
I have finished and I LOVED it. I did not do a review as I did not want to spoil anything for anyone else...I am sure there MUST be a sequel in the works? I can't wait til we can chat more.
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I'm in the home stretch, well, last 100 pages. And I quite agree. Not much not to "heart." One or two thingies but that's just to stimulate conversation (and I'm green that I don't write as well as Mr. Finn. Well, not exactly for I do love reading good stuff. ;-) ) Yes, we hope there's a sequel!
Psst...I trust I'm tuning in the ethers correctly as I sense a hint of possibility that Mr. Finn may pay us a visit near discussion's end. Put it out to the spirit guides that he shall materialize in The Parlor. Now I really cannot touch the brandy for we should have our finest on hand to refresh him with should he appear.
Tina wrote: "Re: Spoilers: Well played, PI Allison. That's quite good of you. I'm in the home stretch, well, last 100 pages. And I quite agree. Not much not to . One or two thingies but that's just to ..."
Oh, I love when an Author drops by for a visit.
A direct copy and paste from the Authors site here on Goodreads where he addresses the question about a SEQUEL:Alan Finn: First, I do a little happy dance every time I hear that someone enjoyed THINGS HALF IN SHADOW. So while I dance, I'll tell you that, yes, I'm working on another adventure with Edward and Lucy. All I can say right now is that it starts exactly where THINGS HALF IN SHADOW ends.(less)
Tina wrote: "I know. How exciting!! :-)"I thought there might be some further adventures based on the ending of Things Half in Shadow...I though the Author just couldn't leave it there...now to wait...is it done yet? LOL
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Though I hoped not, I felt the Violet thing coming on. I feel she fits Clark way more than Lucy but then I'm not a big Lucy fan. She's way too conniving an individual for my tastes. We all suffer stuff in our lives so IMHO, it's no excuse to use people so. What is your thinking on Lucy? Violet on the other hand is a little too kept but she seems to be hardening some. Everyone controlling and keeping things from her...well, I thinks she's starting to grow. Just hope she doesn't become a Lucy. That would be a shame.
Tina wrote: "Mini - spoiler --Though I hoped not, I felt the Violet thing coming on. I feel she fits Clark way more than Lucy but then I'm not a big Lucy fan. She's way too conniving an individual for..."
I kind of like Lucy. Farther on you get more of her backstory but at this point I like her spirit (pun intended ;) ) more than Violet (even her name is shy, retiring) and even though she is a fake medium I feel she is doing it for a fairly altruistic reason.
The tome is broken up into seven books and a postscript. First two books will take us to page 100. Maybe we can leave book seven and postscript to it's own thread as not to spoil.
It's 1869, and Edward Clark, is still tormented by what he saw during the recently ended Civil war. Also in his thoughts is a more distant tragedy--the murder of his mother at the hands of his father, the magician Magellan Holmes...a death that Edward witnessed when he was ten.
Now a crime reporter for one of the city's newspapers, Edward is asked to expose the influx of mediums that descended on Philadelphia in the wake of the war. His target is Lucy Collins, a young widow who uses sleight of hand to prey on grieving families. Soon, Edward and Lucy become entwined in the murder of Lenora Pastor, the city's highly regarded medium, who dies mid-seance. With their reputations at risk, Edward and Lucy set out to find the real killer, and in the process unearth a cache of terrifying secrets that reaches well beyond Mrs. Pastor.