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Monday, April 21, 2008

A Flaw in the Blood

Barron, Stephanie. A Flaw in the Blood.

6 word synopsis: What did Victoria know? Poor Albert!

Grade: A

Intriguing hypothesis. Includes a number of nonfiction source materials that I'd like to follow up on. As I told Amelia, Erin, and Holly, I will never look at Victoria in the same light; I know the book is fiction, and yet...

Fiction. Historical Mystery. 286 pages.

Another recent review: My Random Acts of Reading

11 comments:

  1. I also have this one to read. Your review (think the 6-word review is quite brilliant) makes me want to pick it up soon.

    Have your read any of her other Jane Austen series?

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  2. Kay - I've read a couple of the Jane Austen series and enjoyed them. This one, however, is not the cozy J.A. type of book. I was surprised at the difference in style, but quite pleased at Barron's flexibility.

    This novel was a fascinating take on the situation; I could, perhaps, have labeled it as alternate history because her plot, backed by extensive research is certainly provocative. It isn't exactly that I believe it, but the use of Victoria's own words from letters, etc., make it more plausible than I would have initially thought.

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  3. Oh, this one sounds good!

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  4. That sounds really intriguing. I think my copy may need to go to the head of the stack. Thanks for the expanded info.

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  5. I've started a wishlist at LibraryThing so I can see the covers as well as the titles and who recommends the book. This cover and title and your review have captured my attention. Love those Victorian mysteries.

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  6. Lisa - It was certainly interesting!

    Kay - I do hope you enjoy it when you get to it!

    Booklogged - I like the cover, too. It is a different take on the Victoria/Albert love affair and on the genetic flaw.

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  7. This is one I definitely want to read. I tried one of her Jane Austen mysteries and just never felt very compelled to follow up with the series but this one is calling my name :)

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  8. You have me really curious about this one, Jenclair...on the list it goes. Thanks.

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  9. I wasn't quite sure about this one, but I think I will have to read it now.

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  10. ohhhhh....followed the link and sounds wonderful - much thanks for the head's up off to put it on hold. I often like nothing better like a good historical mystery.

    a few days ago I finished wheel of darkness - preston and child better get on the stick and get another pendergast book out! I love the increasing role of constance in the last couple of the series...I do thank you for giving me the head's up on this series!

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  11. Iliana - A totally different view of Victoria and Albert!

    Sam - Hope you like it, Sam! It makes you very curious about several aspects of that particular situation.

    Danielle - The first chapter is a bit confusing, but boy, do things begin to arouse your curiosity!

    kimy - I've read a bit about Victoria and her background situation before, but the novel introduces some information that I wasn't familiar with and would like to research. Was John Conroy more than just the Comptroller of the Household?

    Glad you've enjoyed the Preston / Child series!

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