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Read Caught In The Light (1999)

Caught In The Light (1999)

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Rating
3.92 of 5 Votes: 5
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ISBN
0552145971 (ISBN13: 9780552145978)
Language
English
Publisher
corgi

Caught In The Light (1999) - Plot & Excerpts

CAUGHT IN A BLINDING LIGHT OF INTRIGUE, May 15, 2007 This is a novel of love, loss, deception and amateur detection. Part ghost story, part historical mystery with a visit to the magical beginnings of early photography thrown in for good measure. Goddard has outdone himself in executing this intricate suspense filled plot loaded with double-crosses, theft and murder as well as the deeper themes of love and loss. Goddard's talent is such that this acrostic like "puzzle" engages the reader completely....and each time you think you have the solution you are given yet another piece of the puzzle that takes you in another direction. Although I sometimes became infuriated with our "hero", Ian Jarrett, wanting to shout out, "Why don't you just use the phone and call rather than going there", the resolution of the story came as quite a heartbreaking suprise. I do not like to give long, in-depth descriptions of the story (why buy the book and read it if every plot point his been disclosed in a review). Suffice to say, readers will not be disappointed and will find themselves caught in the light of Goddard's storytelling genius.

During the first half of the book, I was intrigued. I was willing to suspend my disbelief because I really wanted to enjoy this mystery. It had all the hallmarks of a good thrilling read, and the author managed to keep me hooked for a while. But then the plot became more and more convoluted and along the way, I was no longer able to suspend that disbelief. Creating a complicated but somehow logical plot is a skill not many writers possess, just adding twists and turns upon red herrings and explaining the whole concoction with one sociopath’s wish for revenge is not enough to convince this reader. This book left me deeply frustrated – to put it mildly.

What do You think about Caught In The Light (1999)?

A struggling photographer, Ian Jarrett is given the chance to photograph Vienna in the winter. While there he is presented with the opportunity to emabrk on a short and passionate affair with a beautiful woman - no ties. Seems like a opportunity too good to pass, which he dosn't. But the reasons why the liaison took place are soon to become apparant. When Jarrett returns to the UK his life slowly unravels as his past is picked apart and his future destroyed. Who is doing this- and why - are slowly exposed through the parallel story of Marion Esguard who may have been the first person to discover modern photogtaphy. Goddard deals with paranoia, obsession, depression and heart wrenching, inevitable and unstoppable pain. On a par with the the "Bourne"s pace and twists as Jarrett races to stop his tormentor taking him to the ultimate destination in the destruction of the mind.By far the best Goddard I have read to date. Incredible story and exceptionally well told.
—Jeremy

Diving into a Robert Goddard novel is like diving into a million knots. The thrill is watching how his intricate plots unravel all the knots. But in the end, the novel is judged by how well Goddard put the original knots together. Caught in the Light is a great page-turner; a quick-as-lightning read... but when looking on the plot's construction, it's not a crisp and logical as his best works, which are Past Caring and In Pale Battalions. Those book's mystery knots are just as fantastical as this book's, yet still being believable and emotional.This novel is a great summer beach read, but not the "gut-punch" that his better works are.
—FittenTrim

I think Robert Goddard is incapable of writing a bad book. I first discovered him years ago when I ran out of books on vacation and picked up one of his titles at a bookstore at Heathrow Airport. Sadly, his books are not nearly as popular in the US as in his native England -- a real shame in my opinion! Whether the story is contemporary or takes place decades or centuries ago, his characters are well drawn and the narrative superb. It's hard to put one of his books down, but most are too long to read at one sitting! Although I've seen his books classified as mysteries, I wouldn't necessary put them there. However, they are more than just "fiction" -- kind of a combination of adventure/mystery/fiction. The plotting is very complex, yet easy to follow. And just when you think you have something figured out, Goddard throws you a curve. Any and all of his novels are pure delight to read.
—Linda Schwartz

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