Le Diable Danse à Bleeding Heart Square (2011) - Plot & Excerpts
"don't go of a night into Bleeding Heart Square. It's a dark, little, dirty, black, ill-looking yard, With queer people about." and so begins Bleeding Heart Square. It's about trust and betrayal between mother and daughter, daughter and father and husband and wife. It is also a brilliant extension of the Ingoldsby Legends, taking them from the mid-1800s to the time between the wars in England. If you have not heard of the Ingoldsby Legends, it would be a good thing to learn a little about them and about Bleeding Heart Yard in particular. I think this would enhance this updated and retold story. A main character, Joseph Serridge, is a man out of his time, which you will understand when you read this. It would be a good choice for Halloween and you'll get to follow those who solve the riddle of the missing Philippa Penhow. On the back of this edition Deborah Crombie, author of Where Memories Lie, says it is "Absolutely bloody brilliant!" and I can't do any better than that. Quotes: "That's what Hell means, perhaps, being compelled not just to live but to relive." "Memory is a process, not something finished, complete in itself." Gripping and nicely paced, I enjoyed reading the interwoven mysteries at the heart of this novel and grew to like the characters of Lydia and Rory in particular. The sense of period was strong too, with the limitations for women in the 1930s - even extremely strong and able ones like Lydia - all too apparent. Similarly, the shadow of war, both past and still to come, and the political uncertainty and opportunism that brings was well depicted. Almost gave this 4 stars, but a slightly slow start for me and some unlikely coincidences just slightly underwhelmed me - but thoroughly entertaining, well worth a read and an author I'll check out further.
What do You think about Le Diable Danse à Bleeding Heart Square (2011)?
It started slowly, but read fast. I was totally surprised at the end.
—Babu
great gothic mystery from andrew taylor. never fails to impress.
—cycadinvestments
I didn't finish this book. I couldn't get into it.
—pcooper76
