I haven't read a lot of mystery books in my life. Seeing a reading available via librivox, I decided to listen to the stream for a bit. Satisfied with a few minutes of Kirsten Wever narration of the prologue, I decided to download and listen to the book in its entirety. The book straddles the line between murder mystery and PG romance quite well, making it a rather pleasant change from what I typically read.GISTWhen powerful businessman Sigsbee Manderson is found murdered, newspaper reporter Philip Trent is requested to look into the high profile case. The situation is easier said than done as more than one party has an interest in the death remaining a mystery. While Philip has to compete with Scotland Yard Detective Murch, he also has to deal with his growing affections for Sigsy's widow Mabel Manderson. THOUGHTSThere is a touch of Sherlock Holmes in this story, but only in regards to the scenes where the author is going over the details of this clue or that through dialogue (internal and otherwise) and descriptive. It is clear that Trent knows something of the investigative field otherwise he wouldn't have been called in. He is a bit sneaky as well, something that allows him to find some of the clues. And while all of this is going on, we are drawn into Trent's growing affections for Mabel, a woman with more than her share of male admirers and with a reputation for being a good woman. She is a rather neat love interest, a woman with an obvious want for privacy due to her difficult marriage to a particularly horrible man. She is an admirable sort, but she also has her own secrets. The story was well-paced, but the odd structure did take me aback. E.C. Bentley has Trent come to a conclusion a little after the halfway point, but after some being reunited with Mabel a year and a half years after the inquest, he gets to the bottom of the rather annoying business that shows just how much of a crazy and vindictive bastard Sigsbee was. Some other notable elements I noted about this novel was the author's comments on the cultural differences between England, France and southern parts of the USA. This made me giggle slightly, and it shows that much of the beliefs about these places haven't changed much since it was published in 1913. Kirsten Wever's reading is slightly overshadowed by pop sounds that are signs of numerous clipped files. She delivers the story quite well in spite of this, her voice doing justice to the story that might be passed over for the likes of Conan-Doyle. She does a great job with the scenes where Trent and Celestine the gossiping maid speak French as well, giving her a place as one of my top 3 favorite librivox readers.CONCLUSIONIf you are looking for immediate gratification or an easy read, this novel isn't for you. It has a long start as well, which nearly made me cease listening a few times. However, I was glad I stuck with it as it was well worth the pay-off. This is in regards to the reveal of what really happened on the night of Sigsbee's death which come only in the last three chapters, but there is more than enough clues early on to avoid the appearance of some illogical twist. And given this wonderful outcome, my rating moved from a 3 star to a 4 with relative ease.
Ok, I admit it, I didn't know what to read. It seems like for the last few books, I've been reading nothing but cozies (sorry, it's my favourite subgenre!). So, after searching the Internet, I found a parody of the Mystery genre - Trent's Last Case by E.C. Bentley.Trent's Last Case follows the titular character, who amusingly, doesn't solve the case at the end (in his deduction, he was tricked by the murderer). It's really amusing, and doesn't have much (if any) of a serious tone. Trent, the hero of the story, is overly-romantic and prone to dramatics. In a way, he's like an "eccentric detective" but exaggerated. His introduction as a detective is equally implausible - he's an artist, but is sent as a reporter by a paper. But still, he's a very likable character, he's honest about his flaws, and below the drama there's a kind person underneath.As for the plot, it was full of drama. Really, I should just tell you that this is a very dramatic book, but it's the drama that makes it fun to read, in fact, I can't believe it's published in 1913. I guess it just goes to show that good books can and will endure. So, here are three of my favourite quotes:"Like the poet who died in Rome, so young and poor, a hundred years ago, he was buried far away from his own land, but for all the men and women of Manderson's people who flock round the tomb of Keats in the cemetery under the Monte Testaccio, there is not one, nor ever will be, to stand in reverence by the rich man's grave beside the little church of Marlstone."To set this quote in context, this is the ending of the first chapter, which introduces us to the victim Manderson, who was a high-flier in the world of Wall Street/Finance. After reading this, I can't help but think that he's making fun of the Quaternary industry. Here's a quote about one of the supporting characters:"He was thinking about breakfast. In his case, the colloquialism must be taken literally: he really was thinking about breakfast, as he thought about every conscious act of his life when time allowed deliberation. He reflected that on the preceding day the excitement and activity following upon the discovery of the dead man had disorganised his appetite, and led to his taking considerably less nourishment than usual. This morning he was very hungry, having already been up and about for an hour; and he decided to allow himself a third piece of toast and an additional egg; the rest as usual. The remaining deficit must be made up at luncheon, but that could be gone into later."And of course, Trent himself, is an enthusiastic, maybe over-enthusiastic detective:"Some of these things have to be put back where they belong in somebody's bedroom at White Gables before night. That's the sort of man I am - nothing stops me."If you haven't read this book, I really encourage you to do so. It's a really fun read. So to re-cap: I read this book for the Merely Mystery Reading Challenge, and for once, it's not a cosy but a parody. ^^First posted at Inside the mind of a Bibliophile
What do You think about Trent's Last Case (2001)?
The First Modern Detective Story. Edmund Clerihew Bentley( yes, he invented the Clerihew), wrote this book as a gift for G.K. Chesterton, who had written HIS masterpiece, The Man Who Was Thursday for Bentley. It was intended to blow up the myth of the "infallible" detective. Anyone who loves the whole late Edwardian, Upstairs Downstairs/ Downton Abbey world will delight in this book. Phillip Trent, an highly imaginative Artst Detective, tries to solve the puzzling murder of Sigbee Manderson, hated American millionare. In the process, he falls in love with Manderson's widow, who had excellent motives for killing her husband. Trent comes to asolution that is logical, imaginative- and completely wrong. The real solution is utterly unexpected, though Benley provides more than enough clues for the attentive reader. Literate, well written, and still vivid 100 years later, Trent's Last Case transformed the detective genre. Pay careful attention when Bentley says of one character, "His favorite author is Montaigne", and remember that Montaigne had little patience for anyone claiming to possess infallible rationality.
—Joe
Written in 1913, it's an old-fashioned mystery, but very well plotted. Things like fingerprints are brand-new to detective fiction, and not part of the standard practice of the Force. The plot has several neat twists, including right at the end after you think the mystery is solved: the final wrap-up really does solve all the inconsistencies from the earlier solution. It is a very convoluted plot, with many actors making their additions to the original plot. It also is fairly critical of the capitalist class -- especially the American brand of capitalist, crushing labor beneath it. The murder victim is a rich American, who has crushed all in his way -- including some strike-breaking that is considered by the moral characters in the book to be beyond the pale. Very enjoyable. It's nice to read a mystery once in a while where the bad guy is murdered, so there isn't a lot of regret over his death.
—Melissa
Artist Trent was called in by Sir James of the Sun to investigate the death of Sigsbee Manderson, famous American financier. He talks with his friend Mr. Cupples, who is the uncle of Manderson's wife. Manderson had been found shot through his eye by a shed dressed, but not well, and without his false teeth. Marlowe, one of his secretaries had gone for the night on an errand. It appeared that Manderson had gone part way with Marlowe and then walked home and gone to bed. Trent manages to get some finger prints and things he has found the murderer, but meanwhile he has fallen in love with Manderson's wife. He writes up his conclusions and gives them to the wife and then leaves. A year later, Trent finally meets Mrs. Manderson at the opera. She convinces him that Marlowe is innocent and Trent and Cupples meet with Marlowe, who describes the night of Manderson's death. There is a big surprise at the end.
—Scilla
