Whom the Gods Love

Whom the Gods Love (1995) Kate Ross

Set in 1825

This is the third Julian Kestrel mystery, and finds Julian called to the grave of a Alexander Falkland, by his father, Sir Malcom. Alexander was brutally murdered at a party in his own home, Bow Street has no clues, and is (for the most part) being blocked by the rich party-goers, and so Sir Malcom has asked Julian to see what he can discover.

Julian warns Sir Malcom that unpleasant discoveries might be made, but Sir Malcom insists he can handle the truth.

“I think you’re extremely rude! And you’re doing it on purpose!”
“Of course. One should never be rude except on purpose.”
Eugene’s defences dropped abruptly. He looked at Julian with shy curiosity. “Why?”
That one syllable told Julian more about Alexander Falkland than all his father’s praise, his servants’ loyalty, or his own eloquent letters.

Julian remains in this story a fascinating enigma, with more hints dropped about his past, and how he manged to become who he is.

“People suppose what I do must be right, because I do it with conviction”

That’s a good piece of advice in general.

He’s also very clever. I love this:

“I shall want information from them, naturally. But I shan’t question them. That would be the worst possible line to take.”
“Then how will you find out what they know?”
“Precisely by not asking them. The only way to accomplish anything in the beau monde is to do precisely the reverse of what you intend.”

And the language is marvelous:
nix-my-doll
John Noakes (see John–a–Nokes)
tuft-hunting

Again, the violence and nastiness are fascinating. So much that we would think of as modern vices and horrors were common then (although not featured on reality TV, but rather hidden).

And now, I have just one book left.
Rating: 9/10

Published by Felony & Mayhem Press

• Browse the archives:
  
• The Devil in Music » »
• « « These Old Shades