Book Review: Blood on the Wood

Reviewed By: Luke Croll - RAM

[4 stars]

Blood on the Wood Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon UK PB Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Gillian Linscott
Class/Genre: Mystery Historical Woman Main Character Political Intrigue Amateur Sleuth
Series: Nell Bray
2003, Virago, 311 pages

Nell Bray is sent by Emmeline Pankhurst to retrieve a painting left to the Suffragette movement by Philomena Venn. However, it turns out that she is given a fake and Venn’s family refuse to hand over the real one. Venn’s son suggests that Nell breaks into the house to switch the paintings. As she does so, she finds herself embroiled in murder…

Reading ‘Blood on the Wood’ was an unexpected pleasure. Linscott’s writing style is completely accessible and at times, Nell Bray’s wry humour will certainly a raise a smile. Linscott also succeeds with her characterisation. All of her characters feel real, and although the novel is a period piece, it feels authentic and accurate.

‘Blood on the Wood’ feels like a cozy mystery. It is simple to read, yet immensely enjoyable. There are a couple of grim moments in the descriptions of murder, but given that the book is set in a world where ladies were still ladies, gore is avoided. Some might say that Nell Bray solves the mystery through unlikely means and chances, but as the book is so pleasurable to read, you really won’t mind. This was the first of the Nell Bray mysteries that I had read, but I will certainly go on to read some more.

Luke Croll - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Luke Croll - RAM

Luke Croll - Conference interpreter and translator
http://lukecroll.translatorscafe.com

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