[Painting the Darkness] has all the ingredients of a first-class melodrama . . . engaging and satisfying.Times (UK)Goddard, a master of intricate period skullduggery, hits his stride with a superb thriller on the old, old theme of the claimant to the identity of a long-vanished heir. . . . [A] superior Victorian sampler.Kirkus (starred review)It explodes into action so that the reader is hooked by the time he reaches the third page. . . . A superb storyteller.Sunday Independent (UK)Goddard goes from strength to strength. . . . This exciting story, with its careful complexity and completenessno loose endsis a joy to read.Publishers Weekly how do you are read books on goodreads Painting the Darkness
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful. The darkness of human frailty blends to Paint the errors of mankindBy jackson ButterworthPainting the Darkness is a most enjoyable book by a well known author of complex plots and excellent descriptive narrative. A flavor of Hardy is blended with a series of interesting characters who, while believable, continue to suprise the reader. The story works its way toward a solution that one thinks cannot be resolved. But without incredible imagination, it all becomes understandable at the finish. While tasting a comfortable conclusion, one is then left with a whimsical sense of mystery as the boat sails away across Lake Lugano.The family intrigue of the Davenalls contains the spectrum of genealogical misactions ranging from philandry to incest. The mix of jealously of titles and wealth to spirit these behaviors is broad and shows the reader how the progression toward selfish goals can lead to distrastrous ends. Wraping this in the envelope of 19th cn English scenery and morals is a clever technique which almost lends a spectre of dignity to the outrageous sins of the sons as well as the fathers. I recommend!0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. More twists than a pretzel factoryBy Booked for lifePulling together famous figures and fictional characters is a common enough mystery novel trope nowadays. In this mystery set in the 1880s, the real star is the twisting and un twisting of the story. The characters are annoying, but that is because they are flawed human beings who want to believe or want to doubt the Devenell claimant. The story is told through several memoirs, a scattering of letters, and half of the book's characters as they remember the series of misdeeds in a family cursed with pride, vanity, arrogance, and secrets. At times that constant references to dates seems unnecessary, but as the muck is churned, the dates build up or invalidate the various theories put forward by the characters. The real-life figures include a luckless Bonaparte descendant and Florence Nightingale, in a novelistic version of a cameo appearance.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Unusual premiseBy Carmen DukemanRobert Goodard's writing is, as always, very good and holds the attention throughout. The premise of the story was interesting and unusual. It is very Victorian and for a 21st Century woman often a bit irritating, reading about the heroine being so silly, but these were the times. I kept wanting her to get a brain, but I did enjoy the book and will get more from Mr. Goodard.