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_mandragora8_'s review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
graylodge_library's review against another edition
4.0
A beautiful and decadent Russian princess with a scandalous past, a fog that engulfs everything, a murder, an explorer believed to have died in Africa returns to London... There's basically everything you need for a fun tale of mystery. The plot seems simple at first, but at the end there's a twist, and even after the conclusion the story spins once more. The first chapter's description of being lost in a fog is great, slightly oppressive, which alone would elevate the story even if the mystery itself wasn't good. A great bedtime story, actually.
tanilian's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
mwgerard's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
My full review: https://www.mwgerard.com/review-in-the-fog/
I’ve been absolutely devouring the mystery titles being rediscovered from the Library of Congress and the British Library. There are so many amazing tales that deserve new generation of readers. Though short, this one was an absolute charmer.
I’ve been absolutely devouring the mystery titles being rediscovered from the Library of Congress and the British Library. There are so many amazing tales that deserve new generation of readers. Though short, this one was an absolute charmer.
On a rainy, late Victorian evening in London, a group of men sit in their club. They are bemoaning the fact that a bill they oppose will pass in Parliament before the session closes that night. As they sit there in defeat, they notice Sir Andrew, the bill’s main supporter, is across the room. They hatch a Scheherazade plan to tell him intriguing tales and distract him until the vote is over.
The American ambassador begins the distraction. He tells a harrowing story of being lost in the London fog at night. He quite literally has to feel his way along the fence line of front gardens to avoid falling off the curb. The gas lamps do nothing to dispel the gloom. And just when he decides it’s hopeless, a bright light spills out from an opening front door. He decides he will throw himself on the mercy of its inhabitants and starts to fumble at the gate when an unseen figure rushes past him. The figure doesn’t help him but he crawls up the stoop to the interior of the home. Entering the parlor in search of residents whom he can beg sanctuary, he finds a surprise: two dead bodies and a sleeping servant. He learns it is home to Princess Zichy, a Russian aristocrat, now deceased. But was she really a princess, or simply a talented scammer?
The American ambassador begins the distraction. He tells a harrowing story of being lost in the London fog at night. He quite literally has to feel his way along the fence line of front gardens to avoid falling off the curb. The gas lamps do nothing to dispel the gloom. And just when he decides it’s hopeless, a bright light spills out from an opening front door. He decides he will throw himself on the mercy of its inhabitants and starts to fumble at the gate when an unseen figure rushes past him. The figure doesn’t help him but he crawls up the stoop to the interior of the home. Entering the parlor in search of residents whom he can beg sanctuary, he finds a surprise: two dead bodies and a sleeping servant. He learns it is home to Princess Zichy, a Russian aristocrat, now deceased. But was she really a princess, or simply a talented scammer?
kevinmccarrick's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
bookishwendy's review
3.0
A diverting early mystery story told in sections by three members of a gentleman’s club, to distract one of their own from speaking at the House of Lords. The confusion the fog adds to the murder (“murder?”) is fun, as is the meta story-in-a-story approach even if it doesn’t exactly come together in the end. It’s more shaggy dog joke really.
ncostell's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0