Reviews for Hermann Weyl, 1885-1985

The average rating for Hermann Weyl, 1885-1985 based on 2 reviews is 4 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2016-11-04 00:00:00 Jamison Long I'm not a big fan of short stories--I like the elbow room a novel gives my imagination--but I'll read pretty much anything by Michael Gilbert. I wasn't disappointed here, in a collection of shorts about Patrick Petrella (star of stand-alone novels Blood and Judgement and Roller-Coaster), following his career from his first case as a boy (he doesn't quite run away to join the circus, but close) through detective constable to detective sergeant. Lots of twisty plots and, always my favorite, Gilbertian wit and commentary on life, the universe and everything, as in Petrella dozed. Behind him, Matrix Street slept the deep sleep of clear consciences and small incomes. and [A murder investigation] is a system which involves an enormous amount of work for a large number of people, and has only got one thing in its favour. It is nearly always successful in the end. and a lovely little inside joke [how a thief moves his goods to market]"He gets in touch with Mrs. Coulman. And informs her where he has placed the stuff. Gives her the key, or cloakroom ticket, and leaves the rest to her. It is not even necessary to give her the name of the receiver. She knows them all, and gets the bet prices. She gets paid in cash, keeps a third, and hands over two-thirds to the author of the crime." "Just like a literary agent," said Farmer, who had once written a short story. There is one real tragedy in the death of a good boy gone bad that wrung my heart, a terrific mini-whodunnit in a German spy turned transporter of stolen goods, and there is a cameo appearance by everyone's favorite headmaster, Wilfred Wetherall (star of Gilbert's Fear to Tread and may I just say, squee!). More than a Gilbert fan could ever want.

Review # 2 was written on 2020-03-18 00:00:00 Rhonna Duntenschachter An absolutely fabulous short story collection containing 16 stories about Petrella . Since all of them are about his adventures as Scotland yard constable and sergeant , the stories form a nice narrative sequence . Same characters appearing now and again makes it read like a novel at times. The stories are simply brilliant. Most of them contain that sting in the tale that makes short stories great .The atmosphere and period and it's people are masterfully described in Gilbert's wonderfully lucid and entertaining prose style. A few of the stories from here were published in the BLCC anthologies by Martin Edwards as well. This will stand a re read very well...Because I would just love to be transported to the time and place where Petrella roams even if I know where it's going to end up. Highly recommended..Absolute keeper.