Reviews for The dead letter, and The figure eight

The average rating for The dead letter, and The figure eight based on 2 reviews is 3.5 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2015-06-17 00:00:00 Lesley Seriss like a 3.5, although to me this book is just downright fun and an example of early American fiction in which, as Catherine Ross Nickerson notes, "the domestic sphere" is "most able to support the detective story and the area most in need of investigation." After reading these two novels, I can see why. I loved The Dead Letter -- lots of dark craziness going on in here -- but I found the second book, The Figure Eight not quite as good. The Dead Letter is much more the detective novel showcasing the author's talent, with a good plot, and careful consideration to characters (and okay, a swoon-worthy combo of adventure, romance and a lot of erotically-charged female sexuality) ; the second book also a murder mystery, much more gothic than the first, complete with a sleepwalking governess in white (shades of Anne Catherick!) and emphasizing the home as a place requiring surveillance (and an investigator in disguise). Both are, however, quite fun and must reads for people interested in the works of more obscure American women writers. for the very long version (there are two novels under consideration here), I'll refer anyone who may be interested to the crime page of my online reading journal; otherwise read on. What's culturally and historically significant about this volume is that The Dead Letter is actually, according to Catherine Ross Nickerson in her most interesting book The Web of Iniquity: Early Detective Fiction by American Women , "the first American detective novel." (29). Both books are also, as she notes, "documents of a moment in cultural history when the young professional seemed to hold the promise of mediating between the cloudy-minded nostalgia of the landed class and the unprincipled greed of the merchant and capitalist classes." (31) While there's definitely a LOT going on between the lines and a lot going on here that is discussion worthy, these books are also fun reads for anyone interested in American literature of this period that won't likely be found on any general American Lit course syllabus. For someone like myself who loves these old books and who tries to read between the lines as to the cultural climate (especially in terms of women and also in terms of the the relationships between the main characters and other ethnic groups) , politics, and the historical significance of the time in which they were written, it is a goldmine. On the other hand, they're definitely not for everyone, but if for no other reason, the fact that Metta Fuller Victor made an appearance before Anna Katherine Green (who I've always believed was the first American detective novelist) makes her extremely readworthy.

Review # 2 was written on 2012-06-20 00:00:00 robert sucku I found these two novels, the first full-length American detective novels, enjoyable and the mysteries interesting. Both books were similar in character development. I found "The Dead Letter" puzzle more intriguing. The manners and romantic aspects of the period (1860s) made interesting reading. I may have noted before, I do not to give much information about the story in my "reviews". Why repeat the story descriptions that are found in the blurbs? I tend to read as little as possible of a book's dust cover. I want it to be a surprise. If the first two or three sentences of the blurb grabs my interest I will try the book. I do not give much info in my reviews. This comes from my dislike of book reports in school. I always thought those reports which were to offer the descriptions of characters, the plot, motives, locations, author's reason for penning the book, etc., gave away all the elements of the story. After reading my poorly written synopsis of the book, why would anyone want to read it? The surprise has been dashed. (Besides being mangled by my writing.) I could read many more books if I just read the blurbs and reviews. Like television adverts I avoid reviews and most of the dust cover blurb. Surprise and mystery are two of the many spices of life.