Imogen RobertsonCritiques

Jumped between 2 contemporary murders and a secret from the past in a fairly smooth fashion.Felt a bit more modern than it's setting, but still an enjoyable read

Wish I could rate it 4 Stars but portions of the novel are painfully stretched. Certain scenes involving Crowther and Harriet are banal. The narration gains momentum only in the second half. Portrayal of Crowther is inconsistent. The plot is interesting but predictable.

That's it, I'm throwing in the towel! The book is just so boring and I just hate to force myself to read something. I had enough of that when I studied thank you very much!

fun cozy mystery that I really enjoyed

I liked this. It took me longer than I thought so I wouldn't describe it as a can't-put-it-down.

I'm glad I listened to the audiobook instead of reading the book. Otherwise, I probably wouldn't have finished it. I would have quit reading after fifty pages. While the story was good, the first half of the book was like watching a turtle. For that reason, I had difficulty paying attention to the story, and I probably missed a few details as it unfolded.

Once things picked up a bit, I enjoyed it, but because the first half was so dull, I wasn't very invested in the main character, Maud. If there were any book to compare this one to, it would be Villette by Charlotte Brontë, at least in style. However, Villette was better, and I cared more about Lucy than I did Maud, despite Maud's involvement in a more interesting plot (at least in the second half).

If the plot hadn't taken so long to build, I would probably give The Paris Winter four stars. However, because the first half was on the edge of completely boring, I can only give it three. If you loved Villette, or you enjoy a modern take on the classic Gothic novel, I would recommend borrowing this one instead of buying. If you insist on purchasing a copy, you might want to go with the audiobook, but regardless of the edition, just know that the story plods along for well over a hundred pages before it gets anywhere interesting.

Greed, deception, betrayal, revenge - these were the things Maude learned the most about when she came to Paris in 1910 to study art. After a bit of a slow start, I loved everything about this story. The characters are rich and multi-faceted, the plot is intriguing and original. Even the chapter titles describing anonymous works of art from the DeSevrais collection tie into the story at the end. Highly recommend.

I received this book in a Goodreads giveaway.

I haven't read the previous book by Robertson that introduced the characters in "Circle of Shadows" but that isn't an impediment to enjoying the story. It did take me a while to get into the book but once I was a few chapters in I couldn't wait to finish it. I thought the start was a little slow, and some of the transitions were a little clumsy but overall I thoroughly enjoyed the book. I plan to read the earlier book in the series and look forward to new stories.

I randomly selected this from one of my book cases, and I'm glad I did! An amalgamation of three various structures of people living in Paris during the turning of the 20th century, added glamor, necessity, and poverty to this very interesting book.

It is 1910, and Maud Heighton leaves small town England and studies art and hopes to make a living from selling her works. She studies at an academy for women who pursue their artistic skills. All too soon, she realizes that it costs way more money to live in Paris than she can possible afford. Quickly slipping into poverty, she is rescued by a co-student who happens to be very rich and lives with her two very wealthy Aunts. Tanya Koltsova hails from Russia and has never felt the sting of poverty.

She proves to be a good friend who shows the Paris limelight as together they visit various salons where art and money are plentiful. Through her friend, she is directed toward Madame de Civray who is known to help those in need. Finding placement with a "gentleman" Christian Morel, and his sister Sylvie, she is hired to assist Sylvie how to speak English.

Now well paid, well fed and able to visit museums and not worry about where to sleep, she knows she can become complacent, but all-too soon learns that the Morel's are not what they appear to be.

Framed for stealing a very expensive tiara from Madame de Civray, Christian Morel also tries to drown her by pushing her off a bridge into bitter cold water. She survives and is helped by Tanya, and Yvettte, a very down-to-earth woman who models at the art school where Maud attends.

While the book started out rather slowly, I'm glad I continued to read this very good historical novel where art, fashion, wealth and poverty collide.

I rate this book four stars. The writing is wonderful, the setting is lavishly portrayed, and the underbelly of Paris in the year 1910 can be very hedonistic, selfish and greedy, and those who want to stay above the trap of poverty will do anything to succeed. Maud is a realistic heroine who learns her lessons well.

Island of Bones is to historical murder mysteries what Subway is to sandwiches. Sure, it'll do when you're stuck in an airport, its constituent parts are what you'd expect to find in something of its type, and you can't complain that it's anything other than what you expected it to be—but it's largely lacking in substance, flavour, and texture.

While this book had a very interesting story line, the writing bored me and I did not care overly much for the characters (which is important for me)....

The simpering Mrs. Briggs who now owns the former estate/home of the Greta's

Sullen, anti-social Gabriel Crowther (formerly Charles Penhalgion), anatomical scientist

Inquisitive & intelligent Mrs. Harriet Westerman, crime solving partner of Gabriel

Imperious & demanding Vizegrafin Margaret von Bolsenheim, Gabriel's sister & Mrs. Briggs' neighbor

from the inside flap: "Cumbria, England 1783. The tomb of the 1st Earl of Greta should have lain undisturbed on its Island of Bones for three hundred years.When an extra body is discovered in the ancient crypt, however, Gabriel Crowther and forthright Mrs. Harriet Westerman travel to the Lake District to investigate.

Gabriel Crowther's family, marked by its own bloodied legacy, bought the Greta's land years ago. His brother was hanged for murdering their father , the Baron of Keswick, and Crowther has chosen the safety of seclusion and anonymity over estate and title for thirty years.

Now, Crowther and Mrs. Westerman, who is fleeing her own tragedy, find a little town caught between new horrors and old, where ancient ways challenge modern justice. In Island of Bones, Crowther discovers that his haunting past will not stay buried and the lure of the mystery--a broken heritage, a secret history--bring him home at last."

This sounds wonderful, does it not? It was all too tediously written for me and the two women; Mrs Briggs & the Vizegrafin distracted me from the mystery.

I read the whole series beginning with this book - 4 in all so far (2015). Really enjoyed them all. For a relatively young author, Imogen Robertson, writes like a real master. Great language, authentic atmosphere, interesting characters and good suspense. Everything you could want in a historical murder mystery. Can't wait to read further books in this series.

There are 3 novels in one here, all published independently at first. It is a great series of mystery/detective stories based in the 1780's in England. There have been, I think, 2 subsequent additions to the series and I am currently reading the most recent. The main characters are the youngish wife (Westerman) of a naval commander who is forever away at sea and a much older man, a semi-recluse, scientist type (Crowther) who dabbles in the dissection of bodies to learn about what killed them. Mrs. Westerman drags Crowther into helping her solve the first murder and they then work together in a similar vein in subsequent novels. Excellently written and engaging. Have enjoyed them all so far.

Themes of 'feminism' in 18th century London, slavery, lies & crime. Reminded me of The Lie Tree but this is so much better.

Set in Paris during the early 20th century, this novel is about art and intrigue. The central character is Maud Heighton, an Englishwoman studying painting at Lafond's Academie. To save herself from starvation during the harsh winter, Maud becomes a paid companion to a wealthy Frenchman's sister. However, the man and his sister are not who they appear to be. Diamonds, high society, hidden identities, and opium abuse intertwine as Maud and her friends fight for justice and for their right to choose how to live their own lives.

Anna C. / Marathon County Public Library
Find this book in our library catalog.

I had many problems with this book, and I'm so disappointed because I wanted to love it. My first problem was being unable to connect to the two main characters. Another problem was the constant shifts between the three stories; I can usually handle two different story threads, but three just breaks my attention and makes me want to put down the book and not pick it back up again. Also the murderer was very obvious to me and it was frustrating that no one else in the book seemed to see it.

From the other reviews I have read, my complaints with this book are not the norm so if you enjoy historical mysteries you may want to still give this one a go. As for me, I won't be reading further books in the series.

A decent historical mystery with terrific atmosphere and setting. There were interesting characters, but unfortunately the main ones aren't appealing enough for me to continue with the series. Good blend of old mysteries and new and how they are connected and the resolution of whodunnit was plausible and satisfying, I just won't be reading any more.

A well plotted mystery that encompasses the Opera and the Navy. Once again Crowther and Westerman are obliged to investigate a murder- this time in 18th century London. Robertson's depictions of the metropolis- its sights, its smells, its sounds and most importantly its people immerse one firmly in 1781. The complex relationship between Crowther and Westerman, and their individual characters and conflicts, deepen in this novel and leave one hankering to know more about them. I am looking forward to the next in this series.

I read to page 17 and quit. There were two many parallel plots going on and the writing was pretty dull. I may pick it up again some day but right now I'm reading other, more interesting mysteries so Im going to continue with those for now.

Good summer read, and excellent narrator. Story kept me engaged, but seemed a little Hollywood in the end. Still, I would read another.

I thoroughly enjoyed this historical mystery. It is set in Paris in 1909/1910 among the artists. There is a mixture of the “poor starving artists” and the higher class clientele. Young, naïve Maud Heighton came to Paris’ Academie to study painting and to get away from her small town life. Maud soon falls into poverty. She comes upon a golden opportunity. Christian Morel hires her to teach his sister Sylvie English. She can board with them and earn a generous salary. However she soon learns that the Morels are not who they claim to be. Maud is soon drawn into the dark, dangerous underworld of Paris. Friendships are tested, lives are endangered.

I found the book to have a very slow start (hence the four stars, instead of five). I almost gave up on it but am very glad I did not. Once it got going (around page 142) it kept me engrossed. I love the characters – derelict Yvette, aristocratic Tanya, the Countess. It was a delightful blend of personalities. I could easily envision these very different personalities interacting. It is the perfect blend of female friendships, love, greed, and especially revenge.

It took me forever to read this book. I liked it but would not rush out to get more int the series. The mains characters I found rather annoying. They way they played off of each other was uncomfortable and didn't carry my interest.

That's it, I'm throwing in the towel! The book is just so boring and I just hate to force myself to read something. I had enough of that when I studied thank you very much!

This was a well-crafted historical mystery. I loved the detailed look at the art world for women in a time when their lives were so circumscribed. The set up for the crime was so well done that it took me by surprise.

While I liked the book in general--in particular the two main characters, I found the way it was written rather annoying in the constantly changing point of view. I know it was done to build up tension, but irritation was what it built up.
I would rather have had things worked out by those two, rather than having it revealed bit by bit on the side, with two other parallel stories.
I also found the starting point of the whole thing from years in the past rather unbelievable, given the station and usual relative balance of power between the two initiating characters. On the other hand, I suppose a claim could also be made that the force of personality of the one and lack of personality of the other might explain the initial basis of the story.
I would give this author another go. She writes well and seems to know her historical period.