Book Cover

"In retirement in the English countryside, an 89-year-old man, vaguely remembered by villagers as a once famous detective, is more concerned with his bees than with the outside world.

When a young boy called Linus Steinman enters the old man's life, he is surprised and oddly touched. The boy, an escapee from Nazi Germany, is mute and accompanied only by his beloved grey parrot. But what is the meaning of the mysterious strings of numbers that te parrot spews out? When someone is killed and the parrot disappears the old man is determined to solve the mystery."

I had saved this gem for an appropriate time and this was it. I just loved this book. The writing is of such a wonderful calibre that even though the subject could be disturbing and there are some leaps of faith within the 'detecting', all is easily fogiven by the lyrical writing of the author. I must read more of this author, it is so great to find someone whose writing is so good yet so lyrical, evocative and readable. The answers are not made obvious (but there nonetheless) within the story line and the descriptive style of the prose is brilliant.

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

The calibre of this writing is brilliant and easily readable. Hope you enjoy this little book too.

Thank you for the book and all the other things in the parcel. I have just learnt how to make shaker cards so the confetti will be really useful. I loved everything and the chocolate has gone already. I don't normally like coffee flavoured chocolate but this was lovely.

I didn't really get into this book. I kept confusing the characters and didn't find them very interesting. The general story was good and I love the idea of an aging Holmes.

I am sending this to my NSS partner.

This seems to be the type of book that I would avoid, but since it is only just over 100 pages I will give it a try. I may be pleasantly surprised.