I seem to recall that this book was originally a short story, the first appearance of Bryant and May. That makes sense, because the central idea of this mystery feels like it would be better as a shorter work. By taking it out to full length, Fowler exposes a lot of weaknesses that might be simply glossed over in a short story. (My suspension of disbelief crashed and burned at the tiger. The police can't trace a tiger? Really? That particular episode wasn't ever explained in detail, probably because every time Fowler tried, it collapsed in a heap of contradictions. On the other hand, the image, and the sheer horrific coolness of it meant he kept it anyway. I think - that's my theory, anyway.)

That said, I still enjoyed the characters and their interactions, and the mystery, while ludicrous, had a certain Edwardian sense to it. It would have made a wonderful Sherlock Holmes or steampunk short story. ( )

I've read four books in this series now, and this one wasn't my favorite, although it is still quite good. In this, the 3rd installment of the Bryant and May mysteries (of the Peculiar Crimes Unit), the two detectives and the others of the PCU are faced with the fact that someone is out to get the Whitstable family and is killing them off by incredibly deadly means, starting off with the death of Peter Whitstable, who, dressed in Edwardian clothing, decides to deface a painting on loan to the National Gallery. As more members of the family are murdered, the detectives realize that someone has a vendetta against the entire family -- and even the family's attorney, who becomes a victim of snakebite after a visit to the restroom of the Ritz. But when Bryant and May question the family as to what they know, or as to who might be wanting to take them out one by one, nobody is talking. What they are doing is screaming that the police are doing nothing, and they are threatening to sue unless they get some protection. But even then, Bryant and May find it incredibly difficult dealing with this very peculiar family. When they finally work out what's happening, the solution is probably one of the strangest they've ever encountered.

Once again, the writing is good, the characters are drawn really well (the Whitstables are so well done that you'll hate them all). Fowler's look at London's history is downright amazing (a lot of knowledge there) and as always, Bryant and May are their quirky selves. The problem here is that the solution is very clunky, complicated and difficult to understand ... I had to go back and reread it not just once but a couple of times until it made sense. But the getting there was most of the fun. Definitely recommended to people considering whether or not to continue in the series, and recommended to mystery readers who want something different. Don't start here, though... do begin with the first book. ( )

A fun puzzler mystery set in 1970s Britain, with clever dialogue and two sympathetic and idiosyncratic lead detectives. The ultimate solution to the puzzle doesn't make much sense, but the trip to get there is a hoot. ( )

At least as good as the first two. The struggle between lightness and dark, good and evil, present and past (watch my juxtaposition with that last couplet). A Victorian scheme to ensure the prosperity of a family goes bad and begins to destroy them instead. Bryant and May must figure all this out despite scant evidence and disappearing witnesses. ( )

Can't remember reading this one. I'd have to have them all in hand and read one right after the other. ( )