Clio Gray

1798: Golo Eck and companions Ruan & Fergus, set out from Scotland to find the fabled lost library of the First Scientific Society of the Lynx (founded 1603). The journey is not without "impediments" as each is separated from the other and begins their own journey before things are tied up in the end.

The alternating narrative is told from the viewpoints of Ruan & Fergus, and at first it was a little bit confusing, especially when what I would have considered one of the main characters, show more disappears quite early on.

This story is said to have been based on real historical events, and there are a few notables one included, and I enjoy this component - when historical fact is blended in with fiction.

It was an average read, for me personally, with so many books to read and so little time, I am becoming a little more "nit-picky" than I would have been previously. Having said that, many will enjoy this adventurous read. show less

This took me a while to get into but then it just flew. I found it a really light read and perfect for PT reading. I'll admit I'm not hanging to get other books in the series however if I came across them I'd likely purchase. I think the main reason for this is that it was the secondary characters which I personally found more intriguing rather than Mr Stroop (and company)

The word ‘Libraries’ got to me, while ‘Macabre Murder’ caused an agreeable frisson to run down my spine: writer Clio Gray is a librarian and, being one myself, I gave her the benefit of the doubt and believed The Scotsman when they called her “Just as bloody as The Da Vinci Code … much better written”.

Dan Brown sucks yet I will read his latest load of cobblers: Clio Gray writes an intelligent and delicate blend of fact and fantasy, but does not have the skill – not matter show more how pretty a writer – to make me actually care what happens to series heroes Stroop, Mabel and the gang…

The third in the series, this story involves a priceless library of miniature books originating on a sinister archipelago in the Baltic Sea, murder, exiles and printing trade secrets. Set in 1808, it is a Regency Romp far removed from the worlds of Georgette Heyer or Jane Austen… show less

Not so much a murder mystery as a great adventure story.Set in 19th century Scotland , on a remote stretch of western coast , it has the perfect setting.A man is brutally murdered allegedly by smuglers, but there is more to it, nothing is so straightforward. What was he bringing back to his master, who lives as a recluse on a private island surrounded by mysterious structures? And who does the skeleton, accidently found, belongs to? And where did that huge sundial, inscripted with strange show more languages, came from? Yes, definitely an adventure story! show less