A Death for Adonis

by E.X. Giroux

Book Overview

Mystery paperback. A Robert Forsythe Mystery. He posed for a statue-and became a corpse. Author is E. X. Giroux. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0345328892
• ISBN13: 9780345328892
• Release Date: December 1985
• Publisher: Ballantine Books
• Length: 149 Pages
• Weight: 0.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 4.2" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

an awesome mystery!

I LOVE books about murders that occurred in the past, and I love mysteries set in British country houses. This book has both elements, and the combination of the two makes for one of the better books I've read this year. Rarely do you come upon a mystery series first novel that is as good as this one. In many ways, this book was flawlessly executed and I read this in one sitting because it was good enough that I did not want to put it down. The story hinges on a brutal murder that had occurred in 1944. Well-known artist Sebastian Calvert was found in his studio holding the dismembered corpse of the mode for his statue of Adonis, David Mersey. It snapped his brain and sent him into a mental hospital, although he was tried and convicted of the murder. Now, 25 years later, Calvert's daughter Elizabeth (who did not grow up with him, living with an uncle instead), comes to Robert (Robby) Forsythe, to persuade him to look into the case and see if there's any way possible Calvert wasn't guilty, because she doesn't want her father's shadow following her into a new relationship. Robby, who used to be an up-and-coming barrister in London until a scandal forced him into a life of seclusion, and his faithful friend and secretary Sandy dive into the case. They discover that perhaps there's more to the story than what's on the surface. The writing is excellent; the story will keep you glued, and truly this was an incredible mystery. In parts it reminded me of the writing of Barbara Vine (whose works I admire), and I plan to continue the series. Robby's character isn't as well fleshed out as it could have been, but this is just a first novel, so I'll expect more as the series progresses. Highly recommended, especially to readers who enjoy a good, old-fashioned murder mystery in the British country house setting.

A worthy work in the canon

This is an enjoyable series, as much for the wit of the main characters as for the well-plotted mysteries. The investigation moves briskly and the explanation is neat -- no deus ex machina here. The final reasoning -- that brings the barrister out of his self-imposed retirement -- is as satisfactory as the wrapping up of the main thread of the book.

From the dust jacket

A leading artist butchers his male model at his country estate--or does he? In 1944, Sebastian Calvert was tried and convicted of the most brutal, bizarre and perverse murder in England's history. Early one morning, Sebastian was found crouched in the study, dazed and incoherent. In his arms he cradled the dismembered body of David Mersey, his Adonis, which to this day rivals Michelangelo's David. Fifteen years later, Elizabeth Pennell Calvert, his daughter by an ill-fated first marriage, reopens the case to prove her father's innocence--and to allow her the freedom to love without the shadow of her father's horrible crime of passion. Which of the houseguests committed the savage crime? Was it: Vanessa, Sebastian's wife, a leonine statuesque blonde who wanted David and was willing to fight for him...? Rosemary Calvert, the precocious sixteen-year-old devoted to her uncle Sebastian and jealousy protective...? Elinor Atkin, Vanessa's dedicated cousin who had already lost Vanessa once--to Sebastian...? John Hrner, a passionate young poet, Sebastian's secretary, and wild for Vanessa, who spurned him nastily...? Retrieved from an early retirement, Robert Forsyth, a disgraced London barrister in his mid-thirties, and Miss Sanderson, his no-nonsense secretary, gather together the original players... each of whom had a motive for murder, among them: lust, pride, and revenge.