I don't usually read mysteries and I would have never picked this book up had a friend not recommended it. Even when recommended I thought, "Hmm, really - what could be so special about it - other than that fact that it won the Samuel Johnson Prize?".This is a true story told like a novel. THE story that started the mystery genre and the novels that would come out of England in the late 1800's - including the famous Sherlock Holmes.
The beginning is captivating as the story unfolds to tell of a brutally murdered baby in a country home just outside of London. Mr Whicher is the detective whose keen instinct points him to the murderer very early.
Although I did appreciate Mr Whicher, that's not what made the book for me - it was the last few chapters that detailed the lives of the suspects. This was absolutely fascinating!! I could have a read an entire book on these characters (mostly, brother and sister of Road Hill House, William and Constance).
William, a Marine Biologist, captured me with amazing watercolours, drawings of marine life and his interest in the communication between sea horses. Constance, a not-so-nice girl (to put it light), went on to become a nurse, giving her time freely to lepers and those in need. Ironic.
A very interesting topic at the end, told by Constance - who went on to live to be 100 - was about the bowel obstruction that killed many of her family members due to her father's possible past with syphilis. The description of the hereditary teeth which suggested this was fascinating!!
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