Hamlet, Revenge is the first mystery novel I've read by Michael Innes. It was published in 1937 and stars Inspector Appleby. The first half of the novel focuses on Scamnum Court, the family is producing a private showing of Shakespeare's Hamlet. Family, family friends, friendly acquaintances will star in this tragedy. Of course, from the start, readers know that all will not go well. (It is a mystery, after all. But there is plenty of foreshadowing in the introductory chapters.) The second half of the mystery focuses on Inspector Appleby and company as they try to solve the murder(s) that occurred on that tragic weekend.
There are SO MANY suspects in this one. So many characters introduced, and it was almost impossible to remember who was who. The mystery is very detailed, clues abound, and if you've got the attention to give to this one, it would probably be worth your time. It took me a while to get into this novel, but by the end I did care.
Read Hamlet, Revenge
- If you enjoy mysteries, British mysteries, vintage mysteries
- If you enjoy mysteries with literature and/or drama and/or academic connection
© 2013 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews
2 comments:
Innes can be something of an acquired taste, I think - I'm glad you liked "Hamlet Revenge." You might want to try "Lament for a Maker," which is my own favorite Innes - set in Scotland, with a mad laird in an ancient castle, an impossible murder, and some truly memorable characters.
I just read this one for the Vintage Mysteries challenge and had much the same reaction. I do think the ending was brilliant, but there was a LOT going on.
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