Josephine Tey's Daughter of Time is a mystery classic that takes up an even earlier mystery, whether Richard III actually killed his nephews in order to win the throne of England. While this may not seem a likely premise for a book called "One of the best mysteries of all time." by the New York Times, it makes for a good story starring Tey's detective Alan Grant now recuperating from a broken leg in a hospital, unable to go anywhere.
Coming to visit at just the right time is an array of supporting characters who bring just the right thing at just the right time to move the story forward and add complexity to the mystery. They are all delightful, a bit comic and exactly who you would expect in 1951, the year of publication.
Needless to say, 300-year-old mysteries do not unravel themselves with just a perky actress friend and a young love-struck American researcher working at the British Museum. Still, our troupe of characters gets pretty far and raises may questions about the reputedly villainous Richard before our hero is released from the hospital and all is well again.
Among us were those rereading for not. just the second time, in one case reading her high school copy! So lovely. At around 200 pages, it is great fun, from a very well-known and successful author in her time. Fun!
And so on we go, our next book is Vigil by George Saunders. This may be the first time we have read an author three times. It is a mark of our tenure, almost 20 years, and the output of this impactful author. we will meet on June 15 at 6:30pm at Gabriel's house.
See you all there!
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