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When actress and producer Penny Wintercraft-Hawkes inherits the boarded-up Bellefield Theatre set in the Temple Bar area of London from a barely remembered eccentric French aunt, she is astonished by her good fortune. Her aunt also leaves her some money to renovate the Bellefield but suggests she undertakes some research about the place first. On her first visit to inspect the theatre, Penny is overwhelmed with a terrible ghostly atmosphere of fire and water, and before long others are also experiencing very unwelcome sensations. Not least amongst these is her partner Ringan Laine, a folk singer and property renovator, who is pushed off a ladder when testing the acoustics. Investigation becomes urgent, and Penny consults a former historian of St Paul's cathedral, an acquaintance at the British Library, and local tradespeople to discover the history of the site and who the malicious ghost might be. There also seems to be a link to the old ballad THE FAMOUS FLOWER OF SERVING MEN that Ringan was playing when he was attacked. This is an area of London with which I am very familiar and I was pleased with how well the atmosphere was captured. The tale itself was compelling, and although the ending didn't come as a real surprise, I was caught up in wanting to follow the research being undertaken, as the atmosphere at the theatre deteriorated. The tie-in to the folk songs was also an original and enjoyable twist. I'm not someone who would normally pick up a ghost story, but I thoroughly enjoyed this tale. Author Deborah Grabien is based in San Francisco and unfortunately to this Londoner it was obvious she was not a native. (I should perhaps point out I was only reading an uncorrected proof, and I very much hope she had some late input from a British editor or assistant). The real weak spot was with dialogue, which was peppered with jarring British endearments that seemed totally out of character with the social class of the characters. Indeed it is the quality of dialogue generally, particularly in the first half of the book, which is most disappointing -- too wordy and unnatural, and containing information better left to the narrative. I very much hope this can be improved in future books in the series because this is otherwise an extremely entertaining tale that will appeal to anyone who enjoys historical and supernatural mysteries. I will be looking out for the next one. THE FAMOUS FLOWER OF SERVING MEN is the second novel in the Murder, Music and Ghosts of the Past series, the first being THE WEAVER AND THE FACTORY MAID.
Reviewed by Bridget Bolton, October 2004
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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)
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