Behind the Shattered Glass

This novel by Tasha Alexander is like reading one of those aristocratic murder-mysteries that you've only seen in the soaps of the 1950s. But, one difference is that Alexander's writing style is so poetic - you sometimes forget it's a murder and just get deeper and more enthralled in the words themselves. I also loved Tasha Alexanders "Death in the Floating City" - which is yet, even more intriguing. This book is fully of shocks, turns and twists that will keep a readers attention all night if it has too. 

Characters:

My favourite character in this book was Emily. I feel that Emily was probably the character with the most grief seeing as there is a young aristocratic murder in the question. Through Emily, we see the entire plot unfold and twists become apparent - she leads us on a chase of passion and even religion to a point where it is clear that she is the only one with the knowledge to solve the case. I'm trying really hard to give away very little - but Lady Emily is a character that you feel you really want to spend time with. 

Themes:

Like always, I love a mystery. Mystery as a theme can be manipulated into the best theme in the entire book. This is definitely the case for Behind the Shattered Glass. I feel that Alexander did not overdo the mystery theme - but did it just enough to keep an open-ended question in the reader's head and leave them unable to close the book until all questions were answered. Alexander, I feel, needs to be recognised more as a fantastic writer of suspense and mystery. 

Storyline:

The storyline to this novel revolves around a man who falls down dead through french doors. This seems very stylised - and well, Lady Emily now must solve the murder case. Fingers point to the vicar, to other aristocrats and even to Lady Emily's husband. But, the whole storyline leaves you in the same suspense as reading Sherlock Holmes - a never-ending cycle of twists and turns that can only leave one answer, but the actual getting to that answer proves difficult. This means that you definitely have to stick with Alexander and Lady Emily throughout the whole story. Once you begin, there is no way out until the end. 

Verdict:

I give this book 9

100% for characters: I love Lady Emily. I feel that she is a strong female character in the light of a Sherlock Holmes or Nancy Drew archetype. 

100% for themes: Mystery is one of my favourite themes to read about. This book just did it so well. 

100% for storyline: I really did enjoy the whole "Cluedo" type story. It was a lot of fun to read.