Painting the Darkness: A Novel

It's impossible for me to over-rate this book - I loved it! The basis of the story is pretty well outlined in the synopsis on Amazon. The main story takes place in 1882 Victorian England, but certain incidents of earlier decades are included. A man named James Norton comes forward, claiming to be Sir James Davenall, who was believed to have committed suicide 11 years earlier. He is rejected by his mother, Lady Catherine Davenall, his cousin, Richard Davenall, his doctor, and others who knew Sir James. He is most aggressively opposed by his younger brother, Sir Hugo Davenall, who inherited the baronetcy and all the properties and wealth which would have gone to Sir James had he not been believed to be dead, and by William Trenchard, the husband of Constance Sumner, who was the fiancee of Sir James at the time of his disappearance 11 years earlier and who realizes that the return of Sir James would be a serious threat to his marriage. Those are the main characters, but there are other characters important to the story, including "Plon-Plon", an heir to the Napoleon crown, Vivien Strang, Catherine's former governess, Emily Sumner, Constance's sister, Sir Gervase Davenall, father of James and Hugo, the fatally irresistible Melanie Rossiter, and Quinn, Sir Gervases's former butler. There are quite a few other characters, as well, more minor but still important to the story. Sometimes this large of a cast of characters in a book of this length (over 600 pages) can make it difficult to keep track of them, but the author describes each person in such detail that I felt I knew them personally & therefore could never get them confused. The personality of each is meticulously detailed and the conversations and narrative, spoken in the beautiful English of the day, sound real and flow beautifully. Likewise, the descriptions of the locations, from the mean and squalid streets to the offices to the terraced houses and opulent mansions, the gardens, the inclement London weather, the parks - all were so carefully painted that I felt I was there. But as wonderful as the characters & location descriptions were, the main and mesmerizing feature of this book is the mystery, and what a mystery it is! Is James Norton really Sir Richard Davenall? If not, how could he possibly know as many intimate details of Sir James and the Duvanall family and his intimate moments with Constance? Why does Lady Catherine refuse to recognize her son? Suffice it to say that the Duvenall family is a family with secrets. There are enough skeletons in their closet to fill a cemetery. Layer after layer is revealed, right up to the end. This was a very long and satisfying book - it kept me up late several nights to read "just one more chapter, one more." I am keeping my fingers crossed that this book will be picked up for a screenplay - not for a movie, because the whole story couldn't possibly be told in two hours, but it would make a wonderful 10-episode series.

Another Goddard masterpiece. This book was plotted so well and the twists and turns were unceasing. Like his other books that I have read, the sheer length (600+ pages) caused me to become weary and lose interest in the middle part despite surprises on top of surprises. The last 1/3 was intense and impossible to put down.

I love many of Mr Goddard's books... This one started well, caught my interest, and then somewhere in the middle I started skimming over sections... It just seemed to take forever to get to the point, especially in the courtroom scenes... But I kept on and the end, the answers, were great... worth the boring bits.

Pulling together famous figures and fictional characters is a common enough mystery novel trope nowadays. In this mystery set in the 1880s, the real star is the twisting and un twisting of the story. The characters are annoying, but that is because they are flawed human beings who want to believe or want to doubt the Devenell claimant. The story is told through several memoirs, a scattering of letters, and half of the book's characters as they remember the series of misdeeds in a family cursed with pride, vanity, arrogance, and secrets. At times that constant references to dates seems unnecessary, but as the muck is churned, the dates build up or invalidate the various theories put forward by the characters. The real-life figures include a luckless Bonaparte descendant and Florence Nightingale, in a novelistic version of a cameo appearance.

Painting the Darkness is a most enjoyable book by a well known author of complex plots and excellent descriptive narrative. A flavor of Hardy is blended with a series of interesting characters who, while believable, continue to suprise the reader. The story works its way toward a solution that one thinks cannot be resolved. But without incredible imagination, it all becomes understandable at the finish. While tasting a comfortable conclusion, one is then left with a whimsical sense of mystery as the boat sails away across Lake Lugano.The family intrigue of the Davenalls contains the spectrum of genealogical misactions ranging from philandry to incest. The mix of jealously of titles and wealth to spirit these behaviors is broad and shows the reader how the progression toward selfish goals can lead to distrastrous ends. Wraping this in the envelope of 19th cn English scenery and morals is a clever technique which almost lends a spectre of dignity to the outrageous sins of the sons as well as the fathers. I recommend!

I enjoy this author; however, this was the least favorite of the books I've read. Slowed down and rambled so I began to lose interest. Recommend reading the trilogy as all of those books were perfect.

Goddard, in his first novel, the remarkable "Past Caring", got it just right. In "Painting the Darkness" he gives us a good read until about two-thirds of the way through, after which it becomes silly. This has been the hallmark of later Goddard books. No doubt it sells, but the pleasure is no more there than with a carnival carousel that does not stop turning.

While a smidge too long, this is the penultimate psychological, Victorian-era thriller. The twists and turns of the plot line, the fullness with which the characters are fleshed out, the way the story wraps up and yet leaves you wondering what will happen next all make up a very intense book I read in one sitting.