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Murder as a Fine Art
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Murder as a Fine Art
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Murder as a Fine Art
Audiobook12 hours

Murder as a Fine Art

Written by David Morrell

Narrated by Matthew Wolf

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

4/5

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Currently unavailable

Currently unavailable

About this audiobook

ALA Reading List Award for Best Mystery
GASLIT LONDON IS BROUGHT TO ITS KNEES IN DAVID MORRELL'S BRILLIANT HISTORICAL THRILLER.

Thomas De Quincey, infamous for his memoir Confessions of an English Opium-Eater, is the major suspect in a series of ferocious mass murders identical to ones that terrorized London forty-three years earlier.



The blueprint for the killings seems to be De Quincey's essay "On Murder Considered as One of the Fine Arts." Desperate to clear his name but crippled by opium addiction, De Quincey is aided by his devoted daughter Emily and a pair of determined Scotland Yard detectives.

In Murder as a Fine Art, David Morrell plucks De Quincey, Victorian London, and the Ratcliffe Highway murders from history. Fogbound streets become a battleground between a literary star and a brilliant murderer, whose lives are linked by secrets long buried but never forgotten.
LanguageEnglish
Release dateMay 7, 2013
ISBN9781611132663
Unavailable
Murder as a Fine Art
Author

David Morrell

David Morrell is the New York Times bestselling author of twenty-eight books, including his award-winning Creepers. Co-founder of the International Thrillers Writers Organization, he is considered by many to be the father of the modern action novel. To learn more, go to www.davidmorrell.net.

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Reviews for Murder as a Fine Art

Rating: 4.077854684429065 out of 5 stars
4/5

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  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Looking forward to the next book in series
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Writers of historical mysteries have turned everyone from Bertie, Prince of Wales, to Mark Twain to Groucho Marx into an amateur sleuth, but David Morrell's choice of writer Thomas De Quincey as his hero may be the most inspired of them all, even if De Quincey is little known today. If his name is recognized it is probably as the author of "Confessions of an Opium Eater" (1822) in which he describes his addiction to the opium-loaded drug laudanum after first taking it for pain relief. To support both his habit and his large family, he sold countless essays on a variety of subjects to British publications.It is another of De Quincey's writings, "On Murder Considered as One of the Fine Arts" (1827) that Morrell uses as a launchpad for his 2013 novel, the first in a series, "Murder as a Fine Art." De Quincey wrote about the infamous Ratcliffe Highway killings of 1811. Morrell imagines that, decades later, the crimes by the Ratcliffe Highway killer are repeated, almost death for death, as if to rub them in De Quincey's face.At first, De Quincey is himself considered a suspect in the new round of bloody murders. Soon, accompanied by his youngest daughter, Emily, he is assisting Detective Inspector Ryan and Constable Becker in trying to solve the crimes. Or perhaps they are assisting him, so sharp is his mind, at least when he has access to a steady supply of laudanum.Morrell, a literature professor before he became a best-selling author of thrillers (beginning with First Blood), became a Thomas De Quincey scholar before beginning this series of novels, and it shows in the detail he provides about De Quincey and his times. Also, Morrell provides his readers with a short history lesson at the beginning of virtually every chapter, writing about the London police force, the popularity of laudanum as a pain reliever in De Quincey's day, the spread of cholera in London in the middle of the 19th century and other topics relating to his story."Murder as a Fine Art" may be a violent novel, especially in the initial chapter, but it is an unusually fine mystery, one that may inspire some of us to seek out some of Thomas De Quincey's work.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    A really good, exciting, and well produced book! It kept me up at night.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Very engaging. Great historical detail. An exciting and engrossing read.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Captivates you more and more as you get into it!
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Very creative however not unrealistic, enjoyable period piece of simple times and some simple minds, but always entertaining
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    FABULOUS! Excellent and exquisite attention to historical detail, compelling and intricate plot, wonderful characters. Not for the faint of heart, as the blood flowed like the Thames, but absolutely captivating!
    Loved it!!!
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Despite what I had believed was a slow start, When I realized this was actually historical fiction I became absorbed by the story. I came to understand more of the political and social Framework of Victorian England reaching from aristocratic Heights To the paupers low life to the reaches of the British Empire in India. The story was absorbing, dangerous, and exciting. The only book I have ever given a five star rating.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    The book was truly special: it is a compelling suspense/mystery novel set in a meticulously researched 1852 London. The author does not fall back on emotionally anachronistic mores or relationships between her characters. He addresses real social issues of the day but doesn’t draw attention to them in that “aren’t we smarter them now?” way that drives me crazy. Yes, the social roles, traps and conflicts are right out there (just like ours are now) but they are just part of the story. Great, flawed characters—beautifully written. The author doesn’t shy away from intellectual concepts because he doesn’t assume we’re stupid. I can honestly say it is the best historical mystery novel I have read in 10+ years.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Wow! Such detail and the mystery is riveting. The reader is very good.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I'm still confuzzled on this book and I finished it over a week ago. I don't think I've read a book that sets a mood so well in such a long time - I swear that I felt that menacing fog that seemed to be ever present as the constables searched for the murderer. I felt the menace, I felt the fear. Mr. Morrell knows how to write a scene!Where I had problems with the book is in the whys. The bad guy was singularly bad - that's for sure, but his motivations were explained but other than his being a total psychopath there seemed to be little reason for his actions. Unless I fell asleep while reading a chapter. Maybe he had a split personality - some kind of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde? I couldn't understand the horrors he committed for the reasons he stated. But then again, sometimes madmen are just madmen and maybe I need to read it again NOT looking for reason under the madness. It would not be a hardship - well, mostly. It is pretty gruesome in parts - to read it again due to the way Mr. Morrell has with his pen.I found Mr. de Quincey to be tolerable but not likable and his daughter was an odd duck to be sure. She was a bit hard to warm to as well. The two police officers were the characters I liked best and the book seemed to leave things hanging as if there might be more adventures for this quartet. I would not be averse to that. Perhaps it would help me with my confuzzlement.The historical tidbits dropped throughout the book were downright fascinating and were added in seamlessly so that the reader was educated but not preached to. I'm rather glad I was not living in London at this time period.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    1854 and London is again hit with a spate of murders that seem to be a copycat of the Ratcliffe Highway murders of 1811. Thomas De Quincey, famed for his 'Confessions of an English Opium-Eater', is decreed to be the main suspect. Can the De Quinceys with the help of D.I. Ryan and Constable Becker find the murderer and determine his motives.
    Really enjoyed this story, like the characters and got involved in the telling. I look forward to reading the next in the series.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Morrell makes the Victorian era come alive in this story of murder and intrigue.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Extremely well researched and for the most part, well written. While I loved the era and the main characters, this author’s style was just.a bit too graphic for me. Also, after the killer’s reveal about 60% of the way in, the chase to catch him went on a bit long. That said, the story has merit and I will likely read the next Instalment.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Enjoyed this crime mystery story based in London in the late 1880s. The book also describes in fascinating detail the siocial mores of the time including the position of women - the gentle sex, women's clothes, the sewage system, the use of opium or laudanum and the poor and homeless in the streets of London.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Murder as a Fine Art by David MorrellA murder has been committed. A murder so heinous and revolting, it reminds Londoners of the Ratcliffe Highway murders that occurred years earlier. Upon further investigation, the recent murders appear to be committed in exactly the same manner and detail as the Ratcliffe Highway murders almost 40 years ago. But how can this be? The murderer accused of the crimes has been dead for40 years. Is someone copying the Ratcliffe Murders? Why would anyone do this? These are the questions that Scotland Yard has been asking themselves and are now asking of their prime suspect, famous author Thomas De Quincey. How can De Quincey defend himself when he wrote an essay entitled "On Murder Considered as One of the Fine Arts" which described the Ratcliffe Highway murders in striking detail...as if he was actually there? Will De Quincey, the notorious Opium Eater, be able to defend himself against his own "fine art" and help to discover who the actual killer may be...before he strikes again?This book was EXCELLENT! I loved every minute of it and then ran out and found the other 2 books in the series.The series follows author Thomas De Quincey and his daughter Emily as they help Scotland Yard solve murder mysteries. The detail to Victorian England is wonderful and well researched and it is very fast paced and laced with psychological drama, suffering, and thrills. It made me look up more information on De Quincey who is a very interesting historical figure himself! So glad I took a chance and paid full price for this book at the store (which i NEVER do!), it just sounded so interesting and the first few pages sucked me in with their little historical preface. As a nurse, I also love the realism that Morrell shows when describing De Quincey's addition and struggles with opium or laudanum. Well done David Morrell.

    1 person found this helpful

  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    It's smokey foggy London of the Victorian era. A little love interest, lots of murder

    1 person found this helpful

  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    It was gruesome in the beginning but after few chapters, I couldn't stop listening to this book. It was thrilling

    1 person found this helpful

  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Wow! This is most definitely an informative historical fiction. Well researched with great character development and with an environment that makes you feel like you are also in the 1850's. The narrator does a great job with voice characterizations having obviously well prepared for the no longer used strange sounding old English words included to make the text more realistic. The author takes the time at the end of the novel to explain any discrepancies that occurred (very few) and his research process which was also interesting to know. All in all, I'd certainly recommend to anyone who'd enjoy a novel based on the 'father' of the 'true crime' genre!

    1 person found this helpful

  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Murder as a Fine Art by David Morrell is simply fine art. This is historical mystery at its best. Morrell deserves to be ranked with the best writers in this sub-genre. It is a face-paced murder tale, full of action sequences that are vital and real, set in London during the 1850s. With a rich cast of characters and vivid detail the period is real, dark and threatening.Gruesome murders have been committed in the exact manner of murders committed forty-three years earlier. Thomas De Quincey had written an essay in which the murders were graphically described. (They are graphically described in this book as well, so this is not a book for the squeamish sleuth.) He is addicted to laudanum and now becomes the chief suspect in the current murders. The Scotland Yard men finally come to recognize that De Quincey, and his daughter Emily, are in fact resources that can help them solve the case. The book is quite simply: perfect and the sequel, Inspector of the Dead, is equally so.

    1 person found this helpful

  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Summary: In 1811, more than seventy years before Jack the Ripper, a series of grisly murders known as the Ratcliffe Highway killings terrified England. They were so well known that Thomas de Quincey, best known for his scandalous "Confessions of an Opium Eater", which described his intense opium addiction, also published a detailed essay on the killings called "On Murder Considered as One of the Fine Arts". When a copy-cat murder is committed in 1854, the details of the grisly scene is enough to spark a panic -- if someone repeats the first of the Ratcliffe Highway murders, they're likely to repeat the rest, and no one is safe. Detective Ryan of Scotland Yard is under immense pressure to solve the case as rapidly as possible, but is it the original killer returned, someone who's read de Quincey's essay and is using it for a guide, or is the murderer de Quincey - who just happens to be in London with his daughter at the time - himself?Review: I am generally favorably disposed towards historical mysteries, especially historical murder mysteries, so it's probably no surprise that I enjoyed this book. However, it does have some elements that set it apart from other books in this genre that I thought I'd call out. First, this book is based on (or grounded in?) real events. Despite me never having heard of either before reading this book, both Thomas de Quincey (and his writings) and the Ratcliffe Highway murders are real -- only the 1854 copy-cat murders are fiction. The set-up - what would happen if there had been a copy-cat? - is so clear and so grounded in the real world history and personalities that the narrative seems almost effortless. Morrell did what I want my historical fiction to do: find some piece of history that I don't know about and make it live. He also did a good job of bringing the 1850s London to life, particularly the less posh elements of society, and the attitudes towards women and immigrants. The story rotates in viewpoint among several characters, primarily alternating between the detectives investigating the case and excerpts from de Quincey's daughter's journal (which, seriously, even at the time no one is journaling with that much detail). Morell also starts many chapters with a third-person omniscient brief exposition regarding some element of London society or history, which sounds like it might be distracting, but which I thought made the whole thing feel like an appropriately Victorian pastiche. I enjoyed all of the characters, particularly Constable Becker, a young policeman who is determined to use this case to prove his worthiness as an Inspector. I also thought that the mystery was well done, with clues doled out at a good pace (including chapters from the killer's point of view), and ultimately having a solution that made sense with the rest of the story. There was some sense of having one too many elements involved - there was a subplot (or not even; it wasn't developed well enough to merit the name) involving political unrest in Europe at the time that I didn't think added much to the story and could easily have been omitted. But overall, I really enjoyed reading this, and it's inspired me to go pick up some of de Quincey's writings for myself. 4.5 out of 5 stars.Recommendation: If you like the historical mysteries featuring Jack the Ripper (or other novels set in the slums of Victorian London), this is definitely worth adding to your reading list. It reminded me most of The Meaning of Night in tone, and The Solitary House in content.

    1 person found this helpful

  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I actually read this some time ago. I remember thinking that I liked the ending. I never guessed who real person was that actually committed the murders. I checked the book out again to refresh my memory before I read the next one.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Murder as a Fine Art by David Morrell
    5 Stars

    I thought this was a great historical mystery novel where the author features actual historical figures interacting with fictional characters.

    Set in 1854 London this book was inspired by the works of author Thomas De Quincey, who is known for a series of essays called Confessions of an English Opium-Eater. He also wrote an essay on the Ratcliffe Highway murders which took place in 1811, which he titled "On Murder Considered as One of the Fine Arts." At the time they were unlike anything the world had ever seen before.

    Forty three years later, London experiences the re-enactment of the bloody murders of the Ratcliffe Highway killings which stunned the entire country. De Quincey is now in his late sixties and heavily addicted to laudanum. Along with his daughter Emily, he has been lured back to London under mysterious circumstances. The essay De Quincey wrote years earlier has now made him the prime suspect in these copycat killings.

    Detective Inspector Sean Ryan and Constable Becker have been tasked by Home Secretary Lord Palmerston to arrest De Quincey to keep the rest of London from panicking. They soon suspect he's not the murderer and enlist his help. They believe that because he wrote the essay he has insight into the clues and motivations of the murder.

    The atmosphere of the novel is dark and mysterious and the story is written with witty and amusing dialogue. The author has expertly researched the time period and incorporates explanations for things like how Scotland Yard was established and the history of laudanum use. The story is told from the point of view of all the characters as well as from Emily's diary.

    I highly recommend Murder as a Fine Art to fans of historical mysteries. Victorian London, murder, mystery, suspense and historical facts and fiction are all woven together perfectly to create a story that grabs the reader and does not let go until the very end.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    While I was in college, I read Thomas De Quincey's Confessions of an English Opium Eater. When I recently learned that David Morrell had written a mystery with him as a sleuth, I thought back to De Quincey's Confessions and knew what a marvelous character he could be. To my delight, Morrell has done him justice. And then some.During this investigation, Scotland Yard detectives Ryan and Becker do the hard work while De Quincey is the ideas man. De Quincey was saying things about dreams and the subconscious (he even coined the word) many decades before Freud, so it is a definite battle of wills between this frail, brilliant, and odd little man and the detectives who are used to a more physical style of investigation. Ryan and Becker also have to get used to the bloomer-wearing Emily De Quincey who has been raised to think and speak for herself. As much as she shocks the two young men, she isn't the hindrance they're convinced she'd be. Quite the opposite in fact, and one of the pleasures of reading this book was watching the two men begin to admire her. Is there a budding romance in Emily's future? And with which of the detectives will it be? This is only one of the many reasons why I look forward to reading the next book in this series.Morrell brought Victorian London to life, and the action sequences were excellent. (Any time I read an action sequence and become worried or frightened, I know it's good.) We are treated to excerpts from Emily's diary throughout, and although these entries bring a needed break from tension, I have to admit that Emily's eye for detail had me wondering if she had a photographic memory.Occasionally Morrell would change to a third person omniscient point of view to share facts about Victorian England that were important to the plot. As interesting as these passages were, I found that they took me out of the story, although I haven't got a clue how the author could've imparted this information in a less intrusive way.With a hair-raising story, excellent action sequences, perfect period detail, and a marvelous cast of characters, I can't wait to get my hands on the next Thomas De Quincey book, Inspector of the Dead.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    This is my first run in with a prolific author who, sadly, I am only just learning about. The good news? I have an excellent backlog to check out.

    I purchased this book, because the storyline loosely pertained to books. Normally, I steer clear of period pieces (with Matthew Pearl being a notable exception, among a few others.)

    This book was an excellent read. It was paced well, it was engaging, and clearly the author is a master of his craft.

    Set in London, and surrounding a set of serial murderers that rival Jack the Ripper's own, we follow in the footsteps of a new murderer, bent upon re-creating the most heinous murders of the past. The entire city of London is in a panic, and no one is safe.

    We follow this story through a unique procession of perspectives. The most interesting of which is Emily DeQuincy's diary-like journal entries. Astonishingly, Morrell makes this work, and makes it work well.

    On the whole, a solid period piece. If you like murder mysteries, are enthralled by Ripper lore, or just find yourself wistful for mid-nineteenth century London, then you need to read this one.

    As always, the rating is a reflection of my interest in the topic. It would normally be higher. I also had some trouble grasping the secondary motivations of the murderer, which felt tacked on.

    Even so, don't let this sway you. Make your own decision. And, again: if you enjoy any of the above, this is a work worth exploring. It just wasn't for me.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    London has had its share of serial killers over the centuries, but in 1854 someone has decided to recreate one of the most ghastly crime scenes in history – The 1911 Ratcliffe Highway murders. Fingers begin to point at Thomas De Quincy (Confessions of an English Opium-Eater). De Quincy published an essay titled On Murder as One of the Fine Arts seemingly giving details that only the murderer could know, and now, despite his advanced age, poor health and ongoing opium addiction, he must work with the police to try and clear his name.

    David Morrell can rightly lay claim to the title “Rambo’s dad”. He penned First Blood, the original Rambo book. Known for writing in various genres he is best known to me as an action/thriller writer. This book is a little different from what I am used to. Don’t get me wrong; this book has more than its share of action and thrills, but it is a well-researched taste of life in 1850’s London. He gives his reader a glimpse into police procedure at the time, women’s issues, poverty, class distinction and yes, murder. All of that in a well written fast paced narrative with interesting characters (Emily De Quincy being one of the best female characters I’ve read in a long while) and, some sharp, witty dialogue. There is even a hint of a love story thrown in just to round it out completely.

    Historical fiction has become more demanding over the past few years. It no longer means simply a piece of writing set in some long ago time with a few accurate tidbits thrown in to provide a setting for the fictional story. Savvy readers now expect the historical facts in the book to be accurate and for authors to do their research. Mr. Morrell has indeed done his homework. I have read a number of historical fiction books that I thought were wonderful, but sometimes I found myself becoming more interested in the historical details than the story itself. This did not happen in this book. Yes the book is rich with the history of the time, but the story still stands strong. Mr. Morrell does not disappoint.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    David Morrell is a good writer but he writes entertainments and I seldom read entertainments. MURDER AS A FINE ART is written in the style of a Victorian novel/murder story. If that is your thing you will probably like it. I was intrigued but finally I couldn't finish the book. 60% of it was enough for me.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Interesting, intriguing and inspires more reading. Some historical info that I'll want to read more about. Well-crafted Victorian crime/mystery. I might suggest reading the author's "afterword" - first - to get the flavor of how the book came about. I'll read more of Morrell's books, also.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Amazing story and based on a true story, or at least part of it is a true story. Thomas De Quincey is a suspect in a series of murder, each having more than one victim. De Quincey wrote a book called Confessions of an English Opium-Eater, which describes murders much like these, only they occurred over forty years ago. De Quincey's daughter Emily plays a major part in this story, as does a pair of policemen, Detective Ryan and his new assistant Becker. The history and detail in this book is amazing and a wonderful bonus to a great story. I knew nothing of De Quincey and his "Opium-Eater" persona. Fascinating from beginning to end. Would love to see a sequel to this one, it was that good.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    This is a fast-paced historical mystery featuring a fictionalized portrayal of Thomas de Quincey, author of the notorious Confessions of an English Opium Eater, and an essay that gives the book its title. The stock-characters Inspector Ryan and Constable Becker are aided by a debilitated, severely addicted de Quincey in investigating a series of murders that echo the Ratcliffe highway murders of the early 19th century.The book was an enjoyable time-passer. I liked all the historical detail about London and about the British opium trade (wars based on brutal economic interests dressed up in patriotism, same as it ever was). I appreciated the character of de Quincey's independent, bloomers-wearing daughter, although I didn't believe in her. For my taste, there were too many action scenes. My bad; I didn't realize until well into it that David Morrell is the author of First Blood, the Rambo book.