Title: Sidney Chambers and the Shadow of Death
Author: James Runcie
First published April 24, 2012
392 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9781608198566 (ISBN10: 1608198561)
Rating: 3.68
Overview
Set in 1953, Sidney Chambers and the Shadow of Death by James Runcie is an intriguing clerical detective story. Sidney Chambers is a charismatic thirty-two-year-old vicar of Grantchester and honorary canon of Ely Cathedral.
His unconventional approach to solving crimes takes him to places where the police cannot reach. Together with his friend, inspector Geordie Keating, Sidney investigates a suspect suicide of a prominent Cambridge solicitor, a scandalous jewelry theft at a New Year’s Eve dinner party, the death of a jazz promoter’s daughter, and an art forgery that puts his close friend in danger.
Sidney finds himself never off-duty, but still manages to indulge in his interests of cricket, warm beer, and hot jazz. The story is reminiscent of Agatha Christie with a touch of G.K. Chesterton’s Father Brown, as Sidney Chambers becomes a charming new hero in the world of detective fiction.
About the Author
Meet James Runcie, a multi-talented artist from Britain. He’s a novelist, documentary filmmaker, TV producer, theatre director, and the Artistic Director behind the Bath Literature Festival.
Editoral Review
Sidney Chambers and the Shadow of Death by James Runcie is a captivating mystery novel that transports readers back in time to the 1950s in the charming English village of Grantchester. The author, James Runcie, is a well-known British writer, director, and producer, renowned for his work in the documentary film industry.
The narrative is set in the post-World War II era, following Sidney Chambers, a young Anglican priest, who, despite his reluctance, is constantly drawn into investigations that call for his unique skills to solve. The novel is the first in the Grantchester series, which has since become a highly popular PBS television show.
The novel’s pacing is intriguing, and the author’s engrossing writing style helps create a vivid setting of the English countryside. The book deals with important themes such as faith, death, love, and redemption, which adds to the depth of the story.
The character of Sidney Chambers is brilliantly portrayed, and readers will find themselves sympathizing with his struggles as a young priest with a taste for adventure. In the novel, Sidney Chambers finds himself investigating the death of a local solicitor, a suspicious suicide, and multiple murders of children.
His involvement in the investigations often puts him at odds with the local police who view him as a nosy outsider. Despite this, Sidney’s sharp wit and intelligence prove invaluable in solving the cases.
One of the book’s most significant strengths is the way Runcie mixes religion and crime which creates a unique literary experience. Additionally, the author’s vivid descriptions of the English village lifestyle and the historical context of post-war Britain captivate readers, immersing them in the time and place of the novel.
While the novel is a commendable read, its pacing may be too slow for some readers looking for fast-paced thrillers. However, readers who savor the nuances of character development and the masterful arrangement of plot will find the novel to be a charming and entertaining read.
Sidney Chambers and the Shadow of Death is ideal for lovers of classic murder mysteries, church history buffs, and anyone interested in the lighter side of crime fiction. It is also an excellent antidote to the current trend of dark and gruesome suspense novels.
Overall, Sidney Chambers and the Shadow of Death is a delightful novel that is sure to entertain and leave readers eager for more. The novel deserves our recommendation, and we give it four out of five stars.
