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The Weary God of Ancient Travelers
Who is Lydia Warren? That's what she'd like to know. An amnesiac, she vaguely remembers arriving in Santorini with this one-armed man she instinctive trusts but cannot recall his name. She guides us through the fog that is her mind, and her odyssey towards understanding that is even further complicated by memories of a life not her own from before she was born.
"Brimming with suspense and carefully controlled darkness, the sounds and smells of Greece waft from every page as Stilling moves back and forth from Lydia's past life to her present with a dexterity and skill commensurate with Audrey Niffenegger." - Damian McNicholl, author of A Son Called Gabriel and The Moment of Truth
"Brimming with suspense and carefully controlled darkness, the sounds and smells of Greece waft from every page as Stilling moves back and forth from Lydia's past life to her present with a dexterity and skill commensurate with Audrey Niffenegger." - Damian McNicholl, author of A Son Called Gabriel and The Moment of Truth
348 pages, Paperback
Published June 15, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 18, 2021
Book Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com
When I initially selected this title I was expecting something between a psychological mystery and a quirky surreal story, but I was not expecting such a hard-hitting and thoughtful tale of a woman struggling to figure out not only who she was, but who she wants to be.
The story follows Lydia Warren, a woman who has no idea who she is. She is living in Santorini, Greece, with a one-armed man she believes is a friend but cannot recall his name no matter how many times he tells her. As she attempts to remember who she is and what caused her to forget, or repress, her former life, she begins to consider far-fetched options that slowly begin to reveal themselves as possible truths.
This was a hard review to write because so many of the great things about this novel are the result of the turns it takes! The novel starts you off a little confused, but I think that’s an intentional mimetic choice. The main character is suffering from long-term memory loss, in that she cannot recall most of her past, and she also forgets things from the present. This trope is a dangerous one to approach, as it often slides into cliché, but it worked for me because it’s clear the amnesia is not the result of one incident (like most of the books/movies featuring this disorder), but her brain deciding it has had enough psychological trauma and essentially shutting down. Lydia has had a very hard life with multiple incidents of terrible suffering. Her amnesia to me was less of a plot device than a way to show how the human mind protects itself from trauma and that we can work past it if we just give ourselves enough time.
The story takes a winding, circuitous route that moves at a languid yet not stilted pace that allows the mystery to unravel organically. The ending isn’t hard to guess, but the lead up is intriguing, at times heart-breaking, and occasionally amusing.
The novel also includes evocative descriptions of Greece, with forays into small towns, the seaside, Athens, and the mountains. I was as much enthralled by the “scenery” of the novel as I was of the story.
Overall, I found The Weary God of Ancient Travelers to be an introspective look into how we handle our pasts and I recommend it to those who enjoy their mysteries based more on self-reflection than big reveals.
Trigger Warnings for mentions of child sexual abuse, the Holocaust, and domestic violence.
When I initially selected this title I was expecting something between a psychological mystery and a quirky surreal story, but I was not expecting such a hard-hitting and thoughtful tale of a woman struggling to figure out not only who she was, but who she wants to be.
The story follows Lydia Warren, a woman who has no idea who she is. She is living in Santorini, Greece, with a one-armed man she believes is a friend but cannot recall his name no matter how many times he tells her. As she attempts to remember who she is and what caused her to forget, or repress, her former life, she begins to consider far-fetched options that slowly begin to reveal themselves as possible truths.
This was a hard review to write because so many of the great things about this novel are the result of the turns it takes! The novel starts you off a little confused, but I think that’s an intentional mimetic choice. The main character is suffering from long-term memory loss, in that she cannot recall most of her past, and she also forgets things from the present. This trope is a dangerous one to approach, as it often slides into cliché, but it worked for me because it’s clear the amnesia is not the result of one incident (like most of the books/movies featuring this disorder), but her brain deciding it has had enough psychological trauma and essentially shutting down. Lydia has had a very hard life with multiple incidents of terrible suffering. Her amnesia to me was less of a plot device than a way to show how the human mind protects itself from trauma and that we can work past it if we just give ourselves enough time.
The story takes a winding, circuitous route that moves at a languid yet not stilted pace that allows the mystery to unravel organically. The ending isn’t hard to guess, but the lead up is intriguing, at times heart-breaking, and occasionally amusing.
The novel also includes evocative descriptions of Greece, with forays into small towns, the seaside, Athens, and the mountains. I was as much enthralled by the “scenery” of the novel as I was of the story.
Overall, I found The Weary God of Ancient Travelers to be an introspective look into how we handle our pasts and I recommend it to those who enjoy their mysteries based more on self-reflection than big reveals.
Trigger Warnings for mentions of child sexual abuse, the Holocaust, and domestic violence.
May 31, 2021
2021 reads, #32. This is the latest release from our friends at D.X. Varos, and it's a bit of an unusual one, in that it largely eschews the press's normal supernatural elements to instead tell the tale of a woman suffering from Convenient Amnesia*, and her efforts to figure out what exactly the dark story is that her brain is literally hiding from her for her own well-being, as she stumbles her way through a half-vacation, half-fact-finding trip to Athens, Greece, in the years right before the introduction of the euro currency. As such, then, the book unfortunately suffers pretty badly from one-trick ponyism, in that author Jessica Stilling mostly doesn't bother introducing any other story elements besides the central mystery, making this a 350-page book in which almost nothing happens besides a middle-aged woman drinking wine, seeing the sights, and officially learning exactly one more clue per chapter to her origins, leading to an uninspiring climax that's essentially what you were exactly already guessing. Like many books of this type, it's not actually badly written, so it deserves at least two stars just for that; but I must admit that it took me an entire month and a half just to get through the first 50 pages, then for the purposes of writing this review I barrelled my way through the rest of it in one of the more tedious weeks I've had in a long while. Although DXV is usually a pretty reliable source of literary quality, in this case I'm giving the book a pass altogether.
*Convenient Amnesia: A construction of the entertainment industry in which a character remembers every single thing about how to actually live daily life (how to brush their teeth, what red lights mean at stoplights), but conveniently forgets their own name and all the events that will eventually lead to the third act's climax.
*Convenient Amnesia: A construction of the entertainment industry in which a character remembers every single thing about how to actually live daily life (how to brush their teeth, what red lights mean at stoplights), but conveniently forgets their own name and all the events that will eventually lead to the third act's climax.
June 28, 2021
Set in bustling and raucous Chicago in the nineteenth century, this book is about more than "merely" murder and greasing palms. The author also includes historical details such as the coverture law, ambrotypes, role of the night soil workers and the massive Cosby's Opera House.
In an era when the majority of women are homemakers, detective Quinn takes people off guard and I think she enjoys their discomfiture! Her colleague Garnick recognizes the need for a woman's presence and skill set so they are complementary. When murder rears its ugly head, they investigate and no area in Chicago is off limits, including unsavoury gambling houses and brothels. But when it appears someone wants Quinn out of the way, the investigation intensifies. Deceit, danger and secrets are rife.
My favourite aspect of this book is the history injected into it. I'm not particularly fond of one of the relationships as it does not feel convincing. But the writing is lovely and the details got and kept my attention.
My sincere thank you to D.X. Varos, Ltd. and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this arresting book.
In an era when the majority of women are homemakers, detective Quinn takes people off guard and I think she enjoys their discomfiture! Her colleague Garnick recognizes the need for a woman's presence and skill set so they are complementary. When murder rears its ugly head, they investigate and no area in Chicago is off limits, including unsavoury gambling houses and brothels. But when it appears someone wants Quinn out of the way, the investigation intensifies. Deceit, danger and secrets are rife.
My favourite aspect of this book is the history injected into it. I'm not particularly fond of one of the relationships as it does not feel convincing. But the writing is lovely and the details got and kept my attention.
My sincere thank you to D.X. Varos, Ltd. and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this arresting book.
June 9, 2021
Jeanne Matthews new book, Devil by the Tail, is excellent. Quinn Sinclair and Garnick are partners in a private detective agency in post-Civil War Chicago. The corruption at all levels of government and law enforcement is on full display in this mystery. Quinn is a widow trying to get her share of her late husband's estate from her well to do in-laws. The lawyer she has hired has a deal - help him with a case and he will not charge her for anymore meetings with her impossible MIL. Quinn knows this isn't a good deal but agrees - the defendant is charged with arson and killing her ex lovers wife and father in law. And the corruption is every where and who can Sinclair and Garnick really believe? Adding to the moment is their growing feelings for each other. A great read and the story is so well done! I hope to see another Sinclair and Garnick adventure. Thank you to #NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of #DevilbytheTail. .
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July 20, 20213 stars
From the beginning, Devil by the Tail draws you into the colorful world of post-Civil War Chicago with a tale of corruption, murder, and sex. Matthews does an excellent job of bringing the story to life through well-researched historical details and carefully woven layers of mystery.
While I enjoyed Devil by the Tail for the most part, there were definitely some issues for me. Matthews writes in a very matter-of-fact way that really works for the mystery aspect of the novel, but blocks off the ability for characterization to really bloom. I never really felt like I got a handle on who Quinn was and the romance between her and Garnick felt like it was shoved into the book haphazardly. In addition, the book wrapped up far too quickly considering how many incidents were being investigated. While the initial intrigue prompted me to give this book a 3 star, adding more depth to the characters in addition to the mystery could have easily made this one a 5 star for me.
From the beginning, Devil by the Tail draws you into the colorful world of post-Civil War Chicago with a tale of corruption, murder, and sex. Matthews does an excellent job of bringing the story to life through well-researched historical details and carefully woven layers of mystery.
While I enjoyed Devil by the Tail for the most part, there were definitely some issues for me. Matthews writes in a very matter-of-fact way that really works for the mystery aspect of the novel, but blocks off the ability for characterization to really bloom. I never really felt like I got a handle on who Quinn was and the romance between her and Garnick felt like it was shoved into the book haphazardly. In addition, the book wrapped up far too quickly considering how many incidents were being investigated. While the initial intrigue prompted me to give this book a 3 star, adding more depth to the characters in addition to the mystery could have easily made this one a 5 star for me.
June 27, 2021
I absolutely loved this book. It's totally not a time period I would normally reach for (post American Civil War set in Chicago) but I am sooooo glad I did. The characters are excellent (favorites were Quinn and Lou, the brothel madam!) the pacing superb and the mystery was actually one that I didn't solve until the threads beautifully came together in the narrative (extremely unusual for me and mysteries! Jeanne Matthews nailed it!). I didn't want to put it down and blew threw it in a day and a half of bliss.
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy of Devil by the Tail and to Jeanne Matthews for putting together such a cracking read. My opinions are my own and never influenced by anybody. Ever.
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy of Devil by the Tail and to Jeanne Matthews for putting together such a cracking read. My opinions are my own and never influenced by anybody. Ever.
June 22, 2021
The year is 1867, meet Garnick & Paschal Private Detectives – Garnick, ex-Confederated soldier, and Mrs. Paschal, a graduate of the Pinkerton Detective Agency, who really is Quinn Sinclair. Still in the early stages of their detecting, two cases really turn out to be one case? A great start to what I hope with many more adventures. I loved the way Jeanne Matthews describes the characters, police, politicians, prostitutes, … Fast paced read, laugh out loud at the expressions used (I so love the word ‘bamboozled’)
Thank you to NetGalley and D.X. Varos for an early copy.
Thank you to NetGalley and D.X. Varos for an early copy.
August 4, 2021
Thank you to Net galley and D.X. Varos, Ltd. for the chance to read and review this book. The opinions expressed are my own.
I enjoyed this book! It is a mystery story that takes place in 19th Century Chicago. Quinn Sinclair, a Union war bride and Garnick, a former Rebel POW, decide to become partners and open a detective agency. I really liked the setting and all the details of this time period. The author did a good job making me feel like I was really there.
I would read other books by this author, especially if it was a continuation of this series!
I enjoyed this book! It is a mystery story that takes place in 19th Century Chicago. Quinn Sinclair, a Union war bride and Garnick, a former Rebel POW, decide to become partners and open a detective agency. I really liked the setting and all the details of this time period. The author did a good job making me feel like I was really there.
I would read other books by this author, especially if it was a continuation of this series!
March 8, 2022
A beautifully-written, richly detailed story about memory, the mysterious workings of the brain, and the human capacity for forgiveness. Here's my New Books Network interview with Jessica Stilling: https://newbooksnetwork.com/jessica-s...
October 21, 2022
I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. Wow love the cover! What a great Victorian era mystery. Highly recommend
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews