Synopses & Reviews
The atmosphere of
Bleak House, the sensuous thrill of
Perfume, and the mystery of
Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell all combine in a story of murder, deceit, love, and revenge in Victorian England.
"After killing the red-haired man, I took myself off to Quinn's for an oyster supper." So begins the extraordinary story of Edward Glyver booklover, scholar, and murderer. As a young boy, Glyver always believed he was destined for greatness. A chance discovery convinces him that he was right: greatness does await him, along with immense wealth and influence. Overwhelmed by his discovery, he will stop at nothing to win back a prize that he knows is rightfully his.
Glyver's path to reclaim his prize leads him from the depths of Victorian London, with its foggy streets, brothels, and opium dens, to Evenwood, one of England's most beautiful and enchanting country houses, and finally to a consuming love for the beautiful but enigmatic Emily Carteret. His is a story of betrayal and treachery, of death and delusion, of ruthless obsession and ambition. And at every turn, driving Glyver irresistibly onward, is his deadly rival: the poet-criminal Phoebus Rainsford Daunt.
The Meaning of Night is an enthralling novel that will captivate readers right up to its final thrilling revelation.
Review
"[E]nthralling....Cox invokes emotions...on a grand scale and gives them an equally impressive backdrop as he depicts a fetid London....A masterful first novel and a must for readers of Iain Pears and David Liss." Booklist (Starred Review)
Review
"A bibliophilic, cozy, murderous confection out of foggy old England....[A] long, learned and remarkably entertaining treat, which begs comparison with the work of Patricia Highsmith." Kirkus Reviews
Review
"[A] stunning first novel....Cox creates a strong sense of place, a complex narrative full of unexpectedly wicked twists, and a well-drawn cast of supporting characters....[A] masterpiece..." Library Journal
Review
"[A] narrative as beguiling as it is intelligent, full of great country houses, epic loves, fierce anger and vicious habits of every sort." New York Times
Synopsis
"Superb.... An engrossing and complicated tale...that touches on every aspect of Victorian society."Michael Dirda, Washington Post Book World"After killing the red-haired man, I took myself off to Quinn's for an oyster supper." So begins the "enthralling" (Booklist, starred review) and "ingenious" (Boston Globe) story of Edward Glyver, booklover, scholar, and murderer. A chance discovery convinces Glyver that greatness awaits him. His path to win back what is rightfully his leads him to Evenwood, one of England's most enchanting country houses, and a woman who will become his obsession.
Synopsis
The atmosphere of Bleak House, the sensuous thrill of Perfume, and the mystery of Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell all combine in a story of murder, deceit, love, and revenge in Victorian England.
Synopsis
"After killing the red-haired man, I took myself off to Quinn's for an oyster supper." So begins the "enthralling" (
Booklist, starred review) and "ingenious" (
Boston Globe) story of Edward Glyver, booklover, scholar, and murderer. As a young boy, Glyver always believed he was destined for greatness. A chance discovery convinces him that he was right: greatness does await him, along with immense wealth and influence. Overwhelmed by his discovery, he will stop at nothing to win back a prize that he knows is rightfully his.
Glyver's path to reclaim his prize leads him from the depths of Victorian London, with its foggy streets, brothels, and opium dens, to Evenwood, one of England's most beautiful and enchanting country houses, and finally to a consuming love for the beautiful but enigmatic Emily Carteret. His is a story of betrayal and treachery, of death and delusion, of ruthless obsession and ambition. And at every turn, driving Glyver irresistibly onward, is his deadly rival: the poet-criminal Phoebus Rainsford Daunt.
The Meaning of Night is an enthralling novel that will captivate readers right up to its final thrilling revelation.
About the Author
Michael Cox is the author of a widely praised biography of the scholar and ghost-story writer M. R. James, and is the editor of The Oxford Book of English Ghost Stories and The Oxford Book of Victorian Detective Stories. He lives in rural Northamptonshire, where part of The Meaning of Night is set.