Synopses & Reviews
We are in Oxford in the 1660s - a time, and place, of great intellectual, scientific, religious and political ferment. Robert Grove, a fellow of New College is found dead in suspicious circumstances. A young woman is accused of his murder. We hear about the events surrounding his death from four witnesses: Marco da Cola, a Venetian Catholic intent on claiming credit for the invention of blood transfusion; Jack Prescott, the son of a supposed traitor to the Royalist cause determined to vindicate his father; John Wallis, chief cryptographer to both Cromwell and Charles II, a mathematician, theologican and inveterate plotter; and Anthony Wood, the famous Oxford antiquary. Each witness tells their version of what happened. Only one reveals the extraordinary truth.
An Instance of the Fingerpost is a magnificent tour de force: an utterly compelling historical mystery story with a plot that twists and turns and keeps the reader guessing until the very last page.
Synopsis
'A fictional tour de force which combines erudition with mystery' PD James Set in Oxford in the 1660s - a time and place of great intellectual, religious, scientific and political ferment - this remarkable novel centres around a young woman, Sarah Blundy, who stands accused of the murder of Robert Grove, a fellow of New College. Four witnesses describe the events surrounding his death: Marco da Cola, a Venetian Catholic intent on claiming credit for the invention of blood transfusion; Jack Prescott, the son of a supposed traitor to the Royalist cause, determined to vindicate his father; John Wallis, chief cryptographer to both Cromwell and Charles II, a mathematician, theologian and master spy; and Anthony Wood, the famous Oxford antiquary.
Each one tells their version of what happened but only one reveals the extraordinary truth. Brilliantly written, utterly convincing, gripping from the first page to the last, An Instance of the Fingerpost is a magnificent tour de force.
'A novel that combines the simple pleasures of Agatha Christie with the intellectual subtlety of Umberto Eco, don't let it pass by unread.' The Times
Synopsis
'A fictional tour de force which combines erudition with mystery' PD James Oxford in the 1660s. Sarah Blundy stands accused of the murder of Robert Grove, a fellow of New College.
Four witnesses describe the events surrounding his death: Marco da Cola, a Venetian Catholic intent on claiming credit for the invention of blood transfusion; Jack Prescott, the son of a supposed traitor to the Royalist cause, determined to vindicate his father; John Wallis, chief cryptographer to both Cromwell and Charles II, a mathematician, theologian and master spy; and Anthony Wood, the famous Oxford antiquary.
Each one tells their version of what happened but only one reveals the extraordinary truth. Brilliantly written and utterly convincing, An Instance of the Fingerpost is gripping from the first page to the last.
'A novel that combines the simple pleasures of Agatha Christie with the intellectual subtlety of Umberto Eco, don't let it pass by unread.' The Times
About the Author
Iain Pears was born in 1955. Educated at Wadham College, Oxford, he has worked as a journalist, an art historian and television consultant. He is the author of six highly praised detective novels, which include The Raphael Affair, The Bernini Bust and An Instance of the Fingerpost. He has also written a book of art history and countless articles on artistic, financial and historical subjects.
Reading Group Guide
We are in Oxford in the 1660s - a time, and place, of great intellectual, scientific, religious and political ferment. Robert Grove, a fellow of New College is found dead in suspicious circumstances. A young woman is accused of his murder. We hear about the events surrounding his death from four witnesses: Marco da Cola, a Venetian Catholic intent on claiming credit for the invention of blood transfusion; Jack Prescott, the son of a supposed traitor to the Royalist cause determined to vindicate his father; John Wallis, chief cryptographer to both Cromwell and Charles II, a mathematician, theologican and inveterate plotter; and Anthony Wood, the famous Oxford antiquary. Each witness tells their version of what happened. Only one reveals the extraordinary truth.
An Instance of the Fingerpost is a magnificent
tour de force: an utterly compelling historical mystery story with a plot that twists and turns and keeps the reader guessing until the very last page.
1. The death of Dr. Robert Grove is the focal point for each of the four witness's narrative. Grove is not a likeable character and no one seems to grieve for him after his death. Why does Iain Pears choose such a man's death to be investigated so thoroughly?
2. The structure of the novel, where the author recounts events through the eyes of four witnesses, who all differ in character, perception, backgrounds and opinion, is interesting in many ways. What do you consider to be the author's purpose in presenting the book in this way, and what extra element does each witness bring to the novel as a whole?
3. A large part of the novel is developed from the author's use of historical events. Consider the historical events and the fictional plot both as separate entities and then as a whole. Does the historical intrigue add to the strength of the novel?
4. The description and discussions of medical matters in the book hold much fascination for the reader. The debate about blood circulation and the description of the procedure of transfusion is exciting if unnerving. Think about the other experiments in the novel, the autopsies, the vivisection and other scientific activities that take place. What do they contribute to the novel?
5. Sarah Blundy is the only fully drawn female character in a novel crowded with men. However, we only ever hear about her through the description of male protagonists. Is Sarah Blundy a strongly drawn character in her own right or merely a clever plot device?
1. The death of Dr. Robert Grove is the focal point for each of the four witness's narrative. Grove is not a likeable character and no one seems to grieve for him after his death. Why does Iain Pears choose such a man's death to be investigated so thoroughly?
2. The structure of the novel, where the author recounts events through the eyes of four witnesses, who all differ in character, perception, backgrounds and opinion, is interesting in many ways. What do you consider to be the author's purpose in presenting the book in this way, and what extra element does each witness bring to the novel as a whole?
3. A large part of the novel is developed from the author's use of historical events. Consider the historical events and the fictional plot both as separate entities and then as a whole. Does the historical intrigue add to the strength of the novel?
4. The description and discussions of medical matters in the book hold much fascination for the reader. The debate about blood circulation and the description of the procedure of transfusion is exciting if unnerving. Think about the other experiments in the novel, the autopsies, the vivisection and other scientific activities that take place. What do they contribute to the novel?
5. Sarah Blundy is the only fully drawn female character in a novel crowded with men. However, we only ever hear about her through the description of male protagonists. Is Sarah Blundy a strongly drawn character in her own right or merely a clever plot device?