Angel with Two Faces: Josephine Tey Series, Book 2

Well, I'm reading Nicola Upson's books in completely the wrong order, but nevertheless this early one was one of her best. Much more believable than some of the later ones that really do seem to concentrate unnecessarily on Tey's apparent homosexuality. For example, 'Sorry for the Dead', which I was really looking forward to because of its Charleston setting, turned out to be just one gargantuan lesbian fest! 🙄 Anyway, back to THIS novel. Brilliant storyline with authentic characters (the working classes on a private Cornish estate). A good deal of interbreeding and the like, which of course is exactly how it would have been. I thought the depiction, settings and the very clever twist at the end were nothing short of superb. Four hundred odd pages yet I read it in a few days.Couldn't put it down. Nicola Upson really is a talented author and if she could just be a bit more discreet and not dwell too much on Tey's love (and lust) life, her writing would match that of the protagonist she so obviously admires. Five stars!

In Nicola Upson's second novel set in the 1930s and featuring the real life writer Josephine Tey, we find Josephine on her way down to Cornwall to take up an invitation to stay with her close friend Detective Inspector Archie Penrose, who has a family house in the area and has offered to lend it to Josephine so that she can have the peace and quiet to work on a new novel. Living at the big house on the estate where Archie has his cottage, are sisters Lettice and Ronnie (whom we first met in 'An Expert in Murder'), both of whom are not only good friends of Josephine's but also cousins to Archie. However, the quiet time that Archie had promised Josephine does not materialise as following on from the tragic death of a local young man, who 'accidentally' drowned in a lake on the estate, another young man goes missing and then the local curate, who is privy to more than one secret, has a very nasty fall whilst taking part in a play staged at the open-air Minack Theatre. Added to that there is the sister of the drowned man, the very beautiful Morwenna (with whom, Josephine soon becomes aware, Archie has some sort of past history) and then there is Morwenna's sister, Loveday, a fey, highly-imaginative young girl who may know more than is good for her. And in the background is the herbalist-healer Morvern, who knows too many secrets herself and in trying to do what she feels is the right thing, actually does more harm than good...With its atmospheric setting on the Cornish coast and its evocative descriptions of the Minack Theatre, an open-air theatre carved into a granite cliff, this second story from Nicola Upson is one that I found both interesting and entertaining to read. It is true that there is rather a lot going on in this particular novel including: murders, attempted suicides, illicit love affairs, family secrets and more - all of which make the story seem a little less convincing in some parts than in others, but I can't explain further without revealing spoilers. What I can say, however, is that for an entertaining downtime read this worked rather well and I enjoyed learning more about Archie and Josephine and seeing how their relationship develops, and I'm looking forward to reading and reviewing the remaining titles in this series.4 Stars.

Had me hooked all the way to the end. Characters well rounded and plot very good. An enjoyable read all round

Interesting concept with some nice touches. However, it all unravels when it comes to dialogue. Why do English people of the1930s talk like 1970s Americans? Is it a condescending attempt to talk down to the readers, or just poor grasp of spoken language?

Another great work from Ms Upson. She stands in Josephine Tey's shoes very comfortably and like her writes a cracking good story. This one is set down in Cornwall where Josephine is taking a working holiday at the estate where her detective friend and his theatrical sisters' call home. There is an accident, possible suicide, of a young man and all sorts of secrets spill out. We also get to visit the famous open air theatre at Minack where another death takes place. This time definitely murder. During the story some socially forbidden behaviour is mentioned and treated with sensitivity. Perhaps because Miss Tey was very much part of the theatre scene and thespians have generally been more open minded about such things. Great descriptions, good dialogue and nicely intricate plot. Thoroughly recommended.

Nicola Upson has really done her research on Josephine Tey which provides a fascinating insight to one of the great crime novelists. The overall complexity (and sometimes brutal) nature of the crimes, with twists of darker personalities added to the mix, really creates depth to these books.OK, if I'm honest it was reasonably easy to guess at the background which overarches the story but Nicola Upson does a very good job of weaving additional suspense, action, questioning and other hints to make us wonder.I'll definitely buy the others in the series as this one and its predecessor were such good reads I was completely drawn in and totally immersed in reading the book - which happens all too infrequently with many contemporary novels.

I’ve read several books by this talented author. This is one of her best. The plot had more twists than Chubby Checker! I just need to decide which of Nicola’s books to read next.

A clever idea to fictionalise characters who really existed, keeping them for the most part. in their real life settings.I didn't feel that the author had thought her plot line through to the end which I found rather disappointing andunsatisfactory. However, as I am a great admirer of Josephine Tey's books I will probably order the next 2 in this series. I always pass these on to my son, who also enjoys them, and make sure they are returned! They have also prompted me to re-read (for about the 4th time) all of Tey's books. Alan Grant rates with Adam Dalgleish as my 2 favourite fictional detectives and Archie Penrose promises well worth more knowledge of him and his work.

This is a complex psychological murder mystery. Based on a biography I read of Josephine Tey, contrary to other reviewers, the character in the novel seems consistent with the personality and life of the real Josephine Tey. It is true that the story involves incest, an abortion induced by an herbal practitioner (who believes the pregnancy was the result of brother/sister incest), and five murders and one suicide plus wife beating. However all violence takes place "off stage" so, unlike thrillers which describe each gruesome act of a psychopath, this one does not go into detail. The setting is Cornwall, near Penzance. The story begins with the death by accident or murder or suicide of Archie Penrose's cousin Harry in a lake. This happens before Archie and Josephine arrive at Archie's ancestral home for a vacation. Because there is some doubt about the circumstances surrounding Harry's death, both Archie and Josephine start asking questions out of curiousity. During a performance at an open air theatre near the cliffs, Archie witnesses someone push his cousin Nathaniel, the village curate, off the cliff. The local magistrate asks Archie to officially investigate the murder of Nathaniel. Archie and Josephine dig up more secrets and eventually arrive at the truth.I enjoyed this novel as much as the first in the series. I am surprised at the low number of average stars, but when I read the reviews, I could see that it was because many people had different expectations for mystery novels than I have. I believe those reviewers should stick with simpler cozy mystery writers like Diane Harman (light and airy, no psychological or complex elements, but does include recipes) and stay away from more complex modern mysteries like those written by Ian Rankin, Elizabeth George, and others mystery writers such as Upson. I found this a very good mystery, not as good as Elizabeth George but quite good. The end was satisfying. Archie and Josephine make a good team. We learn Archie's family history: at one point he was going to become a doctor, but the death of his father changed his mind. He decided that as a doctor, he might become arrogant and decide to play God.

This is a much weaker book than Upson's first Josephine Tey novel, Expert in Murder. The character of Tey is less central to the story, and her inclusion here feels more like a gimmick. The biographical research sticks out, although the details of the Cornish setting are handled well. A more grave fault is that, whereas that earlier book was populated with variously eccentric theatre-folk, portrayed more or less sympathetically, this one has very much less to warm to in the way of characters. Their faults are displayed vividly, whereas strengths are loosely specified. And the themes of homosexuality and domestic sexual violence are handled much more brutally here. That isn't to say that this is a bad book, only that it doesn't live up to the high standards of its predecessor.

I love all Nicola Upson books that I have read so far, but this will be my favourite. I absolute loved the setting, the people, the development, the suspense - I was able to lose myself in the story and never guessed the ending ... which then made absolute sense though ;-)

Bit slow at the start but it picks up and becomes a very good story. Hint of Agatha Christie writing/plot style.

Loved the 1930s setting. This is one in a series of an author who’s new to me. Worth checking the other books as welL.