The Thief Taker

TWO AND A HALF STARS ONLY

I do love historical novels and though this one gives lots of details on certain aspects of 18th century London, this book fails to capture the atmosphere, the life of the the city. As a whodunnit, it's disappointing. There are quite too many characters and they all speak the same! Agnes Meadowes is as improbable a sleuth as she is inconsequential. This story bored me and I'm not that easily bored by historical fiction.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Blah

I usually can get through a book within two days but this took a week it just dragged. The characters weren't very investing and the plot was dense. I felt like I had to force myself to finish it. It's okay, but I've read much better.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

A reviewer

I had such high expectations for this book, but I pulled the bookmark at about page 75. That's right about when the 300th character was introduced. OK, not really, but there were way too many characters in this book, and none of them were interesting. I didn't even care whodunit. It was boring, and the main characters were stuffy, pompous and dull. There are much better books out there. Pass on this one.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

excellent read

I bought this as a bargain book, but I would have gladly paid full price. It was well-written with a fast-moving plot and an appealing protagonist. Someone should make a movie based on this book.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A fine amateur sleuth investigation

In the middle of the eighteenth century in London, Widow Agnes Meadowes, mother of a child, cooks for the highly regarded silversmiths, the Blanchards. However, she becomes a bit disturbed when the Blanchards think nothing of kitchen maid Rose vanishing she becomes outraged and disturbed when Rose¿s peers ignore her disappearance. Unable to let it go and with no one to turn to for help, Agnes decides to investigate.--------------- However, her inquiries are on hold when her employers ask for her intervention in a matter. Someone stole a valuable wine cooler just before delivery, killing the apprentice watching it. Agnes negotiates on behalf of the Blanchards with legendary Marcus Pitt to have him retrieve the wine cooler that if not delivered means ruin in return for melted silver. Apprentice Thomas Williams escorts Agnes, who finds her protector kindhearted unlike her abusive late spouse. As she continues to cope with Pitt who wants her thrown into the deal, Agnes continues to search for Rose until her slashed corpse is found. Told to cooperate with Pitt and to drop the Rose matter, Agnes ignores her employer even as her son is abducted and her position as cook is jeopardized.----------------- Janet Gleeson uses a deep look at the mid 1700s English lifestyles of the working and artisan classes as a powerful background to a fine amateur sleuth investigation starring an ethical protagonist. Obstinate Agnes learns a lesson about the dangers of good intentions, as she feels she must uncover the truth about Rose. The story line cleverly blends silversmithing and murder to cook up a delicious historical whodunit.--------------------- Harriet Klausner

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