Series
Publication
Audible Studios (2011)
Original publication date
1987
Collections
Description
It is 1886 and the greatest of all jockeys, Fred Archer, has put his gun to his head and shot himself. An inquest is arranged with indecent haste. His mind was unhinged by typhoid, say the jury, despite conflicting evidence.The Prince is suspicious. He admired Archer. He knows the Turf better than anyone on that jury and he has personal experience of typhoid. When he learns that Archer's last words were, 'Are they coming?' he decides on action. He will turn his unique talents to solving the mystery and tell us in his inimitable fashion how he does it.
User reviews
LibraryThing member bcquinnsmom
I kind of like the main character, Albert Edward, Prince of Wales (who would go on to become Edward VII), fondly known to his friends & family as Bertie. He has a very tongue-in-cheek way of sharing a story, and I give some kudos to Mr. Lovesey for using him as a fictional character.
The story is
If you read this book, you'll join Bertie from the music halls of London to the race track to his home in Sandringham with his wife and children. It's a fun way to spend a few hours and by golly, I have all of the other Bertie books & plan to go through them all. I think British mystery fans would like it, as would fans of mysteries set in the Victorian period. Fun stuff! Go read it.
The story is
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based on the real-life death of one Frederick Archer, probably the most famous & most successful jockey during the time of Queen Victoria up until his death at age 29. In real life, of course, the Prince of Wales wouldn't have been a detective sniffing at the truth of the matter, but in this book, it is Bertie himself who refuses to believe that Archer shot himself after a bout of typhoid (which the fictional coroner said made him of unsound mind) and gets involved in trying to figure out what happened.If you read this book, you'll join Bertie from the music halls of London to the race track to his home in Sandringham with his wife and children. It's a fun way to spend a few hours and by golly, I have all of the other Bertie books & plan to go through them all. I think British mystery fans would like it, as would fans of mysteries set in the Victorian period. Fun stuff! Go read it.
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LibraryThing member Bjace
When a famous jockey nicknamed "The Tin Man" (for his avarice) commits suicide, a puzzled Prince Albert Edward decides to investigate. Historical pastiches usually have a very annoying tone and are notorious for giving the main characters modern attitutdes, but Lovesey tries hard to make his
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characters seem true to their time and he succeeds rather well. Show Less
LibraryThing member ChazziFrazz
1886 and Albert Edward, AKA Prince of Wales is known as a playboy, sportsman, socially active in events for country and his mother, Her Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria. When the most famous jockey, Fred Archer, nickname the Tinman, commits suicide, the Bertie adds detective to his resumé.
Being
Written from his point of view, it is entertaining with humour and a good pace.
Being
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such a high profile person, investigation can be very difficult, especially if his mother got wind of it. From country manor houses to music halls, Bertie finds himself searching for answers and ending up in some extremely awkward situations. One which involves and exotic bird!Written from his point of view, it is entertaining with humour and a good pace.
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LibraryThing member DeltaQueen50
To be clear, I am a huge fan of Peter Lovesey and I had hoped that I would eventually read everything he ever wrote. I picked up Bertie and the Tinman and was looking forward to a historical mystery that I could sink my teeth into. Unfortunately, I was disappointed with the book and will not be
The story takes place in 1886 and concerns the death of a famous jockey, Fred Archer, who apparently committed suicide. The Prince is suspicious. He knew and admired Archer so he decides to investigate further into the mystery. I found it rather unbelievable that the Prince of Wales could wander around the country as freely as he was able to. But my biggest quibble with the book was I didn’t really like HRH and disliked having to spend so much time with him.
Although the book is well written I just wasn’t that interested in the world of horse racing or in Bertie’s bumbling ways. The author remains a favorite however and I will continue to explore his other series and stand-alones.
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reading any further in this series that features HRH Albert Edward, Prince of Wales. The story takes place in 1886 and concerns the death of a famous jockey, Fred Archer, who apparently committed suicide. The Prince is suspicious. He knew and admired Archer so he decides to investigate further into the mystery. I found it rather unbelievable that the Prince of Wales could wander around the country as freely as he was able to. But my biggest quibble with the book was I didn’t really like HRH and disliked having to spend so much time with him.
Although the book is well written I just wasn’t that interested in the world of horse racing or in Bertie’s bumbling ways. The author remains a favorite however and I will continue to explore his other series and stand-alones.
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Language
Original language
English