Crime Writers of Canada Awards of Excellence
April Fool
弁護士アーサー・ビーチャムが、旧知の被告人をめぐる事件と妻の環境運動に巻き込まれる法廷ミステリー。社会風刺とユーモアを交えて、正義の行方を追う。
作品情報
法廷と森の上で、正義は思わぬ方向へ転がる。
ウィリアム・デヴェレルの Arthur Beauchamp シリーズ作品。犯罪捜査と法廷劇に、カナダ社会への視線とユーモアを織り込んでいる。
書籍情報
- 出版社
- McClelland & Stewart
- 発売日
- 2006-09-26
- ページ数
- 448ページ
- 言語
- 英語
- サイズ
- 10.67 x 2.54 x 17.53 cm
- ISBN-13
- 9780771027154
- ISBN-10
- 077102715X
- カテゴリ
- 洋書/Mystery & Thrillers/Mystery
An irresistible story of justice heading off the rails. Arthur Beauchamp, the scholarly, self-doubting legend of the B.C. criminal bar (and one of Deverell’s most amiable — and crafty — protagonists), is enjoying his retirement as a hobbyist farmer on B.C.’s Garibaldi Island when he is dragged back to court to defend an old client. Nick “the Owl” Faloon, once one of the world’s top jewel thieves, has been accused of raping and murdering a psychologist. Beauchamp has scarcely registered how unlikely it is that the diminutive Faloon has hurt anyone when his own personal life takes an abrupt turn. His new wife, Margaret Blake, organic farmer and environmental activist, has taken up residence fifty feet above ground in a tree she is determined to save for the eagles and from the loggers. Beauchamp shuttles between Vancouver and the island, doing what he can to save the tree and get his wife back — and defend Faloon. Part courtroom thriller, part classic whodunit, April Fool sees Deverell writing at the top of his form as he puts these characters through some entertaining and very surprising twists and turns. From the Hardcover edition.
Deverell's acclaimed first novel, Needles , which drew on his experiences as a lawyer, won the $50,000 Seal Award. Since then he has published one work of non-fiction, A Life on Trial , and twelve further novels, including his latest, April Fool , which won the 2006 Arthur Ellis Award for best crime novel. April Fool has just been released in paperback. From the Hardcover edition.
レビュー
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Comedic and entertaining
Just loved this light and hilarious novel. Writing style was simple but evocative for me as I live in the background location. Characters were believable. Hard to read without laughing out loud! Loved the insights into the justice system that the author’s personal experience could afford.
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Another terrific book from William Deverell
I started reading books by William Deverell a couple years ago and I'm hooked. This book is no exception. Deverell is an incredible writer and manages to create intriguing plots while being outrageously funny (and sometimes bawdy) and still writing some of the best prose that I've read in a long time. This book and his others are suspenseful and have great courtroom scenes, but I find I'm taken in by his writing. Enjoy!
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First Deverell for me
But not the last! Fine prose and humour from subtle to slapstick and good research about the local terrain and habits. Highly recommend!
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Deverell - an amusing and creative author
if you like the law and a mystery this is the book for you. Deverell breaks down the stuffiness of the law courts with an interesting and amusing look at the characters, judges, felons etc. Great read.
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Fair
I think this book would have been better if the author had made it 1/3 less long.