In this most entrancing tale of mystery and romance by the New York Times bestselling author AMANDA QUICK, lovers and partners-in-crime investigators Lavinia Lake and Tobias March continue their exciting newfound relationship, with its delicious mix of risky business, rising passion, and now--murder.
As if a head for business and a nose for trouble aren’t enough to distinguish fiercely independent Lavinia Lake from the other women of London’s fashionable Claremont Lane, there is one more feature to set her apart. Lavinia is also well versed in the practice of mesmerism, an extraordinary gift that far surpasses mere charm and physical appeal. Nobody knows this better than the usually coolheaded Tobias March, who seems to have fallen hopelessly under her spell. Fortunately for all, however, Lavinia uses her powers for good. And ever since a tragedy involving one of her subjects, she has even retired them in favor of her work with Lake and March, a joint venture providing “discreet private inquiries for individuals of quality.” Celeste Hudson, the stunningly beautiful young wife of a family friend and fellow mesmerist, would surely count herself among such individuals--were she still alive, that is. While mythology’s Medusa could turn men to stone, lovely Celeste was more accustomed to turning them to jelly. In fact, unbeknownst to her husband, Howard, the ambitious Celeste was planning to use her talents to forge a new future in Society--one that would not include him. Sadly, her plans were cut short when she was murdered. Only a gentleman’s cravat wound around her lovely neck remained for evidence--small compensation for the strange and priceless bracelet that may have been snatched from her wrist as she drew her last breath.
As a result, Lake and March are soon in Howard Hudson’s employ on the trail of the killer. But Tobias is convinced the dashing widower is more interested in tracking down the missing relic. If so, Howard is not alone. Any number of ruthless types are after the very same antiquity, whose centerpiece is an unusual blue cameo of inestimable value and supposed legendary powers--powers of immeasurable worth to anyone in Howard’s line of work.
Together, Lake and March undertake a tantalizing investigation that leads them from the glittering ballrooms of the ton to London’s seediest taverns to a mesmerist whose therapies include treating ladies suffering from “hysteria” is a a most unconventional method--and, not least of all, to the darkest reaches of men’s psyches. Along the way, Don’t Look Back becomes a completely mesmerizing read as the irrepressible Lavinia and Tobias mix business with pleasure....
From the Hardcover edition.
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这本书的文字风格非常独特,带着一种古典的韵味和现代的锐利感交织在一起的奇妙效果。它不是那种华丽辞藻堆砌的文字,而是精准、克制,每一句话都像是经过千锤百炼的雕塑品,恰到好处地承载着故事的重量。我特别留意了作者在构建人物关系上的手法,那种疏离又紧密、爱恨交织的复杂情感网络,构建得如同一个精密的钟表。你看着齿轮如何咬合,如何驱动故事前进,却又完全无法预知最终的报时声会是多么的悲怆或激昂。书中对于“记忆”与“现实”界限模糊的处理,更是让我印象深刻。它挑战了我们对客观事实的认知,让你不得不怀疑自己眼睛所见的一切,这种哲学层面的思辨性,让这本书远远超越了一般的娱乐消遣。
评分当我合上这本书时,有一种强烈的虚脱感,就像刚从一场漫长而逼真的噩梦中醒来,空气都变得稀薄起来。这本书最成功的地方,在于它成功地塑造了一个令人信服的、充满缺陷的“真实世界”。这里的角色没有一个是完美的圣人,他们都有着难以启齿的过去和摇摆不定的信念。作者对社会现象的观察入木三分,那些关于信任危机、群体压力和个人救赎的主题,在故事的背景下被放大了无数倍。我特别喜欢那个配角A的命运线,虽然篇幅不长,但她那短暂而决绝的选择,几乎定义了整部作品的基调。这本书的后劲很足,即使过了几天,一些场景和对话依然会不经意地跳出来,扰乱我平静的生活,这正是一个伟大故事的标志。
评分对于那些追求纯粹阅读体验的读者来说,这本书无疑是一次不容错过的探险。它不迎合大众口味,它有自己的节奏和坚持。我欣赏作者那种近乎残忍的诚实,直面人性的幽暗面,不加粉饰。情节的推进并不总是线性的,有时会采用碎片化的叙事,穿插着大量的内心独白和闪回,这要求读者必须全神贯注,跟上作者跳跃的思维。书中的象征物和隐喻运用得非常巧妙,它们并非为了炫技,而是深度地嵌入到情节之中,一旦理解,便能瞬间点亮之前所有晦涩的段落。总而言之,这是一部需要你投入时间、用心去解读的作品,它不会轻易地把答案交给你,但它给予的回报,远超你付出的心力,绝对值得被反复阅读和讨论。
评分这本小说简直是一场情感的过山车,作者的笔触细腻得让人心惊。故事的开篇就将我深深地拽入了角色的困境之中,那种无助和迷茫感仿佛能穿透纸页。我尤其欣赏作者对于环境描写的功力,那种湿冷、压抑的氛围构建得极其真实,让我仿佛能闻到空气中弥漫的霉味和紧张感。主角的内心挣扎被刻画得入木三分,每一个犹豫、每一个决定都带着沉重的代价,让人在阅读时不断地反思自己的选择。书中对人性的探讨也非常深刻,那些灰色地带的处理,没有简单的对错,只有复杂的人性在现实的重压下扭曲或坚持。看到一些关键情节的转折时,我甚至忍不住屏住了呼吸,生怕打破了那种微妙的平衡。而且,小说中埋藏的那些伏笔和象征意义,初读时或许难以察觉,但回味起来,才发现作者布局之深远,绝对值得细细品味,每一次重读都会有新的感悟。
评分不得不说,这本书的叙事节奏掌握得炉火纯青,时而紧凑得让人心跳加速,时而又舒缓得像夏日午后的一场梦。作者似乎对“悬念”有着近乎偏执的掌控欲,总能在你以为一切尘埃落定的时候,抛出一个让你措手不及的惊雷。我喜欢它那种潜移默化的恐怖感,它不依赖于突兀的惊吓镜头,而是通过对人物心理状态的层层剥离,营造出一种深入骨髓的不安。书中的对话设计堪称一绝,简洁有力,字里行间充满了未言明的张力,那种“言外之意”的交流方式,极大地增强了故事的张力。阅读过程中,我频繁地停下来,试图去揣测接下来的发展,但每一次的猜测似乎都比作者的安排要平庸得多。这种被智商碾压的感觉,反而带来了一种极大的阅读快感,仿佛作者在对读者进行一场智力上的马拉松。
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