ARC Arrival: The Anatomy of Ghosts by Andrew Taylor

The Anatomy of Ghosts

by Andrew Taylor

Hyperion

1786, England. John Holdsworth, a bookseller and novelist fallen upon hard times, is approached by a man with an odd commission.  Lady Anne Oldershaw's husband has passed away.  Now a wealthy widow, she would like to hire Holdsworth to catalogue her late husband's extensive library in order to donate it to Cambridge University.  However, before he undertakes that task, he must complete a more pressing one:  find Lady Anne's son Frank -- who is committed to a home for the mentally unstable under the claim that he has seen a ghost -- and return him to London.

Once in Cambridge, Holdsworth finds Frank in a manic state that is somehow connected to the mysterious death of Sylvia Whichcote, the wife of one of Frank's colleagues at Jerusalem College.  As Holdsworth tries to help Frank and unravel the mystery of Sylvia's death, he is drawn deeper into the secretive Cambridge community and encounters scholars, louche young men, enigmatic women, and street urchins in ready supply -- many connected to a secret society that meets within the college's walls.

Andrew Taylor delivers his most suspenseful thriller yet with fascinating characters, numerous twists and turns, and a compelling narrative that propels the reader along to a surprise ending.

About the author:  Andrew Taylor is the author of several crime and suspense novels.  He is the recipient of the Crime Writers' Association 2009 Cartier Diamond Dagger for sustained excellence in crime writing, among other awards.  His website is http://www.andrew-taylor.co.uk/ or www.facebook.com/TheAnatomyofGhosts.

~I received a complimentary copy of this book from Hyperion.  Watch for my review in late January.~

The Anatomy of Ghosts
Publisher/Publication Date: Hyperion, Jan 25, 2011
ISBN: 978-1-4013-0287-0
432 pages