In The Kingdom Of Mists - Softcover

Jakeman, Jane

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0552777366 ISBN 13: 9780552777360

Publisher: Black Swan, 2010

Synopsis

London, 1900: while Monet paints the wintry mists over the Thames, the bodies of two young women are dragged from its murky depths arousing fears of a return of Jack the Ripper By now a celebrated and successful artist - despite the controversy stirred up by the Impressionist movement - in the early months of the new century, Monet returned to London to paint his famous Thames series. Prompted by memories of an earlier visit in 1870, the old man recalls his youthful struggles, his beloved first wife Camille and his scandalous relationship with Alice Hosched. And now, in a frenzy of creative activity he paints the haunting canvasses that act as a backdrop to a series of grizzly, psychopathic killings. Oliver Craston, a fledgling diplomat, by chance is present when a horribly mutilated body is pulled from the Thames. Mindful of the need to steer clear of controversy, he is unwillingly drawn into the police investigation. Furthermore, with the Foreign Office nervous over French sympathies with the Boers, Oliver's new acquaintance with M. Monet and his son, who are staying in the luxury of the Savoy Hotel, is likely to raise an eyebrow or two. But on the floor above the Monets' suite, given over as a hospital for wounded officers, stalks a far greater danger. . . and across the river in the backstreet slums of Lambeth are visions of horror beyond even the intuition of the artist. As the nave young diplomat becomes entangled with bohemian society and the seamier side of London that the investigation exposes him to, a disturbing and unfamiliar world opens up to him.This compelling and mutlilayered novel is an atmospheric exploration of the life of an artist, a murder thriller and, like Tulip Fever and Girl With a Pearl Earring, a triumphant example of 'art fiction'. It is illustrated with 12 reproductions of the paintings themselves

About this title

From the Inside Flap:

London 1900: Monet has returned to London to paint the Thames -- not prepared for the gruesome sight he encounters while he works.

While Monet paints his famous Thames series he recalls his youth: his struggles, his beloved first wife Camille, his scandalous relationship with Alice Hoschedé -- all the while creating the haunting canvases that act as the backdrop to a series of grizzly, psychopathic killings.

Oliver Craston, fledgling diplomat at the Foreign Office and recent acquaintance of M. Monet, has become unwillingly drawn into the police investigation into the murders. But neither man knows that the source of the horror stalks the floor above M. Monet?s suite at the Savoy Hotel.

This compelling and richly textured novel is an atmospheric exploration of the life of an artist, a murder thriller, and a triumphant example of ?art fiction? not unlike Tulip Fever and Girl With a Pearl Earring.

From the Back Cover:

“A lovely novel – compulsively readable and beautifully written.” -- Colin Dexter

“The novel tells a dramatic story about crime and perception, art and reality through the eyes of the famous painter, the policeman and a young diplomat. Multi-layered and voiced, this is a fascinating attempt to add an extra dimension to this historical crime novel.” -- Guardian

About this edition

• Publisher: Black Swan
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 0552777366
• ISBN 13: 9780552777360
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 384