Playful mystery set in the antiquarian book world
Previously published in the US in 2014, The Forgers is set in the slightly obsessive world of antiquarian book collectors and dealers who, according to the book's narrator, share "little else than a rabid passion for the printed page". But not just any old printed page; we're talking rare first editions, unpublished manuscripts, private letters and volumes inscribed by the author.
Given the narrator, Will (although rarely referred to by name), is a self-confessed forger with a high opinion of his own ability, who considers his forged inscriptions to be "improvements" and works of art in their own right, his testimony is suspect from the outset. His one redeeming feature is his devotion to Meghan, the sister of the murdered man, for whose sake he undertakes to leave his nefarious past behind.
These worthy intentions are disrupted by the arrival of accusatory letters from a man whom Will comes to think of as his "epistolary nemesis", rather in the manner of Sherlock Holmes' arch-enemy Moriarty. An apt comparison since Will is an expert on the writings of Arthur Conan Doyle. After all, he's forged enough of them. The author creates an air of increasing unease and tension as Will tries to discover the identity of his mystery correspondent and becomes increasingly paranoid about the threat he poses.
Although the book includes misdirections and red herrings in the manner of Agatha Christie, I have to say it rather fizzled out for me and I was left with a sense of anti-climax as I turned the final pages. The Forgers is interesting as a portrait of the darker side of the antiquarian book world but not as satisfying a mystery as I'd hoped for.
Given the narrator, Will (although rarely referred to by name), is a self-confessed forger with a high opinion of his own ability, who considers his forged inscriptions to be "improvements" and works of art in their own right, his testimony is suspect from the outset. His one redeeming feature is his devotion to Meghan, the sister of the murdered man, for whose sake he undertakes to leave his nefarious past behind.
These worthy intentions are disrupted by the arrival of accusatory letters from a man whom Will comes to think of as his "epistolary nemesis", rather in the manner of Sherlock Holmes' arch-enemy Moriarty. An apt comparison since Will is an expert on the writings of Arthur Conan Doyle. After all, he's forged enough of them. The author creates an air of increasing unease and tension as Will tries to discover the identity of his mystery correspondent and becomes increasingly paranoid about the threat he poses.
Although the book includes misdirections and red herrings in the manner of Agatha Christie, I have to say it rather fizzled out for me and I was left with a sense of anti-climax as I turned the final pages. The Forgers is interesting as a portrait of the darker side of the antiquarian book world but not as satisfying a mystery as I'd hoped for.