R. Furneaux Jordan (1905–1978)

A disappointment. Razor-thin plot fleshed out with guest appearances by every late 19thC British artist you've ever heard of, with a few French Impressionists thrown in for good measure. Main female character psychologically unconvincing in the extreme, although, like the mangled models of the title, her physical assets are described in more-than-sufficient detail.

Readable; you learn the essentials. I read this for a design class while on tour with a dance group. I could pick it up after a long day and still be intrigued. The illustrations are informative and plentiful, and well placed within the text flow.

Characters very cleverly and entertainingly drawn, to the point where the mystery plot loses some urgency, but so what? A rich slice of English life in the Golden Age of crime fiction.

Undertiteln är "En thriller vid drottning Victorias hov". Och, um, Player har velat visa sina hostoriska kunskaper och i dessa historielektioner lagt in ett mysterium. Det blir nästan fantastiskt tråkigt att läsa, om man inte är obotlig rojalistromantiker. Tursamt nog håller det inte på så länge.