The Fencing Master

Oct 21, 2024 7:24 PM

Author:Arturo Peréz-Reverte,Margaret Jull Costa

The Fencing Master

Fencing is not a game but a science. The outcome is invariably the same: triumph or disaster, life or death...

It is 1868; Spain teeters on the brink of revolution. Jaime Astarloa is a master-fencer of the old school, priding himself on the precision, dignity and honour of his ancient art; his friends spend their days in cafes discussing plots at court, but Jaime's obsession is to perfect the irresistible sword thrust. Then Adela de Otero, violet-eyed and enigmatic, appears at his door. When Jaime takes her on as a pupil he finds himself embroiled in dark political intrigues against which his old-fashioned values are no protection.

Reviews

You will want to reach the book's nearly perfect ending in a single sitting

—— Time Out

The author is in the best sense a romantic and to read him is to rediscover the delights of Dumas and Conan Doyle

—— Amanda Craig , The Times

As assured and elegant as Don Jaime's sword thrusts

—— Stephanie Merritt , Observer

A delight... the thriller as it out to be

—— Allan Massie , Scotsman

Nerve-jangling

—— Metro

Sparkling

—— The Plain Dealer

Impassioned, at times heartbreaking story … confirms Harvey as one of our most accomplished writers in any genre

—— Sunday Telegraph

This series places Indridason at the centre of the best of contemporary crime fiction. He is a master storyteller, and has a real gift for evoking the complex humanity at the heart of the most dour-seeming individuals.

—— The Guardian

Most people will find The Daughter Of Time as interesting and enjoyable a book as they will meet in a month of Sundays

—— Observer

A detective story with a very considerable difference. Ingenious, stimulating and very enjoyable

—— Sunday Times

Josephine Tey has always been absolutely reliable in producing original and mysterious plots with interesting characters and unguessable endings

—— Spectator

Previous Article：The Singing Sands Next Article：Dark Times in the City

Comments

Welcome to zzdbook comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.