Unlike any other Andrew Taylor novel

The narration is exquisite. A delicious plummy voice that convincingly embodies the character that narrates the story. I wonder if I would have enjoyed this book as much if I had read it.

I’ve read all of Andrew Taylor’s historical fiction novels, as well as the much enjoyed Bleeding Heart Square. Barred Window does not resemble those books; I wouldn’t assume it was written by Andrew Taylor. Except that I thoroughly enjoyed the characters, and did not doubt their existence. Like all the other Andrew Taylor characters I have been introduced to, I will miss the main character, Thomas. I suppose that what identifies this novel as an Andrew Taylor novel.
Most of this book does not appear to be a murder mystery, although by the end you realize that maybe it is. It is a character study of the narrator, his mother and his only friend. It lacks exciting scenes, but is so finely wrought, that I didn’t miss the lack of thrilling action. I regret that I will not hear Thomas’s voice again, especially when he recounts his wonderfully bitchy mother’s conversations. Well done.

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