Genre: Historical fiction, mystery
Series: Benjamin Weaver #3
Page Count: 369
Publication Year: 2009
Publisher: Random House
Summary: Weaver is threatened into helping a mysterious man infiltrate the East India Trading Company and retrieve vital information.
This series pleases me in the extreme. You can bet all your biscuits that I’m reading more from this author.
In the previous books I learned about 18th century stock markets and elections. Now it’s time for the Company.
The plot revolves around the Company’s monopoly of the cloth market and the government seeking to limit its power and give the native weavers an edge. As is becoming normal with Liss’ books, the plot’s twists and turns to the final answer are too numerous to easily keep straight. When everyone’s a double-crosser, or their motive/association is false or assumed false, it gets a little confusing. I wanted to read it slowly to savor the writing, but I couldn’t for fear I’d forget an important piece of the puzzle.
Confusion aside, I really enjoyed watching Weaver wade through the mess. His interactions with the varied life of London never fails to capture my interest and this is no exception. I actually wanted to know more about the Company itself. From what I’ve seen, Liss can make any normally boring subject absolutely fascinating and I think he could’ve delved into the intricacies of the Company without detracting from the plot.
The thing that sells these books is Weaver. What a cool guy. He reminds me of an 18th century version of Michael Westen from the tv show Burn Notice (my review). Weaver’s ability to disguise himself, talk or fight his way out of danger, and adapt to unforeseen situations, are all marvelous. He’s a competent protagonist but the difficulties and foes he face keep him on his toes. Everything I said about him in my previous reviews still stands, but I have to mention the humor of Weaver. It’s not an obvious, joking kind but I frequently smiled at things he said.
“I heard you come blundering in. A bear could have made less noise.”
“A large bear or a small bear?” I asked.
“Do you think to quip your way out of this predicament?”
I shrugged. “It had occurred to me to attempt to do so.”
“Has anyone ever observed,” I asked, “that you look remarkably like a duck? The truth of the matter is, I have always been kindly disposed toward ducks. When I was a boy, a good-hearted relative brought me one as a present. And now, years later, I meet you, the very image of that duck, and I cannot help but think that we ought to be friends. Come, let us set down our weapons and go find ourselves a pond where I may eat bread and cheese by the shore and you may paddle upon the waters. I shall be happy to toss you bits of crust.”
It’s not just him; the whole book has an understated yet sharp sense of humor. It’s not a type I see often but it’s perfect and I love it.
Speaking of things I love…Elias is once again a great character. He still has a minor part, but the friendship between him and Weaver is the stuff of legend. Seeing them count on each other and work at keeping their friendship intact makes me so happy. Platonic friendships need to be the order of the day.
The rest of the cast does a fine job at villainy, duplicitousness, cowardice, and helpfulness.
Another thing to like about these books is the description. The city, the buildings, the people and their actions are clear and vivid. The overall feel of the writing is one I thoroughly approve of.
I wore an emerald-and-gold outer coat, embroidered almost beyond endurance, a waistcoat of the same color but opposing design, bright with brass buttons of some four inches in diameter. My breeches were of the finest velvet, my shoes more silver buckle than shiny leather, and the lace of my sleeves blossomed like frilly blunderbusses. That I might go unrecognized should anyone there know my face, I also wore a massive wig of the wiry sort that was fashionable that year among the more peacockish sort of man.
…as he moved he scanned the room with the cautious eye of a predator who fears something worse that itself. Thus it was he saw me.
The bulk of the watchmen, as I had anticipated, had abandoned their stations and now engaged themselves in the manly art of hurling insults at the rioters while the rioters hurled carrion at them.
The stones were, indeed, quite rough. A man afraid of heights or unused to handling himself in awkward situations—such as the uninvited entry or exit from premises not his own—might have trembled at the sight, but I could only think that, in the past, I’d managed far worse and in rain and snow too.
It had ever been a maxim of mine that the removal of an eye is the fastest way to discourage a villain from further mischief…
Allow me to say, lest I be accused of excessive cruelty, that I reserve such tactics for when I believe my life to be at risk—which was not precisely the case here—or when I deal with men I think deserving of more than a sound beating. Any who would say I am cruel must consider that here was a man who would take a young lady from her family, ply her with drink, force her to marry a monster she knows not, subject her to rape, and then demand that she ask her family for her marriage portion. If he does not deserve the loss of an eye, I am hard-pressed to consider who might.
He eyed me carefully, as though I might be a gift of food from an enemy with a history of using poison.
One thing I always mention in my historical fiction reviews is how the dialogue sounds. You may have noticed from the quotes the archaic-leaning tone of the prose, and the dialogue matches it. Nothing is hard to understand but it never sounds modern, and its delightful old-fashioned-ness further pulls me into the story.
Here’s part of a conversation Weaver has with one man, and a following talk with a different man.
“I [Weaver] believed the nature of a company was making money regardless of the consequences.”
“Nonsense. The word derives from the Latin, com panis, signifying the act of baking bread together. That is what we do. We are not individual men seeking our own fortune; rather we are a collective, baking our bread in union.”
“I am delighted to learn that we engage in such useful and brotherly activities.”
“Have you no knowledge of what a company is, what it means to be part of a company?”
“I understand you put much stock in the communal baking of bread,” I ventured.
Again with that excellent humor.
What I really want is a collection of short stories further showcasing Weaver and the troubles he faces. It doesn’t have to be complicated, just some jobs he was hired for that turned into a bit more of a to-do than usual. Or…a tv show. How cool would that be? In the right hands, these books would result in a fantastic tv series and it makes me sad that it probably won’t happen. I’d also settle for a computer game or two. There’s one more book where Weaver is much older, but I already know I want more from this character and one book isn’t enough.
Anyway, I think the first two books are better because they put a stronger (thus making it more interesting) emphasis on their focal points and this one seems extra complicated, slightly hindering my enjoyment. I still heartily recommend them all and if the final book stays the course, this will be one of my top series.
“Wait a moment. Do you mean to tell me that there are men, multiple men, who have laid out money to the effect that they will benefit if I die?”
“Oh, no, heavens, no. Nothing like that. No one should have invested in your death. That would be monstrous, sir, most monstrous. No, these men have laid out money so that they will not suffer losses if you die. That money is not a wager, sir, but a protection of their investment in you.”
I could ascertain from his simper that this was mere fluffery. I had hit it right the first time.
…
“So one man may take out such a policy on another man and not have to answer for it? That is diabolical.”
“How can it be diabolical when it is the law?” he asked.
And, indeed, his question contained such oceans of absurdity that I had no answer for him.
“I like things to be regular and predictable and easily accounted. I certainly hope you won’t bring disorder with you.”
“I had thought to,” I said, “but upon your request, I shall refrain.”
Check out my rating here.