JEKYLL, ALIAS HYDE

by Donald Thomas ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 10, 1988

Scotland Yard Inspector Swain, who five years ago exonerated Lewis Carroll in Mad Hatter's Summer, reappears here in a very sultry retelling of Stevenson's Jekyllinto-Hyde story--which begins with the murder of Parliamentarian Sir Danvers Carew. Found at the crime scene: only half of the weapon--a walking stick; the other half turns up in Jekyll's quarters. Did Jekyll kill Carew because he had firsthand knowledge of his cowardice in Zululand? Or was it done by another person entirely--the misshapen, evil Hyde? Swain's lawyer-friend Utterson seems peculiarly involved, as does his daughter Romana--who lasciviously taunts Swain as he paints her portrait. As Swain untangles the lies, subterfuges, and half-truths, he uncovers a hidden affair resulting in pregnancy, madness, guilt, and flight--as well as a love and loyalty forged in childhood that leads to murder in defense of its object. Plausible, riverting study, with a core of lush sexuality. Thomas' strengths include a Jamesian emotional acuity, a ringing Victorian authenticity, and a deft hand with a puzzle.

Pub Date: Jan. 10, 1988

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: St. Martin's

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 1988

Categories: FICTION