Secondly, it is absolutely inconceivable that some with the capability to become home secretary at such a young age (or, indeed, at any age) would not have dug and pushed and prodded until he had found out his supposed crime. Martin Radford is a floundering, unemployed historian with a dim future who jumps at the chance to research the memoirs of Edwin Strafford, a young Edwardian cabinet minister and contemporary of Churchill and Lloyd George with a promising career that went mysteriously astray. Radford’s own blunders will unfold on this journey as he investigates Strafford’s past in this blended mix of politics, romance and historical thriller.

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Toupee for a Bald Tyre. (Harry Barnett). Included in The Detection Collection ISBN 978-0-00-756971-7 (Orion, 2005) Martin is intrigued. Strafford resigned at the height of his career, disappearing from the public eye. The woman he loved, for whom he was willing to sacrifice everything, suddenly and coldly rejected him. All the reasons for his fall from grace are shrouded in darkness. Into the Blue (May 1990), ISBN 0-593-01808-7. (Harry Barnett, Book 1) (adapted as a TV film in 1996 starring John Thaw) When a strange man appears in William Trenchard's garden in St. John's Wood, one evening in 1882, and claims to be the former fiance of his wife Constance, Trenchard's whole life is overwhelmed. Continue reading » Not a patch on “In Pale Battalions”, the only other book by Goddard I have read. An unlikeable narrator, a very complex plot, a femme fatale who is ludicrously brilliant and beautiful and sexy and bad news for our narrator. It was Goddard’s first book and has some good things in it in terms of the plot, but some of the characters are more than a little unbelievable. Oh, and there’s an embarrassingly bad sex scene too.

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Past Caring is full of unforeseen surprises, a story of secrets and the far-reaching consequences of decisions made on a whim. Firstly, it is all but inconceivable that the prior marriage could have been kept secret from the world at large, even without considering the behaviour of the two main actors: Elizabeth and Erwin.

Past Caring by Robert Goddard - AbeBooks Past Caring by Robert Goddard - AbeBooks

After James Davenall has been presumed dead for 11 years, a man claiming his identity appears, throwing the lives of his family and former fiancee into confusion.``Goddard goes from strength to Continue reading » I was immersed in this throughout the month of August. It’s a compelling read about how an unemployed history teacher takes on an assignment of historical research into the life of former Home Secretary Edwin Strafford, at the time of the Suffragettes, and how hidden events surrounding his resignation reverberate with force a lifetime later. A great book with satisfying resolutions to the story threads. With such a plausible scenario, would Elizabeth have allowed some vague concern about the need for discretion (which itself would have got her wondering about how and why a marriage certificate was floating about). to stop her confronting her fiancée? Obviously not. Martin is offered a job - to investigate the rise and fall of Strafford, an ambitious young politician whose downfall, in 1910, is as mysterious as the strange deaths that still haunt his family. I thoroughly enjoyed this long, convoluted, unpredictable and clever novel! It does not clearly fit into any genre as it includes elements of political wheeling and dealing, crime, war and romance.Distinguished MP Edwin Strafford resigns at the pinnacle of his career, removing himself from the public eye. The woman he loves, and for whom he was willing to sacrifice everything, suddenly and coldly rejects him. All the reasons for his fall from grace are shrouded in darkness. Condition: Near Fine. Fine in light blue wraps printed with dark blue lettering. The Advance Reading Copy of the first U.S. pbk. printing of this, the British author's scarce first book. Blurb comparisons to John Fowles. Tight, clean, unread copy. This is in no way a fast paced, regular thriller kind of book. This is well-written, being rather literary in places and is considered and smooth in its pace. This is a steady, delectable, slow burn of a book, yet it does not flag or become bogged down. Strafford himself, his family and his life’s many secrets and discoveries are by far more noteworthy and remarkable than the markedly tarnished Radford, whose flaws Goddard uses to make him credible if not altogether likable. A unique talent whose storytelling absolutely enthralls you and leaves you desperately yearning to read more of his own sublime stories. Reply

Past Caring - Penguin Books UK

Goddard's seventh novel (after A Debt of Dishonor ) about two dapper English con men in the 1930s, gets off to a droll and snappy beginning. Aboard ship after narrowly escaping prosecution for a Continue reading » About three times during this book I found myself feeling that it was starting to drag. Each time, Goddard broke this feeling with a series of twists and revelations that nearly floored me on occasion, but I still feel this book could have done with a stricter editorial hand at the rudder. You could take virtually any passage from this book and it would read really well on its own, so I understand why you wouldn't want to cut any of it, but when you've got a pacing problem it's time to kill your darlings.

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I did guess, almost immediately from whence came the villainy of the events of 1910, and what crime would have been committed, against the upstanding and moral Cabinet member Radford is researching in the 1970s. Not to mention the veritable army of untrustworthy souls in the 70’s

PAST CARING one of the most gripping thrillers you’ll ever read PAST CARING one of the most gripping thrillers you’ll ever read

In summary a very clever writer who creates intriguing plots and interesting characters. Look forward to acquiring and reading more.Condition: Very Good. A first edition, first printing published by Hale in 1986. A near fine book without inscription in a very good unclipped wrapper with one small closed tear to the top corner of the front panel, a lovely copy. Past Caring is Robert Goddard's first novel, it received the Booker Award nomination for Best First Novel. I’ve read Robert Goddard’s Long Time Coming which I also recommend. I am looking forward to reading more of his entertaining and thought-provoking novels.