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The Savage Garden

(Thorndike Reviewers' Choice)

By Mark Mills

(23)

| Hardcover | 9780786296798

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Book Description

From the author of the acclaimed national bestseller Amagansett comes an even more remarkable novel set in the Tuscan hills: the story of two murders, four hundred years apart-and the ties that bind them together.

Adam Banting, a somewhat aimless young scholar at Cambridge University, is Continue

Critics

THE SAVAGE GARDEN

Second books, they say, can disappoint, but the second from CWA John Creasey Dagger winning Mark Mills (he won in 2004 with The Whaleboat House) is a fine book. It's leisurely and, indeed, if Mills hadn't specified the murder on page one, we might ha ... (read full critics)

shotsmag published on Wed, 29 Sep 2010

Book review: Mark Mills' *The Savage Garden*

The Savage Garden Mark Mills Berkley Trade Paperback 352 pages May 2008 In Mark Mills' seductive literary thriller, the action centers on the trials of Cambridge student Adam Strickland who, in search of a subject for his thesis, is given a unique op ... (read full critics)

curledup published on Tue, 7 Sep 2010

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3 Reviews

Despite the very slow pace of this novel I found it hugely atmospheric. Maybe especially so because I know some of the places mentioned personally, A particular favourite being Bomarzo, The Sacred Wood.
Will definitely appeal to lovers of Italy, Gardens their histories and thrillers. It was on ... (continue)

Despite the very slow pace of this novel I found it hugely atmospheric. Maybe especially so because I know some of the places mentioned personally, A particular favourite being Bomarzo, The Sacred Wood.
Will definitely appeal to lovers of Italy, Gardens their histories and thrillers. It was only my interest in these first two that kept me turning the pages at first because I found I was almost halfway through before the mystery pulled me in properly. I was pulled in very slowly by the mystery of the two interrelated murders, committed four hundred years apart. It is believed that there is some sort of curse that will be lifted if the riddle of these deaths can be solved.
The protagonist Adam Strickland who is studying the Renaissance Garden at Villa Docci in Tuscany for his university thesis, by personal invitation is unwittingly drawn in by the family to help solve the mystery. Adam successfully uncovers the mysteries of the garden, completely unaware of the danger he is putting himself in, by nosing around into the dark past of the Docci family.
After the slow start I was surprised at how gripping this mystery eventually became.

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Lindyloumac said on Dec 4, 2009 about the Paperback edition | Add your feedback

Nice leisurely read, a trip to a secret garden in Tuscany. It's summer, hot and sweaty, and there are dark undercurrents to be unravelled.

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lsur said on Oct 23, 2008 | Add your feedback

After reading this, I almost want to go find a copy of the Divine Comedy and finally read it! Lush setting, romantic suspense, fascinating mystery with intriguing twists and turns. I highly recommend this terrific novel.
p.s. The creepy cover shown here is the UK version. The American versi ... (continue)

After reading this, I almost want to go find a copy of the Divine Comedy and finally read it! Lush setting, romantic suspense, fascinating mystery with intriguing twists and turns. I highly recommend this terrific novel.
p.s. The creepy cover shown here is the UK version. The American version has a much more attractive cover and no weird tag line.

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Branflakez said on May 26, 2007 | Add your feedback