Book Log 2009 #48: A Spectacle of Corruption by David Liss
Benjamin Weaver, the boxer turned investigator who debuted in A Conspiracy of Paper, returns in this book to explain his involvement in the murder of a laborer, which is actually a small part of a larger struggle between the Whigs and Tories on the eve of the first Parliamentary election of King George's reign. Throw in an appearance by the Jacobites - who want to overthrow George and put James III in - and you have an engrossing tale of 18th century politics, business and social life.
Weaver's attempts to clear his name and find the actual killer only get him in deeper with parties on all three sides of the larger plot - and put him at danger of being killed himself by any one of the three. The difficulties that Weaver faces in untangling things is clearly felt, and it drew me in more deeply than the average historical mystery.
A worthy successor to a great first novel.
30 November 2009
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