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Kate Ellis is a craftsman of some considerable talent
Book Review
By Derryll White
Ellis, Kate (2002). A Painted Doom.
I have never read Kate Ellis; never even heard of her. ‘A Painted Doom’ however, is her 13th Wendy Peterson crime novel. Her historical perspective is interesting and brings the War of the Roses to life again. She forces the reader to think about life in Devon more than 500 years ago. Some of her remarks encourage re-evaluation of just how violent we think 21st century society is.
‘The Doom’ painting is the real magical quality of this story. It brings to the fore the idea of why most people once went to church. The gossip was unimaginable by today’s standards and shames modern soaps. Sex and brutality make up much of the image.
Will Kate Ellis make my personal reading list – probably not. She is, however, a craftsman of some considerable talent.
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Excerpts from the novel:
FORESHADOWING – Lewis began to mooch around the barn, in search of anything to relieve the paralysing boredom of an afternoon parted from his computer screen.
The ladder leading up to the hayloft caught his attention first. It would do no harm to explore.
THE DOOM – Then a soft female voice made him turn round. It belonged to a slim woman in her late thirties with an untidy ponytail. “It’s a Doom,” she said quietly. “They used to have them in churches, often over the chancel arch at the front so everyone could see what was in store for them.”
Wesley nodded. “It’s very, er … powerful.”
The woman looked pleasantly surprised. “You’re interested in medieval art?”
DEVON – Rachel signalled, and they were soon driving through the village of Derenham; steep and picture-postcard pretty. Many of its houses were thatched and painted in pastel colours, and the narrow main thoroughfares led down to the waterfront where yachts bobbed steadily on the high tide.
“It’s a nice village. Very pretty,” he continued as the ancient stone church came into view.
– Derryll White once wrote books but now chooses to read and write about them. When not reading he writes history for the web at www.basininstitute.org.
