Hyde Park Headsman
Average customer rating: 2 out of 5 stars
  • A Solid Murder Mystery
  • Anne Perry's contribution to the serial-killer genre
  • Tiresome, Pretentious & Redundant
  • Tiresome, Pretentious & Redundant
  • Just Awful
Hyde Park Headsman
Anne Perry
Manufacturer: Fawcett
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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  4. Pentecost Alley (Charlotte & Thomas Pitt Novels) Pentecost Alley (Charlotte & Thomas Pitt Novels)
  5. Ashworth Hall (Charlotte & Thomas Pitt Novels) Ashworth Hall (Charlotte & Thomas Pitt Novels)

ASIN: 0449223507
Release Date: 1995-01-30

Book Description

Not since the bloody deeds of Jack the Ripper have Londoners felt such terror as that aroused by the gruesome beheadings in Hyde Park. And if newly promoted Police Superintendent Thomas Pitt does not quickly apprehend the perpetrator, he is likely to lose his own head, professionally speaking.
Yet even with the help of Charlotte Pitt's subtle investigation, the sinister violence continues unchecked. And in a shocking turn of events that nearly convinces the pair of sleuths that they have met their match, the case proves to be Pitt's toughest ever . . . .
"Very satisfying, a lovely way to spend a rainy spring weekend." -- USA Today
"Thrilling . . . [Perry's] understanding of the historically rich period enables her to devise a plot true to its time yet timeless in its approach to human nature." -- The Orlando Sentinel

Customer Reviews:

3 out of 5 stars A Solid Murder Mystery.......2005-05-22

While this was not my favorite Perry novel, I enjoyed it far more than some of the other reviewers seemed to. The story centers around a series of beheadings that are discovered in or around the Hyde Park area of London. In addition to trying to solve these mysteries, Thomas Pitt must deal with conflict created by both subordinates and superiors who doubt that he is qualified for the Superintendent position to which he has recently been promoted. His inability to solve the mystery also becomes an issue in his brother-in-law's campaign for a seat in the House of Commons.

In terms of my enjoyment of the novel, I think it makes a difference that I have read all of the Thomas and Charlotte Pitt novels up through this one. Over the course of those 10+ novels, Perry has created an interesting and likable couple that I enjoy following through their various adventures. The new characters introduced in Hyde Park Headsman are not as interesting as those found in some of her other novels, and this work lacks the psychological depth of some of the earlier works. Nonetheless, for those who have gotten to know Thomas and Charlotte through the earlier novels, this is an enjoyable page-turner.

3 out of 5 stars Anne Perry's contribution to the serial-killer genre.......2004-01-19

What do a wife-beating Captain of the Royal Navy, a sensitive musician, a callous bus-driver and a haughty butler have in common? Their bodies are discovered in Hyde Park - decapitated. Police superviser Thomas Pitt meets two widows: one feels relieved, the other one is cheerful. We learn more details about the "inner circle" of a secret organization that controls key officials under the coat of charity. And Charlotte decorates her new house. At times Perry is in danger of trespassing Patricia Cornwell territory - no ghastly details from the morgue please! -but the scene where the ladies cross their swords with a smug wannabe Member of the Parliament is priceless. (Uttley reminds me of Paul Krendler in Thomas Harris' HANNIBAL). Not my favorite Anne Perry novel, but it will do.

1 out of 5 stars Tiresome, Pretentious & Redundant.......2000-11-29

I tried to listen to the taped version. It's 12 two-sided tapes, with an advertised running time of 15 hours and 5 minutes. After about 10 hours into a car trip, we voted unanimously to put in the last tape, just so we could satisfy our "Who dunnit?" curiosity. Alas, even that strategy was frustrated, as only one of the murders is solved on the last tape. The writer's style is both pretentious and repetitious, a deadly combination. After we had heard "lugubrious" for the third time, the groans became audible, even above the traffic noise. The writer's obvious fascination with the styles, manners and customs of London in 1890 have led her to assume that all her readers are similarly inclined. For me, they got in the way of the story... constantly! I got the book/tapes from the local library, so it was free. It still wasn't worth the price. Unless you're fascinated by the trivial aspects of living in London circa 1890, save yourself from a gruesome ordeal.

1 out of 5 stars Tiresome, Pretentious & Redundant.......2000-11-29

I tried to listen to the taped version. It's 12 two-sided tapes, with an advertised running time of 15 hours and 5 minutes. After about 10 hours into a car trip, we voted unanimously to put in the last tape, just so we could satisfy our "Who dunnit?" curiosity. Alas, even that strategy was frustrated, as only one of the murders is solved on the last tape. The writer's style is both pretentious and repetitious, a deadly combination. After we had heard "lugubrious" for the third time, the groans became audible, even above the traffic noise. The writer's obvious fascination with the styles, manners and customs of London in 1890 have led her to assume that all her readers are similarly inclined. For me, they got in the way of the story... constantly! I got the book/tapes from the local library, so it was free. It still wasn't worth the price. Unless you're fascinated by the trivial aspects of living in London circa 1890, save yourself from a gruesome ordeal.

1 out of 5 stars Just Awful.......2000-11-28

Just a very tedious book, with far too many extraneous details and repetition. Not a bargain at any price.
4 Titles By Anne Perry Charlotte and Inspector Thomas Pitt Series : Bethlehem Road The Hyde Park Headsman Traitors' Gate Brunswick Gardens
Average customer rating: Not rated
    4 Titles By Anne Perry Charlotte and Inspector Thomas Pitt Series : Bethlehem Road The Hyde Park Headsman Traitors' Gate Brunswick Gardens
    Anne Perry
    Manufacturer: Fawcett
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Mass Market Paperback

    GeneralGeneral | Mystery | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
    GeneralGeneral | Perry, Anne | ( P ) | Authors, A-Z | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
    PaperbackPaperback | Perry, Anne | ( P ) | Authors, A-Z | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
    ASIN: B000S3NNF8

    Product Description

    multiple books ship as one item. save on shipping/handling charges.
    6 Titles in Charlotte and Thomas Pitt Series - Bedford Square - Brunswick Gardens - Pentecost Alley - Traitor's Gate - Hyde Park Headsman - Belgrave Square
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      6 Titles in Charlotte and Thomas Pitt Series - Bedford Square - Brunswick Gardens - Pentecost Alley - Traitor's Gate - Hyde Park Headsman - Belgrave Square
      Anne Perry
      Manufacturer: various
      ProductGroup: Book
      Binding: Mass Market Paperback
      ASIN: B000Q7A0D4

      Product Description

      Multiple books shipped as one item. Save on Shipping/Handling charges.
      Death in the Devil's Acre, the Hyde Park Headsman, Seven Dials (A Charlotte and Thomas Pitt Novel)
      Average customer rating: Not rated
        Death in the Devil's Acre, the Hyde Park Headsman, Seven Dials (A Charlotte and Thomas Pitt Novel)
        Anne Perry
        Manufacturer: Fawcett
        ProductGroup: Book
        Binding: Paperback

        GeneralGeneral | Mystery | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
        GeneralGeneral | Perry, Anne | ( P ) | Authors, A-Z | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
        PaperbackPaperback | Perry, Anne | ( P ) | Authors, A-Z | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
        ASIN: B000TPZEF2

        Product Description

        Death in the Devil's Acre: When a dr. is found brutally murdered in the lurid section of London aptly named Devil's Acre, even its most hardened residents are stunned. But shock soon turns to horror when Inspector Pitt discovers three more bodies with the same gruesome calling card; a stab wound in the back and a rather inexpertly executed mutilation. As Pitt and his wife Charlotte race against time to find the killer, a trecherous mystery unfolds. And no one, not the lowest brand of ruffian or the most established aristocrat, will come out unscathed. The Hyde Park Headsman: Not since the bloody deeds of Jack the Ripper have Londoners felt such terror as that aroused by the gruesome beheadings in Hyde Park. And if newly promoted Police Superintendent Thomas Pitt does not quickly apperehend the perpetrator, he is likely to lose his own head, professionally speaking. Yet even with the help of Charlotte Pitt's subtle investigation, the sinister violence continues unchecked. And in a shocking turn of events that nearly convinces the pair of sleuths that they have met their match, the case proves to be Pitt's toughest ever. Seven Dials: Thomas Pitt, mainstay of Her Majesty's Special Branch, is summoned to Connaught Square mansion where the body of a jr. diplomat lies huddled in a wheelbarrow. Nearby stands the tenant of the house, the beautiful and notorious Egyptian woman Ayeasha Zakhari, who falls under the shadow of suspicion. Pitt's orders are to protect-at all costs-the good name of the third person in the garden; sr. cabinet minister Saville Ryerson. This distinguised public servant, whispered to be Ayesha's lover, insists that she is as innocent as Pitt himself is. Pitt's journey to uncover the truth takes him from the Egyptian cotton fields to the insidious London slum called Seven Dials, to a packed London courtroom where shocking secrets will at last be revealed.
        The Hyde Park Headsman
        Average customer rating: Not rated
          The Hyde Park Headsman
          Anne Perry
          Manufacturer: New York: Fawcett Columbine, 1994
          ProductGroup: Book
          Binding: Hardcover
          ASIN: B000NXIOZC
          The Hyde Park Headsman - A Charlotte And Thomas Pitt Novel
          Average customer rating: Not rated
            The Hyde Park Headsman - A Charlotte And Thomas Pitt Novel
            Anne Perry
            Manufacturer: Fawcett Columbine
            ProductGroup: Book
            Binding: Hardcover
            ASIN: B000RJ3M3Q
            The Hyde Park Headsman
            Average customer rating: Not rated
              The Hyde Park Headsman
              Anne Perry
              Manufacturer: Crest
              ProductGroup: Book
              Binding: Mass Market Paperback
              ASIN: B000OUVTA6
              The Hyde Park Headsman
              Average customer rating: Not rated
                The Hyde Park Headsman

                Manufacturer: Fawcett Crest
                ProductGroup: Book
                Binding: Paperback
                ASIN: B000GXFZ7Y
                The Hyde Park Headsman (A Charlotte and Thomas Pitt Novel)
                Average customer rating: Not rated
                  The Hyde Park Headsman (A Charlotte and Thomas Pitt Novel)
                  Anne Perry
                  Manufacturer: Crest
                  ProductGroup: Book
                  Binding: Paperback
                  ASIN: B000NY1WAK
                  The Hyde Park Headsman - A Charlotte And Thomas Pitt Novel
                  Average customer rating: Not rated
                    The Hyde Park Headsman - A Charlotte And Thomas Pitt Novel
                    Anne Perry
                    Manufacturer: Fawcett Columbine
                    ProductGroup: Book
                    Binding: Hardcover
                    ASIN: B000OLK50K

                    His Dark Materials Trilogy (The Golden Compass; The Subtle Knife; The Amber Spyglass)
                    Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
                    • Anti Christian
                    • Be aware of what you are indoctrinating your kids with!
                    • Wonderful for young and old alike
                    • Not good
                    • his dark materials
                    His Dark Materials Trilogy (The Golden Compass; The Subtle Knife; The Amber Spyglass)
                    Philip Pullman
                    Manufacturer: Laurel Leaf
                    ProductGroup: Book
                    Binding: Mass Market Paperback

                    Pullman, PhilipPullman, Philip | ( P ) | Authors, A-Z | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
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                    Similar Items:
                    1. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Book 7) Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Book 7)
                    2. Stardust Stardust
                    3. Lyra's Oxford Lyra's Oxford
                    4. The Children of Húrin The Children of Húrin
                    5. The Golden Compass, Deluxe 10th Anniversary Edition (His Dark Materials, Book 1) The Golden Compass, Deluxe 10th Anniversary Edition (His Dark Materials, Book 1)

                    ASIN: 0440238609
                    Release Date: 2003-09-23

                    Amazon.com

                    In the epic trilogy His Dark Materials, Philip Pullman unlocks the door to worlds parallel to our own. Dæmons and winged creatures live side by side with humans, and a mysterious entity called Dust just might have the power to unite the universes--if it isn't destroyed first. The three books in Pullman's heroic fantasy series, published as mass-market paperbacks with new covers, are united here in one boxed set that includes The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, and The Amber Spyglass. Join Lyra, Pantalaimon, Will, and the rest as they embark on the most breathtaking, heartbreaking adventure of their lives. The fate of the universe is in their hands. (Ages 13 and older)

                    Book Description

                    Now, for the first time, the HIS DARK MATERIALS Trilogy is available in a trade paperback edition. All three books in the His Dark Materials trilogy-- THE GOLDEN COMPASS, THE SUBTLE KNIFE, and THE AMBER SPYGLASS--are available in a new complete boxed set featuring the trade paperbacks. New material is available in all three books: The Golden Compass and The Subtle Knife feature black-and-white chapter-opening art by Philip Pullman himself; The Amber Spyglass features chapter-opening quotes from the likes of Milton, Donne, Blake, Byron and the Bible, which did not appear in hardcover.

                    Customer Reviews:

                    1 out of 5 stars Anti Christian .......2007-10-11

                    While I admit that Pullman has considerable skill as a writer, I'd like to warn others that these books are blatantly anti-Christian. Do a simple Google search of the authors name or the book titles and you'll find plenty to concern you IF you are Christian.

                    1 out of 5 stars Be aware of what you are indoctrinating your kids with!.......2007-10-10

                    Parents, before you offer these "fantasy" reads for your kids be aware that this author is promoting atheism and these books are anti-christian, anti-church and anti-God. Be Careful, and be sure that this is what you intend to teach and encourage in your children. I have to give all of these books a thumbs down based on my personal values and beliefs.

                    5 out of 5 stars Wonderful for young and old alike.......2007-10-08

                    I am not at all ashamed to admitt that I am a 27 year old person, and I absolutly LOVED all of these books. The author, Pullman, gives such colorful and imaginative explinations that I would actually find it HARD not to fall in love with the main character, Lyra, and her friend, Will. Not to mention the scores of other colorful characters that fit into Lyra and Wills' adventures. I found myself so atatched to Lyra and the other characters in this book that I actually shed a tear MORE THAN ONCE during my readings. I highly recommend this seris of books not only for familys or the newly independent readers, but also for adults who like fantasy fiction books. I have found myself thinking about these books and these characters long after I retired them to my library.

                    1 out of 5 stars Not good.......2007-10-06

                    Do all of you realize that the author of these books is an Atheist? He is AGAINST any Christian whether Catholic or non-Catholic. This is NOT a set of books that you want your kids to read. And I really believe that no adult should read these books either. This man Pullman does not like C.S. Lewis or any Christian for that matter. I don't see why any Christian would buy and read these books.

                    The author is going to use the movie to pull your children in to read these anti-Christian books. I've read that the movie is not as bad as the first book is. This is to lure you in and then to buy the books and then to see the other movies if this man gets that far with the other two movies. We Christians have to stand together and boycott these books.

                    5 out of 5 stars his dark materials.......2007-10-05

                    I enjoyed the entire harry potter series very much, but phillip pullman's his dark materials is even better!
                    The Subtle Knife (His Dark Materials, Book 2)
                    Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
                    • Magnificent!
                    • Something of a let down
                    • POORLY WRITTEN AND ABSOLUTELY NOT FOR CHILDREN
                    • Fabulous Science fiction read
                    • WHAM! Here come the heavy hitters
                    The Subtle Knife (His Dark Materials, Book 2)
                    Philip Pullman
                    Manufacturer: Knopf Books for Young Readers
                    ProductGroup: Book
                    Binding: Hardcover

                    Science Fiction, Fantasy, & MagicScience Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic | Science Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery & Horror | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
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                    1. The Amber Spyglass (His Dark Materials, Book 3) The Amber Spyglass (His Dark Materials, Book 3)
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                    3. Lyra's Oxford Lyra's Oxford
                    4. The Ruby in the Smoke (Sally Lockhart Trilogy, Book 1) The Ruby in the Smoke (Sally Lockhart Trilogy, Book 1)
                    5. The Amulet of Samarkand (The Bartimaeus Trilogy, Book 1) The Amulet of Samarkand (The Bartimaeus Trilogy, Book 1)

                    ASIN: 0679879250
                    Release Date: 1997-07-22

                    Amazon.com

                    With The Golden Compass Philip Pullman garnered every accolade under the sun. Critics lobbed around such superlatives as "elegant," "awe-inspiring," "grand," and "glittering," and used "magnificent" with gay abandon. Each reader had a favorite chapter--or, more likely, several--from the opening tour de force to Lyra's close call at Bolvangar to the great armored-bear battle. And Pullman was no less profligate when it came to intellectual firepower or singular characters. The dæmons alone grant him a place in world literature. Could the second installment of his trilogy keep up this pitch, or had his heroine and her too, too sullied parents consumed him? And what of the belief system that pervaded his alternate universe, not to mention the mystery of Dust? More revelations and an equal number of wonders and new players were definitely in order.

                    The Subtle Knife offers everything we could have wished for, and more. For a start, there's a young hero--from our world--who is a match for Lyra Silvertongue and whose destiny is every bit as shattering. Like Lyra, Will Parry has spent his childhood playing games. Unlike hers, though, his have been deadly serious. This 12-year-old long ago learned the art of invisibility: if he could erase himself, no one would discover his mother's increasing instability and separate them.

                    As the novel opens, Will's enemies will do anything for information about his missing father, a soldier and Arctic explorer who has been very much airbrushed from the official picture. Now Will must get his mother into safe seclusion and make his way toward Oxford, which may hold the key to John Parry's disappearance. But en route and on the lam from both the police and his family's tormentors, he comes upon a cat with more than a mouse on her mind: "She reached out a paw to pat something in the air in front of her, something quite invisible to Will." What seems to him a patch of everyday Oxford conceals far more: "The cat stepped forward and vanished." Will, too, scrambles through and into another oddly deserted landscape--one in which children rule and adults (and felines) are very much at risk. Here in this deathly silent city by the sea, he will soon have a dustup with a fierce, flinty little girl: "Her expression was a mixture of the very young--when she first tasted the cola--and a kind of deep, sad wariness." Soon Will and Lyra (and, of course, her dæmon, Pantalaimon) uneasily embark on a great adventure and head into greater tragedy.

                    As Pullman moves between his young warriors and the witch Serafina Pekkala, the magnetic, ever-manipulative Mrs. Coulter, and Lee Scoresby and his hare dæmon, Hester, there are clear signs of approaching war and earthly chaos. There are new faces as well. The author introduces Oxford dark-matter researcher Mary Malone; the Latvian witch queen Ruta Skadi, who "had trafficked with spirits, and it showed"; Stanislaus Grumman, a shaman in search of a weapon crucial to the cause of Lord Asriel, Lyra's father; and a serpentine old man whom Lyra and Pan can't quite place. Also on hand are the Specters, beings that make cliff-ghasts look like rank amateurs.

                    Throughout, Pullman is in absolute control of his several worlds, his plot and pace equal to his inspiration. Any number of astonishing scenes--small- and large-scale--will have readers on edge, and many are cause for tears. "You think things have to be possible," Will demands. "Things have to be true!" It is Philip Pullman's gift to turn what quotidian minds would term the impossible into a reality that is both heartbreaking and beautiful. --Kerry Fried

                    Book Description

                    Here is the highly anticipated second installment of Philip Pullman's epic fantasy trilogy, begun with the critically acclaimed The Golden Compass. Lyra and Will, her newfound friend, tumble separately into the strange tropical otherworld of Cittàgazze, "the city of magpies," where adults are curiously absent and children run wild. Here their lives become inextricably entwined when Lyra's alethiometer gives her a simple command: find Will's father. Their search is plagued with obstacles--some familiar and some horribly new and unfathomable--but it eventually brings them closer to Will's father and to the Subtle Knife, a deadly, magical, ancient tool that cuts windows between worlds. Through it all, Will and Lyra find themselves hurtling toward the center of a fierce battle against a force so awesome that leagues of mortals, witches, beasts, and spirits from every world are uniting in fear and anger against it. This breathtaking sequel will leave readers eager for the third and final volume of His Dark Materials.

                    Download Description

                    The second book of Philip Pullman's epic fantasy trilogy brings Lyra and her daemon and a cast of characters both familiar and new into whole new worlds. Lyra and 12-year-old Will Parry, in a desperate flight for his life, are drawn closer to Will's father and closer to the Subtle Knife, a deadly, magical, ancient tool that cuts windows between worlds. Through it all, the pair are drawn deeper and deeper into a fierce battle that they may not survive.

                    Customer Reviews:

                    4 out of 5 stars Magnificent!.......2007-10-09

                    This book is an amazing follow up for the first book. With brave heroes, truly evil villains, and magic objects, it wonderfully fills the second book of this great trilogy. The plot-twists and the fantastic imaginative settings make Pullman's work a rollercoaster for the imagination.

                    A complaint I have is that our heroine, Lyra, has lost some of her initial personality and lust for adventure she built up in the first book. When we first run into her, she appears to have unexplainably lost interest in the quest she was so bound to in the first book. Also, her new sidekick, Will, sometimes feels a bit unoriginal and recycled. I mean, how many fiction novels are out there where a young boy finds he has a destiny thrust upon him far greater the he imagined? But the whole of it is great and almost completely drowns out the flaws.

                    Parents be warned, this book has a few mature and potentially offensive concepts. Read-a-loud sessions should maybe include a follow-up talk for young children.

                    Sam (age 12)

                    3 out of 5 stars Something of a let down.......2007-09-22

                    After speeding through the Golden Compass, one of the best fantasy books I had read in years at the very least, I could barely wait to start on the sequel. Unfortunately, it did very little to live up to my expectations.

                    Nearly all of the charms of the first book--a unique and well realized alternate reality, an interesting and masterful reshaping of "real world" institutions into this alternate reality, intriguing technologies--were lost in the sequel. However, the biggest disappointment had to be what I consider the near character assassination of Lyra. Lyra, I thought, was one of the primary strengths of the first book. In the Golden Compass, we had that rarest of all things, a female protagonist in a fantasy novel who isn't some kind of patient saint or super warrior. She was selfish, brave, ungrateful, loyal, resourceful and something of a brat. In short, she felt very much like a real girl who found herself swept up in horrible events far beyond what any 12-year-old child should have to face and, while she had her failures, faced those challenges with resourcefulness and sometimes terrible courage. At the end, we had Lyra, betrayed by her own parents, her dearest friend dead, about to leave behind the sole protector she'd found--but who was facing this unknown new world and a war against her giant of a father because she felt it was right. It was a powerful image.

                    So I excitedly opened The Subtle Knife only to find Lyra's quest nigh well abandoned. Will is a decent if underdeveloped character, but he's tremendously common. In how many fantasy novels is the chief protagonist a boy with a mysterious father who ends up having a destiny well beyond his expectations? Will as sidekick I could have born. Will as primary hero with Lyra abandoning all self-agency in order to play hand-maiden to the male protagonist I found trite and somewhat insulting. And the one time where Lyra dares to remember her own quest after the Dust she is immediately chastised for not making everything about her new man. And then Will's destiny wasn't even that interesting. Boy with magical bond with weapon discovers he's the center of the universe--it's been done dozens of times before. Lyra's interactions with her daemon and the entire plot of what Dust is was new. And why did Lyra have to become so dumb and horridly insipid? Where was the Lyra who led her group of Oxford children in successful wars against other children back at Oxford? Where was the Lyra who earned the title Silvertongue? Where was her rage at her father and her grief for her friend?

                    For a series which prides itself at rejecting the dangerous suffocation of ideas by the establishment, it surely does prop up more than a few patriarchal ideas.

                    There were a few grace notes. I liked Mary tremendously and Lee Scoresby's plot had some of the best and most heartbreaking writing of the series. Just after The Golden Compass I felt Pullman had lost the plot a bit and picked up too many cliched threads that ended up diluting what had been a creative series.

                    1 out of 5 stars POORLY WRITTEN AND ABSOLUTELY NOT FOR CHILDREN.......2007-09-05

                    Having enjoyed The Golden Compass to the point of calling it the single greatest adventure story I've ever read, I was severely disappointed by The Subtle Knife. While I am from the generation that was supposedly desensitized to violence, I found the depictions of violence and sexual innuendo to be in poor taste and unnecessary to the plot, which was almost nonexistent. This book is completely inappropriate for children (and some squeamish adults) and parents should be aware of the content before handing it to anyone under 17. The richness and wonder of the first novel in the His Dark Materials trilogy was not present here, and even favorite characters became annoying and one-dimensional. The entire book was just poorly written. I found myself reading the plot summary on Wikipedia just so I could avoid wasting any more time reading The Subtle Knife and move on to The Amber Spyglass. At this point, I do not trust Mr. Pullman with his own characters and am hopeful that Book 3 redeems him.

                    4 out of 5 stars Fabulous Science fiction read.......2007-08-30

                    I just ate up this book yesterday. I found that I couldn't put this book done. I actually think that I enjoyed this book more than Northern Lights (the "real" name of the first book). I look forward to getting my hands on a copy of the Amber Spyglass.

                    This book takes off quickly from the first book and we find that Lyra is still on her quest, but where will it take her? She meets her match in Will Parry. There are lots of twists and turns in this book and just when you think she's safe...something happens. I don't want to spoil anything here.

                    This is another engaging read into the fantastic with the critical analysis of the importance of thinking and questioning authority.

                    5 out of 5 stars WHAM! Here come the heavy hitters.......2007-08-08

                    And it is just so great to read a book and know, deep down, that it will be read again, and read to one's children and cherished. The first book opened the door and the second invited all the guests, so the third book is the party. But wow, what a richer, more nuanced world we have after the ~300 pages of The Subtle Knife. We find evil in children, Dust as dark matter and all of the lovely complexity that makes reading such a wonder and joy. And now we really know what Lord Asriel is up to, although Mrs. Coulter is still revealing surprises of her own. I should probably stop writing and start reading. One of the best fantasy series' ever, in the second rank under Tolkien and George R.R. Martin's Fire and Ice series.
                    The Subtle Knife, Deluxe 10th Anniversary Edition (His Dark Materials, Book 2)
                    Average customer rating: 3 out of 5 stars
                    • GOOD READ
                    • A thrilling but flawed trilogy
                    • Do not buy deluxe edition - poor quality edition
                    • POORLY WRITTEN AND ABSOLUTELY NOT FOR CHILDREN
                    The Subtle Knife, Deluxe 10th Anniversary Edition (His Dark Materials, Book 2)
                    Philip Pullman
                    Manufacturer: Knopf Books for Young Readers
                    ProductGroup: Book
                    Binding: Hardcover

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                    His Dark MaterialsHis Dark Materials | Science Fiction | Series | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
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                    Similar Items:
                    1. The Amber Spyglass, Deluxe 10th Anniversary Edition (His Dark Materials, Book 3) The Amber Spyglass, Deluxe 10th Anniversary Edition (His Dark Materials, Book 3)
                    2. The Golden Compass, Deluxe 10th Anniversary Edition (His Dark Materials, Book 1) The Golden Compass, Deluxe 10th Anniversary Edition (His Dark Materials, Book 1)
                    3. Lyra's Oxford Lyra's Oxford
                    4. Stardust Stardust
                    5. The Amber Spyglass (His Dark Materials, Book 3) The Amber Spyglass (His Dark Materials, Book 3)

                    ASIN: 0375846727
                    Release Date: 2007-08-28

                    Book Description

                    PUBLISHED IN 40 COUNTRIES, with over 5 million copies in print in North America alone, Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy -The
                    Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, and The Amber Spyglass - has graced the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, San Francisco Chronicle, Book Sense, and Publishers Weekly bestseller lists. For these deluxe editions, Philip Pullman has created new material: papers of Colonel John Parry for the 10-year anniversary of The Subtle Knife (15 new pages), and letters of Mary Malone from secret Magisterium files for The Amber Spyglass (10 new pages). In each book, the new material has been illustrated and handlettered by renowned artist Ian Beck and will be included in the backmatter.

                    Each deluxe edition also features a ribbon bookmark, rough-edged pages, and Pullman's own chapter-opening spot art. These two volumes join the 2006 deluxe edition of The Golden Compass to form a gorgeous collectible set of the trilogy - a perfect gift for loyal Pullman readers and new fans alike. The Golden Compass debuts as a New Line major motion picture starring Nicole Kidman in December 2007.

                    Customer Reviews:

                    4 out of 5 stars GOOD READ.......2007-09-25

                    I LIKED THIS BOOK ALOT. BEING THE SECOND IN THIS TRILAGY. IT WAS A VERY INTERESTING STORY. I'M GLAD I BOUGHT THIS BOOK AND THE TRILOGY TO ADD TO MY COLLECTION. I'VE READ THE WHOLE TRILOGY TWICE AND ENJOYED IT THE SECOND TIME AS MUCH AS THE FIRST. I HIGHLY RECOMEND IT. IF YOU LIKE THE HARRY POTTER BOOKS YOU'LL LIKE THESE. PHILLIP PULLMAN HAS A VERY INTERESTING WRITING STYLE. IT REALLY DRAWS YOU IN. THERE ARE A LOT OF SIMULARITYS TO THE HARRY POTTER BOOKS AND IF THESE BOOKS WEREN'T WRITTEN BEFORE HARRY POTTER CAME OUT I WOULD JUST SAY THAT HE STOLE ALOT OF IDEAS FROM THEM. LIKE MANY OTHER AUTHERS OUT THERE ARE TRYING TO DO JUST TO MAKE A BUCK THESE DAYS. IN THE END I WAS VERY HAPPY. AND I RECOMEND YOU TAKING A LOOK.

                    4 out of 5 stars A thrilling but flawed trilogy.......2007-09-17

                    I read the "Golden Compass" trilogy a few years back -- can't remember why -- and thought I'd dash off a word or two about it, what with the movie coming out soon and all. The books follow familiar kids/young adult fantasy tropes: the hero is an orphan (the feisty, indomitable Lyra Belaqua) whose real parents (not actually dead) are both powerful figures in the world outside. Lyra lives in an alternate-reality version of our world, a strange mix of the medieval and modern worlds, where the Church-led Inquisition has lasted for centuries, but science has continued apace, although led for the most part by the dictates of the somewhat sinister, repressive Church.

                    The first two books were riveting, mostly because the fiery young girl is such as appealing character and the fantasy elements are quite imaginative, however, the third volume is disappointing. To put it simply, the Golden Compass books are a thinly-disguised anti-Catholic screed, and though the first two books are quite entertaining, the third is a real drag. If you get pulled in by the story, you'll have to finish the series, just to see how it ends. Although I don't have any principled or prudish objections to Pullman's world view, I do think the narrative and the writing suffered greatly in the third book, where he pretty much just comes out and says what he feels about religion and the Church, much to the detriment of the writing. It's just not that much fun to read once the story becomes a political pamphlet; indeed, finishing the series was a bit of a chore. (Apparently the movie adaptation tones things down a lot -- won't parents be surprised when they get the books after having seen the film!) (Axton)

                    3 out of 5 stars Do not buy deluxe edition - poor quality edition.......2007-09-11

                    If you are thinking of trading in your older version of this book for the so-called 'deluxe' version, save your hard earned money. As noted in other reviews, this publisher is following a trend I have seen more often and why I won't buy hardcovers at full price or at all.
                    It is printed on cheap paper for the same amount of money a nicer book would sell for. The cloth book marker doesn't make up for the fact that this version of the book is a rip off.
                    What gets to me is that the industry is trying to pull a fast one on the consumer. If they could lower their prices a little, to reflect their use of disposable materials, that would be more honest on their part.
                    But I guess that's what's at issue here. Buy with caution, because if you intend for these books to stay in your library a while, you may be disappointed.

                    1 out of 5 stars POORLY WRITTEN AND ABSOLUTELY NOT FOR CHILDREN.......2007-09-05

                    Having enjoyed The Golden Compass to the point of calling it the single greatest adventure story I've ever read, I was severely disappointed by The Subtle Knife. While I am from the generation that was supposedly desensitized to violence, I found the depictions of violence and sexual innuendo to be in poor taste and unnecessary to the plot, which was almost nonexistent. This book is completely inappropriate for children (and some squeamish adults) and parents should be aware of the content before handing it to anyone under 17. The richness and wonder of the first novel in the His Dark Materials trilogy was not present here, and even favorite characters became annoying and one-dimensional. The entire book was just poorly written. I found myself reading the plot summary on Wikipedia just so I could avoid wasting any more time reading The Subtle Knife and move on to The Amber Spyglass. At this point, I do not trust Mr. Pullman with his own characters and am hopeful that Book 3 redeems him.
                    The Subtle Knife Sequel to the Golden Compass
                    Average customer rating: Not rated
                      The Subtle Knife Sequel to the Golden Compass
                      Philip Pullman
                      Manufacturer: Listening Library
                      ProductGroup: Book
                      Binding: Audio Cassette
                      Similar Items:
                      1. The Golden Compass, Deluxe 10th Anniversary Edition (His Dark Materials, Book 1) The Golden Compass, Deluxe 10th Anniversary Edition (His Dark Materials, Book 1)

                      ASIN: B000KHFZN0
                      His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass; The Subtle Knife; The Amber Spyglass
                      Average customer rating: Not rated
                        His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass; The Subtle Knife; The Amber Spyglass
                        Philip Pullman
                        Manufacturer: Science Fiction Book Club
                        ProductGroup: Book
                        Binding: Hardcover

                        Pullman, PhilipPullman, Philip | ( P ) | Authors, A-Z | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
                        His Dark MaterialsHis Dark Materials | Science Fiction | Series | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
                        ASIN: 073941335X
                        3 Titles By Philip Pullman His Dark Materials Series (1-3) : 1. The Golden Compass 2. The Subtle Knife 3. The Amber Spyglass
                        Average customer rating: Not rated
                          3 Titles By Philip Pullman His Dark Materials Series (1-3) : 1. The Golden Compass 2. The Subtle Knife 3. The Amber Spyglass
                          Philip Pullman
                          Manufacturer: Various
                          ProductGroup: Book
                          Binding: Mass Market Paperback

                          Pullman, PhilipPullman, Philip | ( P ) | Authors, A-Z | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
                          FantasyFantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Teens | Subjects | Books
                          Science FictionScience Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Teens | Subjects | Books
                          His Dark MaterialsHis Dark Materials | Science Fiction | Series | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
                          ASIN: B000PSEW92

                          Product Description

                          three mmpb books. 3 Titles By Philip Pullman His Dark Materials Series (1-3) : 1. The Golden Compass 2. The Subtle Knife 3. The Amber Spyglass
                          Dark Materials Set:  The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife and the Amber Spyglass
                          Average customer rating: Not rated
                            Dark Materials Set: The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife and the Amber Spyglass
                            Philip PULLMAN
                            Manufacturer: Knopf
                            ProductGroup: Book
                            Binding: Hardcover
                            ASIN: B000I1SJTU
                            Exploring Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials: An Unauthorized Adventure Through The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, and The Amber Spyglass (His Dark Materials)
                            Average customer rating: Not rated
                              Exploring Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials: An Unauthorized Adventure Through The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, and The Amber Spyglass (His Dark Materials)
                              Lois Gresh
                              Manufacturer: St. Martin's Griffin
                              ProductGroup: Book
                              Binding: Paperback

                              GeneralGeneral | Reference & Nonfiction | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
                              Literary Criticism & CollectionsLiterary Criticism & Collections | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
                              His Dark MaterialsHis Dark Materials | Science Fiction | Series | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
                              History & CriticismHistory & Criticism | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
                              ClassicsClassics | Literature & Fiction | Teens | Subjects | Books
                              FantasyFantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Teens | Subjects | Books
                              GeneralGeneral | Reference | Subjects | Books
                              Similar Items:
                              1. His Dark Materials Illuminated: Critical Essays On Philip Pullman's Trilogy (Landscapes of Childhood) His Dark Materials Illuminated: Critical Essays On Philip Pullman's Trilogy (Landscapes of Childhood)

                              ASIN: 031234743X
                              Release Date: 2007-10-30

                              Book Description

                              His Dark Materials is one of the most popular, award-winning trilogies of all time. With the upcoming film release of the The Golden Compass by New Line Cinema, the producers of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, interest is sure to skyrocket for this bestselling series that the New York Times called a modern classic. For the first time ever, Lois H. Gresh helps young readers examine Pullmans intricate universe with Exploring His Dark Materials, the ultimate companion guide. Greshs fun, interactive book explores the complex science, religion, and fantastic elements of His Dark Materials in a way thats both informative and fun for younger readers. Exploring His Dark Materials is filled with sidebars, history, facts, and an in-depth analysis of the books, answering questions like: What are daemons? Why is dust important to the series? Is Dark Material real and how does it relate to our universe? What are the origins of ghosts and shapeshifters? And much more! Exploring His Dark Materials is the first and only guide for young adults to help them explore this fantastic and challenging fantasy world.
                              The Golden Compass - The Subtle Knife - The Amber Spyglass AND Lyra's Oxford (4 volumes)
                              Average customer rating: Not rated
                                The Golden Compass - The Subtle Knife - The Amber Spyglass AND Lyra's Oxford (4 volumes)
                                Philip Pullman
                                Manufacturer: Knopf/David Fickling 1997 thru 2003
                                ProductGroup: Book
                                Binding: Hardcover
                                ASIN: B000LBWOVG
                                The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyclass Ans the
                                Average customer rating: Not rated
                                  The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyclass Ans the
                                  Philip Pullman
                                  Manufacturer: Knopf
                                  ProductGroup: Book
                                  Binding: Hardcover
                                  ASIN: B000SBKZLA

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