The Ruffian on the Stair
Non-series
Gary
Newman
Soho Press (Hardcover)
ISBN-10: 1-56947-543-1 (1569475431)
ISBN-13: 978-1-56947-543-0 (9781569475431)
Publication Date: November 2008
List Price: $25.00
Synopsis (from the publisher): On his grandfather’s death, writer Seb Rolvenden inherits papers which reveal that his grandfather was involved in the disappearance of a painter and his masterpiece. Seeing a book in this, Seb pursues a trail of clues in the papers.
Review:
Freelance writer Seb Rolvenden investigates his grandfather's role in
the disappearance of a painter and his masterpiece in The Ruffian on the Stair,
a most intriguing mystery by Gary Newman.
Following the death of his grandfather for whom he was named, Seb is
excited when he receives his Sebastian’s papers from his
lawyer. As a writer, he sees this as a book in the making. The notebook
is not complete, however, as pages have been torn out and are missing.
What is clear, though, is that his grandfather, at the age of 24, was
in France and wanted to become an artist. He had become friends with
well known impressionist painter Julian Rawbeck. Together they lived an
unsavory life dealing in drugs, alcohol, illicit love, and more.
Sebastian had fallen in love with Carrie Bugle, a saloon dancer and
strip-teaser. Another friend, “Vickybird” had
enjoyed the company of both men and women. The woman was usually
Carrie. On an April night in 1899, upset with the road his life was
taking, Sebastian drugged himself into a stupor. When he awoke in the
night, naked, he fumbled around for his clothes and in doing so found
the body of his friend Julian. His throat had been slashed and his
latest masterpiece, The
Ruffian on the Stair, was missing. Seb begins a pursuit in
search of the truth. Did his grandfather kill Rawbeck and steal the
picture? Where is Carrie, and who is “Vickybird”?
During his travels to the places mentioned in his grandfather's
notebook, it soon becomes apparent that there are others who are also
seeking the old haunts of Sebastian for they, too, want the truth. But
not as much to determine what actually happened as to finding
Rawbeck’s masterpiece.
The Ruffian on the
Stair is a complex, intricate, and ultimately very
satisfying story of love and hate, trust and betrayal. But is also
combines the past with the present illustrating striking parallels
between grandfather Sebastian and grandson Seb's lives. There are a
multitude of mysteries here, and surprises in abundance. Seb's
enthusiasm for his quest, and the dangers that result, will have
readers eagerly turning the pages to see what happens next.
Special thanks to guest reviewer Betty of The Betz Review for contributing her review of The Ruffian on the Stair and to Soho Press for providing a copy of the book for this review.
Review Copyright © 2009 — Hidden Staircase Mystery Books — All Rights Reserved.
Have you read The Ruffian on the Stair? How would you rate it?
Books by this author ...
Ruffian on the
Stair
Soho Press (Hardcover), November 2008
ISBN-10: 1-56947-543-1 (1569475431)
ISBN-13: 978-1-56947-543-0 (9781569475431)
Omnimystery keywords for The Ruffian on the Stair
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Location(s) referenced: London, England.
