March 18, 2009

According to Their Deeds

Written by Lisa

Y’all know that some of my favorite fiction is the Southern story, Jan Karon’s At Home in Mitford series being a prime example. I don’t know if that constitutes an official genre but it’s what I like. I also like fiction that is smart and witty and Paul Robertson’s newest novel According to Their Deeds fits the bill, weaving a tale of murder and suspense interlaced with literary allusions and philosophical debates.

From the back cover:

A Deadly Game of Justice Versus Mercy

Charles Beale lives outside the shadow of Washington, D.C. Politics and power matter only when a client crosses the Potomac to visit his Alexandria Rare Books shop. But that all changes when a former client–a man deeply connected in the Justice Department–is found murdered after a break-in gone bad. When Charles reclaims at auction the books he'd once sold, he quickly discovers he's bought more trouble than he could have ever imagined. Inside one volume are secrets. A collection of sins that, if revealed, could destroy reputations, careers–even lives. Charles soon learns he isn't the only who knows. Going to the police means ruining a multitude of lives. But staying silent puts a target on his shop, his wife–and himself. Charles must decide: Should one mistake really cost you everything?

Through the character of rare books dealer Charles Beale, one can sense Robertson’s bibliophile status and in fact much of the wit of the novel stems from various literary references, particularly when the bookstore happens to sell a book whose title reflects Charles’ current circumstances. Robertson is a gifted and clever wordsmith, evident in the smart dialogue of According to Their Deeds as well as in the dark irony of his first novel The Heir (my thoughts here).

I found According to Their Deeds compelling and enjoyable not only for the suspense and mystery but also for the beauty and intelligence of Robertson’s prose. If you like murder and intrigue, an engaging plot and clever writing, then I happily recommend this book!

If you'd like to win a copy of this book, leave a comment. We'll announce the winner March 25. Come back tomorrow for a special Books on Screen DVD giveaway as well!

The winners of What He Must Be if He Wants to Marry My Daughter are #24 Mary and #32 Gina Stratos.

Wife and mother, Bible teacher and blogger, Lisa loves Jesus, coffee, dark chocolate and, of course, books. Read more of her reflections at Lisa writes….

Filed under Fiction, Lisa, Mystery/Suspense by Lisa

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115 Comments

Comments on According to Their Deeds

March 18, 2009

Chrissy @ 12:38 am

You're so witty – love your blog!

Robin @ 7:11 am

I'd love to read this – please enter me and thanks so much!! =]

Jennifer, Snapshot (and 5M4B) @ 7:41 am

I make up genres all the time, LOL, and I think that Southern fiction is perfect!

Marilyn Wons @ 8:09 am

I can never have too many books – this sounds great!

DeeAnn S @ 8:27 am

Murder mysteries are one of my favorites. Thanks for the write-up and thanks for this giveaway.

Michael Capp @ 8:45 am

I'd love to win!

James Jenkins @ 9:33 am

wow

Amy N. @ 9:40 am

this sounds like a great book. i love southern tales, maybe has something to do being from the south. i loved the mitford series too.

desiree kelley @ 10:56 am

I love to read

Martha C @ 11:37 am

Sounds like a great book!

Cheryl F. (The Lucky Ladybug) @ 11:52 am

I'd love to read this *Thanks* for the giveaway!

sandytee @ 12:10 pm

Sure would like to read this one.

shannon Baas @ 1:02 pm

Looks good.

Occupation: Mommy @ 2:47 pm

Sounds like a great one, and the 25th is my birthday! I hope I win!

janeh @ 3:06 pm

sounds fascinating…..love suspense!

Carol M @ 3:10 pm

I really enjoy mysteries and suspense! Thank you for the chance to win this book!

mindy @ 3:17 pm

sounds amazing thanks for the giveaway

Sherry @ 3:43 pm

Sounds like a wonderful, read, thanks for the chance to win!

edj @ 3:46 pm

I like literary allusions and dry wit myself; sign me up please.

Karen B @ 4:10 pm

Somehow I've missed Jan Karon – she's now on my TBR list. Thanks! According to Their Deeds sounds intriguing.

Ann Fantom @ 4:10 pm

This sounds like an interesting book that I'd like to read.

Please enter me in your giveaway.

adrienne Gordon @ 4:56 pm

i like to read anyhting i can get!

Alicia Webster @ 5:37 pm

I have the best husband in the world, and I'd love to win this book for him. He works very hard to support our loud, rambunctious family of five, and he deserves to have some quiet time with a book that would thrill him.
Alicia Webster
5webs@comcast.net

christopher h @ 5:37 pm

love to win this

Linda Peters @ 6:34 pm

would love to read this, thanks

Sharon Walling @ 6:43 pm

Please enter me!!!

Thanks

sharon54220@gmail.com

Marla T @ 6:43 pm

Sounds good. Would love to win. Thanks!

koinonia572001@yahoo.com

Denise S @ 6:54 pm

This looks really interesting.

Jeffrey Beckett @ 7:22 pm

Sounds good, sign me up please!

Angie @ 7:43 pm

Sounds like a great book!

Renee C. @ 8:08 pm

Love finding clues and secrets in books. This one sounds like a keeper.

Alyce @ 8:48 pm

I would love to win this book!

akreese (at) hotmail (dot) com

Linda Howell @ 10:19 pm

A book about a bookstore owner-sounds like a
terrific read to me. Just up my alley.

Linda Chaput @ 10:26 pm

I'd love to win this book.I need some new reading.

Angela C. @ 10:30 pm

I would love to win a copy. Thanks for the giveaway.

Angela
accoupons at gmail dot com

March 19, 2009

marleen davis @ 12:29 am

I would love to win this book. I'm always looking for good authors, trying to stay away from the best sellers list as they are mostly too commercial and poorly written. This sounds good and would love to aquaint myself with this author. Thanks for the chance.

Meredith Rogen @ 2:11 am

Yay for suspense books!

Denise B. @ 10:12 am

We're discussing some of our favorite books right now on another site.

Gina Stratos @ 10:32 am

I love suspenseful stories
gkstratos@yahoo.com

Carol G @ 10:50 am

Another one to add to my wish list–hopefully obtained by winning this one!

Vicky Boackle @ 11:01 am

this sounds like my kind of book.

Susan C @ 11:11 am

I love to read about rare book dealers-I am always on the look-out for rare books myself!

Carol Lawrence @ 11:12 am

This is my type of book,enter this bookworm.

Evelyn @ 11:22 am

enter me

Charlotte Padgett @ 11:47 am

I'd love to win this.

Deborah Rose @ 11:49 am

I think "the Southern story" is the perfect name for the genre – and it's one of my favorites, too. "According to Their Deeds" sounds like an interesting suspense read.

Djp @ 11:53 am

good one

cris @ 11:56 am

Thanks for the giveaway – my entire family loves suspense books.

Cathy W. @ 1:07 pm

This sounds like a good read. Thanks for the review and giveaway opportunity. I'd love to win a copy.

Anita Yancey @ 1:12 pm

I would really love to read this book. Please enter me. Thanks!

Angela J @ 2:08 pm

I'd like to read this

Susan Smith @ 2:31 pm

sounds like a good book

David @ 3:40 pm

Sounds like a good read, thanks.

Christina Brunetti @ 6:21 pm

I would love to read this.

Thanks

Rhonda Struthers @ 7:16 pm

I am a huge mystery fan and sure to love this book.

ellen cunningham @ 9:48 pm

I'd like a chance to read this book. Thanks.

March 20, 2009

Mary @ 11:10 am

Great review, I got to read this! Please add me, thanks.

Jason Nickolay @ 12:37 pm

There is nothing better than a good book and a rainy Saturday. I am looking for some new books for that occasion. Thanks for the chance

Tarah @ 1:36 pm

I love a good read!

Kathy D @ 8:59 pm

Would love to read this one……

March 21, 2009

Catherine @ 1:02 am

Thanx for the contest

Krakovianka @ 2:26 am

Sounds like my kind of book! Win or lose, I'll be on the lookout for this title.

DebbLou @ 8:40 am

Oh, I would love to win this book… it sounds like a really good book…

debbebennett at yahoo dot com

C. clemens @ 12:23 pm

please enter me

Kathy Scott @ 3:59 pm

Mom time occurs about 10:00 with a book. Thanks for the chance.

Gabriel J. @ 4:21 pm

Sounds like a great book. Great contest.

Jenn Elliott @ 7:25 pm

Thanks for the chance. Good reviews on Amazon!

March 22, 2009

Hesper Fry @ 12:12 pm

Looks like a fantastic read. Please enter me!

Andria @ 12:43 pm

It sounds like a really good book. I would love a chance to win. Thank you.

Natasha @ 7:27 pm

Your review not only exposes me to a book I'm not sure I would have otherwise heard of, let alone makes me enthusiastic to read it!

lori w. @ 8:16 pm

thank you for the opportunity to win this book; your review was very interesting

Andrea R. @ 9:08 pm

This looks like a great read. I always love a good mystery.

Jennifer Hedden @ 10:49 pm

enter me

March 23, 2009

Sarah @ 12:59 am

I like a good murder mystery . . .

Brenda @ 3:40 am

Sounds like a wonderful, read, thanks for the chance to win!

Erma @ 6:52 am

I would love the chance to win, thanks.

Sarah Stern @ 9:13 am

This one sounds like a page-turner!

leloni @ 10:04 am

Sounds like a great book..count me in…

Marion B @ 11:17 am

Sounds like a good suspenseful book to read!

sarah @ 11:38 am

enter me!

Marie @ 12:38 pm

Sounds like a great read!

Sara @ 2:21 pm

woot!!!

sarawins@hotmail.com

Jammie @ 2:25 pm

Great give away thank you

Terra Heck @ 3:17 pm

I'd like to read this book. Thanks.

Kim H. @ 5:25 pm

Sounds like a great read. I'm always looking for mystery books.

Christina @ 5:56 pm

According To Their Deeds sounds thrilling, adventurous, and literary, and who wouldn't want to win a copy?

Marianna @ 6:00 pm

I love to read! Thanks for a chance to win!

Ed Nemmers @ 6:27 pm

Happy Monday!

Teresa @ 6:35 pm

I love suspense books and this one sounds like a good one.

Janice Wright @ 9:05 pm

I'm looking for new authors. This would be wonderful to win!

Lydia S @ 9:19 pm

I think I'd like it. Would be nice to read something other than spy novels/techno thrillers for a change.

Katie Zebrowski @ 9:50 pm

I would love to win this! Thank you!

jayne @ 10:11 pm

Sounds like a great book!

Cassandra Janda @ 10:29 pm

I would like to read this–thanks!

Lisa Taylor @ 11:01 pm

I would like to read this

March 24, 2009

flared0ne @ 12:08 am

Smart and eccentric bibliophiles make for such INTERESTING stories, because the warp and woof thereof develop such tangible textures…

Mollie G. @ 12:15 am

This sounds deep and dark, convoluted with a touch of "the bigger they are, the more they crush when they fall" re the potential political fallout. Nice "teaser"!