According to Their Deeds

Paul Robertson's treatment of "According to their Deeds" is innovative yet feels as if it were an old classic not typical of Christian fiction. Much of this story is driven by dialogue alone, so for the reader who doesn't want to experience an "avant-garde" read, this book will have no appeal. Robertson weaves religious beliefs into Charles' reminescent "chats" between him and the man murdered. Their "flashback" discussions not only explore their match of wits and philosophical differences but also add another layer of the mystery to be revealed about the victim. I was intrigued with Robertson's style and the mystery, and once I started into the story, couldn't put it down. Contrary to another reviewer's insistence that people don't speak the way the characters do in this novel, there are intellectuals, or "nerds" to use today's vernacular, who do think and talk exactly as the characters are portrayed here. The author peels away each layer of the plot and the characters involved with teasing ponderous slices until everything makes sense. It's a journey I would highly recommend to all readers who love intrigue.

Antique book dealer Charles Beale is deeply saddened by the vicious murder of one of his clients, an intriguing and eccentric man connected with the U.S. Justice Department. When Charles purchases at auction a set of books he had previously sold to the deceased, he is shocked to find a box concealed inside one of the tomes. Upon opening the box, he discovers that his client enjoyed acquiring far more than antiques. The hidden box holds a variety of secrets that could ruin the lives and reputations of some high-powered people if he were to expose them. Charles's irrepressible curiosity draws him to pursue his own investigation of the mysterious documents. But as the dirty little secrets become names and faces, he gets enmeshed in a sticky web of lies, deceit, fear and murder. Charles attends the auction of the late Derek Bastien's antique collection and is mystified by the bidding war for Derek's desk. Rather than the $24,000 the desk is worth, rival bidders bring the sale to $105,000. It is the very desk on which Derek's bloody body was discovered --- the result of a burglary gone bad. After winning his own bid for the books he originally sold to Derek, Charles uncovers the secrets concealed within. On a whim, he begins contacting the powerful politicians whose names appear on various receipts and documents from the hidden box. When Charles tries to meet with some of Washington's elite, he quickly discovers that Derek's name opens many doors. Each suspects Charles knows something, but isn't sure how much. Charles knows each has engaged in career-ending mistakes in their pasts, but struggles with his role in the entire scenario, which is somehow tied to Derek's murder. Should he be the one to judge others based on the skeletons in their closets? One clue leads to another, and Charles suspects that the antique desk holds secrets of its own. His suspicions prove correct when a hidden drawer reveals even more damaging documents, including one with his name on it. But by this time, the antique-book-dealer-turned-investigator has uncovered enough to place a target on his own back. The dialogue in ACCORDING TO THEIR DEEDS is without a doubt the most clever I have ever read. Dry wit, puns and ingenious references to classic tales pepper a fascinating story of justice vs. mercy. An interesting variety of characters weaves in and out of Charles's investigation, each made distinct by his or her dialogue and quirks. The secondary characters, Charles's three employees, have well-defined personalities and engage in brief but colorful tête-à-têtes with their boss. I especially liked Angelo, who six months earlier robbed Charles at knifepoint and was now on probation under Charles's supervision. And then there is the sweet-but-not-sugary, sincere and enviable relationship between Charles and his wife, Dorothy. Even without lengthy descriptions, the heart of this relationship is made strong by the author's brilliantly creative use of the English language.

This lighthearted mystery contains a married couple who speak to one another in a manner reminiscent of The Thin Man. Charles and Dorothy Beale obviously care deeply about each other and share an interesting partnership as they manage their old and rare bookshop. Their conversations are a study of a couple at play. This is not the usual fast paced mystery. Rather, it demands a careful read. In between each chapter is a discussion between the Charles, the protagonist and the Derek, the deceased. This makes for an unique change of pace, as it adds to the plot. There are many allusions to literature. I loved the word play whenever Alice, the bookstore clerk, answers Charles' question, "Was anything sold?" with a title of a book. Charles then comments with an allusion referencing that book. This reinforces or foretells what has just taken place or what will soon take place in the plot. I love the characters; I loved the dialogue. This novel would be a good choice for a book club as it begs discussion.

According to Their Deeds by Paul Robertson is an unexpected delight disguised as a political thriller/mysterious book quest. Charles Beale is quite content with his life as a rare book store owner in Alexandria, Virginia. Married to hissoulmate , Dorothy, and buying and selling books that inspire his soul, life has settled into a comfortable rhythm, even with the addition of a part-time worker named Angelo who is doing his probation working at the store. After the death of Charles' friend, Derek, he purchases back the antique books on philosophy that Derek had purchased over the years. He discovers Derek had a hidden life built on profiting from the secrets of others, and Charles determines what to do with this knowledge as well as discover who really murdered Derek and why. Most books with this plot as a set-up would quickly spiral into car chases, gunfights, and treks across the world. Robertson instead turns the entire genre on its head with this quiet and incredibly intelligent mystery. Charles' method of investigation involves enigmatic conversations with the many suspects, and much of the book is simply conversations. Charles is polite, and the definition of a good man. The secrets he discovers weigh heavily on his heart as he tries to determine whether to administer justice or mercy. As a reader, I fell in love with the subtle rhythm of the book, along with discerning the truth. It's a rare gem in a cluttered genre, and I hope that Robertson isn't finished with Charles and Dorothy. I would love a sequel.

It is not too gushy to report that this novel is brilliantly written. Paul Robertson evokes marvelous atmosphere and displays great wit in his descriptions of a colorful diversity of people and circumstances. At the same time, he shows much sympathetic understanding of human nature in addition to healthy and unhealthy psyches during the narration of his mystery story. This author also has a way of using delicious metaphors in this book that satisfies one's mental appetite! This mystery is well-thought out and presented with a surprise twist to the puzzle at the end. The main characters are sculpted dimensionally and painted in logical perspective. Throughout the entire book, there is intriguing and enjoyable analysis of history and philosophy built into conversations between characters, especially two of the main characters during their games of chess, which is a pleasant distraction for the reader as well as being an integral part of the tale. The author manifests a strong comprehension of various arts AND sciences in the writing, which is quite a successful feat in and of itself. "According to Their Deeds" is highly recommended reading -- your heart and mind will be greatly enriched from the experience. His previous two books are excellent, also!