Martin Nanther, hereditary peer known for his well written biographies, intends to research his great-grandfather whom Queen Victoria knighted for work with her hemophiliac children. Henry Nanther was fascinated with blood diseases and set out to become an expert on them. As Martin reads his relative’s letters, notebooks and scientific works, the Victorian physician emerges. More questions arise than are answered and Martin is frustrated but plods on seeking more information. He learns of distant cousins he never knew who can fill the many gaps in the family tree but questions remain resolved.

At the same time, his second wife is desperate for a child and hopes he might come upon some reason to explain her inability to carry a child even though he has a son from his former marriage. Martin is indifferent to her desperation and even shows jealousy when she does conceive. The unborn baby preoccupies her time and he resents it.

Simultaneously, the House of Lords is in turmoil as life and hereditary peers must decide their fates and dissolve the livelihoods of many. Martin needs the income from his attendance yet his conscience tells him to vote for his own removal from office. For all his talk of the House of Lords as an outdated institution which has outlived its effectiveness, he pules and complains when he stands to lose privileges and benefits.

I’ll spare you any more of the plot to this tome for a dry-as-dust tome it is. Was the author paid by the word as was Charles Dickens? Surely she could have been less boring in this “bloody” book. I enjoyed some of the insider commentary which came from Vine/Rendell’s experience as a peer, but much of her usual plot intricacies and vivid characters are missing from this book.

Neither Martin nor his ancestor is very likeable. Both are self-centered, single-minded prigs, bent only on satisfying their own wants. When Martin uncovers the truth behind his great-grandfather’s actions, he ceases his research for the truth is indeed chilling.

What a disappointment this effort was. The characters are dull and colorless or whiny and belligerent. When Martin finds a distant cousin his prejudgment clouds any attempt to actually get to know the man. He’s stuffy and unpleasant. He doesn’t want to be a father again and it seems a shame that he might have that opportunity once more. Dame Ruth “we are displeased!”

--Jane Davis