This is a fascinating book part crime story part historical revenge with a whiff of the super natural along with musings and meditations on the significance of art – and one of the key characters is a dog! But putting aside the attempts to classify it you will love the clever plot, the historical and artistic detail and the superb climax, its another book worthy of inclusion in the Fiction Uncovered list.
Judging Panel Fiction Uncovered 2011: ‘A darkly comic novel featuring a 19th century artist whose paintings trigger a 21st century murder investigation. Deserved recognition for a critically acclaimed writer who merits a much wider audience.’
Reilly is an impoverished painter who lives alone in a shabby garret, with only his unsold canvases and his faithful dog Nimrod for company. He seems destined to remain in artistic obscurity until the most influential art critic of the time begins to notice his talent. But no sooner has he found a patron than the critic is found drowned in a local canal and the trail leads directly back to Reilly. From Reilly's prison cell in Edwardian London to an exclusive gallery in contemporary Soho, the clues that lead to the real murderer lie carefully hidden, until the day when Samantha, a young office assistant, finds herself drawn to one of Reilly's pictures and decides to embark on her own investigation ... Steeped in atmosphere and laced with intrigue, Nimrod's Shadow is a gripping tale of genius, jealousy and revenge - with a few twists and turns along the way.
Chris Paling is the author of eight previous novels including Deserters, The Silent Sentry and The Repentant Morning (all published by Cape/Vintage) and most recently Minding (Portobello 2007). He lives in Brighton and is the producer for Radio 4's Midweek.
