Interesting, but not the thrilling mystery I was expecting. My main take away is that history is truly written by the victors, and without corroboration or first hand accounts, everything should be taken with a grain of salt. Richard the third certainly got a bad rap.

“Perhaps a series of small satisfaction scattered like sequins over the texture of everyday life was of greater worth than the academic satisfaction of owning a collection of fine objects at the back of a drawer.” ( )

The mystery took second place in terms of enjoyment in comparison to reading the main character and his companions parse it out. The novel is full of just the right type of humor and wit which helped propel a rather slim novel to a single sitting read.
"Not at all a bad epitaph." ( )

On my second re-read of this book, I enjoyed it at least as much as the first time through. It does tickle my funny bone, though, that the entire action of the novel can be summed up as a guy in a hospital bed sending somebody out for library books. There's literally no other action. Other than that it's just brain work. :D
Since it's Josephine Tey, though, you can be assured it's top-notch writing, and (assuming you have a modicum of interest in history) you genuinely get excited as new pieces of this 400-year-old puzzle come to light. It's especially interesting since the remains of Richard III were found in 2012 and the debate about whether he was a good or bad guy continues unabated...

Original review follows:
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Policeman recuperating from an injury is desperate to find some mentally stimulating way to while away the days. In the past he's been intrigued by faces, and seems to have a pretty good instinct for what people's expressions reveal about their character. A friend brings him a bunch of prints from the National Portrait Gallery, including Richard III. Without knowing who it is, he theorizes on the personality behind the face and is extremely surprised to learn that it is actually one of history's most hated kings, accused of the murder of "the princes in the tower." With the help of some loaned history books, and a friend to do the more physical aspects of research, he sets out to find the truth behind this 400-year-old story.
Very interesting mystery, especially for someone who likes history. Rather mentally stimulating. I believe this book has been listed as one of the greats of its genre. ( )

According to the Crime Writer's Association, this is the NUMBER ONE CRIME BOOK of all time. Quite a feat, huh? A fascinating read with loads of history on the War of the Roses. I've never read a mystery where the “detective“ tries to solve a 400+ year-old mystery as to whether or not Richard III was responsible for having his two nephews killed. Lots of rabbit-holing on this one, which I loved! Might have to read more about Mr. Alan Grant. ( )

OK book about Richard III and did he murder the princes? ( )