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A Few Right Thinking Men (Rowland Sinclair WWII Mysteries, 1) Paperback – June 7, 2016

by Sulari Gentill (Author)
4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 721 ratings
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A fascinating historical mystery by Sulari Gentill, author of #1 LibraryReads pick The Woman in the Library

Shortlisted for Best First Book for the Commonwealth Writers' Price for 2011

"Her witty hero will delight traditional mystery buffs." ―Library Journal STARRED review

Can a house divided against itself hope to stand?

Sydney, 1931. Rowland Sinclair doesn't fit with his family. His conservative older brother, Wilfred, thinks he's reckless, a black sheep; his aging mother thinks he's her son who was killed in the war. Only his namesake Uncle Rowly, a kindred spirit, understands him―and now he's been brutally murdered in his own home.

The police are literally clueless, and so Rowly takes it upon himself to crack the mystery of the murder. In order to root out the guilty party, he uses his wealth and family influence to infiltrate the upper echelons of both the old and the new guard, playing both against the middle in a desperate and risky attempt to find justice for his uncle. With his bohemian housemates―a poet, a painter, and a free-spirited sculptress―watching his back, Rowly unwittingly exposes a conspiracy that just might be his undoing.

The first novel in the Rowland Sinclair WII Mysteries introduces readers to an amateur sleuth with wit, heart, and a knack for solving inscrutable crimes. A historical mystery by an award-winning author, this murder mystery will appeal to fans of Rhys Bowen, Kerry Greenwood, and Jacqueline Winspear.  

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Previous page
  1. Book 1 of 10
    Rowland Sinclair WWII Mysteries
  2. Print length
    338 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Poisoned Pen Press
  5. Publication date
    June 7, 2016
  6. Dimensions
    5.5 x 0.84 x 8.5 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    1464206376
  8. ISBN-13
    978-1464206375
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Gentill’s well-mannered first novel in a series set in Depression-era Australia introduces gentleman painter Rowland “Rowly” Sinclair, the somewhat emotionally reserved youngest son of a moneyed family. Rowly’s pursuit of his artistic path and financial support of several similar-minded creative friends are causes of concern to his older brother and their peers, “right-thinking men” who suspect Rowly’s associates of Communist leanings or worse. When Rowly’s uncle, also named Roland Sinclair, dies after being assaulted in his Sydney home, the police suspect the elderly housekeeper, in collusion with other disenfranchised elements, despite the housekeeper’s reported sighting of mysterious dark figures at the scene. Convinced the police are pursuing the wrong path, Rowly looks deeper into his uncle’s holdings and interests. Gentill’s positioning of Rowly as an observer of the personal consequences of political actions targeting the privileged and the not so fortunate helps inform the sometimes dry narrative. (June)\n

Review

"Fans of Kerry Greenwood's Phryne Fisher series, rejoice: here comes another Depression-era Australian sleuth! Along the way there is plenty of solid discussion of politics and social status, with enough context to both draw in those new to the era and keep those more well-versed in their history interested." ― Historical Novel Society

"As series-launching novels go, this one is especially successful: the plot effectively plays Sinclair's aristocratic bearing and involvement in the arts against the Depression setting, fraught with radical politics, both of which he becomes involves in as he turns sleuth. And Sinclair himself is a delight: wining us over completely and making us feel as though he's an old friend." ― Booklist STARRED Review

"While the vintage Down Under settings might make this debut, which was short-listed for the Commonwealth Writers' Prize Best First Book, comparable to Kerry Greenwood's Melbourne-based Phryne Fisher 1920s mysteries, Gentill works in historical events that add verisimilitude to her story. There are more political machinations going on here than Phryne could ever contemplate. VERDICT: Thanks to Poisoned Pen Press for bringing another award-winning Australian crime writer to U.S. shores. Her witty hero will delight traditional mystery buffs." ― Library Journal STARRED Review

"It takes a talented writer to imbue history with colour and vivacity... A Few Right Thinking Men more than matches its historical crime contemporaries... It is rare to find such an assured debut as A Few Right Thinking Men. The novel deserves to be both read and remembered as an insight into the Australia that was; its conflicting ideologies, aims and desires; the hallmarks of a country still maturing." ― Australian Book Review

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Poisoned Pen Press; Reprint edition (June 7, 2016)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 338 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1464206376
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1464206375
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 14.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.84 x 8.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 721 ratings

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Sulari Gentill

Sulari Gentill

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Customer reviews

4 out of 5 stars
4 out of 5
721 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

NLBHorton
4.0 out of 5 stars Politics Aside, an Enjoyable Read
Reviewed in the United States on November 26, 2018
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A Few Right Thinking Men is very interesting, although if I'd known that the content was so political, I'd have saved the read for a less tumultuous time in the US. I read for diversion, and seldom to be reminded of the real world.

Ms. Gentill is a gifted author, and I enjoyed her Bohemian cast of characters. As a matter of fact, I look forward to getting to know them better. I appreciate that she's written a worldly, intelligent, compassionate female character who is less interested in societal conquest than in forging a career with her talent.

I've traveled Australia and particularly enjoyed Gentill's descriptions of the country and the independent, plain-speaking nature of her people. I'm largely ignorant of Australian history and politics, so found this portion of the book interesting. Again, though, the political divisiveness struck a bit too close to home and, in fact, became a bit of a burden. I skipped some of the more hostile passages toward the end.

I'll read more of Ms. Gentill's books, and recommend this one.
8 people found this helpful
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Carey Morris
5.0 out of 5 stars A great glimpse into 1932 Australia.
Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2023
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The political turmoil and Australian location made this book a compelling adventure. The characters are diverse. The pace of events is quick. The newspaper excepts lent authenticity. I plan to read the next book in this series. Thanks
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Ponygirl
3.0 out of 5 stars Mundane
Reviewed in the United States on November 24, 2015
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Interesting topic but the narrative moved too slowly and the characters were stereotypical and one dimensional.
4 people found this helpful
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Teresa McInerney
4.0 out of 5 stars Very good historical mystery
Reviewed in the United States on December 24, 2023
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Good series set in Australia during the 30’s. Humor and history in abundance but ms in characters are not well developed and it can be irritating that they come off as one dimensional. None of them are particularly likeable but the time period and description of the world between wars make the series worthwhile.
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Bookmanic
5.0 out of 5 stars The joy of relaxed reading
Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2018
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I have just finished reading all eight of the Sinclair novels with enormous pleasure and admiration. Ms Gentil cleverly writes her characters into history with great agility. The stories are entirely believable, the era authentic, the characters genuine. Her writing is entirely relaxed, you can read the books without having to strain because the language is fluent and a bit like hearing one of grandpa’s stories. I have placed her among my favourite authors the only disappointment being that I am still waiting for books 9, 10 etc. I will return to these stories again and again because I find them so entertaining.
2 people found this helpful
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Kenneth M. Lury
4.0 out of 5 stars Starts slow, revs up and finishes fast
Reviewed in the United States on May 24, 2020
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I stopped reading this book about half way through as it was tedious and plotless, although the characters well developed. After reading a couple of other books, I came back to this and the second half was read in two sittings.
I had no knowledge of Australian politics in the era of this novel, but afterwards did a little research. The major events in the book are faithfully based on real history.
One person found this helpful
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Strange Book Lover
3.0 out of 5 stars A different kind of mystery
Reviewed in the United States on September 20, 2018
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This is a different kind of mystery with a unique character. Rowly Sinclair is not the standard detective, but an artist with a bohemian set of friends. The politics and history of 1930's Australia becomes the main story, with the mystery taking a secondary role. I want to read the second book in the series.
2 people found this helpful
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Kelley Moss
5.0 out of 5 stars Nice fiction in Historic Times
Reviewed in the United States on September 13, 2023
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Well written cozy mystery with a nice touch of interesting Historic Times in Australia. A fun read!

And three words to satisfy quota.
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Top reviews from other countries

TRIMONTIUM
4.0 out of 5 stars AUSTRALIAN HISTORY
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 1, 2021
Verified Purchase
An interesting read which shows that Australia in the thirties was much the same as other parts of the world between the wars. Captures the period beautifully. Not much of a dective story and no actual murder. Will I read the others? No.
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Cedar Douglas
1.0 out of 5 stars Flat story telling
Reviewed in Canada on July 30, 2015
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I suspect that sulari gentill either needs to read a great more to see how it's done or admit she can't write fiction. This isn't a hack job though, not as bad as self published bloggers thrust on we poor readers. No, this reads like a college thesis. Clumsy, dry, droning on and on. In the hands of an actual novelist, the research on the subject matter could have been put to better use. This one would be a slog as a freebie..
One person found this helpful
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Sonjam
4.0 out of 5 stars Marvellous
Reviewed in Australia on July 4, 2015
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All of the Rowley Sinclair books have been a joy to read. Great character, great adventures, great reading. This one set in the England of 1933 in the developing shadow cast by Nazi Germany I read in a day. The only trouble I had was keeping track of all the madly named English peers. Highly recommended.
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LIR
5.0 out of 5 stars Historical mystery in Australia - wonderful!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 23, 2020
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As an Australian citizen who has lived most of my life in Europe I was fascinated by this book that has a real historical background and an unusual set of characters.

The actual murder mystery is flimsy but the people who are investigating and the political turmoil at the centre of this story make a good, educative, entertaining read.

Thank you Ms. Gentill for the information about the digitizing of Australian media in your postscript, I will do some looking into my own family's story.

A good read that I recommend.
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Helen
5.0 out of 5 stars Great characters and a lively story
Reviewed in Australia on November 17, 2017
Verified Purchase
I knew nothng about this period if Australia history and was fascinated to learn how much if it was true. I love this kind of historical fiction where the characters and story are based in known events. Add to that likeable characters that you want to spend time with and a fast paces narrative, written in an engaging and easy to read fashion - what more can uou ask for. Can't wait to read the next one.
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