‘The Purple Shadow’ by Christopher Bowden, is a literary mystery published by Langton & Wood. Spending time in Paris during a break in his acting career, Colin Mallory sees a striking portrait of Sylvie Charlot. Now largely forgotten, in the years before the war, Sylvie was a leading light in Paris fashion with many friends among musicians, artists and writers. The picture of her has some unusual qualities, not least the presence of a shadow of something that cannot be seen. Some think the painting is a late work by Édouard Vuillard but there is no signature or documentary evidence to support this view.
Colin feels an odd sense of connection with Sylvie, who seems to be looking at him, appealing to him, wanting to tell him something. Despite a warning not to pursue his interest in her portrait, he is determined to find out more about the painting, who painted it, and why it was hidden for many years. Colin’s search takes him back to the film and theatre worlds of Paris and London in the 1930s – and to a house in present-day Sussex. As he uncovers the secrets of Sylvie’s past, her portrait seems to take on a life of its own.
What I thought of the book
‘The Purple Shadow’ is a gently-paced literary mystery with elements of the ghost story and detective novel intertwined throughout and a touch of romance added along the way. If you enjoy the television programme ‘Fake or fortune’, where presenter Fiona Bruce and art dealer Philip Mould forensically examine paintings in an attempt to read the artistic clues about their origins, then this may be a book for you.
In an attempt to find out more about the painting, which seems to change before his eyes and, in particular, the purple shadow of the title, Colin researches Sylvie Charlot’s past. Through this research, the novel evokes 1930s theatrical life in Paris in meticulous detail and contrasts this with Colin’s experience of the modern-day city as he travels across it to find out more about the intriguing painting of Sylvie. The characters he meets along the way attempt to help him to uncover the ‘missing piece’ of the painting and the source of the purple shadow. The mystery is resolved in an understated way and leaves the reader to make up their own mind about what Colin found hidden within – a trick of the eye; a bored man looking for a mystery to occupy his time, or something entirely more sinister?
How much is the book and how can you buy it?
‘The Purple Shadow’ in paperback costs £7.69 and the ebook for Kindle costs £3.93. Both can be purchased from Amazon via this link.
About the author
Christopher Bowden lives in south London. The Purple Shadow is his fifth book. His previous books are The Green Door – his first, published in 2007- The Red House, The Yellow Room and The Blue Book. His latest book is titled ‘The Amber Maze’.
About the book
Title: The Purple Shadow
Author: Christopher Bowden
Publisher: Langton & Wood
ISBN: 978-0955506741
Trim Size: 198 x 131mm
Pages: 160 pages
Review by: Sharon Corbally
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* We were sent a copy of the book in return for a feature. All opinions are our own.
25 comments
Although this isn’t my usual choice of topic for a book to read this sounds intriguing! I’m going to recommend it to my brother who likes this type of book 🙂
I love a good mystery so this sounds like the perfect read for me. I find I fly through a mystery book as I can’t wait to find out what happens!
Hope you do get the chance to read this book
This sounds like an interesting read I like the mix of mystery with a bit of a ghost story – I have to admit I’m always pulled in by something that has a ghost part to it.
How lovely to hear that Sarah
I actually love the genre of literary mysteries! This sounds like a great read to me.
It certainly was Jenny
I love to read. I keep promising myself I will give myself more time to do it. I tend to stick to authors I know so I appreciate learning about authors new to me like this.
Hope you add this to your list when you do find the time to read
I think I’d enjoy this, as I live in Sussex and I always like it when books start picking up little details that I know are true and relate to my area. Thanks, Mich x
How wonderful, thank you for sharing that
I absolutely adore mysteries and Sussex is one of my favourite places so I can definitely see myself getting immersed in this book! Will pop it on my to read list.
Fantastic! Glad to hear that
This is not my usual type of book I read, but my mother in law would love this as it is exactly what she likes and is always reading, given me a great gift idea
Thank you for sharing that Samantha
Sounds like a great read! We often look at paintings and wonder about the subject matter and origins around their creations! Any mystery and ghost story is a winner with us!
Agree with you there Bella
This book sounds very intriguing and like a real page turner. I do like a story with a bit of mystery in it as I find it keeps me wanting to read and find out more lol! Great review. x
Thank you so much, so glad to hear that
Ghost story meets detective meets mystery, it sounds like a very interesting book although quite outside my normal comfort zone for reading x
It is such a good read Rhian
What an intriguing book! Such a unique storyline and I am already hooked by the synopsis, I might just pick a copy of the book up!
It certainly is a fab book Melissa
oh this sounds like such an interesting read, I know a friend who would really enjoy this! will recommend it to her!
How wonderful, hope you share the book or link with her