Thu 17 Dec 2015
Reviewed by Barry Gardner: JOHN MALCOLM – Sheep, Goats and Soap.
Posted by Steve under Bibliographies, Lists & Checklists , Characters , Reviews[5] Comments
JOHN MALCOLM – Sheep, Goats and Soap. Tim Simpson #8. Scribner’s, hardcover, 1992. First published in the UK by Collins Crime Club, hardcover, 1991.
I’m a Tim Simpson fan, and it has been a continuing source of irritation to me that the American paperbacks are so far behind in the series — four books now, with this one. Simpson is an ex-rugby player who works for a London merchant bank as one of the Trustees of their Art Fund, and is resident expert`of same. He is married (finally) to Sue, who has alternated between being his lover and the bane of his existence in the earlier books in the series. She is an art historian for the Tate.
Tim receives a letter from an old rugby acquaintance, hinting at art treasures to be acquired, and making reference to sheep, goats, and soap. These are, it develops, terms used in connection with the pre-Raphaelite group of artists. You’ll have to read the book to understand the exact relevance of the terms, assuming that you don’t already know.
Tim and Sue hie themselves off to Hastings in search of the acquaintance, and arrive just after his cottage has been blown off a cliff. He himself is missing but there are two corpses discovered in the ruins. They encounter an old nemesis, Inspector Foster, who is less than pleased by their appearance. The plot eventually involves Simpson’s old Scotland Yard rugby chum, Nobby Roberts, and (much to Sue’s displeasure) an old one-afternoon stand of Tim’s.
The Simpson books appeal to me on several levels. Oddly, one is the painless but quite interesting historical lore about whatever the focus of the current book happens to be. Odd because though I’m reasonably interested in the history of painting, I have almost no interest at all in sculpture and antique furniture; both of which have been the subject of earlier books.
Malcolm is a founding member of the Antique Collector’s Club, and his love of the subject is evident. Most importantly, though, I like his way of telling a story. He keeps the action moving along while at the same time developing his characters and throwing in the odd bit of art history. And finally, of course, I like Tim Simpson as a leading man.
It all adds up to a very good series, and a very good current offering. I recommend them all.
The Tim Simpson series —
1. A Back Room in Somers Town (1984)
2. The Godwin Sideboard (1984)
3. The Gwen John Sculpture (1985)
4. Whistler in the Dark (1986)
5. Gothic Pursuit (1987)
6. Mortal Ruin (1988)
7. The Wrong Impression (1990)
8. Sheep, Goats and Soap (1991)
9. A Deceptive Appearance (1992)
10. The Burning Ground (1993)
11. Hung over (1994)
12. Into the Vortex (1996)
13. Simpson’s Homer (2001)
14. Circles and Squares (2003)
15. Rogues’ Gallery (2005)
December 17th, 2015 at 5:42 pm
Regarding Barry’s complaint in the first sentence of this review, they never did get caught up in publishing the Tim Simpson books in paperback. In fact, even putting them out in hardcover didn’t go on much longer in this country. I haven’t checked to be sure, but this could easily have been the last that was.
I know I have the first three in paperback, but I haven’t read any of them. They sounded very interesting, but I was more interested in other things at the time. I had no idea there are 15 in the series. Is there time for me to catch up? Probably not, though I think I’d enjoy them now.
December 17th, 2015 at 6:59 pm
I think I read two others beside this when I could find them. Barry has a good handle on the best of the qualities that made them worthwhile.
December 18th, 2015 at 1:03 am
Since Googling sheep goats and soap didn’t get me anywhere, I broke down and just bought a copy of the Scribner hardcover. I promised myself I’ll read it, but if I like it, can I promise myself I won’t want the 14 others?
December 18th, 2015 at 7:56 am
I read the first in the series, A BACK ROOM IN SOMERS TOWN, at Barry’s recommendation, but it didn’t prompt me to read any more. I have no memory of what I liked or didn’t like about it (this was 18 years ago) but the fact that I never read another speaks for itself.
December 24th, 2015 at 6:35 pm
I’ve now obtained a copy and read this one. It was OK, but I was overwhelmed by the need to know a lot of British art history that I don’t. I skipped that part and concentrated on the story, which was only so-so, the characters, for the most part, were better.
Here’s a snippet from the Kirkus review, which is more negative than I’d be, but over the years, they were never known for holding back on their opinions:
“There’s more at stake here than valuable paintings–drugs and money-laundering are part of the tedious cat-and-mouse game Tim (unwittingly at first) plays with Chief Inspector Nobby Roberts and Inspector Foster of the Hastings police. The sluggish pace quickens late in the day, but only Tim’s self-deprecating charm saves this clumsily plotted effort from total disaster. Disappointing–especially after the author’s polished last outing (The Wrong Impression, 1990).”
This may not have been the best one to start with, but in spite of Barry’s favorable take on the series, I doubt that I’ll be going on the hunt for any others.