The Glass of Time by Michael Cox

Title:  The Glass of Time

Sub Title:  The Secret Life of Esperanza Gorst

Publisher:  W.W. Norton & Co.

Publication Date:  2008

Source:  Purchased

Pages;  583

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. Set in 1876, Cox's gripping second gothic thriller (after The Meaning of Night) follows the fortunes of 19-year-old orphan Esperanza Gorst, whose guardian charges her to go undercover as a lady's maid. Without knowing precisely why she's doing so, Gorst insinuates herself into the inner circle of Baroness Tansor, the fiancée of the preceding volume's villain, Phoebus Daunt. The fake maid soon learns that her mistress has many secrets, and may, in fact, have been complicit in the death of a former servant. Cox excels at conveying his heroine's conflict over deceiving her employer, especially after learning the role the lady played in her own difficult personal history. While readers unfamiliar with the first book will find themselves deeply engaged by the elegant descriptive prose, those with the benefit of the full context and nuances of The Meaning of Night will better appreciate this sequel. (Oct.)
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From Booklist

The author’s first novel, The Meaning of Night (2006), set in London in 1854, was told from the viewpoint of a scholar turned murderer, but this sequel, set some 20 years later, is narrated by an innocent, 19-year-old Esperanza Gorst. Orphaned as a child, she has been raised in relative luxury in Paris by her guardian and given an excellent education by her tutor. However, her world is upended when they inform her that she is to leave for England in two months, where she will be employed as a lady’s maid by the widowed Baroness Tansor on the vast estate of Evenwood. It is to be the first step in what they call the Great Task, but Esperanza’s ultimate goal will only be revealed to her in phases. Although she appears far too refined for her occupation, Esperanza is immediately embraced by the family, but Lady Tansor proves to be a difficult employer, given to hysterics due to her tragic past—the love of her life, the pretentious poet Phoebus Daunt, was murdered by an old friend. Cox so cleverly incorporates the plot of his first novel that his new one can be read by both those who are familiar with The Meaning of Night and those who have never read it. Great period atmosphere, a cunning plot, and an intelligent narrator make this one a special treat for those who like some history with their mystery. --Joanne Wilkinson

My Review:

To all of the readers of The Meaning of Night ,you need to  read this book!  This is the story of Esperanza Gorst, narrarated by herself.  Her parents both died when Esperanza was very young.  She has been raised  by a family friend and her tutor, Mr. Thornhaugh.    At the request of her guardian and her tutor, she seeks employment at Evenwood as Lady Emily Tansor's Ladies maid.  Esperanza knows very little about her parents, but has been told that it is her duty t complete a Great Task by her Guardian and Tutor. She does not know what the Gr eat Task is, she only knows that it has something to do with her parents.  Slowly, the details of the Great Task are revealed to her and she goes along with the plan, even though she does not understand why. Having secured a position as the Ladies maid, her next step is to befriend the Lady Tansor.

This book will answer any questions you might have after reading The Meaning of Night.  The Glass of Time  is written as well as The Meaning of Night.  It is also every bit as exciting!  Both of the books are right up there with the likes of Wilkie collins.  Even though they were written in totally different worlds, these books read like they were written in the mid 1800's.  I don't know how Michael Cox did it, but he writes as if he lived in the mid 1800's.  Both The Meaning of night and The Glass of Time are going on my all time favorite list.

Quote from The Glass of Time
" i stare constantly into the glass of time, that magic mirror in which the shifting shadows of lost days pass back and forth in dumb show before the eyes of memory.  As for the present, the days come and go in pleasantly uneventful- yes, and often dull - succession."
page 568