The Meaning of Night

A Confession

By: Michael Cox

Narrated by: David Timson

"After killing the red-haired man, I took myself off to Quinn's for an oyster supper." So begins the extraordinary story of Edward Glyver - booklover, scholar, and murderer. As a young boy, Glyver always believed he was destined for greatness, and a chance discovery convinces him that he was right. Greatness does await him, along with immense wealth and influence. Overwhelmed by his discovery, he will stop at nothing to win back a prize that he knows is rightfully his.

Glyver's path to reclaim his prize leads him from the depths of Victorian London, with its foggy streets, brothels, and opium dens, to Evenwood, one of England's most beautiful and enchanting country houses, and finally to a consuming love for the beautiful but enigmatic Emily Carteret. His is a story of betrayal and treachery, of death and delusion, of ruthless obsession and ambition. And at every turn, driving Glyver irresistibly onward, is his deadly rival: the poet-criminal Phoebus Rainsford Daunt.

The Meaning of Night is an enthralling novel that will captivate listeners right up to its final thrilling revelation. Thirty years in the making, this debut from Michael Cox has earned starred reviews from Booklist, Kirkus Reviews, and Publishers Weekly.

©2006 Michael Cox (P)2006 Recorded Books

Critic reviews

"A masterful first novel and a must." (Booklist)
"[A] richly imagined thriller....Its exemplary blend of intrigue, history, and romance mark a stand-out literary debut." (Publishers Weekly)
"A bibliophilic, cozy, murderous confection out of foggy old England and a learned and remarkably entertaining treat." (Kirkus Reviews)

A wonderful mystery, superbly written.

Would you listen to The Meaning of Night again? Why?

The writing is so good it bears repeated listening. I had read the book in print so it took me a while to get used to David Timson's narration. However I have really come to like it now and would love to hear more of him.

Any additional comments?

If you liked The Black Tower, An Instance of the Fingerpost or My Name Is Red, you will like this. Great writing combined with excellent storytelling is a rare combination. The Meaning of Night and its sequel, The Glass of Time, are in a class of their own. I hope there will be a third book soon by Michael Cox.

Dickensian with a dark twist

If you like Dickens and mystery and long books and great narration, you will love this book. Obviously I like all of the above and thus liked this Cox offering very much. Highly recommended. I will get more books by Cox.

Wonderfully done

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who appreciates the classic style of writing and storytelling

Wonderful Dickensian story

This is a very well told first person narrative and vibrant characters. While I admire narrator David Timson I did not feel he was a good match for this material which often made the main character less sympathetic and even frustrating. Even so I highly recommend this book.

Prosaic and compelling

This first novel is indeed a feat of fiction, skillfully written and plotted. Although you can anticipate the subterfuge to come towards the end, where the story does get a bit melodramatic, the book succeeds in providing a solid story. It is quite long, but the characterizations are well done and it does have its clever twists and turns. The narration is good, although the reader's improvisation of female characters, especially Emily, is rather grating. All in all, a good listen.