I bought this book anticipating it would be a bit like `Perfume' by Patrick Susskind which is one of my favourite novels. The premise sounded a bit like it actually: a man driven to obsession in his desire to create the perfect masterpiece who will let nothing stand in his way- only in this case the masterpiece isn't the perfect scent, but the perfect wig.

Florida 1898: Monsieur Goulet III is a wig-maker and permanent resident in Tampa's most glamorous hotel. After encountering the beautiful widow Marion Unger, the Frenchman develops an obsession with her and believes that she will be able to help him create his most incredible transformation (wig) yet. Also thrown into the story is Rafael, a Cuban cigar roller, fled to Tampa to escape turbulent events in his own country and who Goulet hires to scavenge hair for him. What neither Rafael of Marion realise is that Goulet is a master manipulator and that facets of his personality that he has cleverly hidden up until now are about to be brought fully to the fore...

When I started this novel I immediately thought it would be a five star read as I became absorbed in it very quickly. The descriptions were excellent and increasingly vivid- I could almost feel myself baking under the languid Florida sun and smell the ripening orange trees. The characterisation too was spot on: particularly with Rafael and Marion. I didn't like Goulet at all, he came across as a horrible little man with no scruples, but again he was an excellent protagonist with a complicated background that made for good reading, particularly as aspects of his personality were slowly unveiled. It is also evident that the author has done a lot of research into the time period, for the story felt very authentic and she brought to life events of the time.

I just don't know what went wrong, but about half way through I found my interest in this book seriously waning. Perhaps there was *too* much detail all of a sudden but it seemed like the plot had slowed to a snails pace and nothing was happening anymore. There seemed to be too much emphasis on sights and surroundings rather than on the characters themselves; I'm all for beautiful writing of course, but in this instance unfortunately that detracted from the focus of the story. Goulet's ramblings and self-absorbed demeanour also began to dominate the book and rather than being believably psychopathic, he instead became childish and inane.

If you like books that are character driven and don't have too much of a plot then you may find this a worthwhile read, particularly if you have an interest in events around the war on Cuba in the late 19th Century. Three stars from me, but it could have been a lot more- this started so promisingly but ultimately failed to deliver.

*This review is also published on Amazon.co.uk* ( )

This is one of those books that if you are in the right mood for it... it is the perfect book. There are not many dots to connect, but it is interesting enough and well researched. Good book for airports or times when you have other things on your mind, but need a little distraction. ( )

This is an enchanting book set in Tampa, Florida at the turn of the last Century. It describes that time and place in a fascinating manner. The characters are amazingly strange and the writing is beautiful. The story is odd and more than a little creepy. Wierd ending. ( )