1997*1st* An Instance Of The Fingerpost - Iain Pears (Jonathan Cape) Hardback unclipped jacket.
Set in Restoration England in 1663, An Instance of the Fingerpost is an ambitious historical mystery that combines murder, political intrigue, religious conflict and the birth of modern science. The story begins with the suspicious death of an Oxford scholar, but what appears to be a straightforward crime soon develops into a richly layered puzzle.
The novel unfolds through the accounts of four different narrators, each offering their own version of events. As their testimonies overlap and contradict one another, readers gradually uncover a far more complex truth, exploring themes of justice, memory, deception and the elusive nature of truth itself. The setting brings seventeenth-century Oxford vividly to life, with real historical figures such as John Locke and John Wallis woven seamlessly into the narrative.
Published by Jonathan Cape in 1997, this acclaimed novel established Iain Pears as one of the leading writers of historical fiction. It has been praised as a scholarly yet highly readable literary thriller, drawing comparisons with Umberto Eco’s The Name of the Rose for its intellectual depth and masterful plotting.
Ideal for: Collectors of modern first editions, fans of historical mysteries, and readers who enjoy richly researched literary fiction with intricate plots and unforgettable characters.
