it is difficult to be overly critical of `the poe shadow`, as matthew pearl``s illumination of the last days of edgar allan poe``s life makes for a fascinating tale. the extent and detail of pearl``s research is evident - this is clearly a labor of love - and the author deserves full credit for his diligence and for his efforts in updating the historical record. the problem is an uneven pace that, while riveting in parts becomes tedious in others and, despite being a unique and often gripping window into the life of an american genius, tends to drag beyond its initial appeal. `shadow` tackles poe``s mysterious death in baltimore in 1849 at the young age of 40. while fiction, the author goes to great lengths to remain true to the historical record, while uncovering and disclosing new facts to bolster his own theory surrounding poe``s ill-fated plans to travel from richmond to new york in his final days. told through the journals of the fictional quinton clark, a young and well-to-do attorney, the narrative is written in the vernacular of the period - a style that takes some getting used to and definitely requires more attention from the reader than the typical pop thriller. the story opens with clark``s chance observation of a burial, notable in its scant attendance and absence a grave marker. the burial, of course, was poe``s, but the contemporary press was kind to neither the author``s work nor the circumstances surrounding his death. clark, a fan of poe``s works and sometimes correspondent, vows to find the real life inspiration for poe``s c. auguste dupin, detective extraordinaire and hero of a number of poe tales, including `the murders in the rue morgue`. by finding the real dupin and enlisting his help, clark figures the truth behind the author``s demise will be uncovered. this leads to a convoluted tale of deceit and deception from baltimore to paris, set in rich historical detail and an authoritative cultural backdrop. like `the dante club` before it, this is an ambitious and refreshingly unique novel, a welcome change from the typical thriller/mystery fare. it would have benefited from some additional editing, tightening the plot and streamlining a bit of the minutia. `the poe shadow` may not be for everyone, but it is nonetheless another notable effort by the extremely talented matthew pearl, and reason enough to look forward to his next novel.editorial: pear tree publishing