Robins, Madeleine E. 1953-
ROBINS, Madeleine E. 1953-
PERSONAL:
Born 1953 in New York, NY; married Danny Caccavo (a sound editor); children: two daughters.
ADDRESSES:
Home—San Francisco, CA. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Tor Books, 175 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10010.
CAREER:
Writer. Former actor in a Shakespearean acting troupe; certified actor-combatant in rapier, quarterstaff, broadsword, and hand-to-hand fighting.
AWARDS, HONORS:
The Stone War was chosen as a New York Times Notable Book.
WRITINGS:
The Stone War, Tor Books (New York, NY), 1999.
Daredevil: The Cutting Edge, Berkley (New York, NY), 1999.
Point of Honour, Forge (New York, NY), 2003.
Petty Treason, Forge (New York, NY), 2004.
Contributor of numerous short stories to periodicals.
SIDELIGHTS:
Madeleine E. Robins's novel The Stone War portrays a nightmarish vision of New York City following a series of mysterious disasters. The central character is John Tietjen, an architect. When the trouble begins, he is in Massachusetts working on a project, but instead of staying away, he races back home to Manhattan to see if he can help. Once there, he works to help set up a shelter for survivors, and learns that a horrifying army of monsters has taken over the city, under the control of a shadowy, evil leader. A Publishers Weekly reviewer stated: "This imaginative, well-crafted tale boasts a gripping premise and many appealing elements," and Jackie Cassada in Library Journal called The Stone War "a good choice for fans of horror and dark fantasy."
Robins created a "fascinating" character in Point of Honour, a Regency-era mystery in which "politics, deception, danger, and a bit of romance all come together beautifully," according to John Charles in Booklist. The heroine is Sarah Tolerance, a woman who has been disowned by her family after she engages in a scandalous romantic liaison. With her social and career options in ruins, Sarah becomes an investigative agent. Skilled in swordplay and comfortable in men's clothing, she sets out on an assignment to find a jewelled fan, but the object seems to have some deadly significance, and the murders of several people are apparently connected to it. Sarah "sees herself as the protector of everyone around her," commented Shelley Mosley in Library Journal. "One hopes that this is the first of many books about this hardboiled, soft-hearted Fallen Woman."
Robins did continue the adventures of Sarah Tolerance in Petty Treason. When the Chevalier D'Aubigny is found dead from a blow to the head, his meek, wealthy wife is thrown into London's horrendous prison system for the crime. She is innocent, however, and Sarah Tolerance sets out to clear the woman's name and liberate her. The victim had numerous enemies, and Sarah's investigation takes her from England's finest salons to the most disreputable drinking establishments. Along the way, Sarah continues to scandalize members of polite society with her unconventional ways, and to demonstrate her skill with a sword whenever neccessary. A Publishers Weekly writer found Sarah's character to be "well-realized" and called the series as a whole "most pleasing and agreeable.". Mosley, reviewing Petty Treason for Library Journal, called Sarah Tolerance "incomparable."
BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:
PERIODICALS
Booklist, May 15, 2003, John Charles, review of Point of Honour, p. 1651; May 15, 2004, Brad Hooper, "Top Ten Historical Novels," p. 1610.
Kirkus Reviews, September 1, 2004, review of Petty Treason, p. 841.
Library Journal, June 15, 1999, Jackie Cassada, review of The Stone War, p. 112; May 15, 2003, Shelley Mosley, review of Point of Honour, p. 126; September 1, 2004, Shelley Mosley, review of Petty Treason, p. 126.
New York Times Book Review, August 1, 1999, Gerald Jonas, review of The Stone War, p. 16.
Publishers Weekly, July 19, 1999, review of The Stone War, p. 188; August 16, 2004, review of Petty Treason, p. 46.*