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Showing posts with label Victorian England. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Victorian England. Show all posts
Saturday, February 15, 2025
Grim Victorian Murder Mystery the Start to a Compelling New Series
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When a young, beautiful artistocrat is savagely sacrificed in a cemetery on All Hallow's Eve, it shocks the residents of Victorian London. Who would kill a woman like her? And why was she slain in such a cruel way? Another death, that of a young widower and part-time reporter for The Daily Telegraph, occurs on the same day, but to much less fanfare. Only Gemma Tate, the deceased man's twin sister, is left to mourn her brother Victor. Gemma has no connection to the dead woman until the police give her Victor's notebook, in which the journalist had frantically recorded notes about her odd death. His scribbles make little sense, but Gemma is convinced her brother saw something in the cemetery that night. Something that got him killed.
Sebastian Bell has been a police officer for 15 years. A good one, too, until the murder of his wife and unborn child devastated him completely. Now, he's barely going through the motions, preferring to lose himself in a haze of alcohol and opium than face the emptiness of his life. When Gemma seeks him out, begging him to help her find answers to her brother's death, he sees a chance to redeem himself. Victor's notebook doesn't offer much in the way of clues, but it's the only lead Sebastian's got. Although he doesn't want a sidekick, he can't shake off Gemma, who insists on helping with the investigation.
As Gemma and Sebastian investigate both murders, they find themselves combing London's seedy underbelly as well as its polished drawing rooms for the truth behind the deaths. The closer they get, the more dangerous their pursuit becomes. Can they solve the case? Or will theirs be the next bodies rotting at the city mortuary?
I'm always on the lookout for new historical mystery series to love, so I was excited to give The Highgate Cemetery Murder, the first installment in the Tate and Bell series by Irina Shapiro, a go. Although the book turned out to be more gruesome and disturbing than I expected, I found it compelling. I didn't end up loving it, but I liked it well enough to continue with the series.
The novel has a moody, broody Victorian London setting, an appropriately atmospheric backdrop for this grim story. Although I saw the killer coming right from the start, the plot still had enough twists and turns to keep me reading. Which isn't to say it's original or surprising (it's actually quite generic), just that it's not boring. Even though I suspected the killer from early on, I kept reading to make sure I was right (and I was). Shapiro's prose isn't the most dynamic. It's more tell than show, but it still managed to pull me into the story and keep me immersed.
I quite liked Sebastian and Gemma. They're both intelligent, compassionate, determined people who are loyal and committed to improving society. They have an easy chemistry that develops naturally, never feeling fake or manufactured. I wanted them to succeed in their pursuits and find contentment in spite of their sorrows.
All in all, I enjoyed this novel (although "enjoy" feels like an odd word for this kind of read). I have the second book on hold at my library. Hopefully, I'll get to it sometime soon.
The novel has a moody, broody Victorian London setting, an appropriately atmospheric backdrop for this grim story. Although I saw the killer coming right from the start, the plot still had enough twists and turns to keep me reading. Which isn't to say it's original or surprising (it's actually quite generic), just that it's not boring. Even though I suspected the killer from early on, I kept reading to make sure I was right (and I was). Shapiro's prose isn't the most dynamic. It's more tell than show, but it still managed to pull me into the story and keep me immersed.
I quite liked Sebastian and Gemma. They're both intelligent, compassionate, determined people who are loyal and committed to improving society. They have an easy chemistry that develops naturally, never feeling fake or manufactured. I wanted them to succeed in their pursuits and find contentment in spite of their sorrows.
All in all, I enjoyed this novel (although "enjoy" feels like an odd word for this kind of read). I have the second book on hold at my library. Hopefully, I'll get to it sometime soon.
(Readalikes: Although The Highgate Cemetery Murder is much darker in tone, it reminds me of the Rip in Time series by Kelley Armstrong and the Below Stairs Mysteries series by Jennifer Ashley.)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (a few F-bombs, plus milder invectives), violence, blood/gore, drug/alcohol abuse, and disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: I bought a copy of The Highgate Cemetery Murder with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.
Monday, October 18, 2021
Despite Intriguing Premise, Historical Novel is a Slllooowww, Forced-Myself-to-Finish-It Read
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Propriety is important in Victorian England. Just not to eccentric surgeon Dr. Horace Croft. Ever since he took in Nora Beady—an 8-year-old orphan—he's been teaching and training her. Now 21, she's an invaluable medical assistant as well as a gifted surgeon in her own right. Capable as she is, even Dr. Croft realizes that Nora's interest in medicine would be seen by outsiders as shocking, manly, and unnatural. It must be kept secret at all costs. When Croft brings a young doctor into his practice, Nora fears she will be found out. Forced to act like a proper lady, hiding her ability in the surgery, she feels like she's going mad. When she makes an important discovery, one that could change medicine forever, Nora is torn between offending society by revealing her true self and boldly claiming her own discovery instead of letting the men around her take credit. Is she brave enough to risk everything by finally stepping out of the shadows into the spotlight?
With its striking cover and intriguing premise, how could I not be drawn to The Girl in His Shadow, a debut novel by Audrey Blake (a pseudonym for writing duo Regina Sirois and Jaima Fixsen)? I've seen rave reviews as well, so I was eager to read it. Its subject—the role of women in early medicine—is certainly fascinating. Though gory, the book's depictions of 19th Century efforts to learn about disease and how to treat it makes for interesting reading. As for the story, though? It's sllooowwww. Without a structured plot to keep it focused and forward-moving, the tale drags, making it very putdownable. The characters are likable, but not super complex or memorable, which contributes to the meh-ness of the novel. While Nora is sympathetic and kind, she lacks the vulnerability that makes me really root for a character. I felt like she would be fine no matter what and that, while the back cover copy touts how much risk she takes in the story, in actuality she never really risks or loses very much. That made it tough for me to care about what happened to her, meaning I just never got all that invested in her or this book. I did plow through The Girl in His Shadow, but that's exactly what the reading experience felt like: work. I wanted to really like this one; unfortunately, I had to force myself to finish it. Bummer.
(Readalikes: The premise reminds me of the Lady Darby series by Anna Lee Huber, The Madman's Daughter series by Megan Shepherd, and Mistress in the Art of Death by Ariana Franklin)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for brief, mild language (no F-bombs) and blood/gore
To the FTC, with love: I received an e-ARC of The Girl in His Shadow from the generous folks at Sourcebooks via those at NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Wednesday, November 18, 2020
Third Victorian Mystery Another Entertaining Installment In An Always Enjoyable Series
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(Note: While this review will not contain spoilers for Death in Kew Gardens, it may inadvertently reveal plot surprises from earlier Kat Halloway mysteries. As always, I recommend reading books in a series in order.)
Although Kat Halloway doesn't run into a lot of Chinese people in her neighborhood, the London cook thinks little about a chance encounter with "Mr. Li" on the streets of Mayfair. It's only when her next door neighbor is stabbed to death in his bedchamber that she realizes she may have come face-to-face with his killer. As an "Old China Hand," Jacob Harkness claimed to be an expert on China. His posh home is filled with treasures he's purloined from the Orient. Was Mr. Li trying to reclaim a stolen relic? Or was his motive more sinister? Did Mr. Li truly murder Mr. Harkness as everyone believes?
With more sympathy toward Mr. Li than Mr. Harkness, Kat sets about to prove the Chinese man's innocence with the help of her enigmatic friend Daniel McAdam. She's sure Mr. Li didn't kill Mr. Harkness. But if he didn't, who did?
I've enjoyed every installment in Jennifer Ashley's Victorian mystery series starring Kat Halloway. Death in Kew Gardens—the third book—is no exception. Kat and Daniel make a fun detecting duo. They're both kind, likable, and always up for an adventure. The mystery at the heart of Death in Kew Gardens isn't super original and the killer isn't much of a surprise, but still, this is an enjoyable mystery. There's enough suspense to keep the story moving and the upstairs/downstairs dynamic adds a layer of intriguing tension to the tale. As with the previous books in this series, Death in Kew Gardens is clean, upbeat, well-written and entertaining.
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for mild language (no F-bombs) and violence
To the FTC, with love: I received a copy of Death in Kew Gardens from the generous folks at Penguin Random House in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Monday, March 16, 2020
Speedwell/Stoker Always an Entertaining Combination
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(Note: While this review will not contain spoilers for A Murderous Relation, it may inadvertently reveal plot surprises from earlier Veronica Speedwell mysteries. As always, I recommend reading books in a series in order.)
While Veronica Speedwell and Revelstoke "Stoker" Templeton-Vane have a paying job as organizers of a gentleman's specimen collection, they've become better known for their ability to solve mysteries. So well known in fact that their newest client is none other than the Queen of England. Her son, Prince Albert Victor, has given a valuable jewel—inscribed with his famous initials—to his lover, the proprietress of a "high-class" brothel. If his frequent visits to the illicit venue are discovered, let alone his close relationship to Madame Aurore, it could be disastrous for the crown. Veronica and Stoker are tasked with the job of removing the incriminating gem from the club's premises before its presence is discovered by anyone else.
Worse, there is some disturbing evidence connecting the risk-taking prince to a series of brutal murders being attributed to a serial killer nicknamed Jack the Ripper. When Veronica and Stoker's investigation at the brothel leads them to Madame Aurore's corpse, a shame-faced prince, and a group of thugs bent on harming them all, their undercover adventure turns into something much, much more dangerous. Will Veronica and Stoker escape with their lives? Can they save the queen's family from humiliation? Or is the prince in a lot more trouble than anyone could have imagined?
I've loved the Veronica Speedwell series by Deanna Raybourn since it started. The pair at its center is lively, fun, and always entertaining. It's delightful to watch their relationship evolve, as their magnetic attraction to each other has been evident from the beginning. Besides the enjoyable characters, A Murderous Relation features an intriguing mystery, humorous repartee, and a plot that's both engaging and engrossing. I could have done without the brothel scenes, but overall, I enjoyed this fifth installment in the series. I'm very much Team Veronica/Stoker and I can't wait to see what they get up to next!
(Readalikes: Reminds me of other books in the Veronica Speedwell series, including A Curious Beginning, A Perilous Undertaking, A Treacherous Curse, and A Dangerous Collaboration)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for brief, mild language (no F-bombs), disturbing subject matter, violence, and sexual content
To the FTC, with love: I received an ARC of A Murderous Relation from the generous folks at Penguin Random House in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Monday, April 08, 2019
Fourth Installment in Delightful Victorian Mystery Series My Favorite So Far
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Note: While this review will not contain spoilers for A Dangerous Collaboration, it may inadvertently reveal plot surprises from earlier Veronica Speedwell mysteries. As always, I recommend reading books in a series in order.
With her increasingly complicated feelings for Revelstoke "Stoker" Templeton-Vane clouding her normally rational judgment, Veronica Speedwell feels the need for some time away from the close quarters she and Stoker share as they work together in London. When Stoker's older brother, Tiberius, offers the lepidopterist an opportunity to travel to a remote island to study an almost extinct butterfly, she jumps at the chance. Even if it means posing as Tiberius' fiancée for a two-week house party. It's worth it to collect larvae for her vivarium—and get an up-close look at a regal Cornish castle that boasts its very own ghost.
Before long, it becomes apparent that their host, Malcolm Romilly, has ulterior motives for gathering guests to his home. Everyone in attendance, save Veronica, is connected to Rosamund, Malcolm's bride, who disappeared on their wedding day three years ago. Still tormented by grief, Malcolm is determined to find out what happened to his wife once and for all. He enlists the help of all present to solve the mystery, even though all but Veronica are suspects.
The shadowy castle, always the center of superstition and fairy tales, is the perfect setting for an intriguing ghost hunt. Veronica will do anything to help the grieving groom end his torment, even putting her life on the line to discover Rosamund's fate. As she fends off the attention of two ardent men, sorts idle village gossip from crucial clues, and scours the mysterious castle for answers, Veronica creeps ever closer to becoming the next victim of a cold-blooded murderer who will not hesitate to kill again.
The Veronica Speedwell mystery series by Deanna Raybourn is one of the most delightful I've ever read, so it's no surprise that I loved A Dangerous Collaboration. In fact, I think this fourth installment is my favorite. It's clever, it's fun, it's twisty, and it's entertaining. Veronica is, as always, a refreshingly forthright narrator. She's also a smart, spunky heroine who's brave, loyal, and compassionate. With its Gothic setting, ghostly happenings, and a surprise guest who keeps Veronica on her toes, this novel is simply a whole lot of fun. I adored it.
(Readalikes: Other books in the Veronica Speedwell series, including A Curious Beginning, A Perilous Undertaking, and A Treacherous Curse. Also reminds me a little of the Amelia Peabody series by Elizabeth Peters)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for brief, mild language (no F-bombs), violence, and sexual innuendo
To the FTC, with love: I received an ARC of A Dangerous Collaboration from the generous folks at Penguin Random House in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Wednesday, January 24, 2018
Latest Veronica Speedwell Mystery an Enchanting, Madcap Adventure
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Note: Although this review will not contain spoilers for A Treacherous Curse, it may inadvertently spoil plot surprises from earlier Veronica Speedwell mysteries. As always, I recommend reading books in a series in order.
Unlike most women of her age and era, 26-year-old Veronica Speedwell has no use for stuffy Victorian sensibilities. She prefers a life of adventure and intrigue unencumbered by the trappings of traditional life. Her job organizing artifacts for a generous benefactor while living on his estate suits her just fine. Especially since Ravelstoke "Stoker" Templeton, her handsome but irascible friend, is always close at hand. Not only is he nice to gaze upon, but he's smart, protective, and strong—a perfect partner in (solving) crime.
Veronica becomes intrigued by the story of John de Morgan, a photographer with an Egyptian expedition, who has seemingly vanished into thin air. A valuable artifact—a diadem belonging to an Egyptian princess—is also missing. As the expedition has been plagued by bad luck from its very beginning, rumors of an ancient curse descending on its participants don't seem all that far-fetched. Especially since a mysterious, Anubis-like figure has been seen lurking around London.
Although there's no love lost between Stoker and de Morgan, Veronica and her enigmatic sidekick take on the case anyway. Digging into ancient history—both Egyptian and personal—gets more dangerous by the minute. Veronica's determined to find answers no matter the cost, but with Anubis roaming the streets, the price may be more dear than she ever imagined. With lives and reputations on the line, she must solve the mystery and quick, before she and the man she loves become the next victims of a deadly curse. Or worse.
A Treacherous Curse, the third installment in Deanna Raybourn's lively series starring the intrepid Veronica Speedwell, is as delightful as the first. After the distasteful subject matter of the second book, I'm glad this one features a more traditional mystery. Sure, it's a little predictable, but who cares? A Treacherous Curse is tons of fun. Veronica continues to be a charming narrator. She's unconventional, to be sure; she's also brave, funny, loyal, and refreshingly frank. I adore her. Her slow-burning relationship with Stoker is also and always entertaining. Together, they're simply irresistable. With lovable characters, an engaging plot, and lively prose, this is another enjoyable, madcap mystery from Raybourn. I loved it.
(Readalikes: Other Veronica Speedwell mysteries, including A Curious Beginning and A Perilous Undertaking; also [this installment especially] reminds me of the Amelia Peabody mystery series by Elizabeth Peters)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for violence, sexual innuendo, and brief, mild language (no F-bombs)
To the FTC, with love: I received an ARC of A Treacherous Curse from the generous folks at Berkley (an imprint of Penguin Random House). Thank you!
Friday, January 05, 2018
Smart Upstairs/Downstairs Mystery a Satisfying Delight
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When Kat Holloway secures a position as cook in a fine Mayfair home, she expects to encounter the kind of drama that exists in every posh London household. What she couldn't possibly anticipate, however, is the dead body she finds in the larder on her first full day of work. Horrified by the brutal, senseless death of her pretty Irish assistant, Kat vows to seek justice for the young maid. The police might think Katie Doyle was simply collateral damage in a burglary gone wrong, but the 29-year-old cook knows there's more to the story. With the Fenian Movement in full-swing, Katie could have been killed because of her ethnicity. Or was it a lover's quarrel between the girl and her brute of a boyfriend?
If anyone can help Kat get to the bottom of things, it's Daniel McAdam, an enigmatic jack-of-all-trades. Whether he's an undercover policeman, a private eye, or something less savory, she doesn't rightly know. And yet, she trusts the charmer with the cheeky smile who makes her heart flutter every time he glances her way. With the help of some other unlikely conspirators, the duo starts their own investigation into Katie Doyle's death. Soon, however, they find themselves untangling a much bigger mystery, one that goes all the way to The Crown. Can a cook and a might-be con man stop a villainous plot before it takes place? Or will their dead bodies be the next ones stuffed into the larder?There's so much to love about Death Below Stairs, the first book in a Victorian mystery series by Jennifer Ashley, that I'm not sure exactly where to start. Clever and compassionate, our no-nonsense heroine makes for an engaging narrator. The supporting cast is just as colorful, equally as compelling. With an intelligent mystery at its core, the novel's plot chugs along at a steady pace, the upstairs/downstairs drama adding an extra layer of intrigue. Its appealing mix of mystery, history, politics, and romance creates a winning recipe of which even Kat Holloway, the most sought-after cook in London, would be proud. If you can't tell, I adored Death Below Stairs. I just downloaded the prequel, A Soupçon of Poison, and am eagerly anticipating Scandal Above Stairs, the next installment in what promises to be a thoroughly
(Readalikes: Um, I can't think of anything. Can you?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for brief, mild language (no F-bombs) and violence
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of Death Below Stairs from the generous folks at Berkley (an imprint of Penguin Random House). Thank you!
Monday, January 30, 2017
YA Jack the Ripper Novel Just Okay
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Audrey Rose hides a secret desire behind her high-born Victorian facade. The 17-year-old is fascinated by science, specifically forensics, the science of crime and death. As often as she can, Audrey Rose sneaks away from the home she shares with her paranoid father and protective older brother to her uncle's laboratory. An unofficial apprentice, she watches and learns all she can from her Uncle Jonathon's study of recently-deceased bodies. Disguised as a young man, she even attends his lectures on forensics at a local boy's school.
When Jonathon starts receiving the corpses of women brutalized in similar ways, it becomes apparent that a serial killer is on the loose in London. With the help of a handsome schoolmate, Audrey Rose is determined to find the killer. To her shock, the clues lead her in the one direction she doesn't want to go ...
I find books about forensics, especially in the earliest days of the discipline, intriguing, so naturally I wanted to give Stalking Jack the Ripper, a debut novel by Kerri Maniscalco, a go. What did I think? Well, it tells a compelling story. Familiar, yes. Predictable, yes. But I still found myself engrossed. Even though I could tell where the plot was going, I wanted to know how it all wrapped up. My biggest problem with the novel was with our heroine, Audrey Rose. A wealthy Victorian young woman flitting off to a bloody lab and gory crime scenes frequently without raising many eyebrows seems extremely far-fetched. The fact that she cares nothing about her reputation or family name means she risks little by dabbling in the "dark arts," making her story less tense and urgent than it could have been. Audrey Rose also seems more interested in science than humanity, which makes her difficult to empathize with at times. Considering all this, I didn't end up enjoying Stalking Jack the Ripper nearly as much as I thought I would. It kept me reading, but in the end, it was just okay for me.
(Readalikes: Reminds me a little of A Madness So Discreet by Mindy McGinnis)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for brief, mild language (no F-bombs), violence, and blood/gore
To the FTC, with love: I bought a copy of Stalking Jack the Ripper from Changing Hands Bookstore with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.
Monday, January 16, 2017
Victorian Sleuthing Sequel Not As Charming As Predecessor
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(Note: While this review will not contain spoilers for A Perilous Undertaking, it may inadvertently reveal plot surprises from its predecessor, A Curious Beginning. As always, I recommend reading books in a series in order.)
After Veronica Speedwell's recent madcap adventures, she's settled into a rather routine life in London. Along with her friend Stoker—a disgraced gentleman and naturalist—she spends her hours sorting through a friend's vast collection of artifacts, readying them for museum display. It's not un-interesting work, but the intrepid lepidopterist is much more interested in solving mysteries. Lucky for her, one has practically fallen into her lap.
A mysterious woman has asked Veronica to do the impossible—stop the upcoming execution of Miles Ramsforth, a patron of the arts who's been accused of murder. His mistress, 26-year-old Artemisia, was found in his bedchamber with her throat slit. Despite the conclusive evidence, some insist he's innocent. Veronica is only too delighted to look into the case. It's just the kind of diversion for which she's been longing. Still, the investigation has her digging in places she never could have imagined going—everywhere from an opium den to a subterranean pleasure palace. These shadowy locales hold secrets certain members of high society would kill to keep under wraps. Did Artemisia learn something dangerous, something that led to her murder? Veronica intends to find out—despite myriad warnings to back off. Can Veronica save Miles from the hangman's noose? Or will she become the next victim of a desperate killer?
Coincidentally enough, it was a year ago today that I posted my rave review of A Curious Beginning, the first book in Deanna Raybourn's new Victorian mystery series. The novel delighted me so much that I couldn't wait for a sequel. I was thrilled, then, to receive an early copy of the second installment in the series, the finished version of which came out on January 10, 2017. Is A Perilous Undertaking everything I imagined it would be? Well, no. I didn't find it nearly as charming as its predecessor. It's still an enjoyable book, don't get me wrong, but its unsavory subject matter and not-all-that-likable minor characters made it less satisfying for me. Veronica and Stoker, however, continue to shine. With their colorful personalities, witty banter, and the sexual tension that crackles between them, they're fun to follow. The mystery they're chasing in A Perilous Undertaking is full of twists and turns, making for a tense, exciting story. I definitely could have done without the novel's discomfiting focus on underground Victorian sexual practices; in fact, I would have enjoyed the story a whole lot more had it stayed within the PG-13 realm. Still, it's a clever page turner that will leave Speedwell/Stoker fans begging for more. I'm clamoring for the next book as well; I'm just hoping it will focus more on the suspenseful than the sensual.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of A Curious Beginning by Deanna Raybourn and The Mangle Street Murders by M.R.C Kasasian)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (no F-bombs), violence, blood/gore, sensuality, and sexual content
To the FTC, with love: I received an e-ARC of A Perilous Undertaking from the generous folks at Penguin Random House via those at NetGalley. Thank you!
Monday, December 12, 2016
Victorian Murder Mystery Gory, But Gripping
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With the recent death of her father, March Middleton has been left a penniless 21-year-old orphan with few prospects. Being "unsuited to trade and too proud to go into service," she's relieved when her godfather offers to take her in. March has never met Sidney Grice, but she learns some startling facts about her mysterious guardian on the way to his home in London. The man, apparently, has made quite a name for himself as a brilliant, brave personal detective. Not exactly a people person, Grice is civil to his new charge but hardly enthusiastic.
Fascinated by Grice's daring occupation, March longs for a taste of the excitement. When a case presents itself, she offers to pay the client's fee if Grice agrees to investigate. Reluctantly, the detective accepts. Together, the unlikely duo look into the situation—a young woman has been stabbed to death, apparently by her husband. The victim's mother insists her son-in-law is innocent. March believes her. Grice is less convinced. Still, as the two dig deeper, they discover inconsistencies and clues that cast a new light on the crime. The closer they get to the truth, the more dangerous the streets of East End grow for the curious pair. Will March and her godfather live long enough to solve the case? Or will they become the newest corpses discovered on the mean Whitechapel streets?
I don't know about you, but I enjoy a good Victorian mystery tale. The Mangle Street Murders, the first in a new detective series by M.R.C. Kasasian, isn't my genre favorite, but I still found the story enjoyable. Gruesome, mind you, but entertaining nonetheless. March Middleton is a likable narrator—she's smart, determined, and more than capable of matching wits with her guardian. Sidney Grice is an intriguing character in his own right, although the brilliant but socially awkward P.I. is fast becoming a cliché in crime fiction. Still, The Mangle Street Murders is a compelling, atmospheric mystery that manages to be both bleak and funny. Its setting can't help but be depressing, its subject matter gory and yet, I liked this one overall. True, I haven't found myself clamoring for a sequel; that, however, is probably only a matter of time.
(Readalikes: Reminded me of the Veronica Speedwell series by Deanna Raybourn [A Curious Beginning; and A Perilous Undertaking] and Scotland Yard's Murder Squad series [The Yard; The Black Country; The Blue Girl (novella); The Devil's Workshop; The Harvest Man; Lost and Gone Forever; and Dark House] by Alex Grecian)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (no F-bombs), violence, blood/gore, and disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Tuesday, September 06, 2016
Grim, Gritty Murder Mystery a Compelling Debut
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"'I think there's too many of us people and we're too close together and we're turning on each other like rats in the gutter. We're in the biggest city in the world, Day, and I think it's trying to get rid of us'" (176).
The grimy streets of Victorian London teem with criminal activity, from the petty thefts of starving urchins to the enslavement of desperate women to the vicious unsolved killings of Jack the Ripper. Considering the always-rising tide of violence that plagues the city, the number of men assigned to combat it is laughable. Only twelve detectives—The Murder Squad—investigate London's most serious crimes. Severely overworked and chronically underpaid, their shameful solve rate guarantees they are met with derision everywhere they turn. Wading through the city's hellish underbelly to flush out murderers and monsters is a job rife with danger, devoid of glamour. It's not a career to which most people would aspire.
Detective Inspector Walter Day is not most people. Having worked as a constable in Devon for the last four years, he has no actual detecting experience. And yet, the idealistic newbie is working the murder of the Squad's own Inspector Christian Little. The detective's odd and gruesome murder raises a million questions, few answers. Is Day up to the task of finding Little's sadistic killer? As more policemen end up dead, the case grows more complex—and deadly. Day must solve it before his own dead body ends up stuffed into a steamer trunk. He has little time to prove himself against a masterful murderer ... can he do it in time to save his colleagues and himself?
The Yard, Alex Grecian's debut novel and the first installment in a gritty crime series, brings 19th Century London to life in all its stinking, sleazy, squalid glory. The story, naturally, echoes the tone of its setting. Although Day is a likable and admirable man, the sewage in which he slops every day makes his tale a grim one. Compelling, yes, but also depressing. Nevertheless, The Yard is an engrossing, atmospheric mystery from which I had a hard time looking away. I especially liked the interludes that provided needed backstory without interrupting the forward push of the plot. Intriguing characters and sharp prose added even more to this surprising, satisfying novel. I enjoyed it overall and will definitely be grabbing its sequels off the library shelves sometime soon.
(Readalikes: I can't think of anything. Can you?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (no F-bombs), violence, blood/gore, and disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Saturday, January 16, 2016
Delightful Victorian Mystery a Charming Start to an Intriguing New Series
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Veronica Speedwell is far from a typical Victorian woman. Raised by two spinster "aunts," she has lived all over, never lingering in one place for long. Caring little about convention, she pursues her interest in lepidoptery with passion. By selling rare species to collectors, she's able to finance her own exploratory trips to far-off locales, where she captures as many hearts as butterflies. At 25, she's happy to be a spinster who's free to pursue her scientific studies and brief love affairs in exotic lands.
After the recent death of her last living guardian, Veronica is preparing to embark on her most intriguing journey of all. Then fate intervenes in the form of a villain intent on harming Veronica. Having foiled his dastardly plan, the intrepid young lady finds herself whisked away by Baron von Stauffenbach, a kindly older man who claims to have all the answers she's seeking—not just about the person who's chasing her and his reasons for doing so, but also about the mother she never knew. Wary but knowing her life could be in danger if she stays, Veronica agrees to accompany the man to London. Once there, she's left in the protective custody of another stranger, a mysterious brute of a man named Stoker. Considering his "appalling manners and questionable hygiene" (31), she's shocked to discover he's none other than Revelstoke Templeton-Vane, a once-revered, now-disgraced natural historian.
When the Baron is murdered, Stoker becomes the prime suspect. With both of their necks on the line, Veronica and the surly naturalist team up to find the real killer. On the run from an unknown—but dangerous—enemy, the duo searches for answers to their puzzling, perilous situation. As the unwitting partners match wits, they make startling discoveries, revelations that will change the way they see the world—and each other. Will these epiphanies help them apprehend their friend's killer? Or will they become the next victims?
It's impossible to explain just how charming is A Curious Beginning, the first book in a new historical mystery series by Deanna Raybourn. With appealing characters, witty dialogue, a twisty mystery, and plenty of heart-pounding action, the novel is can't-put-it-down compelling. Veronica Speedwell makes for an especially delightful heroine, one about whom I'm anxious to read more. Seriously, I adored every word (especially "Excelsior!") of this entertaining tale. I'm anxiously awaiting a sequel.
(Readalikes: Hm, I can't think of anything. You?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (no F-bombs), violence, sexual innuendo, and sensuality
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of A Curious Beginning from the generous folks at Berkley/NAL (an imprint of Penguin). Thank you!
Friday, October 18, 2013
A Clean, Compelling Steampunk Mystery? It's About Time!
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Katharine Tulman is used to doing her snooty aunt's dirty work—literally and figuratively. Without Aunt Alice's charity, the 17-year-old would be on the streets, so she keeps her head down and does what has to be done, whether it's reprimanding one of the servants, pawning jewelry to keep the widow's estate running or cleaning up after her spoiled younger cousin, Robert. Katharine's newest assignment, though, has to be the most repugnant of all. Aunt Alice is convinced her brother, Frederick, is squandering the family fortune, of which Robert is the sole heir. Katharine's task? To assess the situation—meaning she must find evidence of Frederick's insanity and ensure that he's locked away in a lunatic asylum, thus freeing up funds for Robert and his greedy mother. It won't be a pleasant task—which is why Aunt Alice refuses to do it herself—so Katharine must grit her teeth and be done with it. She can't risk losing her guardian's favor.
One look at Stranwyne Keep, her uncle's crumbling old mansion, and Katharine's ready to bolt. Roaming its strange interior, which is cluttered with ticking clocks and creepy automatons, does nothing to soothe her anxiety. Something is not right at her uncle's residence. Not right at all. It's clear Stranwyne Keep's tiny staff—only a stiff housekeeper, a mute boy, and a mysterious young man about her age—can't wait to be rid of Katharine. She's glad to leave, but not before she sees her uncle, a meeting the staff continues to delay.
When the secret of Stranwyne Keep is finally revealed to Katharine, she doesn't know what to do. Can she rat out the gentle "Mr. Tully," thus endangering every single person at the Keep? Or does she risk her own livelihood by lying to Aunt Alice? The longer she stays with her uncle, the more she wants to shield him and Stranwyne Keep from the outside world. But how does she protect the mysteries of her uncle's estate, especially when she doesn't know them all? With her heart and head both in a whirl, Katharine must make an impossible decision, one that could bring destruction down on a whole group of innocent people. And destroy the only happiness Katharine's ever known.
The Dark Unwinding, the first book in Sharon Cameron's steampunk YA series, is as intricately wound as one of Mr. Tully's clocks. With engaging characters, an intriguing mystery and a plot that keeps you guessing, it's one of those novels that appeals from its first word to its last. I love how the story moves quickly when it matters, but not so fast that it skimps on world and relationship-building. Cameron's slow, steady story-sculpting guaranteed that I cared—about the characters, about their world, and about how Katharine's choices would affect them all. In case you can't tell, I adored this clean, compelling story. I'm pretty sure you will, too.
(Readalikes: A Spark Unseen by Sharon Cameron)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for brief, mild language, violence and intense situations
To the FTC, with love: I received a copy of The Dark Unwinding from the generous folks at Scholastic. Thank you!
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Perry's Newest Satisfies Almost As Much As It Unsettles
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
(Note: While this review will not contain spoilers for Acceptable Loss, it may inadvertently reveal plot surprises from earlier books in the William Monk series. As always, I recommend reading books in a series in order.)
I normally write my own plot summaries, but sometimes I don't feel like reinventing the wheel—especially when a book's jacket copy does it appropriate justice. So, I'm going to go ahead and cheat on this one (any typos/mistakes in the following are my own):
"Give her a good murder and a shameful social evil," The New York Times Book Review once declared, "and Anne Perry can write a Victorian mystery that would make Dickens's eyes pop." And Perry's new William and Hester Monk story, a mesmerizing masterpiece of innocence and evil on London's docks, outshines all her previous novels in this successful and beloved series.
When the body of a small-time crook named Micky Parfitt washes up on the tide, no one grieves; far from it. But William Monk, commander of the River Police, is puzzled by the expensive silk cravat used to strangle Parfitt. How did this elegant scarf—whose owner was obviously a man of substance—end up imbedded in the neck of a wharf rat who so richly deserved his sordid end?
Dockside informers lead Monk to what may be a partial answer—a floating palace of corruption on the Thames managed by Parfitt, where a captive band of half-starved boys is forced to perform vile acts for men willing to pay a high price for midnight pleasures. Althugh Monk and his fearless wife, Hester, would prefer to pin a medal on Parfitt's killer, duty leads them in another direction—to an unresolved crime from the past, to blackmail and more murder, and to a deadly confrontation with some of the empire's most respected men.
To a superlative degree, Acceptable Loss provides colorful characters, a memorable portrait of waterfront life, and a story that achieves its most thrilling moments in a transfixed London courtroom, where Monk faces his old friend Oliver Rathbone in a trial of nearly unbearable tension—in sum, every delectable drop of the rich pleasure that readers expect from an Anne Perry novel."
I know what you're going to say and, for the record, I absolutely agree: the subject of this novel is repugnant. So much so that, at times, it made me feel physically ill, even though Perry steers away from describing all the lurid details of the so-called "pleasure" boats. Still, she gives enough of it and implies enough of it for readers to get the whole, sickening picture. For that reason, Acceptable Loss is not an easy book to read. There were several times I wanted to put it down for good, but I didn't for two reasons: because it was nominated for a Whitney Award and because, in spite of its distressing topic, it's an enthralling read. Why? Well, the paragraphs above sum it up nicely—Perry creates deep, interesting characters; vivid, carefully-drawn settings; and a plot twists that are unexpected, but masterfully executed (the Epilogue of this book is an especially brilliant example). So, while Acceptable Loss is disturbing in the extreme, it's also a rich, compelling story that satisfies almost as much as it unsettles. I'm not going to say I loved it, but it definitely pulled me in and kept me turning pages because I had to know how it ended. And, let me say, it ended well, my friends. Very, very well.
(Readalikes: Other books in the William Monk series; it also reminded me a little bit of Y.S. Lee's The Agency series [A Spy in the House; The Body at the Tower; and The Traitor in the Tunnel])
Grade: B
If this were a movie, it would be rated: R for violence, language (no F-bombs), and very mature content
To the FTC, with love: Another libraryfine find
(Readalikes: Other books in the William Monk series; it also reminded me a little bit of Y.S. Lee's The Agency series [A Spy in the House; The Body at the Tower; and The Traitor in the Tunnel])
Grade: B
If this were a movie, it would be rated: R for violence, language (no F-bombs), and very mature content
To the FTC, with love: Another library
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