You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Scan barcode
izzy_reads7's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
camrobbins's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
mbondlamberty's review
3.0
An entertaining read, though one that might not lead me to read others in the theory.
While it was something that kept me listening, it didn't really lead me to like the narrator or whom we might consider to be the potential love interest. Even Wilberforce in the background wasn't enough to compel me to seek out other books but it could also be that I am a little exhausted at the moment.
While it was something that kept me listening, it didn't really lead me to like the narrator or whom we might consider to be the potential love interest. Even Wilberforce in the background wasn't enough to compel me to seek out other books but it could also be that I am a little exhausted at the moment.
arkwen452's review against another edition
informative
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I didn’t dislike this book but it didn’t make for a memorable read either. Beyond the forced plot of the abolitionist movement that our main female lead is involved in, the book read as if we were looking at a sequel rather than book one; I had so many questions that weren’t about the main-mystery plot that it became really distracting. (I know the author has other books so maybe I find some answers there?)
I usually enjoy the slow pacing and quick-wired banter of British entertainment. However, the parts of the narrative I enjoyed the most took place around three fourths of the way into book. Lady Abigail and Sir Henderson make a cute match and the building chemistry between the characters give readers motivation to push through the clunky parts but the tension we see between Henderson and his brother in law and who really murdered his wife were the elements of excitement I would have preferred to have seen throughout the book.
I usually enjoy the slow pacing and quick-wired banter of British entertainment. However, the parts of the narrative I enjoyed the most took place around three fourths of the way into book. Lady Abigail and Sir Henderson make a cute match and the building chemistry between the characters give readers motivation to push through the clunky parts but the tension we see between Henderson and his brother in law and who really murdered his wife were the elements of excitement I would have preferred to have seen throughout the book.
allisonwonderlandreads's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Murder in Westminster is a Regency-era mystery that includes murder and mayhem along with neighborly enmity and bacon-based dog training. Our protagonist is Abigail Worthing, a lady of Jamaican and Scottish roots who has the privilege of a well-connected marriage at the cost of an absentee husband. As a Blackamoor woman (the historical term used in the book), Abigail is passionate about using her position to bolster the abolition movement, even though the cause is currently flagging in Parliament. At the beginning of the book, we find Abigail and her cousin sneaking out of the theater to attend a secret abolition meeting. Their evening is cut short after a summons home, and Abigail discovers the woman next door, Juliet Henderson, murdered and hanging on the fence between their properties. It's a passive-aggressive fence that Juliet's husband, Stapleton Henderson, was building to separate the two homes' respective dogs (his well-trained greyhounds and Abigail's terror of a terrier). Abigail can't help but be involved given the location of the murder, but she's also interested in the case as a curious mind who has previously aided the magistrate in solving crime and as a woman whose inherited second sight gave her disjointed premonitions of Juliet's death. Throughout the story, Abigail suspects her neighbor, Mr. Henderson, of the crime even as she is sometimes thrown together with him while investigating. The two have many heated exchanges, seemingly paving the way for a future romance plot.
The two things I most enjoyed about the story were the attention to historic detail and the feminist lens on both Abigail and the victim. The story has a strong regency ambiance and feels very lived-in and well-researched. Meanwhile, Abigail's experiences bring up issues of race and gender through the intersectionality of her own identities. Her wealth and status open doors even as the color of her skin closes others. Society pressures her to be a model citizen, and she fears repercussions for all Black people if she becomes a scapegoat in the murder investigation. Our victim, Juliet, is portrayed as an imperfect but loving woman-- a free spirit who loved theatrics and high passion. She was known for her many extramarital affairs, but this doesn't lead to slut-shaming. In fact, the book directly addresses the likelihood of victim-blaming since she didn't behave as society expected she should. The story portrays all the women in its pages as nuanced people with many wants and relationships pulling them in different directions rather than one-dimensional creatures with limited skills and desires.
My biggest issues while reading were the irritating romance plot and my difficulties in unraveling some of the writing. I found the combustible interactions between Abigail and Henderson tiring-- full of barbs, needling, and hot tempers. There's nothing wrong with it; it's just not my cup of tea. In terms of the plot, people and past events are brought up so casually from the very beginning that I wondered on a few occasions if I had accidentally picked up a sequel in a series. There were also sudden shifts in the action that felt disjointed and nonsensical at times. Characters would make decisions that seemed to be about positioning the plot just so, not about having coherence in terms of the character's motivations and past behavior. This was increasingly a problem near the climax of the tale as the investigation uncovers final clues with abandon and Abigail charges in to unmask a killer.
This is a thoughtful historical mystery with a heroine that will charm readers with her bold investigations and insatiable curiosity. Those who enjoy a mystery that feels part of a larger story or who are excited to kick off a new series about an amateur sleuth should pick this one up. Thanks to Kensington for my copy to read and review!
The two things I most enjoyed about the story were the attention to historic detail and the feminist lens on both Abigail and the victim. The story has a strong regency ambiance and feels very lived-in and well-researched. Meanwhile, Abigail's experiences bring up issues of race and gender through the intersectionality of her own identities. Her wealth and status open doors even as the color of her skin closes others. Society pressures her to be a model citizen, and she fears repercussions for all Black people if she becomes a scapegoat in the murder investigation. Our victim, Juliet, is portrayed as an imperfect but loving woman-- a free spirit who loved theatrics and high passion. She was known for her many extramarital affairs, but this doesn't lead to slut-shaming. In fact, the book directly addresses the likelihood of victim-blaming since she didn't behave as society expected she should. The story portrays all the women in its pages as nuanced people with many wants and relationships pulling them in different directions rather than one-dimensional creatures with limited skills and desires.
My biggest issues while reading were the irritating romance plot and my difficulties in unraveling some of the writing. I found the combustible interactions between Abigail and Henderson tiring-- full of barbs, needling, and hot tempers. There's nothing wrong with it; it's just not my cup of tea. In terms of the plot, people and past events are brought up so casually from the very beginning that I wondered on a few occasions if I had accidentally picked up a sequel in a series. There were also sudden shifts in the action that felt disjointed and nonsensical at times. Characters would make decisions that seemed to be about positioning the plot just so, not about having coherence in terms of the character's motivations and past behavior. This was increasingly a problem near the climax of the tale as the investigation uncovers final clues with abandon and Abigail charges in to unmask a killer.
This is a thoughtful historical mystery with a heroine that will charm readers with her bold investigations and insatiable curiosity. Those who enjoy a mystery that feels part of a larger story or who are excited to kick off a new series about an amateur sleuth should pick this one up. Thanks to Kensington for my copy to read and review!
kaceyjoy's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
cynpra1520's review
1.0
As others have commented, this book is a mess. In the first 50 pages I was convinced there was at least one book or novella which preceded this book and introduced all the characters and explained the present situation. Without it, I was just juggling a bunch oh cardboard characters so I DNFed it and moved on.
dominicangirl's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0