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ewormuth's review
4.0
I enjoyed this book, the second in the Benjamin Weaver series. I like all the period details, and root for Weaver as the underdog who has to get himself out of impossible situations. Recommended.
roshk99's review against another edition
4.0
The detail of the time is fantastic and it was a good choice to portray the corruption of elections in Britain. The dialogue is witty and the language is enjoyable. Overall, a great read!
reasie's review against another edition
3.0
I didn't quite enjoy this one as much as "Conspiracy of Paper", perhaps because the novelty of the 18th century setting had worn off. The plot is thick and interesting, the characters lively, though the setting descriptions get repetitive - every location is fetid and disgusting. There are far too many conversations where people give our investigator no useful information, though it does handle the handy trick of resolving the mystery shortly after the reader (at least me) figures it out, and you are given all the information you need to figure it out, even if you can find yourself missing the obvious until late in the book, like the narrator.
jamh's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Phenomenal.
jatridle's review against another edition
3.0
Satisfying historical crime novel. Delivered everything I wanted, just as A Conspiracy of Paper did. I will seek out more David Liss books in the future.
jhbandcats's review against another edition
5.0
This is the second time I’ve read this book and I enjoyed it just as much now as I did ten years ago. I’m about to read the next two in the series for the first time, so I wanted a reminder of what was going on in the life of Benjamin Weaver, the main character.
Liss has created a likable hero, an underdog who is scrupulous and ethical if not always honest. Weaver, a boxer prior to a disabling injury, is a thief taker (bounty hunter) who also retrieves lost and stolen items. He’s a Jew in an era of casual prejudice if not outright persecution, considered dishonest and dirty, a second class citizen at best.
In the first book, which highlighted the financial catastrophe when the South Sea bubble burst, Weaver was trying to find out who murdered his father. In this, against a backdrop of political skullduggery, he is convicted of murder and must find out why he’s been falsely accused.
Like the Matthew Shardlake Tudor-era series that takes place almost two hundred years earlier, these historical mysteries bring the past to life - and it’s fairly revolting. Piss pots, dead dogs, rotting food, horse dung, rats - the poorer areas of London were so filthy it’s surprising anyone lived to the 20th Century. The research behind the stories is what makes these books such a success.
Highly recommended.
Liss has created a likable hero, an underdog who is scrupulous and ethical if not always honest. Weaver, a boxer prior to a disabling injury, is a thief taker (bounty hunter) who also retrieves lost and stolen items. He’s a Jew in an era of casual prejudice if not outright persecution, considered dishonest and dirty, a second class citizen at best.
In the first book, which highlighted the financial catastrophe when the South Sea bubble burst, Weaver was trying to find out who murdered his father. In this, against a backdrop of political skullduggery, he is convicted of murder and must find out why he’s been falsely accused.
Like the Matthew Shardlake Tudor-era series that takes place almost two hundred years earlier, these historical mysteries bring the past to life - and it’s fairly revolting. Piss pots, dead dogs, rotting food, horse dung, rats - the poorer areas of London were so filthy it’s surprising anyone lived to the 20th Century. The research behind the stories is what makes these books such a success.
Highly recommended.
lizdesole's review against another edition
4.0
I did enjoy the first book "A Conspiracy of Paper" more. I didn't even have any idea it was a series until I saw the book in a bookstore. The author still does a masterful job of writing historical fiction mysteries about topics that are not often written about. Enjoyable as a mystery with the history as a bonus
kedawen's review against another edition
4.0
While not as suspenseful as A Conspiracy of Paper, this book was definitely fun and it was interesting to learn more about the political climate of the time.