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jo_bookworm's review against another edition
4.0
We last saw Lizzie Hardwicke in the role of prostitute - a role she chose not one she playing but now in this second novel of the series, Lizzie is to take on another role, in fact more than one.
A role that is going to put her right in the middle of the action.
Asked to go undercover by a Bow Street Magistrate - this is the days before a recognisable police force - Lizzie goes to Drury Lane, to a theatre to work as a seamstress.
The theatre owned by David Garrick (yes the very same) has had some strange accidents and events going on.
Lizzie is there to observe not the performance on the stage but that of what is going on behind the scenes - much more intriguing.
As rich men are paid court in a not so dissimilar way to Lizzies occupation, actors and actress, playwrights and stage hands all witness the way money is gained to help the theatre survive.
That is until one of these rich men ends up on stage himself......
Upside down......
With his throat cut......
Enter the magistrate Mr Fielding and one of the inspectors Will Davenport who we met in the first novel and who has developed a fondness for Lizzie despite her chosen path in life.
Lizzie knows that she cannot leave this role until she has found out the truth about the dead man and whilst it seems the perpetrator has been caught and the case solved there are too many loose ends and unwoven threads to the story like the dresses and cuffs that Lizzie has been mending when she has been inconspicuously listening and observing.
Who would pay attention to a grubby, second seamstress in a room full of egos and money?
If I did not know this was fiction I would believe I was reading an account of the time and that this was a piece of historical nonfiction of the Georgian time in the depths of some of the rather seedier parts of London.
The fact that it is before a police force and our main protagonist is female and a prostitute adds to the depth of the plot and makes is a page turner. I learnt from this book as I did from her debut and the dedicated and detailed research by the author is clearly evident.
It is that which means I wait with anticipation as to where Lizzie Hardwicke is going to turn up next and who she is going to encounter and also perhaps in time she will have enough money saved to stop her current profession and find true happiness with Will Davenport..... then again the author might have another idea. How exciting!
A role that is going to put her right in the middle of the action.
Asked to go undercover by a Bow Street Magistrate - this is the days before a recognisable police force - Lizzie goes to Drury Lane, to a theatre to work as a seamstress.
The theatre owned by David Garrick (yes the very same) has had some strange accidents and events going on.
Lizzie is there to observe not the performance on the stage but that of what is going on behind the scenes - much more intriguing.
As rich men are paid court in a not so dissimilar way to Lizzies occupation, actors and actress, playwrights and stage hands all witness the way money is gained to help the theatre survive.
That is until one of these rich men ends up on stage himself......
Upside down......
With his throat cut......
Enter the magistrate Mr Fielding and one of the inspectors Will Davenport who we met in the first novel and who has developed a fondness for Lizzie despite her chosen path in life.
Lizzie knows that she cannot leave this role until she has found out the truth about the dead man and whilst it seems the perpetrator has been caught and the case solved there are too many loose ends and unwoven threads to the story like the dresses and cuffs that Lizzie has been mending when she has been inconspicuously listening and observing.
Who would pay attention to a grubby, second seamstress in a room full of egos and money?
If I did not know this was fiction I would believe I was reading an account of the time and that this was a piece of historical nonfiction of the Georgian time in the depths of some of the rather seedier parts of London.
The fact that it is before a police force and our main protagonist is female and a prostitute adds to the depth of the plot and makes is a page turner. I learnt from this book as I did from her debut and the dedicated and detailed research by the author is clearly evident.
It is that which means I wait with anticipation as to where Lizzie Hardwicke is going to turn up next and who she is going to encounter and also perhaps in time she will have enough money saved to stop her current profession and find true happiness with Will Davenport..... then again the author might have another idea. How exciting!
faitelle's review against another edition
5.0
Having recently read the first 'Lizzie Hardwick' book I eagerly anticipated the release of 'The Corpse Played Dead'.
Another brilliant book, in what I hope will become a long running series.
Another brilliant book, in what I hope will become a long running series.
novelesque_life's review against another edition
4.0
RATING: 3.5 STARS
2019; Canelo
(Review Not on Blog)
Bow Street magistrate, Fielding looks to his Inspector Davenport and sex worker, Lizzie Harwicke to solve another case! After gaining fame for capturing a killer, this time Lizzie is to go undercover at a theater play house. As a seamstress she could observe all the ongoing activities of the cast, crew and benefactors. This is the second novel in the series, and I enjoyed it, but it wasn't as good as book one. Surprisingly, I did not care about what was going on in the theater as much, as a setting. I also missed Ma and the other characters from Ma's Bawdy House in Soho. I am looking forward to book 3.
***I received an eARC from NETGALLEY***
2019; Canelo
(Review Not on Blog)
Bow Street magistrate, Fielding looks to his Inspector Davenport and sex worker, Lizzie Harwicke to solve another case! After gaining fame for capturing a killer, this time Lizzie is to go undercover at a theater play house. As a seamstress she could observe all the ongoing activities of the cast, crew and benefactors. This is the second novel in the series, and I enjoyed it, but it wasn't as good as book one. Surprisingly, I did not care about what was going on in the theater as much, as a setting. I also missed Ma and the other characters from Ma's Bawdy House in Soho. I am looking forward to book 3.
***I received an eARC from NETGALLEY***
sysy_o_o's review against another edition
5.0
I finished this series in two days and I am very frustrated at how underrated this is!! I never leave reviews but this book made me experience so many different emotions that I don't have enough words to write its praise.
But what I can say is I need another 20 books for this series because I cannot get enough!!! The plots are well thought out and the character interactions and dynamics are the cherries on the top.
The mystery, suspense, twists, and turns kept me turning the pages and literally canceling plans! I loved Lizzies "amateur" detective skills and whenever she asked questions I also asked them with her. I was truly immersed in her character and whenever she was spitting facts and digging further for the truth, I felt so proud and couldn't help but cheer her on yet whenever she was overwhelmed by it all, I felt it too.
Minor spoiler
Overall. this book was an enjoyable read and I would highly recommend it!!
But what I can say is I need another 20 books for this series because I cannot get enough!!! The plots are well thought out and the character interactions and dynamics are the cherries on the top.
The mystery, suspense, twists, and turns kept me turning the pages and literally canceling plans! I loved Lizzies "amateur" detective skills and whenever she asked questions I also asked them with her. I was truly immersed in her character and whenever she was spitting facts and digging further for the truth, I felt so proud and couldn't help but cheer her on yet whenever she was overwhelmed by it all, I felt it too.
Minor spoiler
Spoiler
And the character dynamics and interactions between Lizzie and Davenport are so bittersweet that it was constantly tugging my heartstrings. Whenever Davenport would appear in the scene, I would internally squeal! The chemistry between them is undeniable yet both of their circumstances force them to draw a line with each other.Overall. this book was an enjoyable read and I would highly recommend it!!
jensbookobsession's review against another edition
5.0
Georgia Clarke is back with her second Lizzie Hardwicke novel and yet again she knocked it out of the park. This time around Lizzie goes undercover in a theater where it seems someone is trying to sabotage the theater owner. Lizzie must navigate as a seamstress assistant and observe everyone and everything around her.
Clarke has created a story where even the more minor characters are fleshed out and feel real. She does a wonderful job of intertwining the historical facts and her world of Lizzie Hardwicke. I truly hope there will be many more installments of Lizzie Hardwicke's exploits.
Clarke has created a story where even the more minor characters are fleshed out and feel real. She does a wonderful job of intertwining the historical facts and her world of Lizzie Hardwicke. I truly hope there will be many more installments of Lizzie Hardwicke's exploits.
ravenclawlibrarybooks's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this book and enjoyed the development of the characters.
My thanks to Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for my honest feedback.
My thanks to Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for my honest feedback.
annarella's review against another edition
5.0
I loved the first book in this series and I inhaled this one as it's very engrossing and entertaining.
The well researched historical background, the character development, the humour and a well crafted mystery are the elements that make this book a really good one.
I love Liz, I think she's a strong willed woman and I appreciated how fleshed out and realistic she is.
I look forward to reading the next instalment in this series.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to Canelo and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
The well researched historical background, the character development, the humour and a well crafted mystery are the elements that make this book a really good one.
I love Liz, I think she's a strong willed woman and I appreciated how fleshed out and realistic she is.
I look forward to reading the next instalment in this series.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to Canelo and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
vesper1931's review against another edition
4.0
May 1759 and prostitute Lizzie Hardwicke is asked by Inspector William Davenport to assist with his inquiries. Theatre manager David Garrick has approached his friend John Fielding concerning incidents that have been happening at his theatre. Fielding sends one of hs detectives to investigate. Davenport wants Lizzie to work undercover as a seamstress while looking into these incidents. But events get worse when she discovers a murdered body.
An enjoyable and well-written mystery with its interesting characters. Hopefully any romance between the two main characters will not occur, and would also be unbelievable, and the series will concentrate on the mystery aspects.
A NetGalley Book
An enjoyable and well-written mystery with its interesting characters. Hopefully any romance between the two main characters will not occur, and would also be unbelievable, and the series will concentrate on the mystery aspects.
A NetGalley Book
prittypeaches's review
adventurous
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Book 2 of Lizzie Hardwicke builds on the strong characters from Death and The Harlot. Lizzie takes a break from her whorehouse and goes undercover in a Druery Lane theatre. It managers to cover a wide range of London society, from Bow Street Runners to Travellers to Aristocrats and Lizzie does it all with intelligence and street smarts.
gretel7's review against another edition
3.0
I received this from Netgalley.com for a review.
Second in the series Lizzie Hardwicke, Lizzie is once again thrown together with the handsome Inspector Will Davenport when a high profile investor is brutally hanged at centre stage and Lizzie discovers the body.
I think the first book was just a titch better.
3☆
Second in the series Lizzie Hardwicke, Lizzie is once again thrown together with the handsome Inspector Will Davenport when a high profile investor is brutally hanged at centre stage and Lizzie discovers the body.
I think the first book was just a titch better.
3☆