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blacksentai's review against another edition
2.0
Ok. The book is probably fine. But. I'm in a mood and it hit a lot of things that might not bother me in other contexts but kind of ended up grating on me. And some of this is my fault. But some things clicked into place for me while reading this book, so it's not totally the books fault. There's a whole trend of these victorian mystery novels and romances where the main character is extremely modern. And like. It's fine. But. It is bizarre how these women don't match up with upper class feminist of the times but with sort of modern conceptions of gender-based injustice. But still they're only concerned with being able to exhort class based power. These books always try to address this via the commoner cop who is very good at working with nobles. But the actual pointed criticisms of the main character won't amount to much because this main character has to always be right in their worldview.
These books often want to poke very lightly at societal injustices and then run away from them before anything grody can happen. Sexism and classism are usually just backdrops the author can use to say "hey look how smart and enlightened we are now" or to give the main character the leg up since seemingly she has all the knowledge of a modern reader. But, her progressivism can only go so far since she's stuck in 18whatever and isn't actually desiring to change the social order. Just make a place for herself in the status quo.
Also, the book seems completely unaware of colonialism and is like "yo the royal family in the 1800s was really something to look up to and you should definitely want to be just like them, especially the head there." So yeah it's so weird that it wants to be a fluffy politically neutral book but because the book has to fit a vaguely modern sensibility it comes across as a socially unaware book.
These books often want to poke very lightly at societal injustices and then run away from them before anything grody can happen. Sexism and classism are usually just backdrops the author can use to say "hey look how smart and enlightened we are now" or to give the main character the leg up since seemingly she has all the knowledge of a modern reader. But, her progressivism can only go so far since she's stuck in 18whatever and isn't actually desiring to change the social order. Just make a place for herself in the status quo.
Also, the book seems completely unaware of colonialism and is like "yo the royal family in the 1800s was really something to look up to and you should definitely want to be just like them, especially the head there." So yeah it's so weird that it wants to be a fluffy politically neutral book but because the book has to fit a vaguely modern sensibility it comes across as a socially unaware book.
incandescentreads's review against another edition
2.0
Rating : 1,5 ⭐
I really wanted to like this book, but unfortunately it was a mostly negative reading experience for me. The only redeeming feature was the writing style, I thought the author did somewhat manage to elevate her story with the quality of the writing. Everything else was a mess. The mystery was full of improbable occurrences, and the suspension of disbelief necessary to enjoy this plot was definitely too much for me. The culprit was way too obvious and easy to guess. I didn't particularly enjoy any of these characters, which made this read even more tedious. What really frustrated me was the amount of historical inaccuracies. As someone who hasn't studied history since secondary school, I'm definitely not the most pedantic reader when it comes to that aspect. I don't believe historical accuracy should take priority over the quality of a story. However, the lack of research was apparent even to me, and some things were totally illogical for the time period. These things seemed so out of place, they took me out of the story completely and made me wonder why the author or editor hadn't checked them. Overall, I really didn't enjoy my time with this book and debated whether or not to finish it, so I will not be continuing on in this series.
I really wanted to like this book, but unfortunately it was a mostly negative reading experience for me. The only redeeming feature was the writing style, I thought the author did somewhat manage to elevate her story with the quality of the writing. Everything else was a mess. The mystery was full of improbable occurrences, and the suspension of disbelief necessary to enjoy this plot was definitely too much for me. The culprit was way too obvious and easy to guess. I didn't particularly enjoy any of these characters, which made this read even more tedious. What really frustrated me was the amount of historical inaccuracies. As someone who hasn't studied history since secondary school, I'm definitely not the most pedantic reader when it comes to that aspect. I don't believe historical accuracy should take priority over the quality of a story. However, the lack of research was apparent even to me, and some things were totally illogical for the time period. These things seemed so out of place, they took me out of the story completely and made me wonder why the author or editor hadn't checked them. Overall, I really didn't enjoy my time with this book and debated whether or not to finish it, so I will not be continuing on in this series.
tiredmomliving's review against another edition
3.0
I have mixed feelings about this one and so have decided on a 3.5 out of 5 stars. I'll start with the things that held me back from a higher rating because they're easier to sum up.
1) The MC was a bit of a cliche for me. I did appreciate how it provided her with difficulties and prejudices to overcome.
2) The metaphors. There were so. many. metaphors. By the end of the book they didn't bother me as much - maybe I got used to them or perhaps the author used less?
3) Inspector Davies. I feel like we did not get enough of him, and I felt like he was constantly portrayed as inept. I would have liked to have seen him successful at something to prove he earned his job at such a young age.
4) I knew 'whodunnit' from the second the character was introduced.
I did ultimately enjoy this story. Not every story and character needs to be the reinvention of the wheel or solve social injustices. Sometimes, it's nice to just kick back with a good tale, and that's what this ended up being. It's a pleasant, cozy mystery with some character growth along the way. I got total 'Detective Inspector Jack and Miss Fisher' vibes from the story, and I really liked that. Again, I just wish Davies had the opportunity to shine a bit more. I remain unsure about whether or not I appreciated all the historic background throughout the story. I understand it provided context, but sometimes it felt like I was getting bogged down in facts. I'm not sure how the author could have won that one, so I'll move past it. So, fun for a quick mystery, and I enjoyed it enough that I will be reading the next book when it releases next year.
1) The MC was a bit of a cliche for me. I did appreciate how it provided her with difficulties and prejudices to overcome.
2) The metaphors. There were so. many. metaphors. By the end of the book they didn't bother me as much - maybe I got used to them or perhaps the author used less?
3) Inspector Davies. I feel like we did not get enough of him, and I felt like he was constantly portrayed as inept. I would have liked to have seen him successful at something to prove he earned his job at such a young age.
4) I knew 'whodunnit' from the second the character was introduced.
I did ultimately enjoy this story. Not every story and character needs to be the reinvention of the wheel or solve social injustices. Sometimes, it's nice to just kick back with a good tale, and that's what this ended up being. It's a pleasant, cozy mystery with some character growth along the way. I got total 'Detective Inspector Jack and Miss Fisher' vibes from the story, and I really liked that. Again, I just wish Davies had the opportunity to shine a bit more. I remain unsure about whether or not I appreciated all the historic background throughout the story. I understand it provided context, but sometimes it felt like I was getting bogged down in facts. I'm not sure how the author could have won that one, so I'll move past it. So, fun for a quick mystery, and I enjoyed it enough that I will be reading the next book when it releases next year.
_marit's review against another edition
Let me say first and foremost that this kind of book is normally my SHIT. Female sleuths in a historical setting? Sign me UP for a binge read that will lead me to immediately start in on the next book (if it is available on Libby, that is). Perhaps it is because of my deep love for this genre (that I often call historical-mystery-rom-goodness) that I want to scream into the void for approximately 30 - 40 seconds. I don't need everything to be believable, but...
I am so sick of this rich-girl-genius-"feminist"-who-actually-hates-women? trope. I love loud and boisterous and fiery women. Hell, I am one of them and I hope to raise them. All of that "intelligence" in this character and she has approximately 0 brain cells to use to understand the women around her? Big yikes. If establishing your feminist character's personality is partially dependent on just attacking other women, she isn't as cool as you think she is. As you can guess, I am tired of seeing this. This book is not the only one by any means - I just hit my limit this rainy evening and wanted to warn the other folks to keep scrolling Goodreads if you want a book with this vibe. I get that the historical-mystery-rom-goodness genre is entertaining (and that it is selling well) but good God, do all of the main characters need to be haters?
I am so sick of this rich-girl-genius-"feminist"-who-actually-hates-women? trope. I love loud and boisterous and fiery women. Hell, I am one of them and I hope to raise them. All of that "intelligence" in this character and she has approximately 0 brain cells to use to understand the women around her? Big yikes. If establishing your feminist character's personality is partially dependent on just attacking other women, she isn't as cool as you think she is. As you can guess, I am tired of seeing this. This book is not the only one by any means - I just hit my limit this rainy evening and wanted to warn the other folks to keep scrolling Goodreads if you want a book with this vibe. I get that the historical-mystery-rom-goodness genre is entertaining (and that it is selling well) but good God, do all of the main characters need to be haters?
bnmorneau's review against another edition
informative
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
sarabellum's review against another edition
4.0
Flawed but enjoyable. Some typos in my edition, but a big distraction was the improper use of titles (earl, duke etc). So wrong it was glaring and annoying. Some of the actions of characters were ahistorical, while other times the story showed signs of painstaking research. Hopefully this will turn into an engaging series. Aside from its flaws it is otherwise a fun tale.
kelseykeefe's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
3.0
Whenever the MC didn't have prior textual understanding of a subject, she'd find time somehow by-- mid story-- to reflect on how earlier that day it week she did some reading or net with an expert off page. 💀✋🏻 Randomly she had to know how to pick locks, thus she had already learned by consulting with a lock smith who of course said she'd have a career ahead of her as a thief if she wanted. What? Ok
krisrid's review against another edition
5.0
This book was wonderful and I loved every moment of it!
Felicity is the perfect sort of heroine for me - she is smart, strong, determined and unorthodox, but also a bit awkward and odd because she basically raised herself, without a mother and with a father who wanted her to be "proper" and couldn't accept or love her when she refused. It makes Felicity a very likable and sympathetic odd duck.
Because she is also basically a genius with a photographic memory, she is the ideal amateur detective when her beloved favorite professor is murdered and she is determine to find out who did it and why, getting into all sorts of trouble along the way.
The identity of the murderer here is pretty easy to figure out. I knew who it was very early on, and I don't even TRY to figure out murder mysteries when I read them, so that tells you how clear it was. But that did not take away from my enjoyment of this story in the least! The real draw of this book in my opinion is Felicity, her quirks and her earnestness in wanting justice for her friend and the other victims. She is charming and likable and the people in her world are equally nice.
There is nothing earth-shaking about this book, but I very much enjoyed it. Felicity is a character I will happily spend more time with, and I will definitely be reading more of the books in this series. Light, easy-reading and fun is what this book was - what's not to like?
Felicity is the perfect sort of heroine for me - she is smart, strong, determined and unorthodox, but also a bit awkward and odd because she basically raised herself, without a mother and with a father who wanted her to be "proper" and couldn't accept or love her when she refused. It makes Felicity a very likable and sympathetic odd duck.
Because she is also basically a genius with a photographic memory, she is the ideal amateur detective when her beloved favorite professor is murdered and she is determine to find out who did it and why, getting into all sorts of trouble along the way.
The identity of the murderer here is pretty easy to figure out. I knew who it was very early on, and I don't even TRY to figure out murder mysteries when I read them, so that tells you how clear it was. But that did not take away from my enjoyment of this story in the least! The real draw of this book in my opinion is Felicity, her quirks and her earnestness in wanting justice for her friend and the other victims. She is charming and likable and the people in her world are equally nice.
There is nothing earth-shaking about this book, but I very much enjoyed it. Felicity is a character I will happily spend more time with, and I will definitely be reading more of the books in this series. Light, easy-reading and fun is what this book was - what's not to like?
nerdybynatureblog's review against another edition
3.0
Felicity Carrol has many interests, from science to mathematics to history, but nothing that is considered proper for a young lady in Victorian society. After her mother's death and her father neglecting her, Felicity sought refuge in her education. She has major plans to set up her own lab, but all that changes after the murder of her beloved mentor at the British Museum and his priceless King Arthur artifact stolen. Felicity believes foul play, so she takes it upon herself to launch her own investigation. While doing so, she crosses paths with the handsome Scotland Yard Inspector Jackson Davies. Despite Felicity's intelligence, Davies finds her meddlesome and doesn't always heed her advice. When more nobles with King Arthur artifacts turn up murdered, Felicity journeys into the dark underbelly of antiquity thefts, and the more she digs the more she uncovers that an even more sinister plot is afoot.
I'm usually a massive fan of historical mystery, especially when it takes place in the Victorian era, but I found this to be just okay. I liked Felicity as a character, and she and Jackson bounced well off one another, but it just felt like something was missing. The mystery itself was entirely too easy to figure out, and I actually sussed out the murderer by the third chapter, so that made the ending feel less than satisfying. Despite that, I did sort of like it overall, so I was a bit torn. I may continue the series just to give it another shot.
I'm usually a massive fan of historical mystery, especially when it takes place in the Victorian era, but I found this to be just okay. I liked Felicity as a character, and she and Jackson bounced well off one another, but it just felt like something was missing. The mystery itself was entirely too easy to figure out, and I actually sussed out the murderer by the third chapter, so that made the ending feel less than satisfying. Despite that, I did sort of like it overall, so I was a bit torn. I may continue the series just to give it another shot.
kvangundy's review against another edition
4.0
This was a fun mystery that follows the life of Felicity Carrol who is a young woman who wants to be a crime detective to the peril of her father who wants her to be a woman in society. I enjoyed getting to know all the characters and enjoyed the mystery that was all about King Arthur.