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logan08's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
heather_boo's review against another edition
4.0
I’m giving this four stars because the writing is good, and I enjoy the character of Ian Hamilton. He is complex and suppresses his demons to concentrate on his work. The side characters are fantastic, the young ruffian Derek who sees himself as the detective’s sidekick and is proving himself worthy of the task is not the only nod to Sherlock Holmes in this novel. In fact, we meet Arthur Conan Doyle as a resident in the local hospital, and he immediately befriends Hamilton as they share an interest in forensics and deduction.
The only issue I had was scenes of pedophilia. I found these hard to read, and I understand they are used to introduce to the mind of the killer, but I could have done with less graphic descriptions.
I will continue with the series because of Ian Hamilton and the fun references to Shakespeare and Holmes.
The only issue I had was scenes of pedophilia. I found these hard to read, and I understand they are used to introduce to the mind of the killer, but I could have done with less graphic descriptions.
I will continue with the series because of Ian Hamilton and the fun references to Shakespeare and Holmes.
nnjack7's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
4.5
This one was another slam dunk for me, after loving Edinburgh Twilight. I loved getting to know Ian Hamilton even better this book, as well as all the side characters. The mystery itself was good (if not a bit predictable) but that’s not where this book shines. You are totally transported to 1880s Edinburgh, seedy underbelly and all. My only complaint is the graphic child sexual abuse that takes place on the page - I didn’t think it was necessary. But if you can get past part, it’s an incredible read.
karinlib's review against another edition
2.0
2.5. This second book in the Ian Hamilton Mysteries is similar to the first. Well written. My problem with the series is the sexual deviance that is displayed in graphic detail. To be honest, one of the redeeming factors in this novel is that Arthur Conan Doyle is a character.
kleonard's review against another edition
2.0
A decent enough procedural mystery, with added drama (and length) in the form of a theater group performing Hamlet, the protagonist's alcoholic brother, their formidable aunt, and other side stories. Plenty of readers will enjoy it, but it wasn't my cup of tea--too many stock characters, motives, and scenes.
enchantedbookends's review against another edition
5.0
Oh my! I loved this book. Highly recommended for those who love reading classics especially Hamlet.
It was quite joyful to find all the characters back from Edinburgh Twilight in this book. I could not help falling for DI Ian Hamilton and his chemistry with all other characters. DI Hamilton finds himself in the same shoes as the classic Hamlet. There are a few new characters in the book who I believe will be in the next book, and I can't wait to learn more about them and how the events will turn out for DI in the next book.
The ending seemed incomplete as opposed to the ending of the first book. I believe this is a strategy to gravitate the reader towards the next book, I can not frown about this; after all this is a mystery series.
The author has a flair for writing dialogues. I will forever be a fan.
It was quite joyful to find all the characters back from Edinburgh Twilight in this book. I could not help falling for DI Ian Hamilton and his chemistry with all other characters. DI Hamilton finds himself in the same shoes as the classic Hamlet. There are a few new characters in the book who I believe will be in the next book, and I can't wait to learn more about them and how the events will turn out for DI in the next book.
The ending seemed incomplete as opposed to the ending of the first book. I believe this is a strategy to gravitate the reader towards the next book, I can not frown about this; after all this is a mystery series.
The author has a flair for writing dialogues. I will forever be a fan.
dawn_marie's review against another edition
1.0
Sigh, why does it seem that so many series start off really well and then hit the dreaded "Sophomore Slump?" Because that is exactly what happened in Carole Lawrence's second Ian Hamilton novel, Edinburgh Dusk.
Let's start with the good: Ms. Lawrence does wonderfully creating mood and atmosphere. Her description of 1880 Edinburgh is vivid and detailed enough that one can fully imagine the sounds, smells, and sights of the world she has created (often drawing on real places and events of the time period). She creates an appropriately gloomy atmosphere with all the impending doom of a harsh winter in which to set her murder mystery. The inclusion of Dr. Sophia Jex-Blake and Dr. Joseph Bell, briefly mentioning their real life accomplishments, was a nice touch. Since the Ian Hamilton mysteries have a very Sherlockian vibe, it felt like a wink to the reader to include Arthur Conon Doyle in the narrative.
Detective Inspector Hamilton is a nicely developing character: a brilliant investigator whose single-minded focus often causes him to be insensitive, thoughtless, and unaware of those around him and is prone to rash, and sometimes violent, decisions. He also demonstrates moments of extreme thoughtfulness, introspection and reflection, and empathy and kindness. Ian's brother Donald, who was rather flat in the first novel, is developing well and I appreciate the fact that he talks frankly about the struggles of being a recovering alcoholic as well talking about what it was like to grow up identifying as gay. It was nice to learn a little more about Sergeant Dickerson. Aunt Lillian's role seems to be to constantly feed Ian while taking him to task for not having a wife (really, it seems that every one Ian comes across is trying to marry him off). Derek is quickly becoming a bit too precocious and bordering on annoying.
The less good: There were a few inconsistencies between the books; not enough to deter from what was happening , but just enough for the reader to say "wait, but that's not what you said in the last book." A prime example being Ian's trip to the hospital after he was involved in yet another bar brawl; Edinburgh Twilight ended with Ian in the hospital, yet this book said he hasn't been in one since his parents died in the fire - seven years earlier. It may seem trivial, but the fire seems to be a pivotal point in Ian's development - not to say of the storyline. The murder mystery itself wasn't very good - the murderer was easily identified no matter how many false bread crumbs Ms. Lawrence left. The over-used trope that "daddy sexually abused me as a child so I turned to murder to work out my emotional issues" was not handled well at all. The fact that the novel's characters were in a production of Hamlet and the murders followed the pattern of the killings in the play was entirely to-on-the-nose.
The bad can be summed up in two words - Fiona Stuart. I have rarely run across a single character whose mere presence ruins the entire story; while Fiona Stuart wasn't Jar-Jar Brinks bad, she was pretty darn close. Every time she appeared on the page I groaned; she is simply unpleasant to read and causes the plot to come to a screeching halt while characters behavior out-of-character in her presence. I suppose that Ms. Lawrence wanted to create an intelligent, independent woman whose progressive views challenges Ian's intellect and belief system (especially gender roles) to be his romantic interest; that would have been awesome. Sadly, that is not what we got. Instead we get Fiona Stuart, who comes across as an antagonistical, belligerent , bully who is prone to outright rudeness - that is when she is not being sanctimoniously condescending to anyone within earshot.
Am I really supposed to root for a romantic pairing whose first interaction was the woman publicly berating an injured man for the "crime" of standing up to the drunk men who were bullying her in the local pub? Sure, Fiona Stuart had a valid point, however she could have made it without resorting to pithy, gottcha comments and refusing to let Ian state his reasons/opinions. I cannot root for a romantic paring that routinely engages in public screaming matches in hospital corridors, museums, or police station houses; or one, when not insulting each other, tries to out spite each other in displays of petty childishness.
It is not that I dislike the "meet-cute" where the eventual pairing have harsh, adverse reactions to each other at first - there are many stories where romantic pairings have overcome their initial dislike and poor opinion of each other (Lynn Messina's Beatrice Hyde-Mysteries is a great example) - it's that it is handled so poorly that is disappointing.
This novel, for me, was a huge disappointing mess and makes me question whether it was a true Sophomore Slump and book three will be better or if the series is doomed.
Let's start with the good: Ms. Lawrence does wonderfully creating mood and atmosphere. Her description of 1880 Edinburgh is vivid and detailed enough that one can fully imagine the sounds, smells, and sights of the world she has created (often drawing on real places and events of the time period). She creates an appropriately gloomy atmosphere with all the impending doom of a harsh winter in which to set her murder mystery. The inclusion of Dr. Sophia Jex-Blake and Dr. Joseph Bell, briefly mentioning their real life accomplishments, was a nice touch. Since the Ian Hamilton mysteries have a very Sherlockian vibe, it felt like a wink to the reader to include Arthur Conon Doyle in the narrative.
Detective Inspector Hamilton is a nicely developing character: a brilliant investigator whose single-minded focus often causes him to be insensitive, thoughtless, and unaware of those around him and is prone to rash, and sometimes violent, decisions. He also demonstrates moments of extreme thoughtfulness, introspection and reflection, and empathy and kindness. Ian's brother Donald, who was rather flat in the first novel, is developing well and I appreciate the fact that he talks frankly about the struggles of being a recovering alcoholic as well talking about what it was like to grow up identifying as gay. It was nice to learn a little more about Sergeant Dickerson. Aunt Lillian's role seems to be to constantly feed Ian while taking him to task for not having a wife (really, it seems that every one Ian comes across is trying to marry him off). Derek is quickly becoming a bit too precocious and bordering on annoying.
The less good: There were a few inconsistencies between the books; not enough to deter from what was happening , but just enough for the reader to say "wait, but that's not what you said in the last book." A prime example being Ian's trip to the hospital after he was involved in yet another bar brawl; Edinburgh Twilight ended with Ian in the hospital, yet this book said he hasn't been in one since his parents died in the fire - seven years earlier. It may seem trivial, but the fire seems to be a pivotal point in Ian's development - not to say of the storyline. The murder mystery itself wasn't very good - the murderer was easily identified no matter how many false bread crumbs Ms. Lawrence left. The over-used trope that "daddy sexually abused me as a child so I turned to murder to work out my emotional issues" was not handled well at all. The fact that the novel's characters were in a production of Hamlet and the murders followed the pattern of the killings in the play was entirely to-on-the-nose.
The bad can be summed up in two words - Fiona Stuart. I have rarely run across a single character whose mere presence ruins the entire story; while Fiona Stuart wasn't Jar-Jar Brinks bad, she was pretty darn close. Every time she appeared on the page I groaned; she is simply unpleasant to read and causes the plot to come to a screeching halt while characters behavior out-of-character in her presence. I suppose that Ms. Lawrence wanted to create an intelligent, independent woman whose progressive views challenges Ian's intellect and belief system (especially gender roles) to be his romantic interest; that would have been awesome. Sadly, that is not what we got. Instead we get Fiona Stuart, who comes across as an antagonistical, belligerent , bully who is prone to outright rudeness - that is when she is not being sanctimoniously condescending to anyone within earshot.
Am I really supposed to root for a romantic pairing whose first interaction was the woman publicly berating an injured man for the "crime" of standing up to the drunk men who were bullying her in the local pub? Sure, Fiona Stuart had a valid point, however she could have made it without resorting to pithy, gottcha comments and refusing to let Ian state his reasons/opinions. I cannot root for a romantic paring that routinely engages in public screaming matches in hospital corridors, museums, or police station houses; or one, when not insulting each other, tries to out spite each other in displays of petty childishness.
It is not that I dislike the "meet-cute" where the eventual pairing have harsh, adverse reactions to each other at first - there are many stories where romantic pairings have overcome their initial dislike and poor opinion of each other (Lynn Messina's Beatrice Hyde-Mysteries is a great example) - it's that it is handled so poorly that is disappointing.
This novel, for me, was a huge disappointing mess and makes me question whether it was a true Sophomore Slump and book three will be better or if the series is doomed.
jennie_cole's review against another edition
4.0
I really like the Ian Hamilton Mysteries series. DI Hamilton and the other set character are nicely being developed over the course of the series. It makes the story a great mix of a character based and a plot based novel.
The rest of the cast of characters in Edinburgh Dusk give a great atmosphere to the book and helps create the setting of the novel. This one includes historical figures Arthur Conan Doyle & Dr. Sophia Jex-Blake. This added element was a nice touch to the story and combined nicely with the fictional.
If you are looking for a good police crime series definitely give this one a try.
The rest of the cast of characters in Edinburgh Dusk give a great atmosphere to the book and helps create the setting of the novel. This one includes historical figures Arthur Conan Doyle & Dr. Sophia Jex-Blake. This added element was a nice touch to the story and combined nicely with the fictional.
If you are looking for a good police crime series definitely give this one a try.
cpjeanz's review against another edition
4.0
This one took me a bit to get through, but that's because I was on vacation in London (which was great)! Edinburgh Dusk was another good entry in this series. The mystery was interesting, and the killer interludes legitimately made my skin crawl at some points (as intended). I felt the side characters this time around were better, and made the plot more engaging. In the previous book it turned more into a thriller because it was less built as a mystery due to the story structure and limited characters. But with the introduction of Arthur Conan Doyle (I loved the Sherlock references) transformed this into much more of a mystery than thriller. That kept me invested in the plot and the characters. So why only 4 stars? I honestly think it's the storytelling format. Due to the killer interludes and the smaller set of characters, there isn't much mystery in who the killer could be, it's all delegation to side characters and little investigation. That makes the resolution just kind of happen with no fanfare because there's so much build up for you as the reader to think about the culprit. To me, this is less desirable than some fireworks as there's no big reveal or the dopamine from being right. But, it's still a good book, and I would recommend for historical fiction and mystery fans.
Quick hits:
+ Main characters are good. The family drama again was a bit unbelievable and forced, but it was more subtle this time.
+ The killer interludes were creepy.
+ The plot was engaging.
- The resolution just kind of happens in the last chapter.
- The killer is relatively obvious.
Overall, I would recommend this for mystery and historical fans. The characters are good, and so are the plots, with engaging killer interludes to add some spice to a typical structure. 4/5 stars. I'll definitely read the (sadly) last book in the series.
Quick hits:
+ Main characters are good. The family drama again was a bit unbelievable and forced, but it was more subtle this time.
+ The killer interludes were creepy.
+ The plot was engaging.
- The resolution just kind of happens in the last chapter.
- The killer is relatively obvious.
Overall, I would recommend this for mystery and historical fans. The characters are good, and so are the plots, with engaging killer interludes to add some spice to a typical structure. 4/5 stars. I'll definitely read the (sadly) last book in the series.