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vixenreader's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Despite how tricky the premise is, it is much more respectful than you think it would be. The romance is a bit trite, but it does become quite sweet over time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Blood, Body horror, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Murder, Stalking, Death, Death of parent, Medical content, and Sexism
Moderate: Addiction, Alcohol, Drug use, Grief, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Violence, Drug abuse, and Terminal illness
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Colonisation, and Cultural appropriation
Beware of dismemberment, prostitution, abuse of prostitutes, fear of disease, whorephobia, poverty, and death of a sibling.starryorbit12's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I think the thing that stood out to me is how much research you could tell went not only into the case but also into the time period. All the little details help create a rich and authentic feeling atmosphere. All the characters felt distinct, and I enjoyed the look into Forensic Science of the past. I liked Audrey as a main character because she was proactive in her own story and life. She understood the struggles of women of her time, and that was part of her drive to solve the case. She hated how society had essential thrown these women away and how much women were dependant of the whims of men because of that the sexism of men to survive. She wanted to bring them justice in a way that life had not. At times, she felt a bit like "not like other girls" trope. However, I did like how she challenged some of her notions on other high-born women with the inactions with her Cousin, Liza, and her circle. She understands that she stands out for interest in Forensics, but she is not the only women unhappy with the standards for women and has interests outside what women are supposed to for the time period. Thomas was great partner/love interest. The banter was great, and I enjoyed just how much respect he had for Audrey. He knows that she is smart and capable, and he treats her as such. He doesn't coddle her the way other men in her life do.
The fact that her grandma is from India is referenced a few times. Considering Britain's Colonization of India, I feel like there is a heavier implication that gets glossed over. It's a shame since the book doesn't shy away from the misogyny of the time and intersection of class, especially when it comes to the treatment of Jack the Ripper's victims. Speaking of the Jack the Ripper, the blurb on the back gives away a lot ot the mystery. It really narrows it to like three characters. I also felt that Lee's prediction that it was someone Audrey had been angry at the time gave too much away. Particular when Audrey when thinks this could only refer to her Father and Blackburn as the only one she as angry with after a whole scene where she was angry at her brother for ratting out her to Father. The fact that she doesn't even consider her brother draw attention to him. We know it isn't Blackburn. She doesn't know or care about him enough for the blurb to apply. She also becomes super convinced it her Father without considering her brother at all. I think the blurb just makes Nathaniel as the killer to obvious. It likely him or the Father, and the fact that she thinks it's Father with so many pages left in the book makes a twist apparent.
The fact that her grandma is from India is referenced a few times. Considering Britain's Colonization of India, I feel like there is a heavier implication that gets glossed over. It's a shame since the book doesn't shy away from the misogyny of the time and intersection of class, especially when it comes to the treatment of Jack the Ripper's victims. Speaking of the Jack the Ripper, the blurb on the back gives away a lot ot the mystery. It really narrows it to like three characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Misogyny, Murder, Religious bigotry, Sexism, and Torture
Minor: Colonisation and Death of parent
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