Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.67 AVERAGE
3.67 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
A gothic fantasy set in Victorian London with an Irish pipe-smoking female detective, lush descriptions and a fantastic cast of characters, including a half-naked moustachioed pugilist ghost sidekick. I laughed and I cried.
The descriptions were very cinematic and I could see it adapted for the screen. I haven't read much in this genre, so my comparisons are narrow, but I couldn't help thinking that it had the same sense of place as Aaronovitch's Rivers of London series with the humour and humanity of T. Kingfisher.
It had a bit more violence and gore then I usually like, but the mystery and the characters were so engaging that I didn't mind. The only thing I really didn't like (and I knocked off a star for this) is the implied sexual assault that happens at 73%. The only reason I could fathom why it was there was to underline how much danger Bridie was in - but all the other violence in the book had shown me that. It felt unnecessary and really soured the last part of the book because it wasn't addressed in a satisfactory way.
The descriptions were very cinematic and I could see it adapted for the screen. I haven't read much in this genre, so my comparisons are narrow, but I couldn't help thinking that it had the same sense of place as Aaronovitch's Rivers of London series with the humour and humanity of T. Kingfisher.
It had a bit more violence and gore then I usually like, but the mystery and the characters were so engaging that I didn't mind. The only thing I really didn't like (and I knocked off a star for this) is the implied sexual assault that happens at 73%. The only reason I could fathom why it was there was to underline how much danger Bridie was in - but all the other violence in the book had shown me that. It felt unnecessary and really soured the last part of the book because it wasn't addressed in a satisfactory way.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore, Violence
Minor: Animal cruelty, Sexual assault
I only got 15% in. Something about this was not shaking me, despite a ghost and a spooky mystery. I've discovered this phenomenon in which, having become a parent, stories about children in peril are pretty much unacceptable to me now.
526752718/5 stars. Instant all time favourite
10/25/21
Even better the second time
10/25/21
Even better the second time
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Available at the Wichita Public Library.
For readers who love female detectives, Victorian England, or cryptids, especially readers who love all three at once.
For readers who love female detectives, Victorian England, or cryptids, especially readers who love all three at once.