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knittyreader's review
3.0
I read the other two installments of this series too, and I recommend to read those before reading A Deadly Deception. Want to read my review in Dutch? You can do so at my blog.
Jack the Ripper is one gruesome part of London's history out of many, and one that peaks my interest. That is why I started reading the books about Constance Piper. I just could not let the chance go by to read fiction about this!
For most parts, I could feel the oppressive and scary mood of the place and time. I love how, meanwhile, things also went on as normal. Another great thing about this book - and it's predecessors - is how it hooks into the interest for mediums and the occult that happened quite a lot in this time. I would have liked it better though, if Constance had not prayed to her beloved miss Tindall all the time, like she could not think for herself anymore.
Another pet peeve of mine is that Constance changed from the girl that helped her sister pickpocketing by getting the attention of people with her flowers in part one, to a Mary Sue who all but condemned her sister for her occupation now, while she hardly had time to sell flowers anymore. Girl, how else would there be food on the table and payed rent, while you are too busy nosing around and calling for your ghost friend to sell flowers?
In the end this was mostly a pet peeve though. I'd certainly pick up this book again if I had to choose again, and I hope there will be more books about Constance to come!
I received a free copy through Netgalley in return for an honest review.
Jack the Ripper is one gruesome part of London's history out of many, and one that peaks my interest. That is why I started reading the books about Constance Piper. I just could not let the chance go by to read fiction about this!
For most parts, I could feel the oppressive and scary mood of the place and time. I love how, meanwhile, things also went on as normal. Another great thing about this book - and it's predecessors - is how it hooks into the interest for mediums and the occult that happened quite a lot in this time. I would have liked it better though, if Constance had not prayed to her beloved miss Tindall all the time, like she could not think for herself anymore.
Another pet peeve of mine is that Constance changed from the girl that helped her sister pickpocketing by getting the attention of people with her flowers in part one, to a Mary Sue who all but condemned her sister for her occupation now, while she hardly had time to sell flowers anymore. Girl, how else would there be food on the table and payed rent, while you are too busy nosing around and calling for your ghost friend to sell flowers?
In the end this was mostly a pet peeve though. I'd certainly pick up this book again if I had to choose again, and I hope there will be more books about Constance to come!
I received a free copy through Netgalley in return for an honest review.
khoar's review
3.0
Constance Piper is a flower seller in Whitechapel. It is eight months after the death of Mary Kelly and the body of Alice McKenzie has just been found. Residents of Whitechapel worry that Jack the Ripper is responsible. Constance and her recently deceased friend, Emily Tindall, join forces with police detective Thaddeus Hawkins to solve the murder.
Tessa Harris' Dr. Thomas Silkstone series is one of my favorites, so when I saw A Deadly Deception on NetGalley, I jumped at the chance to read it. I am sorry to say that I just didn't care for this story. The writing was good, but the supernatural twist was just not my cup of tea. I will be eagerly awaiting the next installment of the Dr. Thomas Silkstone series, but will pass on the Constance Piper books.
(NetGalley ebook - I received a complimentary advanced reader copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)
Tessa Harris' Dr. Thomas Silkstone series is one of my favorites, so when I saw A Deadly Deception on NetGalley, I jumped at the chance to read it. I am sorry to say that I just didn't care for this story. The writing was good, but the supernatural twist was just not my cup of tea. I will be eagerly awaiting the next installment of the Dr. Thomas Silkstone series, but will pass on the Constance Piper books.
(NetGalley ebook - I received a complimentary advanced reader copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)
annarella's review against another edition
5.0
A very good historical mystery with paranormal elements.
I was fascinated by how well the author mixes historical, paranormal and mystery elements making this book gripping and entertaining.
I like Costance and I think that the entire cast of characters is well written and interesting.
I appreciated a historical mystery that is not set in a high society environment but in the slums of Whitechapel.
I didn't read the previous instalment but I had no issue with the plot or the characters.
I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Kensington Books and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
I was fascinated by how well the author mixes historical, paranormal and mystery elements making this book gripping and entertaining.
I like Costance and I think that the entire cast of characters is well written and interesting.
I appreciated a historical mystery that is not set in a high society environment but in the slums of Whitechapel.
I didn't read the previous instalment but I had no issue with the plot or the characters.
I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Kensington Books and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
vesper1931's review against another edition
2.0
It is now July 1889 and eight months have gone since the Ripper's last victim, Mary Jane Kelly. But now another body has been found in Whutechapel. Constance Piper with her psychic ability, her guardian angel, dead Emily Tindall, and police detective Thaddeau Hawkins are all involved determining the connection of the murders to the Fenians.
I still couldn't take to Constance, and the paranormal aspects of this series. I am sure many readers will love this series but it is not for me.
A NetGalley Book
I still couldn't take to Constance, and the paranormal aspects of this series. I am sure many readers will love this series but it is not for me.
A NetGalley Book
annarella's review
5.0
A very good historical mystery with paranormal elements.
I was fascinated by how well the author mixes historical, paranormal and mystery elements making this book gripping and entertaining.
I like Costance and I think that the entire cast of characters is well written and interesting.
I appreciated a historical mystery that is not set in a high society environment but in the slums of Whitechapel.
I didn't read the previous instalment but I had no issue with the plot or the characters.
I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Kensington Books and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
I was fascinated by how well the author mixes historical, paranormal and mystery elements making this book gripping and entertaining.
I like Costance and I think that the entire cast of characters is well written and interesting.
I appreciated a historical mystery that is not set in a high society environment but in the slums of Whitechapel.
I didn't read the previous instalment but I had no issue with the plot or the characters.
I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Kensington Books and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
readwithaimee's review
3.0
This one was a little lukewarm for me. It’s a slower-paced mystery, set in 1880s Whitechapel. After a dormant period of about eight months, a murder occurs and residents fear that Jack the Ripper is back.
I ended up liking two secondary characters the best (I won’t say who, major spoilers!)
The writing is good and the book does pick up speed towards the end, with some fun little reveals and twists.
Thank you to the folks at Kensington for sending me an advanced copy of this book!
I ended up liking two secondary characters the best (I won’t say who, major spoilers!)
The writing is good and the book does pick up speed towards the end, with some fun little reveals and twists.
Thank you to the folks at Kensington for sending me an advanced copy of this book!
melissadeemcdaniel's review
4.0
The newest Constance Piper mystery, by Tessa Harris, returns to Victorian London, where women are still being killed by Jack the Ripper, or perhaps a copy-cat killer. The theme this time is the Irish Nationalists who are setting off bombs in London, and being hunted by the Special Branch, formed as the Special Irish Branch to deal with the threat.
Constance doesn’t know who to trust, except for her friend and policeman Thaddeus Hawkins, and her spirit companion, her dead teacher Emily Tindall. Tindall tells much of the story, in her role as omniscient spirit, a gimmick that I’m not particularly fond of. But, like the previous novel, their is much to like here in the atmospheric setting.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Constance doesn’t know who to trust, except for her friend and policeman Thaddeus Hawkins, and her spirit companion, her dead teacher Emily Tindall. Tindall tells much of the story, in her role as omniscient spirit, a gimmick that I’m not particularly fond of. But, like the previous novel, their is much to like here in the atmospheric setting.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
snooty1's review
3.0
*3.5 stars
This is the third book in the Constance Piper series.
Constance and Ms. Tindall find themselves in a case where they hope to protect a young boy, catch a gruesome murderer and uncover a sinister plot.
Honestly the story was fantastic and engaging, its just really hard for me to be completely comfortable with the whole supernatural vibe.
***I received an ARC of this novel for my honest review from Netgalley.
This is the third book in the Constance Piper series.
Constance and Ms. Tindall find themselves in a case where they hope to protect a young boy, catch a gruesome murderer and uncover a sinister plot.
Honestly the story was fantastic and engaging, its just really hard for me to be completely comfortable with the whole supernatural vibe.
***I received an ARC of this novel for my honest review from Netgalley.
pvn's review
4.0
An interesting historical fiction story. Well-written characters and a captivating plot made this a good read. Maybe "out there" if you're put off by some paranormal stuff.
I really appreciate the advanced copy for review!!
I really appreciate the advanced copy for review!!
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