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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
After a slow start I got hooked.
The Highgate Cemetery Murder opens with the discovery of the gruesome murder a young woman on the morning of All Saints’ Day, 1858, who is displayed on a cross in Highgate Cemetery with a pig’s heart around her neck. A journalist who may have witnessed the crime falls under the wheels of an omnibus and is killed. Gemma Tate, a nurse recently returned from the Crimea, is the sister of the journalist and doesn’t believe his death was an accident. Sebastian Bell is the police officer assigned to investigate the murder of the young woman victim in the cemetery. Soon the two begin working together against Bell's better judgement to solve the two suspicious deaths.
This book is a little darker than what I usually read. The details around the murder really are horrific. And this is not a romanticized Victorian London; it's dirty, grim, and harsh for many that live there. The author shows us the prejudices, class distinctions, and poverty that abound.
The mystery itself was well-thought out and compelling. The clues are sprinkled throughout and there were several good twists.
What makes this book strong is the characters. Sebastian is deeply troubled, blaming himself for his wife's murder and addicted to opium. Gemma is resourceful and smart, but battles sexism and nurses are typically looked down on. They are both lonely and in pain, but are stronger, more in control when working together. They make a good team.
I listened to the audio and while overall, the narrator did a good job, occasionally her tone pulled me out of the story. She was overly dramatic at times and her pacing was a bit odd.
This book is a little darker than what I usually read. The details around the murder really are horrific. And this is not a romanticized Victorian London; it's dirty, grim, and harsh for many that live there. The author shows us the prejudices, class distinctions, and poverty that abound.
The mystery itself was well-thought out and compelling. The clues are sprinkled throughout and there were several good twists.
What makes this book strong is the characters. Sebastian is deeply troubled, blaming himself for his wife's murder and addicted to opium. Gemma is resourceful and smart, but battles sexism and nurses are typically looked down on. They are both lonely and in pain, but are stronger, more in control when working together. They make a good team.
I listened to the audio and while overall, the narrator did a good job, occasionally her tone pulled me out of the story. She was overly dramatic at times and her pacing was a bit odd.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Mystery, intrigue and an unexpected partnership
I loved this historical whodunit. It had a layered storyline, an intriguing mystery, deep emotions, and suspense. I was pulled into the story from the first page and couldn’t put it down until they wrapped up the case. Gemma and Sebastian are portrayed as real, relatable and complex people who have flaws and scars, but are really just trying to do their best as messy humans. Gemma is a nurse in 1858 London. She lives with her twin brother Victor who is a widower. When Victor dies after visiting his wife’s grave, seeing a young woman hanging from a cross, and leaves cryptic message in his notebook, Gemma is convinced he was murdered. Sebastian is the Scotland Yard detective assigned to investigate the murder of the aristocratic heiress found in the cemetery. The pair form an unlikely quasi-partnership as Sebastian investigates the young woman’s death and Victor’s murder. The investigation leads them to unlikely places and suspects. The story was well written and included engaging dialogue, three dimensional characters, and a captivating storyline. I am excited to read more in this series.
I loved this historical whodunit. It had a layered storyline, an intriguing mystery, deep emotions, and suspense. I was pulled into the story from the first page and couldn’t put it down until they wrapped up the case. Gemma and Sebastian are portrayed as real, relatable and complex people who have flaws and scars, but are really just trying to do their best as messy humans. Gemma is a nurse in 1858 London. She lives with her twin brother Victor who is a widower. When Victor dies after visiting his wife’s grave, seeing a young woman hanging from a cross, and leaves cryptic message in his notebook, Gemma is convinced he was murdered. Sebastian is the Scotland Yard detective assigned to investigate the murder of the aristocratic heiress found in the cemetery. The pair form an unlikely quasi-partnership as Sebastian investigates the young woman’s death and Victor’s murder. The investigation leads them to unlikely places and suspects. The story was well written and included engaging dialogue, three dimensional characters, and a captivating storyline. I am excited to read more in this series.
dark
mysterious
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:
Yes
mysterious
dark
mysterious
sad
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:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes