Scan barcode
escragg92's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
krobart's review
4.0
See my review here:
https://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2015/04/27/day-692-the-devil-in-the-marshalsea/
https://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2015/04/27/day-692-the-devil-in-the-marshalsea/
jacki_f's review
3.0
We're in the Marshalsea, a debtor's prison in Georgian London. A grim environment, where you can pay to live in better conditions or be consigned to the "Common Side", where food is scarce, disease is rife and violence erupts frequently. Tom Hawkins is sent to prison after falling behind on his debts. He is befriended by Samuel Fleet, a man feared by half the prison and suspected of the recent murder of his roommate, Captain Roberts. When Tom is given the Captain's former bed, everyone expects him to be Fleet's next victim. But Tom is not convinced that Fleet was the killer, and soon is is charged with finding out who was.
As the author explains in the afterword, the novel was in part inspired by actual events and many of the characters were real people who lived in the Marshalsea at that time (1727). She has lovingly done extensive research into what life in the prison was like and that comes through with lots of details and atmosphere. Yet I couldn't help feeling that the research bogged the novel down in parts. For example there is one incident when a character is thrown into solitary lock up where the dead bodies are stored. It felt like the author really wanted to let us know about how that was done, rather than something that arose naturally within the plot. Likewise the hero's excursions into the Common Side felt less than credible, and more about telling us about life in the prison.
This is a murder mystery, but it is erratically paced and some of the red herrings are simply too crimson to be credible. There were sections where I could hardly put the book down, but there were other parts that plodded. I also found it hard to forgive the author for removing one of the most interesting characters from the story. In short, I found the historical setting fascinating and some of the characters terrific, but it was simply too uneven in pace and suspense for me.
As the author explains in the afterword, the novel was in part inspired by actual events and many of the characters were real people who lived in the Marshalsea at that time (1727). She has lovingly done extensive research into what life in the prison was like and that comes through with lots of details and atmosphere. Yet I couldn't help feeling that the research bogged the novel down in parts. For example there is one incident when a character is thrown into solitary lock up where the dead bodies are stored. It felt like the author really wanted to let us know about how that was done, rather than something that arose naturally within the plot. Likewise the hero's excursions into the Common Side felt less than credible, and more about telling us about life in the prison.
This is a murder mystery, but it is erratically paced and some of the red herrings are simply too crimson to be credible. There were sections where I could hardly put the book down, but there were other parts that plodded. I also found it hard to forgive the author for removing one of the most interesting characters from the story. In short, I found the historical setting fascinating and some of the characters terrific, but it was simply too uneven in pace and suspense for me.
emjayvee's review
4.0
A very rapid and very enjoyable read, although the narrative is a little too neat and shallow.
natniss's review
4.0
I didn't realise until I finished that many of the characters are based on real people. This and the level of historical detail make it a really interesting read. On top of that it's so much fun! The pace is breakneck and the mystery unfolds in a wonderfully satisfying way.
diward's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
cpalisa's review
4.0
3.5 stars...I liked that this was based on a real place and some of the characters were based on real people. I had no idea what the debtor's prisons were like, so that part was interesting, though dreadful, too. Didn't really love the main characters but it was interesting enough.
kchapman57's review
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
alysian_fields's review
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75