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gailbird's review
3.0
In The Blackest Bird, Rose somewhat cleverly intertwines three separate historical crimes, seemingly unconnected, and weaves them into a complete narrative of seduction, ambition, and betrayal. The "main" character, the historical High Constable Hays, is a smart man in his investigation of the murders in connection (and sometimes collaboration) with poet and author Edgar Allen Poe.
However, with Hays, Poe, and the whole cast of characters in general, I found the development of them personally to be lacking. Hays does not have sufficient motive given for his pursuit of these cases that every other authority had given up on, and the effect the solution has on his life isn't profound, making him difficult to root for as a main character. Although the mystery itself, peopled with historical characters galore, is entertaining for the read-through, it lacks the quality of coherence and character development that would grip me far beyond the last page.
However, with Hays, Poe, and the whole cast of characters in general, I found the development of them personally to be lacking. Hays does not have sufficient motive given for his pursuit of these cases that every other authority had given up on, and the effect the solution has on his life isn't profound, making him difficult to root for as a main character. Although the mystery itself, peopled with historical characters galore, is entertaining for the read-through, it lacks the quality of coherence and character development that would grip me far beyond the last page.
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