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thestoic's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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
4.75
fishwitch's review against another edition
4.0
I read the audio version of this tale. The narrator does such an excellent job of delivering the story. The length might seem daunting at more than 23 hours listening time, but the characters are so well crafted and the writing evoking the time in history that time seems to fly by when listening. I love the author’s use of language and the clever turns of phrase. This won’t be the last of his books that I read.
torturedfiber's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
brents's review against another edition
5.0
I read book 1 of Robert McCammon's Matthew Corbett mystery series, Speaks The Nightbird, last month and it was a fantastic book and start to a series. When I picked up the sequel, Queen of Bedlam, this month I had expected it to be good but this exceeded expectations.
First of all I just have to say McCammon's writing is just magnificent. When I read a mystery novel I don't really expect the prose to catch my attention, but with McCammon you get the well plotted mystery AND the wonderful turns of phrase. It's really the icing on the cake that elevates these books in my opinion. That being said, if you're a reader that doesn't care about that there is still so much here to enjoy. In Nightbird McCammon laid the foundation for the Corbett character, but it could have easily been a standalone book while also laying a foundation. In Queen he builds on that foundation and sets in motion events that can have a lasting impact on the series. I won't spoil what he chooses to do with the characters, but I felt it gave Matthew more agency and really intrigued me to see what is coming next.
Even if this book sets up the rest of the series well the best part is that on its own its just a fantastic piece of mystery writing. The book starts in early 18th century New York with descriptions of the setting that make you feel like you're there. What follows is a series of murders that wraps up our protagonist and kicks off a plot that goes well beyond just what appears to be happening on the surface. The mystery in this one really hooked me, and the sign of any good mystery is if it has you invested enough to try to put the pieces together along with the protagonist and this certainly did. What I really appreciated though is something Michael Connelly also does in his more recent books. Corbett isn't just solving the murders. There are multiple (or possibly not) interconnected cases here that McCammon deftly weaves throughout the narrative. It serves to keep things fresh.
Where McCammon really shines though is that this just isn't a plot focused book or series. All of the characters are fleshed out and have distinct personalities, including a new favorite who is introduced in this book. That's hard to do when a series is told through a single POV.
This series is an absolute hidden gem and I am very much looking forward to reading the rest of the books.
First of all I just have to say McCammon's writing is just magnificent. When I read a mystery novel I don't really expect the prose to catch my attention, but with McCammon you get the well plotted mystery AND the wonderful turns of phrase. It's really the icing on the cake that elevates these books in my opinion. That being said, if you're a reader that doesn't care about that there is still so much here to enjoy. In Nightbird McCammon laid the foundation for the Corbett character, but it could have easily been a standalone book while also laying a foundation. In Queen he builds on that foundation and sets in motion events that can have a lasting impact on the series. I won't spoil what he chooses to do with the characters, but I felt it gave Matthew more agency and really intrigued me to see what is coming next.
Even if this book sets up the rest of the series well the best part is that on its own its just a fantastic piece of mystery writing. The book starts in early 18th century New York with descriptions of the setting that make you feel like you're there. What follows is a series of murders that wraps up our protagonist and kicks off a plot that goes well beyond just what appears to be happening on the surface. The mystery in this one really hooked me, and the sign of any good mystery is if it has you invested enough to try to put the pieces together along with the protagonist and this certainly did. What I really appreciated though is something Michael Connelly also does in his more recent books. Corbett isn't just solving the murders. There are multiple (or possibly not) interconnected cases here that McCammon deftly weaves throughout the narrative. It serves to keep things fresh.
Where McCammon really shines though is that this just isn't a plot focused book or series. All of the characters are fleshed out and have distinct personalities, including a new favorite who is introduced in this book. That's hard to do when a series is told through a single POV.
This series is an absolute hidden gem and I am very much looking forward to reading the rest of the books.
paulmoore's review against another edition
medium-paced
4.5
The Queen of Bedlam is the second outing of the character Matthew Corbett created by the endlessly talented Robert R. McCammon.
But was it as good as the first?
Well yes, And no.
Matthew Corbett is a man of many talents and in The Queen of Bedlam, we see him further flourish as not only a man (An awkward one at that) but in his attributes as a smart and decent man. This is essentially a murder mystery and we see Matthew Corbett hone his investigation skills (and invent the term 'Detective' at one point) as he goes about trying to unmask a killer stalking the streets of New York City dubbed 'The Masker'. Corbett is personally invested in this killing spree when his sense of justice overlaps with that of the killer. But Corbett being the man he is must still see justice served.
At times this book felt like I was playing an RPG as Corbett seems to stack up jobs here and there along the way of his main investigation. No bad thing at all as McCammon writes so beautifully I would read anything set in this universe he just builds right in front of you.
The first book in the series blew me away. For someone that doesn't like historical fiction, I was drawn into that book and read it in a matter of days. This second instalment however didn't have the same level of interest in the setting even though early days New York was what made me look forward to jumping right into this one!
The Queen of Bedlam is a worthy instalment in this series and only slightly misses the heights of the first book due to the setting not being as original (to me) as the first.
Still a great read from start to finish and highly recommended to readers of all genres.
But was it as good as the first?
Well yes, And no.
Matthew Corbett is a man of many talents and in The Queen of Bedlam, we see him further flourish as not only a man (An awkward one at that) but in his attributes as a smart and decent man. This is essentially a murder mystery and we see Matthew Corbett hone his investigation skills (and invent the term 'Detective' at one point) as he goes about trying to unmask a killer stalking the streets of New York City dubbed 'The Masker'. Corbett is personally invested in this killing spree when his sense of justice overlaps with that of the killer. But Corbett being the man he is must still see justice served.
At times this book felt like I was playing an RPG as Corbett seems to stack up jobs here and there along the way of his main investigation. No bad thing at all as McCammon writes so beautifully I would read anything set in this universe he just builds right in front of you.
The first book in the series blew me away. For someone that doesn't like historical fiction, I was drawn into that book and read it in a matter of days. This second instalment however didn't have the same level of interest in the setting even though early days New York was what made me look forward to jumping right into this one!
The Queen of Bedlam is a worthy instalment in this series and only slightly misses the heights of the first book due to the setting not being as original (to me) as the first.
Still a great read from start to finish and highly recommended to readers of all genres.
twerkingtobeethoven's review against another edition
5.0
All right, I know this book, being awesome, needs a review an'all. Only I'm so awfully lazy, I just can't be arsed. You should read it because it's terrific...and that ending, wow! That's all. You have a good one and stay safe.
senkahawke's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
bookscatsbooks's review against another edition
It's based in really old British New York and the language of that time annoys me.