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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
Overwrought rendering of a Victorian murder with added characters as a way to examine the various ways in which women were regarded as guilty, regardless of what they had done or what was done to them. Contemporary echoes are hard to ignore.
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A great book. Compelling mystery, great characters, and I now have some books to look up. I had no idea this was based on a real case, and it seems really interesting.
This book was thought provking. It explored the issues of truth and the difficulties faced by women. The characters were vivid and well drawn. The story was based upon a murder that took place in 1837 London. I liked the fictional investigator of the case.
This is a historical crime page turner set in the Victorian time period. It is a work of fiction but based on a true murder case called The Edgeware Road Murder of 1837. It is set in London. I really enjoyed it.
dark
slow-paced
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Very slow, then fails to deliver on it. Based on a real event, so there were restraints in the storyline.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Murder
Minor: Child death, Injury/Injury detail
Historical fiction is not normally my genre of choice but the premise of this book, the fact that it centres about the life and conviction of a real woman, intrigued me. The Unseeing is set in Victorian Britain and opens with the imprisonment of Sarah Gale who has been sentenced to hang for covering up the murder of Hannah Brown. Hannah was the partner of James Greenacre, whom was Sarah's lover up until he asked her to leave his home to make way for Hannah. James has been sentenced for the murder of Hannah and is also on borrowed time until he is hanged.
Sarah is petitioning for mercy, despite having not said much during their trial to defend herself, or conversely to incriminate James, and the Home Secretary assigns the review of the conviction to Edmund - an upcoming lawyer who is trying to make a name for himself rather than living in his father's shadow.
However, in order to progress with looking into the facts of the investigation and help Sarah, Edmund first has to get her to talk about that night, something that she is not forthcoming with. Mazzola wonderfully weaves the tension, bringing to life the inner turmoil that Sarah is having - wanting to be free to see her child grow up versus conquering her demons that are keeping her from speaking.
Sarah and Edmund form an unusual friendship, one of which goes a little bit too far for Edmund when he realises that he is falling for the mysterious Sarah and distancing himself from his wife, Bessie.
The Unseeing is truly outstanding debut novel, the narrative is well written and flows between perspectives, bringing together the story as to what happened on that fateful night when Hannah died and her body parts spread across London in the most undignified manner. I particularly liked the snippets at the start of each chapter from newspaper articles of the murder and trial as well as quotes from books from that period, this helped with the authenticity of the conviction.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to more from Mazzola, the realness of the Victorian period and the difficult time that Sarah is experiencing comes through in the authentic language, the descriptions of Victorian London and Newgate Prison as well as the convincing presentation of the evidence.
A fantastic combination of real life and fiction, of history and crime.
Thank you to the publisher, Tinder Press, and the author for my ARC of The Unseeing
Sarah is petitioning for mercy, despite having not said much during their trial to defend herself, or conversely to incriminate James, and the Home Secretary assigns the review of the conviction to Edmund - an upcoming lawyer who is trying to make a name for himself rather than living in his father's shadow.
However, in order to progress with looking into the facts of the investigation and help Sarah, Edmund first has to get her to talk about that night, something that she is not forthcoming with. Mazzola wonderfully weaves the tension, bringing to life the inner turmoil that Sarah is having - wanting to be free to see her child grow up versus conquering her demons that are keeping her from speaking.
Sarah and Edmund form an unusual friendship, one of which goes a little bit too far for Edmund when he realises that he is falling for the mysterious Sarah and distancing himself from his wife, Bessie.
The Unseeing is truly outstanding debut novel, the narrative is well written and flows between perspectives, bringing together the story as to what happened on that fateful night when Hannah died and her body parts spread across London in the most undignified manner. I particularly liked the snippets at the start of each chapter from newspaper articles of the murder and trial as well as quotes from books from that period, this helped with the authenticity of the conviction.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to more from Mazzola, the realness of the Victorian period and the difficult time that Sarah is experiencing comes through in the authentic language, the descriptions of Victorian London and Newgate Prison as well as the convincing presentation of the evidence.
A fantastic combination of real life and fiction, of history and crime.
Thank you to the publisher, Tinder Press, and the author for my ARC of The Unseeing
An historical fiction mystery based on the sensational case of the “Edgeware Road murder” in 1836, in which a young woman, Hannah Brown, was killed and parts of her dismembered body later found in various London locations. James Greenacre (Hanna’s intended fiance) stood accused of the murder and Sarah Gale (James’ housekeeper and lover) of being his accomplice.
This novel reminded me a lot of Atwood’s [b:Alias Grace|72579|Alias Grace|Margaret Atwood|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1298545436l/72579._SY75_.jpg|2069530], with an invented layer, Edmund, lending a sympathetic ear to Sarah's plight and playing the part of her advocate and paladin. For the most part the author recreates well the Victorian period, however the occasional use of modern phrases and character attitudes somewhat spoiled it for me. The pacing also wasn’t the best, with the investigation a lot slower that I would have liked and, as a consequence the novel felt longer than necessary, in addition, the resolution of the mystery felt not entirely convincing, the twist at the end was interesting though.
This novel reminded me a lot of Atwood’s [b:Alias Grace|72579|Alias Grace|Margaret Atwood|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1298545436l/72579._SY75_.jpg|2069530], with an invented layer, Edmund, lending a sympathetic ear to Sarah's plight and playing the part of her advocate and paladin. For the most part the author recreates well the Victorian period, however the occasional use of modern phrases and character attitudes somewhat spoiled it for me. The pacing also wasn’t the best, with the investigation a lot slower that I would have liked and, as a consequence the novel felt longer than necessary, in addition, the resolution of the mystery
Spoiler
Sarah’s sister, Rosina, being the actual murderSpoiler
George being Edmund’s half brother
Sarah Gale is convicted of participating in a gruesome murder, although the evidence is slim and she keeps insisting she had nothing to do with it. When she pleads for mercy, Edmund Fleetwood is appointed to investigate. As he tries to peel back the layers of her story Edmund is sure Sarah is hiding something, but what? This is a fascinating and intricately plotted Victorian mystery that will keep readers guessing until the very end!
Thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for providing this advance reading copy.
Thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for providing this advance reading copy.