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goonerette's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
informative
tense
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? No
4.25
bubacill's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. Well-written but I found the actual mystery yawn-worthy.
halfpotato_halfcheese's review against another edition
3.0
Victorian era crime novel, with a good bunch of characters who’s personalities come through in the story line without adding unnecessary detail. Easy read, and wasn’t predictable in the end. May have given it more stars if it was more gripping (cannot put it down style) but this may have been down to how I read the book - in small sections over a long period. Worth a read regardless.
radella_hardwick's review against another edition
medium-paced
3.5
The hero was more intelligent than is often the case in such books but the whole premise seemed to be presenting how evil certain branches of "science" were. And, while I don't relish reading racist comments against Irish people or misogyny, it is very annoying to read 2018 attitudes in the mouths of 1882 characters.
This is most egregious in the character who is obsessed with "the Irish question" not fixating on the first potential suspect with an Irish name. And, if Beaufort had done that, it might have added to the pay-off in the denouement.
The ending is stupid. None of the detectives solve it; the criminal just reveals themself. So, this book is more an action-adventure than a mystery. Popcorn for the brain.
This is most egregious in the character who is obsessed with "the Irish question" not fixating on the first potential suspect with an Irish name. And, if Beaufort had done that, it might have added to the pay-off in the denouement.
The ending is stupid. None of the detectives solve it; the criminal just reveals themself. So, this book is more an action-adventure than a mystery. Popcorn for the brain.
vesper1931's review against another edition
4.0
London, 1882 and Alec Lonsdale now works as a reporter for the Pall Mall Gazette. While travelling in London he notices a house fire which he further investigates only to find that a victim has had his brain removed before he died supposedly in the fire. Then more bodies are found, and with fellow reporter Hulda Friederichs they invesitagate.
An enjoyable and interesting, well-written story with some well-drawn characters.
A NetGalley Book
An enjoyable and interesting, well-written story with some well-drawn characters.
A NetGalley Book
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