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mrsbear's review against another edition
I really wanted to like this book. From what I read, it was setting up to be a good read BUT, the lack of quotation marks make it impossible for me to enjoy. I get so annoyed when I see people complaining about lack of editing or poor sentence structure, etc. For me, I just enjoy the book and don't get bogged down in punctuation. BUT, no quotes for whatever reason made the reading not so smooth and totally unenjoyable. I will not give the book a bad rating, that's just not fair especially since I did not get past the first quarter. Chalking it up as DNF and moving on.......
bremna101's review against another edition
The author decided not to use quotation marks and frankly it really made the book drag and be confusing
cm636's review against another edition
I really couldn't read it. No brackets. Confusing AF. I'm usually quite fast reader, but this gave me a headache. Could be a good read.
ridgewaygirl's review against another edition
5.0
William Pinkerton is the son of the famous detective agency's founder and a fearsome detective himself. With his father dead, he's trying to find a man his father couldn't; the mysterious thief known as Edward Shade. He's come to London because he's heard there's a woman there who was once Shade's associate.
Adam Foole, a small man of mixed heritage, arrives in England with his small crew of grifters. He's received a letter from a woman he once loved, asking him to come as she's being hunted by a Pinkerton detective. When he arrives in London, he discovers that she's been murdered and so he seeks to join forces with Pinkerton to find her killer.
By Gaslight is a Victorian novel in all the best ways. It's full of the stinking atmosphere of Victorian London and the novel is one that is simultaneously page-turning and taking its time. There are long digressions into both men's pasts, but as they are exciting pasts and shed light on their motivations as the novel moves forward, it never feels like lost time. Steven Price immerses the reader in the complexities of both men's lives, so that even when they are in direct conflict, one can't help but hope for the best for both men. The novel is also Victorian in its large cast of colorful characters, from spiritualists to child pick-pockets to Civil War spies. The writing reminds me of Mary Doria Russell's Doc in its ability to create warm, breathing characters. It wears its length lightly and I was sorry to have turned the last page.
Adam Foole, a small man of mixed heritage, arrives in England with his small crew of grifters. He's received a letter from a woman he once loved, asking him to come as she's being hunted by a Pinkerton detective. When he arrives in London, he discovers that she's been murdered and so he seeks to join forces with Pinkerton to find her killer.
By Gaslight is a Victorian novel in all the best ways. It's full of the stinking atmosphere of Victorian London and the novel is one that is simultaneously page-turning and taking its time. There are long digressions into both men's pasts, but as they are exciting pasts and shed light on their motivations as the novel moves forward, it never feels like lost time. Steven Price immerses the reader in the complexities of both men's lives, so that even when they are in direct conflict, one can't help but hope for the best for both men. The novel is also Victorian in its large cast of colorful characters, from spiritualists to child pick-pockets to Civil War spies. The writing reminds me of Mary Doria Russell's Doc in its ability to create warm, breathing characters. It wears its length lightly and I was sorry to have turned the last page.
colorfulleo92's review against another edition
3.0
I do love to read mystery set in victorian times but they are not as easy to find as I would like them to be. So I was super excited and even more so when I realized it was a big chunky one. But unfortunately it was rather a lukewarm reading experience. Not bad but for the the size and the time spent on this book it didn't feel like it was a time we'll spent.
jwilly19's review against another edition
4.0
Wonderful book. It's a doorstop, but the writing is great and the atmospherics are enchanting.
phoenix_speri's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
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
4.5
bunnieslikediamonds's review against another edition
4.0
What better place to dismember bodies and best your sworn enemies than Victorian England! All that fog to cover up your tracks, street urchins to aid you in your dirty work, droopy mustaches to twirl. Need a break from skulking? Why, try a nice séance.
If that doesn't sound alluring to you, you may find this novel a bit much. Me, I'd love to be a skulking Victorian detective or master thief (either one is fine). It seems emotionally draining but so worth it (the stories one could tell!). Parts of the longish novel take place in the Wild West, which holds no allure for me at all, and I may have nodded off once or twice during those parts. But I'm sure they were good.
The Brrritish audiobook narrator delivered a VERY theatrical performance, and spiced things up further with a fun cowboyish American accent when needed. It took some getting used to, but during the last few chapters I barely flinched.
If that doesn't sound alluring to you, you may find this novel a bit much. Me, I'd love to be a skulking Victorian detective or master thief (either one is fine). It seems emotionally draining but so worth it (the stories one could tell!). Parts of the longish novel take place in the Wild West, which holds no allure for me at all, and I may have nodded off once or twice during those parts. But I'm sure they were good.
The Brrritish audiobook narrator delivered a VERY theatrical performance, and spiced things up further with a fun cowboyish American accent when needed. It took some getting used to, but during the last few chapters I barely flinched.
emadisonc's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-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
2.0