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3.63 AVERAGE
3.63 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
As the world is reeling from the devastation and loss of life following the events of World War I, Grace is determined to discover what befell her friend and lodger, Elizabeth, when she is found dead in the River Thames under mysterious circumstances.
A gothic tale set in the seedy London underworld, atmospheric and exploring the theme of grief should have had all the hallmarks of a strong historical novel. Sadly, for me, I found it less enjoyable than I wanted it to be.
While the prose is smooth enough to make for easy reading, I found the storyline itself to be a little overly complicated without it needing to be and too long so that, unfortunately, I found my attention slipping elsewhere.
The exploration of grief is handled with great sensitivity and I found the gloomy descriptions of post-war London a strong factor in setting the scenes for the action as the story progressed.
Sadly, my main issue was the supporting love story which I found to be unconvincing and underdeveloped - so this was where my attention slipped away often.
I did really want to enjoy this novel as it is less often you find stories set in the World War I and especially the post-World War I part of history, however I just could not enjoy it as much as I hoped.
Many thanks of course to the publisher and Netgalley for allowing me an early copy.
A gothic tale set in the seedy London underworld, atmospheric and exploring the theme of grief should have had all the hallmarks of a strong historical novel. Sadly, for me, I found it less enjoyable than I wanted it to be.
While the prose is smooth enough to make for easy reading, I found the storyline itself to be a little overly complicated without it needing to be and too long so that, unfortunately, I found my attention slipping elsewhere.
The exploration of grief is handled with great sensitivity and I found the gloomy descriptions of post-war London a strong factor in setting the scenes for the action as the story progressed.
Sadly, my main issue was the supporting love story which I found to be unconvincing and underdeveloped - so this was where my attention slipped away often.
I did really want to enjoy this novel as it is less often you find stories set in the World War I and especially the post-World War I part of history, however I just could not enjoy it as much as I hoped.
Many thanks of course to the publisher and Netgalley for allowing me an early copy.
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Car accident
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Whilst grieving the deaths of her brother and fiancé during the First World War, Grace is shocked to find out that her families lodger, Elizabeth has also passed away. The police have ruled it to be suicide but Grace fears there’s more to the tragedy.
A beautiful and poignant description of post-War London, this mystery wove a tale that didn’t help but pull at my heart strings. No tears were shed, but the feelings of grief were portrayed subtly and effectively.
Grace is a truly likeable character, seeing good in the world and a thirst for truth. Her determination and awareness was quite refreshing, especially when set in a time where womens rights were being pushed for and understood.
The twist was good, a surprise but not unbelievable. An enjoyable read.