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bev_reads_mysteries's review
4.0
Georgia Fenchurch owns a quiet little bookstore in Victorian London. She inherited it after watching her parents killed before her eye and she makes enough money to keep herself and two women she helped rescue from unpleasant circumstances. Oh...I forgot to mention...Georgia is also a member of the Archivist Society, a secret group of private investigators who look into matters that the police won't touch. She and Sir Broderick, once her father's partner and now the patron of the society, set up detective service to help bring about justice for others. In Georgia's case, it's her way of atoning for her (what she views as) her failure to save her parents and her responsibility for Sir Broderick's loss of mobility. When her parents were abducted, she ran to Sir Broderick for help. They attempted to rescue the Fenchurches from a burning building, but The roof collapsed and Sir Broderick was crippled by a falling beam.
Since then, Georgia has helped investigate cases that brought her shop assistant, Emma, and their honorary aunt Phyllida (formerly Lady Phyllida Monthalf) into her life. The ladies are settled in for a days' work in the bookshop, when a frantic woman by the name of Edith Carter comes to Georgia with a story of an abduction. She claims that the Duke of Blackford has kidnapped her next door neighbor and that blood was left behind in the man's house. But Nicholas Drake's servants deny the bloodstains (which have since been wiped up) and claim that Drake has gone to visit friends in Brighton. She tried going to the police, but they don't believe her and think she's just a meddling busybody. Georgia is a bit doubtful of portions of the woman's story--her vagueness about what she saw, for one thing--but she's sure the woman really cares for Drake and that something happened. But after asking questions of Blackford and his servants, she's not convinced he's responsible.
The Archivists decide to take up the case and they soon discover that Drake was not a blameless character himself. He's been accused of thievery and it looks like he's been blackmailing some very influential society members. The Duke of Blackford has tried to forbid investigation and says he'll handle things, but he's one of the blackmail victims, so it's certainly possible that he could have had Drake snatched. When Georgia and the Archivists refuse to give up the case, the Duke offers to help--but can he be trusted?
Meanwhile, Georgia has had a glimpse of her parents' killer and spends part of her time trying to track him down. She's vowed to bring him to justice, no matter what it costs her. The Duke offers to help her with that as well. Why is he being so helpful all of a sudden? There are several deaths along the way and it becomes even more difficult to discern who is doing what. The trails lead to blazing finale that's all too reminiscent of the fire that killed her parents and while the mystery revolving around Drake is finally cleared up, Georgia is left with even more questions about the man who killed her parents.
This was an interesting beginning to a new historical mystery series and I do like the Victorian period. Georgia is a fine character and the supporting cast (comprised of her household and the Archivist members) are also well-drawn. I do tire the trope of the clashing male/female characters who will, of course, wind up romantically involved--it hasn't happened yet, but the plot bears all the hallmarks (and I confess to peeking at the blurbs for future installments and, yep, it's gonna happen). Fortunately, the two characters involved are interesting enough that I think I can get over my tiredness.... ★★★ and 1/2 for a strong opening book.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting portions of review. Thanks.
Since then, Georgia has helped investigate cases that brought her shop assistant, Emma, and their honorary aunt Phyllida (formerly Lady Phyllida Monthalf) into her life. The ladies are settled in for a days' work in the bookshop, when a frantic woman by the name of Edith Carter comes to Georgia with a story of an abduction. She claims that the Duke of Blackford has kidnapped her next door neighbor and that blood was left behind in the man's house. But Nicholas Drake's servants deny the bloodstains (which have since been wiped up) and claim that Drake has gone to visit friends in Brighton. She tried going to the police, but they don't believe her and think she's just a meddling busybody. Georgia is a bit doubtful of portions of the woman's story--her vagueness about what she saw, for one thing--but she's sure the woman really cares for Drake and that something happened. But after asking questions of Blackford and his servants, she's not convinced he's responsible.
The Archivists decide to take up the case and they soon discover that Drake was not a blameless character himself. He's been accused of thievery and it looks like he's been blackmailing some very influential society members. The Duke of Blackford has tried to forbid investigation and says he'll handle things, but he's one of the blackmail victims, so it's certainly possible that he could have had Drake snatched. When Georgia and the Archivists refuse to give up the case, the Duke offers to help--but can he be trusted?
Meanwhile, Georgia has had a glimpse of her parents' killer and spends part of her time trying to track him down. She's vowed to bring him to justice, no matter what it costs her. The Duke offers to help her with that as well. Why is he being so helpful all of a sudden? There are several deaths along the way and it becomes even more difficult to discern who is doing what. The trails lead to blazing finale that's all too reminiscent of the fire that killed her parents and while the mystery revolving around Drake is finally cleared up, Georgia is left with even more questions about the man who killed her parents.
This was an interesting beginning to a new historical mystery series and I do like the Victorian period. Georgia is a fine character and the supporting cast (comprised of her household and the Archivist members) are also well-drawn. I do tire the trope of the clashing male/female characters who will, of course, wind up romantically involved--it hasn't happened yet, but the plot bears all the hallmarks (and I confess to peeking at the blurbs for future installments and, yep, it's gonna happen). Fortunately, the two characters involved are interesting enough that I think I can get over my tiredness.... ★★★ and 1/2 for a strong opening book.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting portions of review. Thanks.
mcampbel's review
3.0
A good cozy mystery. Has some flaws (e.g. silly sentences I would have edited). That said, the story and characters were enjoyable enough to compensate.
krisrid's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this story, and pretty much all the characters.
First off, I love the Victorian era and all things that go with it. The era makes for a great adventure, which Georgia Fenchurch and her friends definitely have in this book.
The differences in class, while foreign to those of us living in the present era, make for some excellent drama and challenge for the characters. Fortunately, almost everyone in the book has honourable motives . . . well, mostly.
The plot was well-constructed, and the tension and excitement well-paced to keep the reader racing through the pages. The character development was also very well done here, and that is a feature that I particularly enjoy, so when characters develop throughout the book, that is a plus for me. I love getting to know characters better as a book progresses, especially if the book is the start of a series (which I believe this is) so I have more books to spend time with, and get more involved with the characters as time goes on.
The murder and mystery were also well-done, I thought. I never try to figure out the murderer before all is revealed, so I can't speak to how challenging the mystery was, but I certainly found it interesting and engaging.
My one beef was with Georgia [hence the missing fifth star]. At times she is a smart, independent capable woman, in spite of the world she lives in that hasn't yet begun to see those qualities as positive in women. At other times, she descends into "damsel-in-distress" mode, which seems disconnected from whom we've been led to believe she is. I also get annoyed by her holier-than-thou belief that "justice" is the only way to handle evil people. While I understand her taking that approach, I am hoping that in future books, she becomes a bit more like the Duke of Blackford and takes a more pragmatic approach to her cases with the Archivist Society. Sometimes the bad guys just need to "get it", you know?
I also really liked pretty much all the supporting characters. Each of them have a unique personality, with individuality that makes them real to the reader. They also all have their parts - larger or smaller - to play in the investigations as the story progresses.
Overall, though I very much enjoyed this book. I am definitely going to read future installments that I hope are on the way.
First off, I love the Victorian era and all things that go with it. The era makes for a great adventure, which Georgia Fenchurch and her friends definitely have in this book.
The differences in class, while foreign to those of us living in the present era, make for some excellent drama and challenge for the characters. Fortunately, almost everyone in the book has honourable motives . . . well, mostly.
The plot was well-constructed, and the tension and excitement well-paced to keep the reader racing through the pages. The character development was also very well done here, and that is a feature that I particularly enjoy, so when characters develop throughout the book, that is a plus for me. I love getting to know characters better as a book progresses, especially if the book is the start of a series (which I believe this is) so I have more books to spend time with, and get more involved with the characters as time goes on.
The murder and mystery were also well-done, I thought. I never try to figure out the murderer before all is revealed, so I can't speak to how challenging the mystery was, but I certainly found it interesting and engaging.
My one beef was with Georgia [hence the missing fifth star]. At times she is a smart, independent capable woman, in spite of the world she lives in that hasn't yet begun to see those qualities as positive in women. At other times, she descends into "damsel-in-distress" mode, which seems disconnected from whom we've been led to believe she is. I also get annoyed by her holier-than-thou belief that "justice" is the only way to handle evil people. While I understand her taking that approach, I am hoping that in future books, she becomes a bit more like the Duke of Blackford and takes a more pragmatic approach to her cases with the Archivist Society. Sometimes the bad guys just need to "get it", you know?
I also really liked pretty much all the supporting characters. Each of them have a unique personality, with individuality that makes them real to the reader. They also all have their parts - larger or smaller - to play in the investigations as the story progresses.
Overall, though I very much enjoyed this book. I am definitely going to read future installments that I hope are on the way.
dollycas's review
4.0
When a frantic woman comes to Georgia claiming that her neighbor, Nicholas Drake, has been abducted by the notorious Duke of Blackford, Georgia and the Archivist Society agree to take the case. But Drake is no innocent—he is a thief who has been blackmailing many of the leading members of London society. To find Drake and discover who is behind his abduction, Georgia and her beautiful assistant, Emma, will have to leave the cozy confines of their bookshop and infiltrate the inner circles of the upper crust—with the help of the dashing but dubious Duke of Blackford himself.
But the missing thief and his abductor are not the only ones to elude Georgia Fenchurch. When she spies the man who killed her parents years ago, she vows to bring him to justice once and for all…at any cost.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
There is a lot happening in this debut. A man is missing, a cold case (the murder of our protag’s parents) is brought to the forefront when the killer may have been spotted out and about in London and a death of a young woman is being questioned.
There are also a slew of characters from Georgia Fenchurch, to her employee and best friend Emma, Phyllida, their “aunt”, who all live together. The members of the Archivist Society including Sir Broderick, Lady Westover and her grandson Inspector Grantham. Add to that Drake, the missing man, the frantic woman searching for him and all the members of the upper crust who could be responsible for his disappearance including the Duke of Blackford. There are many more supporting characters too.
At first all of this was a little hard to follow but then the story hits a rhythm where all 3 stories and all the characters come together.
I really like several characters. The dialogue at a formal dinner party between Georgia and her table mates was quite humorous. The Duke and Georgia are quite suitable despite of their different classes. Seeing her rub shoulders with the Lords and Ladies shows she is very intelligent and resourceful and not just a woman who inherited a bookshop.
The story has more than the expected number of twists and turns for a book of this type, keeping the reader on their toes.
I enjoyed this trip back to Victorian times. A time before phones, cars, and many things we take for granted. When a trip to the country took days and to call the authorities you had to send a person with a message or find a bobbie on the street.
This is my first Kate Parker novel but according to her website she started out writing Romantic Suspense. She has made a fine transition to cozy mysteries by combining all her strengths – history, suspense, humor and romance. The Vanishing Thief is a nice blend of all four. I anxiously await the next Victorian Bookshop Mystery.
But the missing thief and his abductor are not the only ones to elude Georgia Fenchurch. When she spies the man who killed her parents years ago, she vows to bring him to justice once and for all…at any cost.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
There is a lot happening in this debut. A man is missing, a cold case (the murder of our protag’s parents) is brought to the forefront when the killer may have been spotted out and about in London and a death of a young woman is being questioned.
There are also a slew of characters from Georgia Fenchurch, to her employee and best friend Emma, Phyllida, their “aunt”, who all live together. The members of the Archivist Society including Sir Broderick, Lady Westover and her grandson Inspector Grantham. Add to that Drake, the missing man, the frantic woman searching for him and all the members of the upper crust who could be responsible for his disappearance including the Duke of Blackford. There are many more supporting characters too.
At first all of this was a little hard to follow but then the story hits a rhythm where all 3 stories and all the characters come together.
I really like several characters. The dialogue at a formal dinner party between Georgia and her table mates was quite humorous. The Duke and Georgia are quite suitable despite of their different classes. Seeing her rub shoulders with the Lords and Ladies shows she is very intelligent and resourceful and not just a woman who inherited a bookshop.
The story has more than the expected number of twists and turns for a book of this type, keeping the reader on their toes.
I enjoyed this trip back to Victorian times. A time before phones, cars, and many things we take for granted. When a trip to the country took days and to call the authorities you had to send a person with a message or find a bobbie on the street.
This is my first Kate Parker novel but according to her website she started out writing Romantic Suspense. She has made a fine transition to cozy mysteries by combining all her strengths – history, suspense, humor and romance. The Vanishing Thief is a nice blend of all four. I anxiously await the next Victorian Bookshop Mystery.
ssminski's review
3.0
I enjoyed this despite the historical innacuracies like modern language and attitudes. What I didn't love was the heroine, whp is at times crass and often rude for no reason except a stubborn and dogged pursuit for what she calls justice, but really looks like nosiness. It seems to me like the author's attempt to write a strong, independent femal character in the Victorian era just did not succeed and she relied too much on rude behaviors to convey the independent and strong status. I want to see where the story goes as the series progresses and will probably read another one or two of the series to see if they smooth out some of her edges, if only because I like the setting and the supporting characters a lot.
tough_cookie's review
4.0
A delightful historical mystery set in Victorian-era London. Georgia Fenchurch runs a bookshop with her assistant, Emma, but they are also members of the Archivist Society, an organization devoted to solving mysteries and fighting for justice. Georgia is asked to search for a man, Nicholas Drake, a notorious blackmailer of the aristocracy. However, several members of the elite warn her and the others not to pursue Drake, including the mysterious Duke of Blackford. Secrets abound as Georgia and co. try to figure out who is telling the truth, who is lying, and just what happened to Nicholas Drake?
With rich, memorable characters and an engrossing plot, this first book in the Victorian Bookshop series is a formidable addition to the historical mystery genre.
With rich, memorable characters and an engrossing plot, this first book in the Victorian Bookshop series is a formidable addition to the historical mystery genre.
yonitdm's review
3.0
Great mystery and fun characters. I was a bit put off by the number of events and introductions that came up that occurred before the story. it felt too much like catching up during a sequel for something that is a first book in a series.
murderbydeath's review against another edition
4.0
Excellent start to a new series. However, don't read the acknowledgements before you read the book - possible spoiler there.
Full review: http://jenn.booklikes.com/post/729853/vanishingthief
Full review: http://jenn.booklikes.com/post/729853/vanishingthief
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