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thayerbowen's review
3.0
A Victorian mystery that includes separated-at-birth, a group of madmen who all believe they are someone famous, the friendly group of rapscallions, lost live, love found, mistaken identity, and more. All the tropes!
mollyfiddler's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
rachelle_sheep's review
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
3.25
benita's review
2.0
Too many coincidences, chance meetings and stock characters. Also overly long with some dull scenes. While I can usually appreciate classic mysteries and all the ridiculousness that often comes with them, this one wasn't for me.
poppyfitzclark's review
4.0
Listened to audiobook (Phoebe Reads a Mystery)
One of the best villains imaginable, enjoyable mystery, great cast of characters
Throwbacks to some wild Victorian criminology ideas (phrenology! inherited deviance!)
One of the best villains imaginable, enjoyable mystery, great cast of characters
Throwbacks to some wild Victorian criminology ideas (phrenology! inherited deviance!)
novel_nomad's review
2.0
Filled with a sharp gothic atmosphere, theatrical melodrama, dastardly villains (for which there are many) and a dogged detective - sounds like a fun read. For some parts, it was hilarious at the outrageous twists and turns the plot would take, but mostly it left me bored and wanting. The mystery is not refined like those of the golden era and onwards, as it takes a greater stride with the multiple acts of depravity committed by the villain rather than the investigative acts of the detective - if any. The only saving grace for this novel was the few glimpses of brilliant writing or sentence work, which would later inspire Braddon's audacious mystery 'Lady Audley's Secret', which I thoroughly recommend over this early novel.
thesydda's review
3.0
I really loved the first two parts of this novel, and if they had all been like that, this would have easily been a 5 star novel. Unfortunately, this novel began to drag, and there's a big plot hole near the end involving a coffin.
it's definitely still worth a read, and I'll be reading more of her stuff, but still only 3 stars.
it's definitely still worth a read, and I'll be reading more of her stuff, but still only 3 stars.
aalamb's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0