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naluju's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Addiction, Classism, Death, Kidnapping, and Domestic abuse
dramaticgrace's review
5.0
I LOVED this book! I could hardly put it down. Karen Odden is by far my favorite author for historical fiction, her characters have so much depth and her writing style has you enthralled from beginning to end. I highly recommend this to anyone who is a fan of mystery and wants to be transported to a unique and exciting Victorian Era world. 10/10!
kcrowellphd's review
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
nikchick's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
annarella's review
5.0
The excellent start of a new historical mystery series: dark, twisty and gripping.
The plot is full of twists and turns and the solid mystery kept me guessing.
I liked the characters and think they are fleshed out and well written.
The historical background is vivid and well researched.
Can't wait to read the next book in this series.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
The plot is full of twists and turns and the solid mystery kept me guessing.
I liked the characters and think they are fleshed out and well written.
The historical background is vivid and well researched.
Can't wait to read the next book in this series.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
claudia_is_reading's review against another edition
4.0
A very good Victorian mystery with an interesting main character.
I really liked Inspector Michael Corravan's background and how he is able to go back to his roots and keep learning from them. He is a good policeman, but he also has a rough past and something to prove. Luckily, he has Inspector Stiles to help him to avoid burning too many bridges :P
The mystery is engaging, and there is an underlying theme about the relationship between mental institutions and domestic violence. It's dark, but not hopeless; the atmosphere is vivid and the setting is rich and wonderfully depicted.
I'll be reading more in this series.
I really liked Inspector Michael Corravan's background and how he is able to go back to his roots and keep learning from them. He is a good policeman, but he also has a rough past and something to prove. Luckily, he has Inspector Stiles to help him to avoid burning too many bridges :P
The mystery is engaging, and there is an underlying theme about the relationship between mental institutions and domestic violence. It's dark, but not hopeless; the atmosphere is vivid and the setting is rich and wonderfully depicted.
I'll be reading more in this series.
srivalli's review
4.0
**Happy Publication Day**
*****
3.8 Stars
Inspector Corravan, an Irish former bare-knuckle boxer and dockworker from the East End of London, is drowning under a large pile of files, pending reports, and cases. The latest mess up in the (Scotland) Yard has led to changes in the department and distrust in people.
The Inspector manages to track down a missing woman, Mrs. Beckford, when he gets called to supervise a crime scene near the Thames. The new case takes prominence as bodies accumulate every week.
With leads going nowhere and families unwilling to help (they’ve got to protect their secrets, after all), Corravan starts to feel the pressure. His straightforward methods seem to be doing more harm than good.
As his young colleague Stiles discovers a few links, Corravan realizes that both his cases could very well be connected. But where do the leads take him, and who is the killer? And most importantly, what kinds of crimes have been buried, and will the victims ever get the justice they deserve?
As someone who has a soft spot for historical crime fiction, I was eager to read this book. Since I already know that this is the first book in the series, I could be better prepared for gaps in the backstories.
However, the first half of the book seemed too slow and took forever to establish the plotline. Things kept hitting a dead block, much to the Inspector’s and my frustration. Luckily, the second half made up for it.
The book picked up pace after 55%. There was enough action and information to keep me guessing and intrigued. The recurring characters are promising, and I’m looking forward to knowing more about them.
The Inspector’s arc shifted gears at the right time. He’s not an entitled rich guy with contacts. He’s a hardworking man with strengths and flaws that make him likable and not-so likable at the same time.
The writing is engaging, though I wished things would proceed faster at times. However, I do understand the need to go slow in the first book.
Let me tell you that knowing that a book is the first in the series in advance and knowing it at the end can really impact the reading process.
The not-so-perfect side of Victorian society was portrayed accurately. The climax seemed a little less dramatic but suited the overall tone of the book. I’m satisfied with the way things went and must admit that Inspector Corravn is turning out to be an interesting character.
To sum up, Down a Dark River is a decent historical thriller with people and incidents from real life. I’m curious enough to pick up the next in the series whenever the author has it ready for us.
Thank you, NetGalley and Crooked Land Press, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All views expressed are my own.
#NetGalley #DownaDarkRiver
*****
3.8 Stars
Inspector Corravan, an Irish former bare-knuckle boxer and dockworker from the East End of London, is drowning under a large pile of files, pending reports, and cases. The latest mess up in the (Scotland) Yard has led to changes in the department and distrust in people.
The Inspector manages to track down a missing woman, Mrs. Beckford, when he gets called to supervise a crime scene near the Thames. The new case takes prominence as bodies accumulate every week.
With leads going nowhere and families unwilling to help (they’ve got to protect their secrets, after all), Corravan starts to feel the pressure. His straightforward methods seem to be doing more harm than good.
As his young colleague Stiles discovers a few links, Corravan realizes that both his cases could very well be connected. But where do the leads take him, and who is the killer? And most importantly, what kinds of crimes have been buried, and will the victims ever get the justice they deserve?
As someone who has a soft spot for historical crime fiction, I was eager to read this book. Since I already know that this is the first book in the series, I could be better prepared for gaps in the backstories.
However, the first half of the book seemed too slow and took forever to establish the plotline. Things kept hitting a dead block, much to the Inspector’s and my frustration. Luckily, the second half made up for it.
The book picked up pace after 55%. There was enough action and information to keep me guessing and intrigued. The recurring characters are promising, and I’m looking forward to knowing more about them.
The Inspector’s arc shifted gears at the right time. He’s not an entitled rich guy with contacts. He’s a hardworking man with strengths and flaws that make him likable and not-so likable at the same time.
The writing is engaging, though I wished things would proceed faster at times. However, I do understand the need to go slow in the first book.
Let me tell you that knowing that a book is the first in the series in advance and knowing it at the end can really impact the reading process.
The not-so-perfect side of Victorian society was portrayed accurately. The climax seemed a little less dramatic but suited the overall tone of the book. I’m satisfied with the way things went and must admit that Inspector Corravn is turning out to be an interesting character.
To sum up, Down a Dark River is a decent historical thriller with people and incidents from real life. I’m curious enough to pick up the next in the series whenever the author has it ready for us.
Thank you, NetGalley and Crooked Land Press, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All views expressed are my own.
#NetGalley #DownaDarkRiver
gpg's review
5.0
Excellent historical mystery - I think Karen Odden might go on my list of all-time favorite mystery authors, but first I have to read a few more of her books! Here's my New Books Network podcast interview with the author: https://gpgottlieb.com/down-a-dark-river-karen-odden/
gawronma's review
5.0
One of the best books I have read this year. E mystery was well done and the characters were well drawn. I really liked that protagonist was not perfect and was capable of change and growth.