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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.
shmadsie's review
3.0
[spoilers for the murderer]
3.5. This was pretty good! The only thing that really rankled me was that the motive only made sense in a bubble. I can see the appeal of it - very an eye for an eye - but, in practice, how would he not have thought of his daughter in that moment? These women are also 'good girls' who have done nothing wrong and don't deserve what's happening to them, so, sure, it's a decent, like, first thought but at some point doesn't he have to realize how impossibly stupid and unfair (because this is about justice, yeah?) that plan is? It doesn't make sense that to punish men for an awful thing they did to this girl who was just living her damn life, he decides to.... kill women who are just living their damn lives. And I get that men really just think of women as accessories to the men closest to them but when one is screaming and begging and crying I just don't think that same level of detachment exists and we're supposed to believe this man is avenging his daughter, only hurting these women to gut the men responsible for her humiliation, destitution, and death, so the line between what's right and wrong is blurred. I'm all for that and moral grayness but I don't think the morally gray bit stands up when put to the test, and instead it just becomes icky (what Corrovan did and what our murderer did). Like I said, the motive only holds up in the bubble, outside of it... it utterly breaks down.
3.5. This was pretty good! The only thing that really rankled me was that the motive only made sense in a bubble. I can see the appeal of it - very an eye for an eye - but, in practice, how would he not have thought of his daughter in that moment? These women are also 'good girls' who have done nothing wrong and don't deserve what's happening to them, so, sure, it's a decent, like, first thought but at some point doesn't he have to realize how impossibly stupid and unfair (because this is about justice, yeah?) that plan is? It doesn't make sense that to punish men for an awful thing they did to this girl who was just living her damn life, he decides to.... kill women who are just living their damn lives. And I get that men really just think of women as accessories to the men closest to them but when one is screaming and begging and crying I just don't think that same level of detachment exists and we're supposed to believe this man is avenging his daughter, only hurting these women to gut the men responsible for her humiliation, destitution, and death, so the line between what's right and wrong is blurred. I'm all for that and moral grayness but I don't think the morally gray bit stands up when put to the test, and instead it just becomes icky (what Corrovan did and what our murderer did). Like I said, the motive only holds up in the bubble, outside of it... it utterly breaks down.
eighch's review
4.0
Way more gritty than I'd expect from an 1800s detective novel set in London. It reminded me more of 1950s NYC guy noir style than anything. The characters were a little tropey and convenient, with the rough and secretive detective changing his stripes and opening up a little too much all of a sudden.
It was an interesting story though, with a nice twist at the end (even if the whole speaking French thing wasn't ever explained).
It was an interesting story though, with a nice twist at the end (even if the whole speaking French thing wasn't ever explained).
crystals_library's review
4.0
Down a Dark River is a fantastic beginning to a new British procedural series. I devoured this book yesterday. It's a solid mystery that I thought I had figured out, but I was completely incorrect.
In 1878, Detective Corravan is feeling pressure to quickly solve the disappearance of a shipping magnate's wife as the Scotland Yard's reputation has fallen into disgrace. Meanwhile, high society women are being murdered and left in the Thames, seemingly by the same perpetrator.
Down a Dark River's dark atmosphere is perfect for reading on a grey and rainy day.
In 1878, Detective Corravan is feeling pressure to quickly solve the disappearance of a shipping magnate's wife as the Scotland Yard's reputation has fallen into disgrace. Meanwhile, high society women are being murdered and left in the Thames, seemingly by the same perpetrator.
Down a Dark River's dark atmosphere is perfect for reading on a grey and rainy day.
danif1979_reads's review
4.0
I love a good historical fiction and murder/mystery book! And this book definitely delivered!
Michael Corravan is an inspector at Scotland Yard in the year 1878. The Yard has been under a lot of pressure and negative press.
A body of a woman is found floating in a boat on the Thames and the search for the killer begins. But… it’s not just a single victim. In the following weeks there are more victims.
The pressure is on when the press catches wind of the serial killings. And Inspector Corravan is trying to solve the case before London desolves into a state of panic and before the killer claims yet another victim.
I really enjoyed this book and thank NetGalley & Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read it.
I do suggest you check the TW before reading this book.
Michael Corravan is an inspector at Scotland Yard in the year 1878. The Yard has been under a lot of pressure and negative press.
A body of a woman is found floating in a boat on the Thames and the search for the killer begins. But… it’s not just a single victim. In the following weeks there are more victims.
The pressure is on when the press catches wind of the serial killings. And Inspector Corravan is trying to solve the case before London desolves into a state of panic and before the killer claims yet another victim.
I really enjoyed this book and thank NetGalley & Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read it.
I do suggest you check the TW before reading this book.