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the_mad_bird_diaries's review
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I'm grateful to Netgalley, the author of the story - Helen Scarlett, and the publisher Quercus Books for providing me with this free advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest review.
The Lodger is a historical fiction detective taking place in the aftermath of WWI in London. The blurb describes it as "a haunting, atmospheric Gothic tale" but for me, it was full of brooding and grief but also new beginnings and stories of healing. I wouldn't compare it to familiar gothic stories because The Lodger has another feeling to it.
This is a story of a young woman Grace who lost her brother and fiancé in the war. Recently one of her few friends and a lodger, Elisabeth, had disappeared and then was found dead. Grace couldn't believe in her friend's suicide and started her own investigation.
What I liked about this book:
- The initial part(20%) was really slow, atmospheric, and intriguing. Full of hopes for the future blended with grief and inability to move on and created a specific and distinct mood. I couldn't put the book down.
- The atmosphere of London after WW1. There were not that many descriptions, but different small details created the right mood of the city, it felt alive, waking up but also full of ghosts of the past.
- The main detective line had some unexpected but believable turns and it was interesting to follow Grace's investigation
What parts feel neutral to me:
- Side characters and their stories. On one hand, I appreciate the time author took to research the recovery of people after war and wounds that will never be fully healed. I really liked the themes she discusses in the book with the stories of different side characters. But. But for me, there were too many sub-plots and characters, all with their own story, but we didn't have enough time to explore them. So for me, it was a little bit too much. In my opinion, it could be better if we had just one or two side characters, but we could feel their story.
- The finale of the investigation. I don't know. I wanted it to hit me harder, to have a more distinct payoff. It really was just ok for me. But I'm that reader who usually loves mystery itself more than revelation, so I guess it was expected from me.
What I didn't like:
- I honestly didn't get the romance in this book even though I knew from the blurb whom it would include. The characters didn't spend enough time on screen together and I didn't feel the chemistry between them. I saw in other reviews that some readers enjoyed the romance, so maybe it just wasn't for me.
- The middle part felt too slow for my taste and there was a lot of speaking about different clues, but not many active moments. The story lost its atmospheric vibe in this part for me
- The finale scene was a little bit cliché.
So I can recommend this book to readers who want to experience London's atmosphere after WW1 and follow our main character in her investigation.
historic_chronicles's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
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.
bookchatwithbeth's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Car accident
lmwhn's review
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
4.0
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.
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