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drjoannehill's review against another edition
4.0
Neat mystery or crime story set in 1855 between London and Stromness. Good geographical and historical detail especially of the grimy streets of the city of London and the Borough, and how the weather (storms, fog, snow) defines the Orkneys. The backdrop of the fur trade and search for the North West passage in what is now Canada is interesting, although peripheral to the story. Added witchcraft and independent women, always a bonus in my view.
Tiny points: the love interest seemed forced, and there's a lot the narrator saying something like 'I could tell there was something else he wasn't telling me'
Tiny points: the love interest seemed forced, and there's a lot the narrator saying something like 'I could tell there was something else he wasn't telling me'
livingstones_library's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
veskumelooni's review
As someone with dyslexia, I need books to be easy to read and this was not. The story seemed interesting so I might try to listen to the audiobook sometime.
caitsidhe's review
forgettable yet annoying not-like-the-other-victorian-girls mystery
the_reviewer's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
rhodaj's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you to Netgalley and Head of Zeus for providing me with a kindle version of this book!
Set in Victorian London, Birdie is wrongly implicated in the murder of a man found dumped on the shores of the Thames. To clear her name, Birdie must travel to Orkney in the far north and attempt to retrace the dead man's footsteps.
This is a very atmospheric book and really transports you to some dark, damp and cold places! I have been reading this during the southern hemisphere winter and can really picture the scenes in this book.
The storyline is interesting and moves along at a good pace, however I do admit to getting a little lost in the storyline at times, as there is a lot going on! Not too much that you can't figure it out though.
I loved the female characters in this - Birdie, Margaret and Morag. All three are strong characters in their own unique way and I enjoyed what each character brought to the story.
Overall this is a great ambient story that is perfect for winter reading.
Set in Victorian London, Birdie is wrongly implicated in the murder of a man found dumped on the shores of the Thames. To clear her name, Birdie must travel to Orkney in the far north and attempt to retrace the dead man's footsteps.
This is a very atmospheric book and really transports you to some dark, damp and cold places! I have been reading this during the southern hemisphere winter and can really picture the scenes in this book.
The storyline is interesting and moves along at a good pace, however I do admit to getting a little lost in the storyline at times, as there is a lot going on! Not too much that you can't figure it out though.
I loved the female characters in this - Birdie, Margaret and Morag. All three are strong characters in their own unique way and I enjoyed what each character brought to the story.
Overall this is a great ambient story that is perfect for winter reading.
petitemass15's review against another edition
4.0
I for the most part enjoyed the book! It isn't a genre I have read a lot of and I was suprised how much I enjoyed it. I would have given it 5 stars but the ending wasn't for me.
miramanga's review against another edition
5.0
I think it’s impossible for CC to write a bad book. Once again we split the action between London and Orkney with a little bit of witchery and a flock of portentous birds to boot. I loved it and was gripped.
bookslucyreads's review against another edition
3.0
I was sent this book by Head of Zeus and I have to say I really enjoyed it. It is a thriller set in the 19th century. A woman is accused of being an accomplice in a murder and has to clear her name. The female characters in this book are amazing I loved them. I also enjoyed the other characters! The setting of London was great and I could easily picture the places in the book, I also loved the mystery. I have to say I did work out who was behind everything but it did take me awhile as I was so caught up in the story.
raven88's review against another edition
5.0
A definite change of direction and style from one of my favourite authors, and despite not being a massive reader of historical crime fiction, I enjoyed this book very much indeed. The story traverses between 19th century London and Orkney, and opening with the discovery of a dead man on the fetid shore of the River Thames, Carson immediately places us firmly in the feel and atmosphere of this burgeoning city.
As with her previous series, Carson once again demonstrates her intuitive and precise approach to scene setting, and as we journey with Birdie to the remote reaches of Scotland, as she flees a trumped up murder charge, Carson cleverly draws comparisons between the claustrophobic intensity of le in a teeming city, and that of a small coastal community. Carson also expands the story significantly to draw on the story of the ill-fated journey of William Franklin to Canada and beyond, and having recently read Michael Palin’s book Erebus, about Franklin and his exploration, it was really satisfying to have an overlap in the realms of fiction and fact, demonstrating again Carson’s attention to detail and her skilful interweaving of the plain facts into incredibly readable fiction. Aside from the historical accuracy and sense of time and place, Carson creates in Birdie a truly empathetic and brave protagonist. From the familiar surroundings of her life in London, this determined and feisty girl embarks on a journey of discovery, not only to a completely alien community, but on her own mission to unmask a murderer and clear her name. Again, Carson adroitly mixes a commentary on the patriarchal nature of the time and how women’s lives are defined and shaped by their correlation to such an ardently male society, but cleverly pushes a subtext of how women can escape from, or manipulate this overarching definition of 19th century society. Indeed, the female characters within the book all demonstrate this inner will to defy and challenge the patriarchal norm, and exhibit a strength of character that is to be admired, despite the perilous situation that Birdie amongst others find themselves in.
There is always a slight flicker of tension, but also anticipation when an author you admire decides to travel a different path with their writing. However, my fears were quickly assuaged and Carson has only succeeded further in endearing myself to her writing, her superlative plotting, characterisation, and her innate ability to thoroughly immerse her reader in the world she presents. Highly recommended.
As with her previous series, Carson once again demonstrates her intuitive and precise approach to scene setting, and as we journey with Birdie to the remote reaches of Scotland, as she flees a trumped up murder charge, Carson cleverly draws comparisons between the claustrophobic intensity of le in a teeming city, and that of a small coastal community. Carson also expands the story significantly to draw on the story of the ill-fated journey of William Franklin to Canada and beyond, and having recently read Michael Palin’s book Erebus, about Franklin and his exploration, it was really satisfying to have an overlap in the realms of fiction and fact, demonstrating again Carson’s attention to detail and her skilful interweaving of the plain facts into incredibly readable fiction. Aside from the historical accuracy and sense of time and place, Carson creates in Birdie a truly empathetic and brave protagonist. From the familiar surroundings of her life in London, this determined and feisty girl embarks on a journey of discovery, not only to a completely alien community, but on her own mission to unmask a murderer and clear her name. Again, Carson adroitly mixes a commentary on the patriarchal nature of the time and how women’s lives are defined and shaped by their correlation to such an ardently male society, but cleverly pushes a subtext of how women can escape from, or manipulate this overarching definition of 19th century society. Indeed, the female characters within the book all demonstrate this inner will to defy and challenge the patriarchal norm, and exhibit a strength of character that is to be admired, despite the perilous situation that Birdie amongst others find themselves in.
There is always a slight flicker of tension, but also anticipation when an author you admire decides to travel a different path with their writing. However, my fears were quickly assuaged and Carson has only succeeded further in endearing myself to her writing, her superlative plotting, characterisation, and her innate ability to thoroughly immerse her reader in the world she presents. Highly recommended.