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esdeecarlson's review against another edition
5.0
**This book was provided to me by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review**
5 stars
The first book in Odden’s Inspector Corravan series was a best-of-the-year read for me, so to say that I had high expectations coming into the sequel was an understatement. Fortunately, the novel lived up to those expectations.
While the first novel was a rather straightforward serial killer mystery set in Victorian England, this second begins with a murder but quickly becomes a much more politically-oriented mystery, concerned with anti-Irish prejudice and terrorist attacks. I was curious as to how the political angle of these crimes would change the ‘feel’ of a Corravan mystery, but the prose is absolutely excellent, and Corravan such a compelling and consistent character, that the change in type of mystery served the narrative and proved utterly enthralling. I was engrossed from the start.
One of the things I’ve loved, about both the first book and this one, is that Corravan solves mysteries through solid, good police work. He isn’t a Holmesian genius, he doesn’t stumble upon MacGuffins and dash into climactic battles; he puts boots on the ground and chases down leads, and asks for help from many different sources, until he has enough pieces of the puzzle to put together.
I do wish that we’d had more of Belinda and Harry, who I loved in the first book, but I cheerfully look forward to their inclusion in later installments, especially as Harry’s medical knowledge progresses (Harry’s trip to Edinburgh makes me hope we get a Burke and Hare-inspired story in the next novel).
One hit may be a fluke, but two is a proven track record. I will certainly be reading the next installment in the series whenever it appears.
5 stars
The first book in Odden’s Inspector Corravan series was a best-of-the-year read for me, so to say that I had high expectations coming into the sequel was an understatement. Fortunately, the novel lived up to those expectations.
While the first novel was a rather straightforward serial killer mystery set in Victorian England, this second begins with a murder but quickly becomes a much more politically-oriented mystery, concerned with anti-Irish prejudice and terrorist attacks. I was curious as to how the political angle of these crimes would change the ‘feel’ of a Corravan mystery, but the prose is absolutely excellent, and Corravan such a compelling and consistent character, that the change in type of mystery served the narrative and proved utterly enthralling. I was engrossed from the start.
One of the things I’ve loved, about both the first book and this one, is that Corravan solves mysteries through solid, good police work. He isn’t a Holmesian genius, he doesn’t stumble upon MacGuffins and dash into climactic battles; he puts boots on the ground and chases down leads, and asks for help from many different sources, until he has enough pieces of the puzzle to put together.
I do wish that we’d had more of Belinda and Harry, who I loved in the first book, but I cheerfully look forward to their inclusion in later installments, especially as Harry’s medical knowledge progresses (Harry’s trip to Edinburgh makes me hope we get a Burke and Hare-inspired story in the next novel).
One hit may be a fluke, but two is a proven track record. I will certainly be reading the next installment in the series whenever it appears.
rebleejen's review
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
melissasbookshelf's review against another edition
4.0
“My hand crept up to land on my chest, as if the ballast were a physical thing that I could hold in place. Let me not lose this, I thought, and my plea was as desperate as any I’d ever made. For I have earned it honestly, and it is mine.”
Enjoyed this second book in the Inspector Corravan series. This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I look forward to going back and reading the first book in the series. I’d compare her writing style to Anne Perry. It’s a Victorian mystery based on actual events that drew me in from the beginning.
Meet Inspector Michael Corravan or Mickey as his adopted family calls him. He’s a reformed street urchin/thief who was taken in by the Doyle family after his mother went missing. As an Irishman, he’s constantly aware in Victorian England of the prejudice harbored against him as the debate over Irish Home Rule intensifies.
When a collision between The Princess Alice passenger boat and the coal carrier Bywell Castle results in hundreds of people dead, Inspector Corravan is called in to head up the investigation. Is it an accidental tragedy or sabotage? As the clues keep piling up, it’s looking like it could be a plot by the IRB or Irish Republican Brotherhood as the newspapers are insinuating, but Michael has his doubts. His investigation will lead him to the highest rungs of society and with so much at stake, he can’t afford to get this wrong.
There’s also his adopted brother Colin who seems to have fallen in with the wrong people and whose resentment of him is palpable. As violence in Whitechapel increases with various Irish gangs warring for control, Michael is torn between helping the people he loves and solving the boating accident. But could they be related?
This story really kept me turning the pages as the mystery unraveled. Just when you think you may have figured it out, new motives and clues emerge which change the whole direction. Michael is a likable character who’s passionate about uncovering the truth. He’s a savvy investigator but also a caring man haunted by regrets and his past. His love interest Belinda helps him in his investigation as well as Inspector Stiles, Sgt. Hammond and Director Vincent. The side characters were as interesting as Michael and I look forward to getting to know them better in future books.
Though this is the second book in the series, it can easily be read as a standalone. Having not read the first book, I felt like the author did a fantastic job giving enough backstory so I could dive right into the story and understand what’s going on. Highly recommend to historical mystery fans! There is some mild swearing including taking God’s name in vain, though it’s infrequent. There are also descriptions of the explosion and dead bodies sensitive readers may want to be aware of. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher through AustenProse PR. All opinions are my own and I was not required to provide a positive review.
Enjoyed this second book in the Inspector Corravan series. This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I look forward to going back and reading the first book in the series. I’d compare her writing style to Anne Perry. It’s a Victorian mystery based on actual events that drew me in from the beginning.
Meet Inspector Michael Corravan or Mickey as his adopted family calls him. He’s a reformed street urchin/thief who was taken in by the Doyle family after his mother went missing. As an Irishman, he’s constantly aware in Victorian England of the prejudice harbored against him as the debate over Irish Home Rule intensifies.
When a collision between The Princess Alice passenger boat and the coal carrier Bywell Castle results in hundreds of people dead, Inspector Corravan is called in to head up the investigation. Is it an accidental tragedy or sabotage? As the clues keep piling up, it’s looking like it could be a plot by the IRB or Irish Republican Brotherhood as the newspapers are insinuating, but Michael has his doubts. His investigation will lead him to the highest rungs of society and with so much at stake, he can’t afford to get this wrong.
There’s also his adopted brother Colin who seems to have fallen in with the wrong people and whose resentment of him is palpable. As violence in Whitechapel increases with various Irish gangs warring for control, Michael is torn between helping the people he loves and solving the boating accident. But could they be related?
This story really kept me turning the pages as the mystery unraveled. Just when you think you may have figured it out, new motives and clues emerge which change the whole direction. Michael is a likable character who’s passionate about uncovering the truth. He’s a savvy investigator but also a caring man haunted by regrets and his past. His love interest Belinda helps him in his investigation as well as Inspector Stiles, Sgt. Hammond and Director Vincent. The side characters were as interesting as Michael and I look forward to getting to know them better in future books.
Though this is the second book in the series, it can easily be read as a standalone. Having not read the first book, I felt like the author did a fantastic job giving enough backstory so I could dive right into the story and understand what’s going on. Highly recommend to historical mystery fans! There is some mild swearing including taking God’s name in vain, though it’s infrequent. There are also descriptions of the explosion and dead bodies sensitive readers may want to be aware of. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher through AustenProse PR. All opinions are my own and I was not required to provide a positive review.
rosannelortz's review
5.0
The Irish are out of favor in 1870s London. When a packed pleasure steamer named the Princess Alice going up the Thames crashes into a coal barge, the papers and the public are ready to blame the Irish Republican Brotherhood for terrorism. Acting police superintendent Michael Corravan has enough to do with the violence going on his home streets threatening the neighborhood shop of his adoptive family the Doyles, but now he must contend with double-crossing Irish street gangs, political intrigues surrounding the plan for Irish Home Rule, and questions about his own loyalties.
Jumping into the second book of the Inspector Corravan mysteries without having read the first, I was a little lost on his personal relationships during the first couple chapters. However, once the steamer collision left collateral damage of all kinds on both sides of the Thames, I was riveted to the investigation. Corravan is a complex character with a rough past, an iron resolve, and a ready intelligence to sort through problems and possibilities. His relationship with Ma and Elsie Doyle and his loyal efforts to help his adoptive brother Colin Doyle rung with true sentiment without becoming mawkish. His coolness under pressure was an admirable character trait, but his fears for the safety of those he cared about humanized him.
The book does an excellent job of portraying the historical milieu surrounding the Irish Potato Famine, IRB terrorism, and Parliamentary plans for Irish Home Rule without feeling like an info dump. Corravan must sort out whether rogue Irish nationalists are responsible for the violence or whether the Irish are being framed by others who have their own sinister goals in mind. The prejudice he encounters due to his own parentage adds dimension to the story and illustrates the ugliness of racism without being overtly preachy.
I have always been a fan of Anne Perry’s William Monk and Thomas & Charlotte Pitt mysteries, and the style of this book, both in characterization and in the scope of the plot, reminded me of Perry. I was pleased to be introduced to a new historical mystery author with this book and look forward to reading more by Karen Odden. Recommended.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this title from the author. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Jumping into the second book of the Inspector Corravan mysteries without having read the first, I was a little lost on his personal relationships during the first couple chapters. However, once the steamer collision left collateral damage of all kinds on both sides of the Thames, I was riveted to the investigation. Corravan is a complex character with a rough past, an iron resolve, and a ready intelligence to sort through problems and possibilities. His relationship with Ma and Elsie Doyle and his loyal efforts to help his adoptive brother Colin Doyle rung with true sentiment without becoming mawkish. His coolness under pressure was an admirable character trait, but his fears for the safety of those he cared about humanized him.
The book does an excellent job of portraying the historical milieu surrounding the Irish Potato Famine, IRB terrorism, and Parliamentary plans for Irish Home Rule without feeling like an info dump. Corravan must sort out whether rogue Irish nationalists are responsible for the violence or whether the Irish are being framed by others who have their own sinister goals in mind. The prejudice he encounters due to his own parentage adds dimension to the story and illustrates the ugliness of racism without being overtly preachy.
I have always been a fan of Anne Perry’s William Monk and Thomas & Charlotte Pitt mysteries, and the style of this book, both in characterization and in the scope of the plot, reminded me of Perry. I was pleased to be introduced to a new historical mystery author with this book and look forward to reading more by Karen Odden. Recommended.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this title from the author. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
bonniereads777's review
5.0
This is the second book in Karen Odden’s Inspector Corravan mystery series. I had little to no problems reading it as a standalone, but starting with the first book would be beneficial. It is 1878 and Corravan is assigned by Scotland Yard to investigate the collision of The Princess Alice with The Bywell Castle in the Thames River. Over 400 lives are lost. Corravan, who was adopted by an Irish family, the Doyles, tries to conduct an impartial investigation as the newspapers and Scotland Yard seem to be convinced that the Irish Republican Brotherhood is to blame. Corravan tries to maintain calm as anti-Irish sentiment abounds. The details of the crash and the personalization woven into the investigation are impressive. The author’s research is obviously meticulous as she takes us throughout London at that time, both while investigating the crash and while Corravan deals with Irish gangs.
This is a very detailed book as we follow every facet of the investigation. Karen Odden’s ability to bring to life an investigation of a real-life shipwreck that happened over 140 years ago is impressive. Inspector Corravan is also thrust into the aftermath of the crash, rescue, and recovery in a realistic way, and we see all the horrors as he experiences them. The inside look at the Irish gangs and politics is intriguing, and the overall treatment of the Irish at that time is heartwrenching. The soft side of Corravan really doesn’t come out until we meet his love, Belinda, about 30 percent into the book, but those who have read the first book in the series would already have known her and seen this side of the Inspector. Their romance is compelling but does not take over the book. The Doyle family dynamics and the tension caused by decisions made years ago also become a significant part of the story.
My only slight criticism at all is that the first 10 to 15 percent of the book before the shipwreck happens moves a little slowly. The pace picks up significantly after that.
This is a well-thought-out, meticulously researched historical mystery with compelling characters. I highly recommend you check out this series, starting with the first book, Down A Dark River.
I received a free copy of this book via Austenprose Book Tours. My review is voluntary and my opinions are my own.
This is a very detailed book as we follow every facet of the investigation. Karen Odden’s ability to bring to life an investigation of a real-life shipwreck that happened over 140 years ago is impressive. Inspector Corravan is also thrust into the aftermath of the crash, rescue, and recovery in a realistic way, and we see all the horrors as he experiences them. The inside look at the Irish gangs and politics is intriguing, and the overall treatment of the Irish at that time is heartwrenching. The soft side of Corravan really doesn’t come out until we meet his love, Belinda, about 30 percent into the book, but those who have read the first book in the series would already have known her and seen this side of the Inspector. Their romance is compelling but does not take over the book. The Doyle family dynamics and the tension caused by decisions made years ago also become a significant part of the story.
My only slight criticism at all is that the first 10 to 15 percent of the book before the shipwreck happens moves a little slowly. The pace picks up significantly after that.
This is a well-thought-out, meticulously researched historical mystery with compelling characters. I highly recommend you check out this series, starting with the first book, Down A Dark River.
I received a free copy of this book via Austenprose Book Tours. My review is voluntary and my opinions are my own.
kansas_girl's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
In London in 1878, the Princess Alice, a pleasure boat with over 600 passengers that included whole families with children collided with an iron-hulled coal ship, the Bywell Castle on the Thames. Only about 130 passengers survived. The resulting tragedy is clouded in conspiracy and controversy with rumors that the Irish Republican Brotherhood was involved in sabotage of the vessels. Corravan finds himself trapped between his duty to the Home Office and his loyalty to the Doyles, an Irish family that adopted him. Odden has crafted a dandy mystery of scrupulously researched material, and Corravan is a brilliant character. He’s smart and honorable, with just a touch of a disreputable past, a character that I’m going to enjoy getting to know more about.
gawronma's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
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
Wow what a great book.
naluju's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
eighch's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Reminds me a lot of A Lady in the Smoke.