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reneesmith's review against another edition
5.0
Immersive, heartbreaking & hopeful. Lyndsay Faye brings 1840s NYC--or Gotham--and the beginnings of the NYPD to life with a fascinating main character.
alboyer6's review against another edition
The author wrote well, maybe too well for me. So i didn't finish.
susan_ok's review against another edition
4.0
The second installment in this trilogy was as good as the first if not slightly better. I didn't read it quite as fast but the plot was still quick and the characters satisfying. Looking forward to the final installment.
krobart's review against another edition
4.0
See my review here:
https://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2015/07/23/day-741-seven-for-a-secret/
https://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2015/07/23/day-741-seven-for-a-secret/
annemariep68's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this sequel to the Gods of Gotham- I like the characters and it was an interesting insight into how slavery and those trying to gain or regain their freedom were treated in the "free" north. The story kept moving and there were a few surprises along the way. I would very much like to read another chapter of the Timothy Wilde series...hoping there will be one! I also love all the historic detail the author includes...well done.
colorfulleo92's review against another edition
4.0
I read the first time in 2019 and the second in the beginning of 2020. I wasn't a huge fan of the series those time. But I've thought of it sometimes randomly and each time I've seen any of the books at a second hand store I had to fight the urge to but and try again. I'm so glad I finally gave it a second try. Engaging plot and interesting characters that make it an intriguing read overall
cloudy__queer's review against another edition
5.0
I loved the first book of this series, and the second did not disappoint. This is a highly researched historical series, and the main character is highly logical in a more down to earth way than other highly logical detectives. He has grown up an orphan in New York and uses his street smarts to inform his conclusions. A slight loveable recklessness is present as well, Timothy Wilde will always do what is right by the downtrodden, no matter the cost to himself. This book deals with themes of slavery, northern slave catchers, and the underground railroad.
nevclue's review against another edition
4.0
This series deeply appeals to me. The focus on the social and legal forces that oppress various groups of people in an intertwined manner is so much more compelling that the typical historical mystery. I will confess I was a bit wary about the mystery centering around slavery because I was worried that the book might only skim the surface of the issue. But just as with the previous book, the author has clearly done serious research. There is a significant focus on how laws related to the slave trade, the return of "escaped slaves," and the inadmissibility of black testimony give legal support to the deeply entrenched racism even in the supposed "free" north. Moreover, Timothy is not some white savior here, although he does try to save various characters at various points with varying degrees of success. An essential aspect of making this a far more sensitive and nuanced portrayal of this period when told through the first-person narration of a white man is that he gets repeatedly told to what extent he does not understand the experience of free blacks, escaped slaves, and still enslaved people, because of course he can't and it's nice to see that acknowledged!
I love the characters too. Timothy is a good narrator, with his own flaws (particularly his lack of political savvy which drives me up the wall) and enjoyable asides. But even better are the other characters. We see a number of familiar faces from the previous book reappear. And then there's Val (Valentine, Timothy's older brother)! Obviously Val is the most fantastic character in this series. I would read a thousand books about Val, but will take whatever I can get.
I love the characters too. Timothy is a good narrator, with his own flaws (particularly his lack of political savvy which drives me up the wall) and enjoyable asides. But even better are the other characters. We see a number of familiar faces from the previous book reappear. And then there's Val (Valentine, Timothy's older brother)! Obviously Val is the most fantastic character in this series. I would read a thousand books about Val, but will take whatever I can get.