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sarah_taleweaver 's review for:
The Werewolf of Whitechapel
by Suzannah Rowntree
Well, that was everything I didn't know I desperately needed and wanted.
I don't even know where to begin with this review. But I supposed I'll begin with what the book is: a magnificent, quick-paced mystery taking place in a fantastical alternate Victorian Era England, in which the monsters of mythology hold the thrones of every European nation save England. It's led and narrated by the series-titling Miss Sharp — lady's maid/bodyguard, werewolf victim, whip-smart sleuth (by circumstance, though not trade), and stubbornly protective friend. I liked Miss Sharp the minute I met her; she's clever and witty and brave and devoted, but she's also very real — she makes mistakes, she holds grudges, she's dedicated to the truth to a sometimes disadvantageous degree. The rest of the characters were excellent as well, but Sharp is my favorite.
With Miss Sharp at the helm, the narrative style almost reminds me of W.R. Gingell's Masque — which, it should be noted, is another of my favorite fantasy-mysteries ever. (I think Miss Sharp and Isabelle would get on famously, side note.) It feels period, but with a modern quick pace, and it's full of little asides and comments to the reader that are just delightful.
And in terms of the story itself, this book is magnificent. No details are wasted, and all the clues are laid just right so that I didn't see the reveal coming — but once all was made plain, I could easily say, "Oh! Of course! It all makes sense now!" (which is what one ought to be able to say at the end of such a mystery).
I'll also note that, as always, Rowntree's use of historical elements is magnificent. Even with the fantastical changes, everything felt very real and grounded. You can always tell, reading this author's books, that Rowntree does her research.
Anyway. This book is magnificent, and the next one can't get here soon enough!
I don't even know where to begin with this review. But I supposed I'll begin with what the book is: a magnificent, quick-paced mystery taking place in a fantastical alternate Victorian Era England, in which the monsters of mythology hold the thrones of every European nation save England. It's led and narrated by the series-titling Miss Sharp — lady's maid/bodyguard, werewolf victim, whip-smart sleuth (by circumstance, though not trade), and stubbornly protective friend. I liked Miss Sharp the minute I met her; she's clever and witty and brave and devoted, but she's also very real — she makes mistakes, she holds grudges, she's dedicated to the truth to a sometimes disadvantageous degree. The rest of the characters were excellent as well, but Sharp is my favorite.
With Miss Sharp at the helm, the narrative style almost reminds me of W.R. Gingell's Masque — which, it should be noted, is another of my favorite fantasy-mysteries ever. (I think Miss Sharp and Isabelle would get on famously, side note.) It feels period, but with a modern quick pace, and it's full of little asides and comments to the reader that are just delightful.
And in terms of the story itself, this book is magnificent. No details are wasted, and all the clues are laid just right so that I didn't see the reveal coming — but once all was made plain, I could easily say, "Oh! Of course! It all makes sense now!" (which is what one ought to be able to say at the end of such a mystery).
I'll also note that, as always, Rowntree's use of historical elements is magnificent. Even with the fantastical changes, everything felt very real and grounded. You can always tell, reading this author's books, that Rowntree does her research.
Anyway. This book is magnificent, and the next one can't get here soon enough!