Review - The Dead Cry Justice

 Heiress-turned-sleuth Prudence MacKenzie and ex-Pinkerton Geoffrey Hunter step out of the elite society of Gilded Age New York as they venture into the city’s crime ridden streets and most dangerous neighborhoods to search for two missing children . . .

This won't be available until Nov 30th

Author: Rosemary Simpson

Copyright: Nov 2021 (Kensington Books) 360 pgs

Series: 6th in Gilded Age Mystery series

Sensuality: harsh realities of brothels discussed and how children are trafficked in sex trade

Mystery Sub-genre: historical mystery, historical private inquiry

Main Characters: Prudence MacKenzie, judge's daughter and heiress-turned-sleuth

Setting: 1890's New York city

Obtained Through: Netgalley

Book Blurb: "May 1890: As NYU Law School finally agrees to admit female law students, Judge MacKenzie’s daughter Prudence weighs her choices carefully. Chief among her concerns is how her decision would affect the Hunter and MacKenzie Investigative Law agency and her professional and personal relationship with the partner who is currently recuperating from a near fatal shooting.

 But an even more pressing issue presents itself in the form of a street urchin, whose act of petty theft inadvertently leads Prudence to a badly beaten girl he is protecting. Fearing for the girl’s life, Prudence rushes her to the Friends Refuge for the Sick Poor, run by the compassionate Charity Sloan. When the boy and girl slip out of their care and run away, Prudence suspects they are fleeing a dangerous predator and is desperate to find them.

 Aided by the photographer and social reformer Jacob Riis and the famous journalist Nellie Bly, Prudence and Geoffrey scour the tenements and brothels of Five Points. Their only clue is a mysterious doll with an odd resemblance to the missing girl. But as the destitute orphans they encounter whisper the nickname of the killer who stalks them—Il diavolo—Prudence and Geoffrey must race against time to find the missing children before their merciless enemies do . . ."

Prudence MacKenzie isn't your typical rich girl. She is wicked smart and determined to be a good investigator. She has to face the realities of sex trafficking of girls in this story.  Geoffrey Hunter, her partner in the investigative agency, is an ex-Pinkerton.  He is very protective of Prudence and clearly cares deeply for her.  Josiah Gregory is their assistant who is a little bit of a mystery himself.  I like this character and want to see more of him.  Charity Sloan is a female Quaker doctor running a clinic who plays a significant part during the investigation.  Detective Warren Lowry is searching for his sister who was abducted from the family home and could be caught up in the same situation.  Danny Dennis is a hansome cab driver who aids Prudence and Geoffrey along with his dog, Blossom and horse, Mr. Washington.  He is a great character.

New York during the Gilded Age was brutal for everyone but the mega-rich.  This novel brings the class disparity into sharp relief and the fact that child sex trafficking has been with us right here in the States for a while.

The plot starts simple and gets more complicated as the reader learns more.  Two young boys that look a lot like the Prudence's sandwich thief are murdered and it's clear the kids are being hunted.  I was drawn in and became invested in the two children fast which kept me reading. 

 The killer confrontation is hair raising and puts both Prudence and Geoffrey in danger.  The wrap-up paves the way for some changes for Prudence.  

I haven't read any of the prior books in this series, this was my first foray and I didn't feel lost at all.  The subject matter is weighty and serious, similar to the Sebastian St. Cyr series.  Other than a more clinical description here and there, there are no graphic depictions. Jacob Riis was a social reformer photographer and journalist Nellie Bly are actual historical figures which brings depth to the investigation.  This was well written, the characters well developed, the investigation doled out clues for the reader at a good pace.  I recommend.  I may go back to the beginning to see how Prudence and Geoffrey's relationship started.

Rating:  Near Perfect - Buy two copies: one for you and one for a friend.

Review - When Falcons Fall

I have been following this series for a little bit.  I have reviewed Who Buries the Dead (click here), Why Kings Confess" (click here), "What Darkness Brings" (click here), "When Maidens Mourn" (click here), and "Where Shadows Dance" (click here).  We were also honored to interview C.S. Harris (click here.)  Let's see how the series doing now that we are into the eleventh book? 

Author: C.S. Harris

Copyright: March 2016 (NAL) 368 pgs

Series: 11th in Sebastian St. Cyr Mystery series

Sensuality: Mild. clinical discussion of body and death

Mystery Sub-genre: Historical Private Investigator

Main Character: Sebastian St. Cyr (Viscount Devlin) a veteran of the Peninsula wars with Napoleon and a nobleman.

Setting: Ayleswick-on-Teme, England 1813

Obtained Through: Publisher for honest opinion

Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin, has come to this seemingly peaceful Shropshire village to honor a slain friend and on a quest to learn more about his own ancestry. But when the body of a lovely widow is found on the banks of the River Teme, a bottle of laudanum at her side, the village’s inexperienced new magistrate turns to St. Cyr for help.

Almost immediately, Sebastian realizes that Emma Chance did not commit suicide. Less easy to discern is exactly how she died, and why. For as Sebastian and Hero soon discover, Emma was hiding both her true identity and her real reasons for traveling to Ayleswick. Living nearby is Napolean's estranged brother Lucien, being held under the British Government's careful watch. Could Emma Chance's death be tied to Napoleon?  But then they discover that Emma was not the first young woman to die in the village.  Could it be a well hidden serial killer in the seemingly peaceful village?

Besides Sebastian and Hero in this outing, there are many villagers populating the pages. Sebastian in searching for answers to his parentage.  He gets a tidbit, but not full answers.  I appreciate how Hero is right there helping him in his personal quest. But, the most notable is the local magistrate (lawman) Archie Rawlins.  Archie is in over his head and doesn't want the easy answer.  If it weren't for this careful and earnest man, another woman would have been murdered but officially written off as a suicide.  This young man is somewhat an unassuming hero in the story and really stands out.

The idea that several murders over many years could have gone without detection because people were so willing to think the worst of the girls who died is truly sad, but rather true to life.  The township has many eerie ruins that the victim, Emma, had been sketching.  Each of the ruins added a slight gothic touch and set quite the backdrop.  The climax was fast moving and both Hero and Sebastian face the killer.  The wrap up was satisfactory and ties up all the loose ends with a few bittersweet notes.

Although this was a story the slowly picked up steam, it was well worth it. This book is a great addition to the series that is consistently well written and immersive.  I have become a fan and begun back with the first book to fill in what I was missing in the series. 

Rating:  Excellent - Loved it! Buy it now and put this author on your watch list

Review - The Royal Assassin

I reviewed the debut novel in this new series, The Vanishing Thief (click here),  the second book The Counterfeit Lady (click here) and was so fortunate to get an author interview (click here) as well.   But, in this book Georgia must go undercover again as an English tutor to a Princess, stretching her middle class world.

Author: Kate Parker

Copyright: July 2015 (Berkley) 304 pgs

Series: 3rd in Victorian Bookshop Mystery series

Sensuality: mild kissing and situations

Mystery Sub-genre: Amateur Sleuth, Private Investigator

Main Characters: Georgia Fenchurch, antiquarian bookseller and member of the Archivist Society

Setting: Victorian era - after 1851, London

Obtained Through: Publisher for honest review

The Russian princess Kira is engaged to the son of the Queen’s cousin. The Duke of Blackford is enlisted to protect the princess after her royal bodyguard is killed.  Blackford naturally asks for the Archivist Society's help, specifically requesting Georgia go undercover as the Princess's English tutor as preparation for her British wedding.

It is suspected that anarchists, an ongoing problem in Russia for the royal family, are England and attempting to kill the Princess and harm relations between Russia and England.  But Georgia discovers other motives at work.  When an unlikely new guard shows a ruthless side, it is obvious that everything isn't as it seems.

Georgia is a great character who is proudly middle class in a time period where class awareness drives the social order.  She faces some of her abandonment issues in this third outing.  Emma takes some risks as she and goes undercover among the anarchist's with Blackford's servant, Jacob. Duke of Blackford show more of his true self as he trusts Georgia and tries to mediate between Russian Princess and the Duchess who is housing the Russians.  Lady Beatrice Hereford is the Duchess housing the Princess and entourage, she has her hands full while in the early stages of pregnancy.  She is the breakout character in this book.  Count Farkas, the man who murdered Georgia's parents, makes a few appearances.

The plot is fast paced while still allowing for character's to be developed, along with a romantic touch here and there.  Several moments of surprise and other times of knowingwhat was coming gave a good balance.  The climax provided good action and a few thrills.  The wrap-up left a hint of a promise for interesting future for Georgia.

This series has consistantly provided entertaining stories with intrigue and excitement.  I eagerly await the next in the series.

Rating:  Near Perfect - Couldn't Put it down. Buy two copies, one for you and one for a friend.

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Review - A Grave Matter

I have been a fan of this series since I reviewed the first book, The Anatomist's Wife (click here).  I have also reviewed #2 Mortal Arts (click here) and was honored to interview the author (click here.)  Now for the next book in this fascinating historical mystery.

Author: Anna Lee Huber

Copyright: July 2014 (Berkley) 432 pgs

Series: 3rd in Lady Darby Mystery series

Sensuality: mild kissing

Mystery Sub-genre: Historical Mystery

Main Characters: Lady Kiera Darby, an accomplished artist,widow, and social outcast

Setting: 1830, Scotland

Obtained Through: Publisher for honest review

After the events in the previous book (Mortal Arts), Kiera returns to her childhood home to grieve the loss of her friend.  Her brother Trevor is the master of the home now and she enjoys her time with him.  But while most of Scotland is celebrating Hogmanay Ball (New Years) with lavish parties, a cemetery caretaker is murdered as theives rob a grave of a nobleman's bones for ransom.  Inquiry agent Sebastian Gage is called in and Kiery must face the complicated relationship between them while enraveling who has been ransoming nobleman's skeleton's around England.  But, then it becomes clear there may be an underlying reason why those particular noblemen's graves are targeted. Bonnie Brook, the leader of the largest Resurrectionists gang, demands that Kiera find his sister who was lured away by one of the men involved in the ransoming scheme...or else.

Lady Kiera Darby faces much of her inner demons in this addition to the series as her relationship with Gage becomes more emotionally vested.  The damage emotionally and psychologically from her deceased husband plagues her with certainty, fear, and doubt about Gage while they investigate.  Sebastian Gage, the son of a London investigator, is fighting his own battles, with his father arranging a marriage for him and his own self doubts while trying to catch the thieves who have bested him before.  Trevor, Kiera's brother, is a welcome new character who expresses the mental anguish her family experienced when they realized something was wrong with her marriage to Sir Anthony Darby.  Trevor is a devoted brother and struggles to help her find her way.  Mr. Stuart, the Frenchman in demand at parties around England had far more to him than you initially think.  Even Bonnie Brook has a few surprises.

Dryburgh Abbey ruins are a great and eerie setting for the New Year's grave robbing and murder.  The book continues from there with a trip to Edinburgh and then back to the English/Scottish border.  The basic plot idea is pretty simple in that there is somebody robbing nobleman's graves of their bones, which the prevalent thinking was the person's soul was then put in jeopardy.    The pacing moved along steadily between the murder case and the tensions between Kiera and Gage, although their relationship comprises more of the story than in the prior two novels.

The climax was built up to and delivers good tension that is logical when chasing a paid ransom, what happens at the end of the line!  The wrap-up left me wanting more.

This novel provides a bridge from Kiera helping with investigations because it directly impacts her, to her wanting to sleuth.  I like how she is included in the investigation without constant censuring or pestering about the danger.  I enjoy historical mysteries and this is one of my favorite series. 

Ratings: Near Perfect - Buy two copies: one for you and one for a friend. 

Review - Why Kings Confess

Today I review the newest in the Sebastian St. Cyr historical mysteries.  Previously I reviewed "What Darkness Brings" (click here), "When Maidens Mourn" (click here), and "Where Shadows Dance" (click here).  We were also honored to interview C.S. Harris (click here.)  Let's get to the review right away...

Author: C.S. Harris

Copyright: March 2014 (NAL) 352 pgs

Series: 9th in Sebastian St. Cyr Regency Mysteries

Sensuality: mild romance, some clinical discussion of mutilation-not too graphic.

Mystery Sub-genre: Historical Suspense

Main Characters: Sebastian St. Cyr (Viscount Devlin) a veteran of the Peninsula wars with Napoleon and a nobleman.

Setting: 1813 London England

Obtained Through: Publisher for honest review

Sebastian's good friend, Paul Gibson, finds a badly injured Frenchwoman (Dr. Alexandrie Sauvage) beside the mutilated body of Dr. Damion Pelletan in one of London’s worst slums. Alexi has no memory of the attack. Sebastian knows her from his past that he still has nightmares about, and they share a mutual mistrust. Apparently Dr. Pelletan was part of a secret delegation sent by Napoleon to test the possibility of peace with Britain.

During the investigation, there is the chance that the graphic murders are tied to the “Lost Dauphin,” the boy prince and heir (son of King Louis XVI) who is rumored alive rather than having died during French Revolution. Sebastian must investigate the surviving daughter of King Louis and Marie Antoinette, the haughty and cold-blooded daughter of Marie Antoinette... who is determined to retake the French crown at any cost.  There were four children of the King and Marie Antoinette (Marie-Thérèse Charlotte "Madame Royale" (1778-1851), believed the only surviving member of the Royal Family.  Louis-Joseph: eldest Dauphin of France (1781-1789) who died because of tuberculosis, Louis-Charles "Louis XVII": younger Dauphin of France (1785-1795) who died in the Temple's tower but rumored escaped, and Sophie-Béatrice "Madame Sophie" (1786-1787)). An additional concern is Hero's health with the impending birth as well as dear friend Paul Gibson's battle with pain medicine.

Sebastian faces some personal demons as well as learns to express his feelings with Hero. Hero is facing a dangerous breach birth while trying to stay active and help Sebastian.  Lord Jarvis is his usual calculating self who doesn't want the peace negotiations to succeed.  Paul Gibson gets a spotlight as he becomes entangled in the people involved, and must face his own emotional and physical pain.  Dr. Alexandrie Sauvage is complicated and layered, her motives are murky but her concern for Gibson appears real.  I hope she returns in future novels.  I consider Alexi the breakout character.

Regency England is richly spread before the reader in meticulous detail, transporting you fully into the time and place.  The birth complications added to this as well.  The history about the French revolution and the trials of the royal son and daughter was gripping.  The climax had some twists and the expected high tension -- very satisfying.  The wrap up was priceless.

Another great entry in the series, maintaining the high standards of intrigue, character development, and atmosphere.

Rating: Near Perfect - Buy two copies: one for you and one for a friend. If you enjoy historical mysteries, this is a must read.

Here is a book trailer for Why Kings Confess.

FYI, Louis Alphonse, Duke of Anjou is currently the heir to defunct French throne.  A little piece of trivia.

Review - Fatal Enquiry

This is my introduction to Barker and Llewellyn mysteries. I regret it taking so long to discover this series, for it has all the ingredients to become an enduring classic.

Author: Will Thomas

Copyright: May 2014 (Minotaur Books) 304 pgs

Series: 6th in Barker and Llewellyn series

Sensuality: Some violence (not very graphic)

Mystery Sub-genre: Historical police procedural

Main Characters: Private enquiry agent Cyrus Barker and his apprentice, Thomas Llewellyn

Setting: 1886 London

Obtained Through: Publisher for an honest review

Sherlock had Moriarity and Cyrus Barker has his arch-nemesis Sebastian Nightwine.  But Cyrus Barker had exposed Nightwine a few years beforehand and never expected to see or hear of him again.  But the British government has forgiven his criminal past and welcomed him back to London.  Nightwine has a plan that would expand the British empire and the government has taken the bait.  

In the first chapter the action starts and quickly Barker and Llewellyn are wanted fugitives when Nightwine begins his revenge.  The indomitable Cyrus Barker and loyal apprentice Thomas must figure out what Nightwine's deal with the government is really all about and prevent a tragic government blunder while dodging arrest. Oh, and avoid the assassin out to kill them. The story is told from Llewellyn's point of view with a witty voice that lightens the tale. 

Thomas Llewellyn is bookish, yet he is the right hand person to London's premier enquiry agent (private investigator).  He knows life is good for him, and he has a level head with a humorous outlook.  He never takes himself very seriously and is very loyal.  He makes a great view point character.  Cyrus Barker is a solemn, sober-minded man of larger-than-life background and determination with a splash of action hero.  Inspector Terence Poole of Scotland Yard is Barker's friend who risks his career.  Jacob Maccabee, Barker's grouchy servant who occasionally let's some of his inner man and emotions show - the man who wanted to be the apprentice, who will risk his life to help stop Nightwine.  Jenkins is their office clerk who may be suited to filing, but jumps in to assist Barker without a thought.  Soho Vic is one of Barker's informants, or "watchers", who is a young Fagan running a gang.  I want to see more of this character.  Then there is Sofia Ilyanova, an angelic vision who gets under Thomas' skin, but whose motives are suspect throughout the book.

Victorian London is presented as more than a historical travelog as Barker and Llewellyn hide out in various parts of the vast city.  The Masons of London are utilized differently than is usual and it makes a nice touch.  The plot is part PI and part Suspense with plenty of action.  The climax isn't a standard killer reveal, since the reader is made aware of who the "bad guy" is.  It is rather a showdown.  The wrap-up leaves a little hint that one little aspect of this story may come back to haunt Barker and Llewellyn later.

I was surprised by the dramatic quick pace combined by a unique, even charming, narrative voice.  This has joined my list of "must reads."

Rating: Near Perfect - Buy two copies: one for you and one for a friend. 
 

 

Review - Unnatural Habits

I had intended to begin this series several times and just never got to for one reason or another.  I finally took the plunge with the newest in the series.  I found out that this series has been made into a TV murder mystery show (ABC1’s 13-part series) that began airing in 2012 in Australia (click here for more information.)  So what is all the fuss about?

Just a quick note that I am attending West Coast Crime for four days.  Today was the first day and it was great.  One of the best writing conferences I have attended yet.   

I am including this in my Historical Mystery Reading Challenge.  You can still join us (click here.)

Author: Kerry Greenwood

Copyright: January 2013 (Poisoned Pen Press) 250 pgs

Series: 19th in Phryne Fisher Mysteries

Sensuality: adult situations discussed or referrenced

Mystery Sub-genre: Historical PI

Main Characters: Phryne (pronounced Fry-nee) Fisher, independent liberated woman

Setting: 1929, Melbourne Australia

Obtained Through: Personal Purchase

An ambitious girl reporter, Polly Kettle, who has no sense of self preservation, decides to work as an investigative reporter rather than the fluff pieces she has been assigned. The story opens with Phyrne rescuing Polly from a gang intent on beating her and Polly shares the story she is investigating, girls are going missing in Melbourne. Little, pretty golden-haired girls. And not just pretty.  Three  of them are pregnant, poor girls from the harsh confines of the Magdalene Laundry.  Shortly after Phryne rescues Polly, she goes missing herself.  

Detective Inspector Jack Robinson enlists Phryne's assistance to investigate Polly's disappearance, which means she must investigate the Laundry, which is run by a convent - so it will be a field of land mines to investigate and require all of Phryne's abilities.  Additionally, in investigating the young pregnant girls, it becomes clear that they were all victims of rape.  Somebody seems to be avenging the girls by knocking the men unconscious and surgically altering the rapists to prevent any further unwanted pregnancies.  There is also a code (SS 5.10 BM) that seems to keep coming up in association with the missing girls which Phyrne and her household have difficulty deciphering.  There is a sense of urgency to find the pushy Polly Kettle and the other missing girls.

Phyrne has money, which allows her to live independent and outside many of the social restrictions on women at the time.  She is smart and capable as an private investigator, assisting the police in this instance.  She is also gutsy.  This makes for a great character who is ahead of her time and enjoying it.  Phyrne has a penchant for taking in strays.  She employs several young people fondly called her minions, who live under her care, who assist by researching and providing light footwork on the investigations.  Chief among these is Dot, who appears to be the eldest of Ms. Fisher's odd assortment.  Dot is shy, proper, and loyal to Ms. Fisher.  Dot is the counterpoint to Phyrne's free spirit, blushing at the slightest mention of male/female relations.  The newest addition to the household is fourteen year old Tinker who wants to apprentice with Phyrne to be a cop one day.  Tinker is amazed at having regular meals and his own space, since he came from abject poverty.  Tinker begins to blossom during the investigation, even finds he enjoys playing chess with Jane. Tinker is a great character and his progress draws the reader into the household.

I enjoyed 1920s Australia as the setting.  The details of Melbourne and small towns are clear and visceral, including the political climate.  I am surprised it hasn't been used for more mystery settings.

The plot is solid, I found myself drawn in and hooked right away.  The only aspect I stumbled over was the rescue of Polly at the beginning.  Phyrne and her good friend witness Polly being surrounded by a gang and Phryne turns to her contingent of bodyguards provided by Lin Chung, her Chinese boyfriend, to rescue Polly.  This seemed odd since those bodyguards are never really explained as to why they are present at that moment but not present again in the rest of the book.  The pacing moves along as the investigation progresses and anxiety over the missing girls increases. 

I loved the climax.  Phyrne is in the middle of the action and plausibly pulls of a daring rescue in tandem with Detective Inspector Jack Robinson.  The wrap up ties up loose ends and clears the decks for the next adventure.  That was a great climax.

This was my first book in the Phryne Fisher Mysteries and I now I have the dilemma of finding the time to read the previous eighteen books in the series.  I began the book curious and quickly became a fan.  This is not a cozy, it is a well plotted and written private investigator story that uncovers some unsavory deeds.  I would say it is soft boiled PI. 

Rating: Near Perfect - Buy two copies: one for you and one for a friend.

Review - Troubled Bones

It is November already, can you believe it?  I hope you enjoyed the interviews and paranormal book reviews throughout October. I want to thank all the participants in the Spooktacular Giveaway.  I ended up with 2 copies of one book so there will be a total of 4 winners.  The winners are Chris, Jennifer Mathis, Astroqueen67, and Wanda F.  Winners, you should have received an email asking for your addresses.

This week I review the newest in a medieval private investigator series.  I previously reviewed the second book in this series, Serpent in the Thorns (click here) and Ms. Westerson provided a great guest blog (click here.)  

Author: Jeri Westerson

Copyright: October 2011 (Minotaur) 304 pgs

Series: 4th in Crispin Guest Medieval Noir Mystery

Sensuality: some adult situations, nothing explicit

Mystery Sub-genre: Historical private investigator

Main Character: Crispin Guest, disgraced knight of England making a living as an investigator.

Setting: 1385,Canterbury England

Obtained Through: from library

Crispin's reputation as "The Tracker" has grown and he is required by the Archbishop of Canterbury to protect the bones of martyred Saint Thomas Beckett. The former Archbishop of Canterbury, Becket had been murdered in the cathedral that now holds his bones, but there is suspicion that the bones are going to be stolen by a group that is looking to undermine the Catholic church. Crispin is to protect the bones which bring in money from pilgrims and find if one of the heretics is actually part of the monastery. This job requires Crispin to face people who remember him being disgraced as a traitor and even his old friend Geoffery Chaucer.

The very first night on duty, a prioress is murdered in one of the chapels in the Cathedral, the exact same place Beckett was slain, and Crispin is knocked unconscious. A young nun was present in the chapel with the Prioress at the time of the murder and is traumatized. Crispin's young apprentice gets his first crush on the young nun complicating matters. 

Another murder occurs that seems completely unrelated which throws a curve that keeps the reader guessing. Of course, it could be the curse that Jack learns about during his undercover stint in the monastery. But the clock is ticking when Chaucer is unexpectedly jailed by the archbishop for the murders and Crispin only has hours to clear his name.

Crispin has his hands full and confronting his past is an added challenge. The Archbishop and Chaucer are catalysts in Crispin's internal struggles with his past that demonstrate what kind of man he has become since he was stripped of his knighthood.  He has changed a lot and the reader suspects, for the better.

Young Jack is growing up and we get a chapter from his perspective as he goes undercover at the monastery. This was a great touch and I appreciate Jack's character even more now. Chaucer was unpredictable and added a touch of mystery. There is a woman that catches Crispin's fancy as well.  Some moments of humor lighten an intense plot.

The plot has a few twists and the connection between the two murders is not obvious. The attention to period detail is integrated smoothly and immerses you. The confrontation with the killer is suspenseful and the wrap up was quite satisfying with an added surprise. Crispin continues to develop and grow. This series keeps improving and the character of Crispin transcends time with the motivations and political intrigue that are no less in play today.  Excellent series that makes history exciting and even cool and this book is a stellar addition.