Category: Victorian Era (1837-1901)

In the history of the United Kingdom, the Victorian era was the period of Queen Victoria’s reign, from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. The era followed the Georgian period and preceded the Edwardian period, and its later half overlaps with the first part of the Belle Époque era of continental Europe.
Preceded by: Regency era
Followed by: Edwardian era
Monarch: Victoria

An Unwilling Earl by Sharon Cullen

On By TracyIn Tracy's Reviews, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

An Unwilling EarlAn Unwilling Earl by Sharon Cullen

Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Mayfair Men of Mystery, #1

Release Date: March 25, 2019

Jacob Baker is the new Earl of Ashland, much to his dismay. He is a good and kind man who still nurses a broken heart after the death of his wife and son. And who before he inherited, he enjoyed his quiet life as a solicitor and is not prepared for the duties of being the earl. While going to meet his friend Oliver, the Earl of Armsbruster, he saves a boy from being trampled by a horse, he makes sure the boy is unharmed and seeing that he is nearly starved, gives him a coin. He meets with Oliver and they discuss a string of unsolved, gruesome murders, then Oliver tells Jacob that his mother the Countess has learned of his inheritance and is planning a party to “introduce” him. He dreads the thought of entering society. Days later, he gets a visit from Baroness Morris, she wants to hire him to find her missing niece, he refuses, but Lady Morris is insistent and leaves him a sketch of Charlotte. He looks at the drawing and is mesmerized by the girl’s eyes, they seem familiar, but he still refuses.

The boy he saved is actually Charlotte Morris, niece to Martha Morris, Baroness Morris. She ran away from home after years of abuse culminating in a horrific scene that had Charlotte fearing for her life. She has been hiding out in the rookeries of London barely surviving, but she has a plan, she wants to move to America and tutor American heiresses on English etiquette. She is intrigued by Jacob and goes back to the street she met him on, hoping to catch a glimpse of him. When he exits his club, she follows him. He pays a visit to her friend Lady Sarah and she burns to know why. She confronts Sarah the next day and learns that her aunt is looking for her, Sarah believes that Charlotte can trust Jacob and urges her to meet with him.

Jacob is kind to her and offers to help her, but she is not ready to reveal the truth of her disappearance. She does agree to let him help her move to America and moves into his house. As they spend time together, she begins to trust him and finally shares her story and her suspicions. Jacob is drawn to her, but believes that love is not in his future, he loved his wife with all his heart and is sure it died with her. But he cannot deny he is attracted to her and when they share a kiss, he isn’t sure what he feels, but knows that he doesn’t want her to go to America. He tries to reunite her with her mother’s family in an attempt to get her to stay and even offers marriage. Charlotte is falling for Jacob, but she won’t marry a man who cannot love her. She is determined to move, but when Jacob appeals to her sense of justice and promises to protect her from her aunt and cousin, she agrees.

It seems like they will have a good life together, but after a hostile visit from her aunt prods them to go to Scotland Yard with Charlotte’s theory of who is behind the murders, they unwittingly set a sting of events into motion that may cost them more than they ever imagined.

I really enjoyed this story, I wasn’t sure I would because I don’t usually care for stories where one of the main characters has been in love before, and while I would have liked less comparison between Charlotte and Cora (especially regarding the love scenes), I did believe that Jacob truly loved Charlotte. The story was well written and flowed nicely. The mystery is a little gruesome and suspenseful, but I thought it was well done and the conclusion was satisfying. I think the eARC I received must be an uncorrected copy as there are some inconsistencies, some glaring historical inaccuracies and the continuous incorrect use of the title of dowager. But those aside, it was still an enjoyable, gripping read that I would be happy to recommend.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher.*

The Hollow of Fear by Sherry Thomas

On By BarbaraIn Audiobook, Barb's Reviews, Historical Mystery, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

The Hollow of Fear (Lady Sherlock, #3)The Hollow of Fear by Sherry Thomas

Barbara’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Lady Sherlock #3
Publication Date: 10/2/18
# of Pages: 329

I am absolutely gobsmacked! Stunned! It has been a full day since I finished this book and my head is still swimming. This author has a way of delivering a fresh, interesting, exciting, absolutely stunner of a story every time. Yes, I was totally stumped right to the end – and that just doesn’t happen with me. I always figure out the villain early on in the book.

I am sure you could read this story and thoroughly enjoy it if you didn’t read the first two books in the series – A Study in Scarlet Women and A Conspiracy in Belgravia – but I highly recommend that you read them in order. The character originations and background begin in the first book and build from there. In A Study in Scarlet Women, we learned about Charlotte’s background and solved a triple murder. A Conspiracy in Belgravia starts the day after the first book ends and focuses on the search for Mr. Myron Finch and it also gives us more information on Moriarty. This book continues directly after the second book ends. Goodness that author can create some twisted tales.

The last line in book #2 was ‘Hello Brother’ and the first line in this book begins with ‘Hello Brother. Charlotte is greeting her illegitimate half-brother Myron Finch who has been hiding right under their noses all this time. He is Mott, the Holmes’ coachman. He explains to Charlotte why he has been hiding and from whom. He explains that he has stolen something from Moriarty and tells her what it is and why it is important. Just as Charlotte is about to leave, Stephen Marbleton arrives – and they realize that they are being watched and that the watchers are closing in on them. They quickly devise an escape plan and all, except Charlotte, manage to totally escape. However, Charlotte isn’t the one that is being sought, so they let her go.

A few months later, Charlotte and Mrs. Holmes are at a small cottage in the country. The fact that they are near Stern Hollow, Lord Ingram’s country seat, is totally coincidental. Charlotte is there so she can freely visit with her sister Livia who is attending a house party at her father’s cousin’s (Mrs. Newell) home – she has another reason for being there that also has nothing to do with Lord Ingram, but I won’t tell you about that one.

Because she is a fallen woman, Charlotte cannot openly contact Livia. Charlotte doesn’t let that stop her though. She and Mrs. Holmes have created a disguise. Charlotte will become the brother of Sherlock Holmes – Sherrinford Holmes. She has studied moving like a man and has practiced lowering her voice, so she’s ready for her role. Then – disaster – a boiler at Mrs. Newell’s home ruptures and floods the house – effectively ending the house party. However, many of the guests get moved to a neighboring estate – Lord Ingram’s – for a couple of days until they can all make arrangements for their trip home.

Speaking of disasters – not too long after his home is filled with guests – the body of Lady Ingram is discovered in his ice house. The local constabulary is sent for and they promptly request help from Scotland Yard. Inspector Treadles is chosen to accompany Chief Inspector Fowler on the case. Fowler is bent on making a name for himself and he fully intends to put the blame solely on Lord Ingram and sadly, it looks as if the evidence will support him in doing that. It appears that it will be up to Sherinford Holmes to solve the crime and save Lord Ingram. Inspector Treadles doesn’t want to believe that his old friend is guilty, but he has to do his job. What he can do, however, is keep the identity of Sherinford Holmes a secret and hope that he really can save Lord Ingram. Is that even really Lord Ingram’s wife that they found?

I hope I’ve given you enough to whet your appetite because I don’t want to go further and tell you all the secrets. Just know that it is a wonderfully exciting read with an ending that you absolutely won’t believe.

I was also happy to note that Inspector Treadles finally had his grand epiphany and realized that it was okay for Charlotte to be smart and for him to ask for her assistance and that it was also okay for his wife to want more than just being a wife. He realized she could do both and they could still love each other. I loved that part.

Another thing I loved was the development with Bernadette. I won’t tell you that either, but I love it.

Now – I have to wait and wait and wait, very impatiently for the next book where I hope to see not only another wonderful mystery but some growth in the relationship between Lord Ingram and Charlotte.

I highly recommend this incredibly complex and stimulating read.