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

The Woman In The Water by Charles Finch

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Historical Mystery, Mystery, Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Victorian Era (1837-1901)1 Comment

The Woman in the WaterThe Woman in the Water by Charles Finch

Barbara’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

WOW! I am in awe of Charles Finch and his writing and I’d give this book more than 5-stars if I could. This has to be the absolute best book of the Charles Lenox Mystery series so far. While it is shown as book #0 in the series because it is a prequel, it is actually something like the thirteenth if you count the novellas. The writing is superb, the characters are fully developed and relatable, and the story is fast-paced, engrossing and detailed.

We are introduced to a young Charles Lenox, just twenty-three years of age and newly living in London on his own. He desperately wants to be a detective, but his few forays into it and his interactions with Scotland Yard have been very disappointing. However, being the tenacious young man that he is, Charles perseveres by honing his knowledge of crimes in London, how they are solved and the details behind them. He does that by buying copies of all of the newspapers and cutting all of the crime related articles out and filing them away.

When one of those newspapers carry the text of a letter claiming that the writer had already committed one ‘perfect’ murder and would be committing another soon, Charles knew he had to be involved. He and his valet, Graham, use the timeline given in the letter and find the case the letter writer must be claiming as his perfect crime. They are off to Scotland Yard to show them their conjecture and to offer their services. Of course, Scotland Yard wants no part of their help, but that doesn’t deter Charles. As he digs and learns more and more – he shares it all with Scotland Yard.

While the murder plot was interesting, detailed and engrossing, I think my favorite parts of the book were the more personal parts. Those are skillfully written and poignant, heartwarming, emotional and sad. We meet Charles’ mother and father and learn of the father, Edward’s, medical diagnosis. How Charles, his mother, and brother Edmund – his father too – deal with that is so bittersweet and lovely. I absolutely adored his father and the efforts he made to ensure that he spent time with each of the family members individually and that they knew he loved them. I loved the descriptions of his fence painting – and I loved that when he finally spoke to Charles about his leaving them he said – “The hardest part of losing a person, Charles, is that grief is only an absence. There is nowhere to go to touch it.”

It was fun to meet the younger, more immature versions of people we’ll get to know and love throughout the series. There is Jane, of course. She’s married to someone else and Charles is heartbroken over that. Graham, of course, is one of my favorite people. Then, we meet a very young and very mischievous John Dallington.

I usually don’t read prequels, especially if I know that someone doesn’t last through the series – especially because of a bad end. I am so very, very happy that I made an exception for this book. It is so well written, so well developed and just such a wonderful read that I cannot imagine having missed it.

Please check out my reviews at:
Blog: https://flippinpages.blog/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/flippinpages…
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FlippinPagesRev
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BarbBookReview

“I requested and received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher.”

Daring Widow by Cerise DeLand

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

Daring Widow: Those Notorious Americans, Book 2Daring Widow: Those Notorious Americans, Book 2 by Cerise DeLand

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Those Notorious Americans #2
Publication Date: 12/1/17

I enjoyed this read even though it is set at a later time than I usually read and is set in France rather than England, Ireland or Scotland (my preferred geographical reading areas). I thought the characters were well developed, the story stayed on-point and the writing was good. This is the second book in the series, but I didn’t feel that I missed anything by not having read the first book in the series. You’ll be engaged by the H/h and will love getting to know them.

The descriptions of Paris are so vivid that they make you feel as if you have lived there yourself. Paris was the exciting place to be at that time and our author makes you feel that excitement.

The main characters in this story are different than many of the lords and ladies you read about. They are less formal and more forward thinking, but this was the Victorian era in Paris rather than the Regency period in London. Remy is of the French aristocracy and a gifted artist – he’s also a rogue and scoundrel where the ladies are concerned. Marianne has been widowed for ten years and she is also artistic.

Remy and Marianne’s relationship heads down many paths and you wonder – almost to the last page, whether they’ll finally get their HEA or not. It goes from Remy wanting an affair/mistress and Marianne wanting nothing at all – to Marianne wanting the affair and Remy wanting more – to – well, you get it – it changes a lot – and often. You’ll experience their joys and their sorrows as well as their personal growth and enlightenment.

Please check out my reviews at:
Blog: https://flippinpages.blog/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/flippinpages…
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FlippinPagesRev
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BarbBookReview

“I requested and received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher.”