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thebooktrail88's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This novel whispers and needles its way into your conscience. It took me to a Victorian cemetery and to a time when the obsession with death and mourning was at a high. There’s something so eerie yet beautiful and poignant about cemeteries and it’s all captured in this novel. I have visited one or two in London but this novel gave me vibes of the ‘ above ground’ cemeteries that exist in New Orleans to avoid the flooding problem.
This also had vibes of the Burke and Hare body snatchers case in Edinburgh – trickery and all kinds of wicked schemes being hatched. The criminals in this case are Crawford and Bonnie whose tricks catch up with them and find themselves in a situation they need to flee.
Bonnie finds a new life as a lady’s main in a big posh house on the banks of the River Thames. Once again, the image and smell of death catches Bonnie in its claws. The man of the house draws mausoleums for his dead wife whilst his strange daughter is starting to question her existence and life in the house itself.
This is when the story really gets chillingly clever as all this time, Crawford has been hiding in the shadows waitng for the right moment. To what you may ask? Well, that would be telling. But rest assured you are in the hands of a master in the gothic fiction genre.
The location of London and the setting of the cold house is wonderfully done. Exquisite prose elevates this into something really quite wonderful.
bookeygirl's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
annettenis's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
sunlitzenik's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
aieshab's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
This is no Bonnie and Clyde tale. Elizabeth Macneal’s The Burial Plot is a captivating story that immerses you in the dark and twisty world of 19th century London. With cemeteries overflowing and death a booming business, Bonnie and Crawford's mischievous survival tactics set the stage for a gripping tale of murder and deception.
From the moment you dive into the book, Macneal’s atmospheric writing pulls you into a time where shadows linger around every corner.
The character development in The Burial Plot is commendable, particularly with Bonnie. Her evolution from her humble beginnings to a streetwise trickster to a woman entangled in the Moncrieff family's secrets is engaging.
While some of the secrets were fairly obvious from early on, there were enough surprises and twists to keep me hooked. The plot does follow a somewhat formulaic path at times, but Macneal’s skill in crafting endearing and complex characters makes up for it. The tension between Bonnie and Crawford, along with the eerie setting of the Moncrieff household, creates a cosy yet thrilling read that’s hard to put down.
I managed to finish this book in just two sittings, which speaks to its gripping nature. Though it may not be groundbreaking, The Burial Plot offers an enjoyable escape. Macneal’s ability to weave a tale that balances suspense with character-driven storytelling makes this novel a worthwhile addition to your bookshelf.
If you’re looking for a cosy read with a touch of the eerie and a strong, likeable protagonist, The Burial Plot is a solid choice.
From the moment you dive into the book, Macneal’s atmospheric writing pulls you into a time where shadows linger around every corner.
The character development in The Burial Plot is commendable, particularly with Bonnie. Her evolution from her humble beginnings to a streetwise trickster to a woman entangled in the Moncrieff family's secrets is engaging.
While some of the secrets were fairly obvious from early on, there were enough surprises and twists to keep me hooked. The plot does follow a somewhat formulaic path at times, but Macneal’s skill in crafting endearing and complex characters makes up for it. The tension between Bonnie and Crawford, along with the eerie setting of the Moncrieff household, creates a cosy yet thrilling read that’s hard to put down.
I managed to finish this book in just two sittings, which speaks to its gripping nature. Though it may not be groundbreaking, The Burial Plot offers an enjoyable escape. Macneal’s ability to weave a tale that balances suspense with character-driven storytelling makes this novel a worthwhile addition to your bookshelf.
If you’re looking for a cosy read with a touch of the eerie and a strong, likeable protagonist, The Burial Plot is a solid choice.
sarah_readinglog's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
katie_mosscrop's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
hedgehognerd's review against another edition
4.5
4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ The Burial Plot is an historical thriller that is absolutely absorbing. The gothic vibes are present throughout creating a scenic backdrop for an engaging plot. At times my heart was thumping when lies and manipulation start to unravel. Also the focus on burial grounds made for interesting reading as this was a problem Victorian England had to address. This book definitely transports you into the past and the characters are all so believable. Overall a brilliant read with darkness at its core. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.
sharonb's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
This was my first Elizabet Macneal novel and I will definitely be looking out for her other work. I love a good, Victorian gothic novel and this didn't disappoint.
Set in 1839, our main character runs away from home to London and is 'rescued' by Crawford who begins and continues throughout to manipulate Bonnie to get her to help in his thieving and extortion activities in her belief that he loves her. An incident occurs and Bonnie fears being arrested by police. Crawford "helps her" by getting her a job in a fine gothic mansion outside London but what are his real motivations?
I foresaw most of the plot twists but that didn't affect my enjoyment. I was totally engrossed in it and finished it in just over a day. On occasions, some of the language used by one of the characters was a bit course which I didn't particularly like but given the setting of the slums of St. Giles in London, it was likely an accurate portrayal of the way they would have spoken. Highly recommend.
Thank you netgalley for the advanced copy.
Set in 1839, our main character runs away from home to London and is 'rescued' by Crawford who begins and continues throughout to manipulate Bonnie to get her to help in his thieving and extortion activities in her belief that he loves her. An incident occurs and Bonnie fears being arrested by police. Crawford "helps her" by getting her a job in a fine gothic mansion outside London but what are his real motivations?
I foresaw most of the plot twists but that didn't affect my enjoyment. I was totally engrossed in it and finished it in just over a day. On occasions, some of the language used by one of the characters was a bit course which I didn't particularly like but given the setting of the slums of St. Giles in London, it was likely an accurate portrayal of the way they would have spoken. Highly recommend.
Thank you netgalley for the advanced copy.