Scan barcode
meribiaa's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-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? No
4.25
polywogg's review against another edition
3.0
PLOT OR PREMISE:
Murdoch gets to investigate the death of Dolly Merishaw, a drunkard, a midwife, and an abortionist. She lived with two boys that she treated horribly, as well as a young woman who is also a little unbalanced. It doesn't take much for Murdoch to realize there was blackmail involved, the question being of who?
.
WHAT I LIKED:
Murdoch's investigation is relatively straightforward, but the fun part is seeing him trying to figure out the morals of dating and ballroom dancing when he still grieves his fiancee's death. He's also training for a bicycle race. It's a good introduction of some supporting characters too.
.
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:
The view of the young woman being unbalanced is far too simplistic and poorly portrayed.
.
BOTTOM-LINE:
A good addition to the series, but not the best
.
DISCLOSURE:
I received no compensation, not even a free copy, in exchange for this review. I am not personal friends with the author, nor do I follow her on social media.
Murdoch gets to investigate the death of Dolly Merishaw, a drunkard, a midwife, and an abortionist. She lived with two boys that she treated horribly, as well as a young woman who is also a little unbalanced. It doesn't take much for Murdoch to realize there was blackmail involved, the question being of who?
.
WHAT I LIKED:
Murdoch's investigation is relatively straightforward, but the fun part is seeing him trying to figure out the morals of dating and ballroom dancing when he still grieves his fiancee's death. He's also training for a bicycle race. It's a good introduction of some supporting characters too.
.
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:
The view of the young woman being unbalanced is far too simplistic and poorly portrayed.
.
BOTTOM-LINE:
A good addition to the series, but not the best
.
DISCLOSURE:
I received no compensation, not even a free copy, in exchange for this review. I am not personal friends with the author, nor do I follow her on social media.
jmeston's review against another edition
3.0
3.9, I liked the ending almost enough to give it a 4. Also liked the reserved tone and the meting out of justice that the author accomplished. Not a deep story but diverting.
kikiandarrowsfishshelf's review against another edition
3.0
Crossposted at Booklikes.
I first came across Detective Murdoch when watching television while in Toronto. Recently the series has made its way onto American cable via the Ovation network and under the title The Artful Detective.
Murdoch is a Catholic in the Protestant city of Toronto, at the end of the 1800s. He is a thinking man, a more accessible version of Sherlock Holmes, who attracts the ladies even as he is getting over the death of his love. He is tasked with the job of discovering the murder of Dolly Shaw, a mid-wife and abortionist.
Is this the most perfect mystery? Well no, and it is a bit of morality story, though it should be noted not anti-abortion per se. I have to give Jennings credit for while her hero is male, the book is stocked full of well-developed women of strength – from Dr. Ogden, whose role in this book at least is smaller than on television, to the singer Annie, to Maud – the women find themselves constrained in choice. Murdoch is perhaps more opened minded and sympathy then what would normally be believed, but the writing is good and story diverting. Despite his straight lace appearance, Murdoch does have a bit of humor. He also is willing to improve himself and change his perceptions.
While Toronto doesn’t seem to be a character per se, historical details are well drawn.
I first came across Detective Murdoch when watching television while in Toronto. Recently the series has made its way onto American cable via the Ovation network and under the title The Artful Detective.
Murdoch is a Catholic in the Protestant city of Toronto, at the end of the 1800s. He is a thinking man, a more accessible version of Sherlock Holmes, who attracts the ladies even as he is getting over the death of his love. He is tasked with the job of discovering the murder of Dolly Shaw, a mid-wife and abortionist.
Is this the most perfect mystery? Well no, and it is a bit of morality story, though it should be noted not anti-abortion per se. I have to give Jennings credit for while her hero is male, the book is stocked full of well-developed women of strength – from Dr. Ogden, whose role in this book at least is smaller than on television, to the singer Annie, to Maud – the women find themselves constrained in choice. Murdoch is perhaps more opened minded and sympathy then what would normally be believed, but the writing is good and story diverting. Despite his straight lace appearance, Murdoch does have a bit of humor. He also is willing to improve himself and change his perceptions.
While Toronto doesn’t seem to be a character per se, historical details are well drawn.
pussreboots's review against another edition
3.0
I really have mixed feelings about this series. On the one hand they inspired one of my current favorite mystery television series. And while the books do a better job at accurately portraying what police work and life in Toronto 1895 was like, they also seem to suck the very soul out of me.
http://pussreboots.com/blog/2017/comments_10/under_the_dragons_tail.html
http://pussreboots.com/blog/2017/comments_10/under_the_dragons_tail.html
pageturner92's review
5.0
A great second book! I was a little disappointed by the lack of Julia Ogden's appearance as she is one of my favourite MM characters yet the books are vastly different from the show. Regardless this novel touched on a very sensitive subject and handled it with utmost regard. There is more of a balance between the secondary characters this time and they add to the plot whilst refraining from creating confusion. In regards to secondary characters I would have been interested to see the character of Lily develop and how she was perceived by society at that time due to her deafness, but it wasn't important to the plot as a whole.
Looking forward to the next novel!
Looking forward to the next novel!
More...