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mamap's review against another edition
3.0
very english. victorian mystery/romance genre. and i didn't figure out the bad guy. either i wasn't paying attention or it was well done. not sure.
yomuzo's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
heatherv_89's review against another edition
3.0
Overall I liked the story in this book very much. Most of the characters were standard fare for Victorian London and the romance was more than a little contrived for my taste, but it was still an enjoyable read!
wendyh65's review
4.0
Young Lizzie Martin arrives in London to become a lady's companion, having fallen on hard times since her father's death and in need of a job to support herself. The lady is her godfather's widow, and in need of a new companion since her previous one inconveniently disappeared without warning.
It's 1864. Railways are being established, with whole neighbourhoods being razed to make way for tracks, tunnels and stations, and they're dangerous places to be. Lizzie encounters this as soon as she arrives, as her carriage has to stop to make way for a wagon carrying the body of a woman found dead in a house awaiting demolition.
When Lizzie learns more about predecessor from the household staff, she starts to doubt her employer's assumptions that immoral behaviour was behind her leaving. And then she meets Inspector Benjamin Ross, who delivers shocking news...
Loved it! It was nicely put together on all fronts - mystery, thriller, romance, and history - and a great read. I'm happy to discover that Ann Granger has written several other books, and indeed this one is the first in a series - clearly I will have to investigate further, for the benefit of the library, of course. ;-)
It's 1864. Railways are being established, with whole neighbourhoods being razed to make way for tracks, tunnels and stations, and they're dangerous places to be. Lizzie encounters this as soon as she arrives, as her carriage has to stop to make way for a wagon carrying the body of a woman found dead in a house awaiting demolition.
When Lizzie learns more about predecessor from the household staff, she starts to doubt her employer's assumptions that immoral behaviour was behind her leaving. And then she meets Inspector Benjamin Ross, who delivers shocking news...
Loved it! It was nicely put together on all fronts - mystery, thriller, romance, and history - and a great read. I'm happy to discover that Ann Granger has written several other books, and indeed this one is the first in a series - clearly I will have to investigate further, for the benefit of the library, of course. ;-)
katiedoodle's review against another edition
4.0
Quite well-written with a gentle humor. A strong, admirable heroine. The plot is sometimes a little convenient, but enjoyable all the same.
booknerdlyn's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
tense
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? Yes
4.0
wattestab8's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-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? No
3.75
sab_rose's review
3.0
Average story about a smart, quick-witted woman during a time when such a thing was not welcomed by most.
It isn't bad but it plot is something I have read many times over in books of the same genre.
It isn't bad but it plot is something I have read many times over in books of the same genre.
yve_renard's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
weaselweader's review against another edition
4.0
If Sandra Brown’s novels had been set in Victorian England …
Upon the death of her father, Lizzie Martin found herself quite penniless. Necessity spoke and Ms Martin was happy to accept a situation as a lady's companion to her late godfather’s widow, Julia Parry. Immediately upon her arrival in the intimidating city of London, the odd events begin to accumulate. Ms Martin witnesses the transport of a newly deceased body to the morgue and also quickly discovers that her predecessor in Mrs. Parry’s employ left the house under, well, we’ll call it unusual circumstances. In these kinds of mysteries, the oft-repeated Sherlock Holmes aphorism, “The game is afoot” applies and Ms Martin soon finds herself up to her neck in the investigation of her predecessor’s disappearance.
THE COMPANION is a thoroughly enjoyable character driven historical mystery and romance that pushes on the boundaries of what one would characterize as slightly less than cozy without ever venturing into the realities of violence, sex, or profanity. Murder, deaths, danger and post mortems, for example, are completely real but never fully revealed by pulling aside the narrative curtains behind which they take place. The personalities of the household above stairs and the staff below stairs are brilliantly described and they very much come to life in Ms Granger’s skilled hands. Ms Martin’s courageous and forthright ability to deal with the blunt misogyny that she encounters from all of the men around her, not to mention the irritating and outrageously sanctimonious religious preaching of Dr Tibbett, an erstwhile assistant curate and schoolmaster, is wonderfully entertaining and uplifting.
Quick, fun, and easy reading, THE COMPANION is the debut appearance of Lizzie Martin in a series. A MORTAL CURIOSITY, the second novel in the series, is a definite addition to my reading list.
Paul Weiss
Upon the death of her father, Lizzie Martin found herself quite penniless. Necessity spoke and Ms Martin was happy to accept a situation as a lady's companion to her late godfather’s widow, Julia Parry. Immediately upon her arrival in the intimidating city of London, the odd events begin to accumulate. Ms Martin witnesses the transport of a newly deceased body to the morgue and also quickly discovers that her predecessor in Mrs. Parry’s employ left the house under, well, we’ll call it unusual circumstances. In these kinds of mysteries, the oft-repeated Sherlock Holmes aphorism, “The game is afoot” applies and Ms Martin soon finds herself up to her neck in the investigation of her predecessor’s disappearance.
THE COMPANION is a thoroughly enjoyable character driven historical mystery and romance that pushes on the boundaries of what one would characterize as slightly less than cozy without ever venturing into the realities of violence, sex, or profanity. Murder, deaths, danger and post mortems, for example, are completely real but never fully revealed by pulling aside the narrative curtains behind which they take place. The personalities of the household above stairs and the staff below stairs are brilliantly described and they very much come to life in Ms Granger’s skilled hands. Ms Martin’s courageous and forthright ability to deal with the blunt misogyny that she encounters from all of the men around her, not to mention the irritating and outrageously sanctimonious religious preaching of Dr Tibbett, an erstwhile assistant curate and schoolmaster, is wonderfully entertaining and uplifting.
Quick, fun, and easy reading, THE COMPANION is the debut appearance of Lizzie Martin in a series. A MORTAL CURIOSITY, the second novel in the series, is a definite addition to my reading list.
Paul Weiss