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cpjeanz's review
5.0
This was an unexpectedly awesome book. I love historical mysteries, and I was certainly expecting to enjoy this, but it was much better than I anticipated. I'm unfamiliar with the BBC show, so I didn't know anything about the characters or world going in. But boy oh boy, does this feel like a well realized world. Leith feels like a living, breathing historical place. The characters were complex and well drawn, where you learn little bits and pieces of them but enough ambiguity exists to keep you interested long term. As for the plot, I really didn't enjoy it for a lot of it. Not because it was poorly written! But because it was playing with established history that clearly wasn't real, and apologies, but that stuff irks me. There was a nice twist however that was both unexpected and pleasing that I completely changed my tune by the end! If you like complex characters, good historical detail, with an interesting plot, I would highly recommend. Historical mystery fans in general should like this one. I look forward to continuing with the series.
Quick hits:
+ Well drawn main characters.
+ A well realized historically accurate world.
+ Each of the side storylines and characters were interesting and had some depth.
+ The book read quickly and never meandered.
+/- The plot ended up being rather enjoyable, but if you're a stickler for historical accuracy, a lot of it will bother you. But I do think by the end you'll be happy.
5/5, onto the next!
Quick hits:
+ Well drawn main characters.
+ A well realized historically accurate world.
+ Each of the side storylines and characters were interesting and had some depth.
+ The book read quickly and never meandered.
+/- The plot ended up being rather enjoyable, but if you're a stickler for historical accuracy, a lot of it will bother you. But I do think by the end you'll be happy.
5/5, onto the next!
book_worm_91's review against another edition
2.0
Felt slow and a slog. Even the "thrilling" ending with the criminal felt dull. Don't think I'd want to read more from the author.
magratnj's review
2.0
I read a lot of crime fiction and especially detective fiction, so a Victorian mystery set in Scotland that was based on a real person sounded intriguing. Unfortunately, this book didn’t begin to hold my attention until it was almost over. I found too many problematic juxtapositions, the main one being the hardboiled tone rubbing right up against Victorian 1880. I almost expected McLevy to say “What’s a dame like you doin’ in a place like this?” when Ms. Lightfoot appears. Once I realized that this was fundamentally a hardboiled novel, it was hard to unsee.
Another juxtaposition that bothered me was the occasional inappropriate reminiscence right before something startling happened. I understand that was supposed to shock, but sometimes it seemed tone deaf and other times it was just poor writing. For example, there is a bit about how sexy a character finds knives and you assume that they see a knife and are having some dirty thoughts about it, but no. It’s a random comment that seems really insensitive right before bad things happen and the character probably didn’t have time to see a knife at all. It’s some kind of weird scene setting that made me feel that the author had done as much violence to his character as his fictional bad guy had. I almost put the book down right there….I don’t mind violence or shocking things, but when it is done ineptly, that’s a problem.
Ultimately, the political link to the crimes seemed unlikely and the ultimate reveal even more unlikely.
I did enjoy the characterization of Mulholland. I also felt that the second half of the knowledge had more interesting characterization of McLevy and his relationships. The second half was less plodding and had more integration of Scottish speech with the narration. I finally became invested in McLevy and Mulholland by the end, but mot enough to read more books in the series. If I could learn more about the characters without having to sit through a plodding and then improbable plot……
Another juxtaposition that bothered me was the occasional inappropriate reminiscence right before something startling happened. I understand that was supposed to shock, but sometimes it seemed tone deaf and other times it was just poor writing. For example, there is a bit about how sexy a character finds knives and you assume that they see a knife and are having some dirty thoughts about it, but no. It’s a random comment that seems really insensitive right before bad things happen and the character probably didn’t have time to see a knife at all. It’s some kind of weird scene setting that made me feel that the author had done as much violence to his character as his fictional bad guy had. I almost put the book down right there….I don’t mind violence or shocking things, but when it is done ineptly, that’s a problem.
Ultimately, the political link to the crimes seemed unlikely and the ultimate reveal even more unlikely.
I did enjoy the characterization of Mulholland. I also felt that the second half of the knowledge had more interesting characterization of McLevy and his relationships. The second half was less plodding and had more integration of Scottish speech with the narration. I finally became invested in McLevy and Mulholland by the end, but mot enough to read more books in the series. If I could learn more about the characters without having to sit through a plodding and then improbable plot……
sophb84's review
2.0
Set in Victorian Leith, Edinburgh, Inspector James McLevy investigates the brutal murders of women killed with an axe. It delves into the political history of the time and brings in real-life characters such as Gladstone and Disraeli.
When I picked this up, I was so excited! I live in Edinburgh, so it's great to read stories set in a place I know well. I love that period of history, and bringing in the politics of 1890 sealed the deal.
It should have had all the makings of a great novel, but sadly, for me just fell below the mark. I felt the writing style was stilted, and the story hasn't moved from the radio show into a novel format particularly well. The characters were a bit flat, and the mystery was slow and laboured. Instead of wanting to know who the killer was, I just wanted it to end.
It's such a shame. I wanted to enjoy this series, but I won't be continuing with it. I had to force myself to finish this one even though it was only 250 pages long.
When I picked this up, I was so excited! I live in Edinburgh, so it's great to read stories set in a place I know well. I love that period of history, and bringing in the politics of 1890 sealed the deal.
It should have had all the makings of a great novel, but sadly, for me just fell below the mark. I felt the writing style was stilted, and the story hasn't moved from the radio show into a novel format particularly well. The characters were a bit flat, and the mystery was slow and laboured. Instead of wanting to know who the killer was, I just wanted it to end.
It's such a shame. I wanted to enjoy this series, but I won't be continuing with it. I had to force myself to finish this one even though it was only 250 pages long.
fionaaaaaa's review against another edition
1.0
I didn't finish this one. I found it a bit slow. I took ages to read upto page 100 and I realised I wasn't really enjoying it. I hate not finishing a book but just not for me.
kikiandarrowsfishshelf's review
3.0
This Mclevy mystery occurs prior to the end of the BBC audio series. It is also more closely linked to Victorian politics than some of the other mysteries. While the focus is on Mclevy, and we get more of his backstory, which is a little different than you think. In many ways, Mclevy was made to saunter Leith.
The other supporting characters from the series also make appearances, so of course we have the gossip of Jean Brash and Mclevy over coffee scenes.
The bit that rings a bit off is the historical based mystery that is tied into Gladstone and the battle for the control of Parliament. The conspiracy seems a bit too – man on the grassy knoll.
Still it was an enjoyable trip back to Edinburgh.
The other supporting characters from the series also make appearances, so of course we have the gossip of Jean Brash and Mclevy over coffee scenes.
The bit that rings a bit off is the historical based mystery that is tied into Gladstone and the battle for the control of Parliament. The conspiracy seems a bit too – man on the grassy knoll.
Still it was an enjoyable trip back to Edinburgh.
pinkyvicki's review against another edition
3.0
This was a good book, but I did struggle with it at times and had to keep pushing myself on. I'm glad i did as there was a nice twist at the end.
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