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krisrid's review
5.0
This is the first of Carole Nelson Douglas's books I've read but it definitely will not be the last! This was a terrifically entertaining and well-written historical fiction murder mystery!
I should probably state in the interests of full disclosure, that I am a fan of Sherlock Holmes, AND am fascinated by the Jack the Ripper murders, both of which are a part of this story. HOWEVER, neither Holmes nor the Ripper are the main attraction of this book - both are minor players in a larger, female-character-driven story. That is what made it so interesting to me.
The main protagonist in the story is Irene Adler, who as anyone who's read the Holmes stories knows, was the only woman ever to out-wit the great detective, in A Scandal in Bohemia. Here, Adler is presented fully-realized and with her own talent as a detective, having previously been a Pinkerton agent, in addition to her original career as opera performer.
Now living in Paris, with her husband, Godfrey, and her faithful companion, Nell, whom Irene rescued from a life on the streets in poverty, Irene is minding her own business, and being harried incessantly by Nell, a typical example of self-important, self-righteous, uptight Victorian womanhood, to become more "lady-like."
When Adler is summoned in the middle of the night to a Paris brothel, by what the police detective who fetches her identifies only as: "a powerful personage," she and Nell are thrust into a particularly gory, and, since the Whitechapel murders in London were only a year old, frighteningly familiar double-murder of two of the brothels employees.
Adler dives into the investigation with relish, despite Nell's horror and distaste of every step - although, because she feels it her "duty" to look out for Irene, and attempt to keep her from disgrace, she follows right along with Irene's every foray into shocking places. They are also joined by "Pink" a young prostitute from the brothel, who found the murder victims, and whom Irene and Nell take under their wings - Irene to find out what she knows, and Nell in hopes of "reforming" her.
Before we know it, Sherlock Holmes arrives in Paris, and begins his own investigation, erroneously believing that Irene will simply obey his dictate that she is now to stay out of the case as he is taking over. To the contrary, the two quickly begin a competition of sorts, and their efforts intersect and cross in very entertaining ways as the story progresses.
We meet other historical figures of the time as well, who have minor roles in the plot: author Bram Stoker makes an appearance, being unfortunately present in the brothel where the murders take place, as well as being a friend of Irene's. Also, Buffalo Bill Cody, who's wild west show is performing at L'Exposition universelle, and his Indian companion Red Tomahawk, assist Irene in some of the investigations.
This is a wonderful, atmospheric historical fiction novel. Douglas's writing style reminds me of Anne Perry's in it's ability to bring you right into the story with the characters by a thorough and detailed description of the sights, smells, and feelings of the setting, but done in such a subtle way that it seems natural and not annoying or distracting.
Douglas also does a wonderful job in writing female characters who are intelligent, strong, and completely independent, as well as being feminine, funny and sympathetic. I'm already in love with this presentation of the Irene Adler character, who dresses in men's clothing when it suits her purposes, i.e. that will allow her access to places she couldn't go as a woman, smokes cigars, not only defies, but out-wits the great Sherlock Holmes completely, and just generally refuses to be stopped from doing whatever she wishes to do whenever she wishes to do it.
We get a great sense of what Paris was like at the time, we are given a taste of the Exposition, an of what life in a Paris brothel included. Overall a wonderfully detailed and colourful view of a time and a place.
WARNING - MINOR SPOILER ALERT! SKIP NEXT PARA TO AVOID!
The one small objection I have is that the ending of the book is a cliff-hanger, with the identity of the murderer unknown, and a key character having been abducted and in dire circumstances. So you have to immediately be ready to have the next book at hand if you want to find out what happens.
Luckily, the next book - Castle Rouge - is already available so you can find out what happens. I will definitely be getting that book, as well as checking out other books by this author. A great read for historical fiction fans, Victorian era fans, and murder mystery fans. Highly recommended!
I should probably state in the interests of full disclosure, that I am a fan of Sherlock Holmes, AND am fascinated by the Jack the Ripper murders, both of which are a part of this story. HOWEVER, neither Holmes nor the Ripper are the main attraction of this book - both are minor players in a larger, female-character-driven story. That is what made it so interesting to me.
The main protagonist in the story is Irene Adler, who as anyone who's read the Holmes stories knows, was the only woman ever to out-wit the great detective, in A Scandal in Bohemia. Here, Adler is presented fully-realized and with her own talent as a detective, having previously been a Pinkerton agent, in addition to her original career as opera performer.
Now living in Paris, with her husband, Godfrey, and her faithful companion, Nell, whom Irene rescued from a life on the streets in poverty, Irene is minding her own business, and being harried incessantly by Nell, a typical example of self-important, self-righteous, uptight Victorian womanhood, to become more "lady-like."
When Adler is summoned in the middle of the night to a Paris brothel, by what the police detective who fetches her identifies only as: "a powerful personage," she and Nell are thrust into a particularly gory, and, since the Whitechapel murders in London were only a year old, frighteningly familiar double-murder of two of the brothels employees.
Adler dives into the investigation with relish, despite Nell's horror and distaste of every step - although, because she feels it her "duty" to look out for Irene, and attempt to keep her from disgrace, she follows right along with Irene's every foray into shocking places. They are also joined by "Pink" a young prostitute from the brothel, who found the murder victims, and whom Irene and Nell take under their wings - Irene to find out what she knows, and Nell in hopes of "reforming" her.
Before we know it, Sherlock Holmes arrives in Paris, and begins his own investigation, erroneously believing that Irene will simply obey his dictate that she is now to stay out of the case as he is taking over. To the contrary, the two quickly begin a competition of sorts, and their efforts intersect and cross in very entertaining ways as the story progresses.
We meet other historical figures of the time as well, who have minor roles in the plot: author Bram Stoker makes an appearance, being unfortunately present in the brothel where the murders take place, as well as being a friend of Irene's. Also, Buffalo Bill Cody, who's wild west show is performing at L'Exposition universelle, and his Indian companion Red Tomahawk, assist Irene in some of the investigations.
This is a wonderful, atmospheric historical fiction novel. Douglas's writing style reminds me of Anne Perry's in it's ability to bring you right into the story with the characters by a thorough and detailed description of the sights, smells, and feelings of the setting, but done in such a subtle way that it seems natural and not annoying or distracting.
Douglas also does a wonderful job in writing female characters who are intelligent, strong, and completely independent, as well as being feminine, funny and sympathetic. I'm already in love with this presentation of the Irene Adler character, who dresses in men's clothing when it suits her purposes, i.e. that will allow her access to places she couldn't go as a woman, smokes cigars, not only defies, but out-wits the great Sherlock Holmes completely, and just generally refuses to be stopped from doing whatever she wishes to do whenever she wishes to do it.
We get a great sense of what Paris was like at the time, we are given a taste of the Exposition, an of what life in a Paris brothel included. Overall a wonderfully detailed and colourful view of a time and a place.
WARNING - MINOR SPOILER ALERT! SKIP NEXT PARA TO AVOID!
The one small objection I have is that the ending of the book is a cliff-hanger, with the identity of the murderer unknown, and a key character having been abducted and in dire circumstances. So you have to immediately be ready to have the next book at hand if you want to find out what happens.
Luckily, the next book - Castle Rouge - is already available so you can find out what happens. I will definitely be getting that book, as well as checking out other books by this author. A great read for historical fiction fans, Victorian era fans, and murder mystery fans. Highly recommended!
tsutrav's review
3.0
More "spin off" fiction. In these stories you follow Irene Adler, the only woman A.C. Doyle setup to outwit Sherlock Holmes (A Scandal in Bohemia). Adler is an accomplished opera singer and amateur sleuth back in Victorian-era Paris.
Douglas paints pictures of lots of brothels and dark alleys as she ties in Adler's story with the mystery surrounding Jack the Ripper.
So some of the story comes off cliche.
But it's a great read if you like Holmes and Victorian era stories.
I thought Douglas did a good job of extending the Holmes canon without going too far.
Fans of detective mysterys will enjoy.
Douglas paints pictures of lots of brothels and dark alleys as she ties in Adler's story with the mystery surrounding Jack the Ripper.
So some of the story comes off cliche.
But it's a great read if you like Holmes and Victorian era stories.
I thought Douglas did a good job of extending the Holmes canon without going too far.
Fans of detective mysterys will enjoy.
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