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annieb123's review
4.0
Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
The Cry of the Hangman is the 6th Lucy Campion historical mystery by Susanna Calkins. Released 2nd Nov 2021 by Severn House, it's 240 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook formats. Paperback due out in late Sept 2022. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.
This is a very well written and engaging historical mystery with an intelligent female protagonist who is a printer's apprentice. Set in the second half of the 17th century, the sense of place and verisimilitude give as much character and background as any of the human characters. The story and settings are clearly very well researched and meticulously rendered.
The plot is convoluted and well engineered and I never found my interest waning or lost my suspension of disbelief during the read. The story, climax, denouement, and resolution are well paced and satisfying.
Although the mystery is self contained, a great deal of the plot revolves around Lucy's previous life as a servant in the household of a magistrate - so I would recommend that readers who are new to the series begin with at least some of the earlier books.
Four stars. This is a very well written story and highly recommended for fans of historical mystery. There are 6 books extant in the series, making it a good candidate for a long weekend binge read.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
The Cry of the Hangman is the 6th Lucy Campion historical mystery by Susanna Calkins. Released 2nd Nov 2021 by Severn House, it's 240 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook formats. Paperback due out in late Sept 2022. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.
This is a very well written and engaging historical mystery with an intelligent female protagonist who is a printer's apprentice. Set in the second half of the 17th century, the sense of place and verisimilitude give as much character and background as any of the human characters. The story and settings are clearly very well researched and meticulously rendered.
The plot is convoluted and well engineered and I never found my interest waning or lost my suspension of disbelief during the read. The story, climax, denouement, and resolution are well paced and satisfying.
Although the mystery is self contained, a great deal of the plot revolves around Lucy's previous life as a servant in the household of a magistrate - so I would recommend that readers who are new to the series begin with at least some of the earlier books.
Four stars. This is a very well written story and highly recommended for fans of historical mystery. There are 6 books extant in the series, making it a good candidate for a long weekend binge read.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
beledit's review
4.0
The Cry of the Hangman is an immersive, page-turning historical mystery that pulls you into its world.
It's got everything you want from a historical novel: wonderful period detail, a great sense of place, strong and engaging characters, and a cracking good story. Along with just enough sociopolitical backdrop to make the period and place come alive, without boring the reader.
What I can't figure out is why a publisher would publish the sixth book in a series without first ensuring that readers have easy access to the earlier books? Only book 5 is available in Kindle (horribly expensive) and books 2, 3 and 4 are only available in paperback at 33, 53 and 73 quid! Surely the whole point of a series is that fans can read the series?
So, I have to say that while I thoroughly enjoyed this Lucy Campion novel, without being able to read the series I see no reason to commit to it. If the others had been available at a very low price, I'd have nabbed them by now, to further immerse myself in Lucy's world.
It's got everything you want from a historical novel: wonderful period detail, a great sense of place, strong and engaging characters, and a cracking good story. Along with just enough sociopolitical backdrop to make the period and place come alive, without boring the reader.
What I can't figure out is why a publisher would publish the sixth book in a series without first ensuring that readers have easy access to the earlier books? Only book 5 is available in Kindle (horribly expensive) and books 2, 3 and 4 are only available in paperback at 33, 53 and 73 quid! Surely the whole point of a series is that fans can read the series?
So, I have to say that while I thoroughly enjoyed this Lucy Campion novel, without being able to read the series I see no reason to commit to it. If the others had been available at a very low price, I'd have nabbed them by now, to further immerse myself in Lucy's world.
ginalyn's review
fast-paced
4.5
The only problem was the ending was quite quick but I loved how action packed this whole book was. Such a fast read!
vesper1931's review
medium-paced
3.0
1667 While the majority of the household are at church Magistrate Hargrave, is attacked in his home and some items stolen including personal documents with cases he has commented on. These views soon become known and death will soon follow. Printer's apprentice Lucy Campion investigates to clear Hargrave's name.
An enjoyable and well-written historical mystery
An enjoyable and well-written historical mystery
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