Publish Date: April 23, 2013
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 352
ISBN: 978 1250007902
Lucy Campion, a seventeenth-century English
chambermaid in the household of the local magistrate, life is an endless
repetition of polishing pewter, emptying chamber pots, and dealing with other
household chores until a fellow servant is ruthlessly killed, and someone close
to Lucy falls under suspicion. Lucy can’t
believe it, but in a time where the accused are presumed guilty until proven
innocent, lawyers aren’t permitted to defend their clients, and – if the plague
doesn’t kill the suspect first – public executions draw a large crowd of
spectators, Lucy knows she may never find out what really happened. Unless, that is, she can uncover the true
herself.
Determined to do
just that, Lucy finds herself venturing out of her expected station and into
raucous printers’ shops, secretive gypsy camps, the foul streets of London, and
even the bowels of Newgate prison on a trail that might lead her straight into
the arms of the killer.
My Thoughts
I'm a cover lover - there is no doubt about that and I found this particular cover so haunting and beautiful I knew I had to read it. Then reading the synopsis and a promise of a good mystery set in the seventeenth century I was sold. I loved the time period, loved the setting and the description of London and the premises of the story. However there too much going on for me to fully engage in the story. In addition to Lucy trying to solve the mystery of her friends murder there was also a number of other sub stories going on as well. There was a romance budding with Lucy. The plague struck and then became a focal point of the story. There was also the political aspect and how during that time London had a corrupt justice system. While the author did a great job of weaving everything together I found that it was all a bit too much.
I liked her writing and glad that she chose to use modern language as opposed to what would have been used in the seventeenth century. As she explains in her author's notes this is much easier for the reader, and as a lover and avid reader of historical fiction this is something even I appreciate.
This is the first book in a series and while I found the introduction to the series a bit slow I think it is a series worth reading and will continue on with the second book From the Charred Remains as I believe Calkins has so much room to grow as a storyteller. I think Lucy is an interesting character and although not very complex (which is refreshing sometimes) am intrigued as to where the author takes her. Although I didn't love the novel I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Calkins or this novel.
My Rating: «««
I liked her writing and glad that she chose to use modern language as opposed to what would have been used in the seventeenth century. As she explains in her author's notes this is much easier for the reader, and as a lover and avid reader of historical fiction this is something even I appreciate.
This is the first book in a series and while I found the introduction to the series a bit slow I think it is a series worth reading and will continue on with the second book From the Charred Remains as I believe Calkins has so much room to grow as a storyteller. I think Lucy is an interesting character and although not very complex (which is refreshing sometimes) am intrigued as to where the author takes her. Although I didn't love the novel I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Calkins or this novel.
My Rating: «««
The reviews made here are my personal opinion. I’m not being paid to review any of these books. I am by no means a professional book reviewer or editor. I do this for the love of books.
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