London, 1892: James
Norbury, a shy would-be poet newly down from Oxford, finds lodging with a
charming young aristocrat. Through this new friendship, he is
introduced to the drawing-rooms of high society, and finds love in an
unexpected quarter. Then, suddenly, he vanishes without a trace.
Unnerved, his sister, Charlotte, sets out from their crumbling country
estate determined to find him. In the sinister, labyrinthine city that
greets her, she uncovers a secret world at the margins populated by
unforgettable characters: a female rope walker turned vigilante, a
street urchin with a deadly secret, and the chilling “Doctor Knife.” But
the answer to her brother’s disappearance ultimately lies within the
doors of one of the country’s preeminent and mysterious institutions:
The Aegolius Club, whose members include the most ambitious, and most
dangerous, men in England.
I know the year is still young, but this is my
favorite book of 2014 so far. It has the Gothic touches I love with some great
action and mystery sequences that will make anyone excited.
What was most enjoyable for me was the way that the
story was handled. There is nothing truly unique about the plot, per se, but it
is the way that the plot unravels that makes it a special story. The reader is
never too sure where the story is going, because it changes directions a number
of times (though never losing the reader’s focus). There are so many layers of
stories here that give it a saga-like quality.
There are some very frightening moments as well,
which, for a lover of horror like I am, are a huge plus in any book. The
ending, too, which I won’t reveal, is fantastic and makes me hope that there
will, at some point, be a sequel. If you love historical Gothic fiction, this
is one you HAVE to pick up.
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2 comments:
I'm so glad you enjoyed this book. I have an eARC of it from Netgalley. Now I'm really looking forward to it. I love Gothic fiction and an elaborate mystery. Can't wait!
This looks so good! It reminds me of a Sherlock Holmes-ey type book and I know that I'll love it! Adding to my TBR now.
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