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The hollow of fear
520 pages
A clever, gaslit plunge into Victorian London where a brilliant woman dons a disguise to outsmart Scotland Yard and save a friend.
What it feels like
This briskly paced historical mystery immerses readers in the shadowy, intrigue-laden streets of Victorian London. The mood is tense and atmospheric, driven by the ticking clock of Scotland Yard closing in on an innocent man. The narrative tone feels sharp and clever, perfectly mirroring the extraordinary deductive powers of its undercover heroine. It explores themes of fierce loyalty, hidden identities, and the quiet thrill of women subverting the rigid expectations of their era to outwit the establishment. The prose is observant and precise, capturing both the danger of the investigation and the intricate social dynamics at play. It is a delightful read for anyone who craves a suspenseful, female-led twist on classic detective fiction.
- Mood
- intrigue-laden
- shadowy
- tense
- atmospheric
- Tone
- clever
- suspenseful
- determined
- observant
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- loyalty and friendship · hidden identities · subverting expectations · the pursuit of truth
- The writing
- Sharp and observant, capturing the intricate details of Victorian society and the precise logic of a brilliant mind at work.
- The arc
- Moves from the shock of a sudden accusation against a dear friend to the tense, determined unraveling of a high-stakes deception.
- Who it's for
- Readers who love clever historical mysteries where brilliant women subvert societal expectations to solve complex crimes.
Content notes
- murder
- false accusation
About the book
"Charlotte Holmes, Lady Sherlock, returns in the Victorian-set mystery series from the author of A Conspiracy in Belgravia and A Study in Scarlet Women, an NPR Best Book of 2016. Under the cover of "Sherlock Holmes, consulting detective," Charlotte Holmes puts her extraordinary powers of deduction to good use. Aided by the capable Mrs. Watson, Charlotte draws those in need to her and makes it her business to know what other people don't. When the estranged wife of her dear friend Lord Ingram is discovered dead on his estate, all signs point to him as the murderer. With Scotland Yard closing in, Charlotte goes under disguise to find out the truth"--
"Under the cover of "Sherlock Holmes, consulting detective," Charlotte Holmes puts her extraordinary powers of deduction to good use. Aided by the capable Mrs. Watson, Charlotte draws those in need to her and makes it her business to know what other people don't. When the estranged wife of her dear friend Lord Ingram is discovered dead on his estate, all signs point to him as the murderer. With Scotland Yard closing in, Charlotte goes under disguise to find out the truth"--
Description from Open Library.
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