If Crowther had known what was in store for him, he just might have pulled the covers back over his head. Harriet Westerman, the unconventional mistress of Caveley Park, has found a dead man on her property, and she insists that reclusive anatomist Gabriel Crowther help her find the killer. Their search will take them from country walks to drawing rooms to grimy London streets to dissecting rooms, and by the time they're done, there will be no more secrets at neighboring Thornleigh Hall.
Harriet Westerman is the kind of amateur sleuth that I want to know more about. The wife of a sea captain, Harriet went to sea with her husband during peace time and in war-- and she misses it. The only reason why she's taken up residence at Caveley Park is because her husband has always wanted a big house and property. If left to her own devices, she'd still be at sea.
Gabriel Crowther on the other hand is an anatomist, which isn't a very popular occupation in eighteenth century England. He prefers solitude for many reasons, only one of which concerns his work. Having removed himself from polite society, he finds himself out of step when Harriet drags him back into it. This pair of self-appointed sleuths both have courage and razor-sharp minds, which bodes well for a series.
However, the author has also populated the book with several other well-drawn and memorable characters, one group of which is chased through the dark streets of London by a very scary murderer. Whether trying to track down the notes of a magistrate or attempting to protect the next people on the killer's list, I never knew when I'd run into another of the author's marvelous characters.
The only thing that kept me from raising this book to the ceiling and shouting, "Hallelujah!" is that the pace tended to be glacial until the last quarter of the book. But Robertson has now set up a world that I want to revisit again and again. Mrs. Westerman? Please set another place at dinner. I am coming to dine!
Instruments of Darkness by Imogen Robertson
ISBN: 9780143120407
Penguin Books © 2011
Paperback, 384 pages
Historical Mystery, #1 Crowther and Westerman mystery
Rating: A-
Source: Purchased at The Poisoned Pen.
Glad you enjoyed this one! I had a really hard time liking any book in this series, but I'm glad you enjoyed it more so than I did. Great review!
ReplyDeleteKimberlee
http://girllostinabook.blogspot.com
Sounds like Gabriel and Harriet just aren't your cups of tea. That happens sometimes. I picked up a book the other day, took an immediate (and intense) dislike to one of the main characters, and gave the book to someone else to read.
DeleteCathy - Thanks for being honest about the pace of the story. From what you've said, it's well worth dealing with that though. A good historical mystery with a strong female protagonist who is also believable for the times? Yeah, I'm interested. The era interests me too; such a lot of things that really were paradigm shifts happened during the late 1700's...
ReplyDeleteI think this first book needed to be a bit slow in order for Robertson to set up her world, and you're right-- that time period is fascinating!
DeleteI love this series, Cathy. I've now read all except the very latest book which far as I know is still not available in this country.
ReplyDeleteThis is one of those series that I will drop everything to read and I do shout 'Hallelujah'!! Imogen Robertson has not let me down yet.
I enjoyed reading your review and I'm glad that you will be re-visiting with Mrs. Westerman and Crowther. I do love the world she's created.
Oh, and let me wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Cathy. I've got all sorts of good books (I hope) lined up for the New Year.
Thank you for taking the time to give your two thumbs up to this series, Yvette. I value your opinion. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
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