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A review by katreader
Death and the Sisters by Heather Redmond
4.0
DEATH AND THE SISTERS by Heather Redmond
The First Mary Shelley Mystery
In search of some late night reading material sixteen year old Mary Godwin descends to the family bookshop only to find the body of a stylishly dressed young man, stabbed to death. Inexorably drawn to the murder as she is to her father's student and possible benefactor, Percy Bysshe Shelley, Mary finds herself called to solve the crime. She along with her stepsister, Jane, and Shelley himself start making inquiries, but what will they uncover once they delve into the poet's inner circle?
I really enjoyed this atmospheric novel that, in addition to an intriguing mystery, gave insight into some extraordinary historical characters; Wollstonecraft, Godwin, Shelley, a unique family on the outskirts of Regency society. Instead of fancy ballrooms we are witness to the squalor of the poor and the reality of the working class eking out an existence. I've always been fascinated by Percy Bysshe Shelley and reading this mystery has only enticed me to read and learn more about, not only him, but Mary and Jane Clairmont as well. It was fascinating to see the sparks that ignited the relationship between Mary and Percy.
Mary's intelligence and determination, as well as a desire for a better life, deliver her into Shelley's circle as it also propels her to solve the murder. A complex mystery, I enjoyed watching the trio investigate while also dealing with their everyday lives.
The switching of points of view from Mary to Jane was a bit disconcerting, but the chapters were labeled, telling whose viewpoint you were reading. While I’m not a fan of multiple points of view, I understand its use in DEATH AND THE SISTERS. In addition to showing the almost symbiotic relationship between Mary and Jane, it was interesting to see how each not only responded to events, but how they felt they were treated in comparison to the other.
Gritty details, fascinating characters, and historical facts combine to make DEATH AND THE SISTERS a truly unique and compelling mystery.
The First Mary Shelley Mystery
In search of some late night reading material sixteen year old Mary Godwin descends to the family bookshop only to find the body of a stylishly dressed young man, stabbed to death. Inexorably drawn to the murder as she is to her father's student and possible benefactor, Percy Bysshe Shelley, Mary finds herself called to solve the crime. She along with her stepsister, Jane, and Shelley himself start making inquiries, but what will they uncover once they delve into the poet's inner circle?
I really enjoyed this atmospheric novel that, in addition to an intriguing mystery, gave insight into some extraordinary historical characters; Wollstonecraft, Godwin, Shelley, a unique family on the outskirts of Regency society. Instead of fancy ballrooms we are witness to the squalor of the poor and the reality of the working class eking out an existence. I've always been fascinated by Percy Bysshe Shelley and reading this mystery has only enticed me to read and learn more about, not only him, but Mary and Jane Clairmont as well. It was fascinating to see the sparks that ignited the relationship between Mary and Percy.
Mary's intelligence and determination, as well as a desire for a better life, deliver her into Shelley's circle as it also propels her to solve the murder. A complex mystery, I enjoyed watching the trio investigate while also dealing with their everyday lives.
The switching of points of view from Mary to Jane was a bit disconcerting, but the chapters were labeled, telling whose viewpoint you were reading. While I’m not a fan of multiple points of view, I understand its use in DEATH AND THE SISTERS. In addition to showing the almost symbiotic relationship between Mary and Jane, it was interesting to see how each not only responded to events, but how they felt they were treated in comparison to the other.
Gritty details, fascinating characters, and historical facts combine to make DEATH AND THE SISTERS a truly unique and compelling mystery.