lian_tanner's review against another edition
5.0
One of the best books I've read for a long time. It starts slowly, but it's well worth persevering - the characters are finely wrought, the story is gripping, and it offers a painful but fascinating glimpse of life in NY in the mid-19th century.
breeherenow's review against another edition
2.0
not interested in a mystery story about murdered, dismembered children.
avalydia's review against another edition
3.0
More like 2.5.
Kind of like Tana French meets The Alienist. The writing style got a bit too Tana French towards the end, and I'm not sure I'm that eager to read the rest of the series, but it was a reasonably entertaining book.
Kind of like Tana French meets The Alienist. The writing style got a bit too Tana French towards the end, and I'm not sure I'm that eager to read the rest of the series, but it was a reasonably entertaining book.
carolynf's review against another edition
4.0
A very good detective story, set in NYC in the 1840s. Fans of the TV show Copper will find much to enjoy here.
dayyynuh's review against another edition
4.0
My favorite lines:
...and students streamed from place to place like ants in their brightly colored hose and squashed hats. Fresh-cheeked and worried ill over nothing whatsoever.
...get out of my office. You look ready to faint in it, and I don't want the trouble of stepping over you.
...and students streamed from place to place like ants in their brightly colored hose and squashed hats. Fresh-cheeked and worried ill over nothing whatsoever.
...get out of my office. You look ready to faint in it, and I don't want the trouble of stepping over you.
lgiegerich's review against another edition
5.0
Good mystery, excellent New York in 1845 detail, & a glossary of slang! What more could you ask for!
spinebrreaker's review against another edition
I thought this was a very well-written mystery. The twists and turns came quick and intense toward the end, even though the rest of the book was fairly measured in pace, and the setting was detailed with pinpoint accuracy. There was a wide range of characters, almost all morally gray, and I loved the way their lives unfolded with the mysteries. The mystery itself was engaging, and always kept you guessing until the very end. The ending itself was bittersweet, and though I didn't find the small romance to fit into the story quite so well, I thought the resolution of everything was fitting, and very realistic.
mrbadger63's review against another edition
4.0
YES!! It's been so long since I've been so gripped by a story. The writing is exquisite and the characters and setting are so intricate it keeps you reading long after most mystery/thrillers start to lose their hold on you. Can't wait for more from this author!
saldragski's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars. NYC starts the first Police Department in 1845. Violence against and murder of older children; Protestants vs Catholics; lawlessness in pre-NYPD; political gains. Not a book for everyone due to the violence and religious nature (each chapter starts with a quote from a Protestant periodical against the Papacy (Catholics). Very good mystery though with some surprises the last 100 pages or so.
firerosearien's review against another edition
4.0
Overall very good, but a little too much flash slang - it's a nice idea, and a nice touch, but too much of it meant that it was hard to keep the thread of some of the conversations. Partially, but not totally, predicted the ending.