Scan barcode
vesper1931's review against another edition
4.0
1759 and in Soho, London Lizzie Hardwicke at the age of 19 has been forced to work as a prostitute in the house of Mrs Sarah Farley. Until one evenng a former client is found dead and Lizzie becomes a suspect. To stop the suspicion, she hopes, she suggests she can help, as her resources would be wider and more likely to talk to her than to the Bow Street Runners.
I enjoyed this well-written mystery, and liked the characters on the whole. I hope that future books will have more of the participation of the Runners in the story. A very good solid start to what I hope is a new series.
A NetGalley Books.
I enjoyed this well-written mystery, and liked the characters on the whole. I hope that future books will have more of the participation of the Runners in the story. A very good solid start to what I hope is a new series.
A NetGalley Books.
krisrid's review against another edition
3.0
This was an enjoyable Victorian-London-whore-with-a-heart-of-gold-ends-up-investigating-a-murder story. I've read a number of similar stories, but the main character here, Lizzie, is a really likable, smart woman and I liked her a lot.
Lizzie is a sensible, capable, and kind woman, who is making a life for herself despite a rotten childhood that forced her to become a prostitute, albeit in one of the better "houses" in London.
The author did a nice job of creating an environment where it makes sense for Lizzie to investigate the murder, and the resulting story was entertaining and an easy, good read.
I would read more books featuring Lizzie. I enjoyed this!
Lizzie is a sensible, capable, and kind woman, who is making a life for herself despite a rotten childhood that forced her to become a prostitute, albeit in one of the better "houses" in London.
The author did a nice job of creating an environment where it makes sense for Lizzie to investigate the murder, and the resulting story was entertaining and an easy, good read.
I would read more books featuring Lizzie. I enjoyed this!
prittypeaches's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Historical romance from a unique perspective. Lizzie Hardwicke was a lot of fun, with her prostitute life being slightly rougher than the usual historical perspective.
If you've ever gotten sick of historical romances because it was slightly too convenient that 9/10 characters was a son of a Duke or down on their luck daughter of a Viscount... but you don't really want to dive into too much gritty realism. Lizzie Hardwicke is a glimpse into a different perspective I don't think I've read before. A true, unashamed prostitute after a fall from grace and disowned by her genteel family. Lizzie shows you a world of average workers, and describes her own plans to keep herself out of the gutters.
Lizzie works is a pretty highclass brothel, for the obvious reason that no Bow Street runner would bother to investigate a crime committed by lowly street walkers or their clientele. However, her perspective is shown consistently in how she relates to characters across the class spectrum.
Lizzie and the magistrate's man, Davenport, are a delightfully unlikely couple that I hope have a long will they or won't they relationship across many books, as they exchange a meeting of the minds but a not a meeting of the bodies.
Would read again, and I hope the series continues strong.
If you've ever gotten sick of historical romances because it was slightly too convenient that 9/10 characters was a son of a Duke or down on their luck daughter of a Viscount... but you don't really want to dive into too much gritty realism. Lizzie Hardwicke is a glimpse into a different perspective I don't think I've read before. A true, unashamed prostitute after a fall from grace and disowned by her genteel family. Lizzie shows you a world of average workers, and describes her own plans to keep herself out of the gutters.
Lizzie works is a pretty highclass brothel, for the obvious reason that no Bow Street runner would bother to investigate a crime committed by lowly street walkers or their clientele. However, her perspective is shown consistently in how she relates to characters across the class spectrum.
Lizzie and the magistrate's man, Davenport, are a delightfully unlikely couple that I hope have a long will they or won't they relationship across many books, as they exchange a meeting of the minds but a not a meeting of the bodies.
Would read again, and I hope the series continues strong.
gretel7's review against another edition
4.0
I received this from Netgalley.com for a review.
Lizzie Hardwicke makes her living as a prostitute, one of her wealthy customers is found brutally murdered… and Lizzie was the last person to see him alive. Desperate to prove her innocence Lizzie turns amateur detective, determined to find the true killer, whatever the cost.
Good writing, nice mystery. I wasn't entirely certain 'who done it' until it was revealed. I look forward to reading more about Lizzie.
4☆
Lizzie Hardwicke makes her living as a prostitute, one of her wealthy customers is found brutally murdered… and Lizzie was the last person to see him alive. Desperate to prove her innocence Lizzie turns amateur detective, determined to find the true killer, whatever the cost.
Good writing, nice mystery. I wasn't entirely certain 'who done it' until it was revealed. I look forward to reading more about Lizzie.
4☆
annastarlight's review against another edition
1.0
DNF at 10%. The first paragraph is fatphobic, of course the sex worker main character is forced into prostitution (god forbid people actually *choose* sex work), and a 45 year-old woman is described as "overused and overripe". At 10% there was no plot yet in sight and the narrative voice annoyed me so much that I gave up.
gwen87's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
emma_mo's review against another edition
4.0
secrets upon secrets! There is nothing I like more than a book that is slow to give up it's mysteries. I love this from Georgina Clarke. The historical atmosphere was creepy and engaging - my interest was kept throughout!
ravenclawlibrarybooks's review
3.0
This was a a really good book with interesting characters.
My thanks to Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for my honest feedback
My thanks to Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for my honest feedback
annarella's review
5.0
This book is amazing; it's a fast paced page turner, engaging and entertaining.
I loved the cast of characters, the plot and the setting.
I look forward to reading other books by this author.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Canelo and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
I loved the cast of characters, the plot and the setting.
I look forward to reading other books by this author.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Canelo and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.