booksnbotanicals's review
2.0
This book was a bit more than borderline ridiculous. I felt like the author tried to think of the most unlikely character pairings and hoped the story would be pulled together by its macabre twists. The characters were not more than mildly engaging nor was the story enchanting. Unfortunately, while I read this entire book, I will not be back for more. My stories need a little more meat in the bone (pun intended).
cook_memorial_public_library's review
5.0
A 2013 staff favorite recommended by Thomas.
Check our catalog: http://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search/C__Sdead%20shall%20not%20rest%20harris__Orightresult__U?lang=eng&suite=pearl
Check our catalog: http://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search/C__Sdead%20shall%20not%20rest%20harris__Orightresult__U?lang=eng&suite=pearl
bogbodyanon's review
Another fascinating book full of intrigue, though the plots are rather easy to figure out. One knows the murderers before Silkstone. Lydia finally reveals her biggest secret, the one she almost died to hide.
melissasbookshelf's review
3.0
I really like this historical mystery series. While I didn't like this as much as the first book, it definitely had twists and turns. The murderer was not one I suspected. Several of the characters in this book were real and I was fascinated to read about their stories. The author did a great job of weaving facts in with the mystery. Definitely will read the third book in the series. Kudos to Simon Vance the audiobook narrator. He did a fabulous job of bringing all of the varied characters to life especially with all their different accents!
claudia_is_reading's review against another edition
1.0
Okay, that was it, no more books in this series for me.
Seriously, the plot was absurd, the villains, again, were the freak and the working-class doctor, and presents as facts things that are not facts. The two main facts in the story were thrown up into it without any follow-up until they come back as a 'twist' *bangs head against the desk* I think this is the laziest plot I've read, and I've read a lot.
The romance took up most of the story, and the mystery only was back up-front when the author remember that Dr Silkstone was supposed to be saving a man's life. And Lady Lydia Farrell is... argh! her character is only consistent in her inconsistency and her plot-line is even worst than the mystery..
Sorry, I won't be reading more from this author.
Seriously, the plot was absurd, the villains, again, were the freak and the working-class doctor, and presents as facts things that are not facts. The two main facts in the story were thrown up into it without any follow-up until they come back as a 'twist' *bangs head against the desk* I think this is the laziest plot I've read, and I've read a lot.
The romance took up most of the story, and the mystery only was back up-front when the author remember that Dr Silkstone was supposed to be saving a man's life. And Lady Lydia Farrell is... argh! her character is only consistent in her inconsistency and her plot-line is even worst than the mystery.
Spoiler
I mean, she was ready to commit suicide even when she knew her child was alive? How is that consistent with her later actsSorry, I won't be reading more from this author.
biscuitrat's review
4.0
It’s better than the last one, but I still have the same gripes about bizarre compound surnames and simplistic characterization. The book goes back and forth a lot to stretch the plot out, so it feels like people are constantly visiting each other in places to have the same conversation, BUT MAYBE THAT’S JUST BRITISH SOCIETY IN THE 1800S, IDK.
harishwriter's review
5.0
I read "The Alchemist's Apprentice" and I was pretty impressed with Tessa Harris' narration. The Dead Shall Not Be Dead is even better. Second book in Dr.Silkstone series surpasses the first book in every way.
deby's review
2.0
This series is a bit more graphic and gruesome than what I typically enjoy. There are also too many characters with bad motives and actions, so it all feels very dark. I liked the story, mostly, although it was somewhat convoluted. There's something gripping about it, though.
shavonbrown's review against another edition
2.0
I just found myself disappointed in then2nd book of Dr. Thomas Silkstone. There was just something missing and wrong about this story. To many losses ends and I know it's a series and some will do that on purpose. But indont think I will continue this series
skconaghan's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Better character development and more complex plot in this one than the first. The addition of historical personalities of Charles Byrne and the anatomist John Hunter was fascinating—and compelled me to read up more about the ongoing petition for the skeletal remains of Byrne in the Hunter Museum to be released to the sea as per his wishes.
The question of ownership of body post-mortem is an interesting philosophical discussion; some manner of credence of the soul is required to engage, but if the soul is absent from the body, and the body is mere dust to be returned to dust—does the earth not own the corpse? And if the earth is ours (the living) to nourish and discover and investigate and replenish—does the soulless body not belong to discovery and science for the advancement of humanity? I certainly understand respecting the wishes of the living for their future corpse… but the whole discussion does raise interesting ideas about scientific & medical advancement, community responsibility, religious beliefs about the dead… and well, so much more.
Thought-provoking. A solid piece of educational entertainment.