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caribbeangirlreading's review
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
We all know Charles Dickens as the author of A Christmas Carol, but this novel takes us back to a time before he was a famous author. ACCM is set in Regency London. Victoria has yet to rise to the throne. Charles Dickens is still a bachelor. He writes newspaper articles, but what he really wants to do is become a published author.
ACCM weaves fact and fiction, mixing real life people (Dickens, his fiancée, and many of their family members), with fictional characters. This novel can be enjoyed either way but like with most retellings it’s best when you are familiar with the origin story. ACCM is full of Easter eggs from both A Christmas Carol and Dickens’ personal life. One of the things I enjoyed the most is that unlike many novels set in Regency England, there are no characters from the titled aristocracy. Everyone in this book works for a living – maids, stage actors, undertakers, police officers, etc. In this London, there are no fancy balls, just pickpockets on every corner, horse manure on the streets and pollution in the air. I also really enjoyed how the author wrote the (possible) origin stories of Ebeneezer Scrooge (Screws) and Jacob Marley (Harley). Unfortunately, the book tried to do too much, and it got convoluted – too many characters, too many subplots. But I enjoyed it enough that I would read her other Dickens related mysteries.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Death, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Classism
Minor: Sexual assault and Excrement
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