A review by novel_nomad
The Trail of the Serpent by Mary Elizabeth Braddon, Mary Elizabeth Braddon

2.0

Filled with a sharp gothic atmosphere, theatrical melodrama, dastardly villains (for which there are many) and a dogged detective - sounds like a fun read. For some parts, it was hilarious at the outrageous twists and turns the plot would take, but mostly it left me bored and wanting. The mystery is not refined like those of the golden era and onwards, as it takes a greater stride with the multiple acts of depravity committed by the villain rather than the investigative acts of the detective - if any. The only saving grace for this novel was the few glimpses of brilliant writing or sentence work, which would later inspire Braddon's audacious mystery 'Lady Audley's Secret', which I thoroughly recommend over this early novel.