A review by titagee
Murder In Westminster by Vanessa Riley

mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

I really wanted to like this book.  I like the perspective of a Black voice in Victorian England.  I love the mystery.  I love the research into the Abolitionist movement outside of America.  

Didn't like the lack of character development.  Didn't like feeling as though this were book 3 or 4 in the series and not book 1. Didn't like the huge gaps in the backstory of how we get to where we are in the story of this woman,  what is her familial relationship to the cousin and God- father,  what were the other cases solved,  how she got involved with the Abolitionist movement (especially since she seems naive how her behavior will be perceived in Victorian England). 

The wrap up was less about the mystery and more about her relationship.  Very unsettling.  Some issues addressed in the story could have been addressed alone in a whole other book rather than waste the reader's time in this book.  

I am, however,  curious enough to see if there will be any explanation of the missing information in the next book.  If not,  maybe the author will write a prequel.