Published By: Aria
Pages: 400
Released On: 06/06/2024
Violet Hamilton is no ordinary lady…
She is a Lady Detective, who spends her time solving mysteries and unveiling scandals in the bustling seaside town of Hastings and St Leonards, a popular spot for the Victorian middle classes.
But when the body of a local woman is found on the beach, Violet’s efforts to investigate are blocked at every turn.
Is that because, as a woman, she can’t possibly be allowed to think or act for herself? Or is it because someone sinister has Violet in their sights?
*****
Thanks to NetGalley and Aria for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
I only read the first in the series last week (at time of writing), and knew instantly this would be a series I loved and so had to jump on the sequel quickly.
There is some repetition at the start regarding the first one, reminding the reader of the key points. This is good if you haven’t read the first in a while. It’s handy because you can put yourself back into the story, it helps you remember who was who, and what happened, and where you’re at, and then you can spend the rest enjoying it rather than trying to remember exactly what happened.
It started off a little slower than the first, but I didn’t mind it much as it helped me settle back into the story.
We get to see a little more of that high society life that Violet was born into; the balls and gowns and jewels. There’s also a lot more….how do I put it…belittling of women. I know it was the time period, but there’s a lot of “women’s problems”, talk about how they are weak, only there for baby making, aren’t intelligent etc.
As with the first one, I liked reading about Violet. This strong, outspoken, ahead-of-her-time woman who wasn’t content to just sit by and let men rule when she was perfectly capable! This is also how I found out that Victorian women weren’t allowed to attend funerals for fear of being overcome with emotion. I mean, how ridiculous is that?! It’s a funeral, it’s meant to be emotional!
It’s obviously an historical novel, but it’s got elements of cosy crime, thrillers, a bit of romance, action and adventure – it’s full to the brim and offers something for everyone.
I generally try not to compare one book with another, but when it’s part of a series and follows on, I couldn’t help but do so. Did I enjoy this one as much as the first? Yes. I didn’t think I would, because the first one was so new and fresh for me, and by reading this one so soon after, I wondered if it would be too samey, but it just feels like a continuation of what makes the first one so good.
It isn’t serious in like a true crime or Val McDermid sort of way, but nor is it frivolous without substance. It’s a cosy crime, but with more emphasis on the characters and the time they live in than the crime itself. It’s a pleasure to read, quick to read, fun, and managed to put and keep a smile on my face the whole time.
The first book did a great job of introducing all the characters, the location, the history, the likes and dislikes, reputations etc. and this does a great job of taking what was there and expanding it. I don’t know if there are plans for a longer series but I sure hope there is. I could definitely see this being adapted into a TV series.
Books By Your Bedside 