I was surprised by some of the low reviews. There were many comparisons to The Secret History (which I hated) but I believe it isn’t as stuffy as TSH.I was surprised by some of the low reviews. There were many comparisons to The Secret History (which I hated) but I believe it isn’t as stuffy as TSH.
Nell Young is thrown into. The world of the Cartographers when her father, a renowned cartographer and map historian for the NYPL, is found dead in his office. Nell discovers an old gas station map hidden at the library - a map that was the cause of her falling out with her father and and ultimately led to her firing at the library and blacklisted in the map making industry. It’s unlike any other map and is supposedly the only one in existence. It’s a map that someone killed Nell’s father for and and won’t hesitate to do it again to ensure that it’s destroyed forever.
The plot started to pick up steam the last third of the book. That questionable ending frustrated me and that’s what stopped it from being a five star read. It could have been so much better and I have hope that those two particular characters will see each other again. Other than that, The Cartographers was a fast and engaging read....more
Reminds me of Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None. I thought I knew who the murderer was but nope. Just like Christie's novel, I was completelyReminds me of Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None. I thought I knew who the murderer was but nope. Just like Christie's novel, I was completely off course at shocked at the reveal. I'll be looking for more books in this particular genre....more
Historical fiction set in the 1890s New York with a bit of vampire lore thrown in. Tillie Pembroke’s sister Lucy is found dead under mysterious circumHistorical fiction set in the 1890s New York with a bit of vampire lore thrown in. Tillie Pembroke’s sister Lucy is found dead under mysterious circumstances - two puncture wounds on her neck and blood drained from her body. Stoker’s Dracula is making waves, so of course, Tillie is assuming the worse. With the help of paperboy Ian, Tillie sets out to find the truth about Lucy’s murder while avoiding her overbearing mother and grandmother.
I’m a sucker for historical fiction, especially fiction that throws in the gothic mythology surrounding Dracula. Tille Pembroke is a strong, determined, feisty, and bold young woman, even more so when she’s partnered with Ian. She is her father’s daughter, more interested in science than society, much to her mother’s and grandmother’s displeasure. Those characteristics drive Tillie to understand her sister’s murder.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I learned a bit about New York before the turn of the century, the biting mechanism of animals, and medicine. It dragged around ¾ of the way in but picked up toward the end. The conclusion was nothing I imagined. I thought of something totally different. I didn’t see it coming, which is expected of a good mystery. ...more
I enjoy reading these Victorian lady detective novels. It's something to take my mind off these troubled times. A lepidopterist and taxidermist make fI enjoy reading these Victorian lady detective novels. It's something to take my mind off these troubled times. A lepidopterist and taxidermist make for great reading. The snappy dialogue, sexual tension, intrigue was enough to keep me interested. The Big Reveal surprised me. I'm looking forward to seeing how that plays out in subsequent novels. ...more
This was definitely a strange book. I was sure it was about vampires. It has to be about vampires, right? The truth was much worse and much more creepThis was definitely a strange book. I was sure it was about vampires. It has to be about vampires, right? The truth was much worse and much more creepy. If you are triggered by sexual assault and suicide, I advise you to stay away from this book (but it's a great book). ...more
I don’t think I will ever tire of reading an Agatha Christie Mystery. As always, just when I think I have the murderer figured out, she throws in a twI don’t think I will ever tire of reading an Agatha Christie Mystery. As always, just when I think I have the murderer figured out, she throws in a twist I never saw coming. Great writing. ...more
**spoiler alert** It was a pleasant enough read and the rating is closer to 4.5 stars than five. Charlotte is no Sherlock. The twist was quite jarring**spoiler alert** It was a pleasant enough read and the rating is closer to 4.5 stars than five. Charlotte is no Sherlock. The twist was quite jarring and unexpected. If child sex abuse is a no-go when reading fiction, stay away....more
I received the Kindle edition of this ARC from Netgalley for an honest review. If you love courtroom drama with enough twists and turns to keep you onI received the Kindle edition of this ARC from Netgalley for an honest review. If you love courtroom drama with enough twists and turns to keep you on your toes guessing who and why, this is the book for you. A five star suspense novel. I’m looking forward to reading more from this author....more