A 1934 Victorian mystery with dark corners and parcels of rotting hearts!  Excellent, engrossing tale!
346353
This is an incredible yarn.  The heroine is the aristocratic Lydia Langstone. Lydia flees a difficult life with an abusive husband and thinks she is finding solace and respite with her father in his home at # 7 Bleeding Heart Square.

Well, as they say, she thought wrong.  Life is anything but peaceful at her father's house. It is dark, macabre, and even grotesque at times.  There are even parcels of rotting hearts sent mysteriously to this house.

The author, Andrew Taylor, is an adept and skillful story teller.  He has woven a page-turning  dark Victorian mystery into an incredible whodunit.  The reader will appreciate the several story lines present in  this book.  There are enough twists and turns to keep the "little gray cells working" (as Hercule Poirot would say).  Taylor's writing style is quite compelling. This is a well written book and an even better mystery.
3475127
At the moment I write this, Kim Newman's "Anno Dracula" is out of print. (Hopefully, by the time you read this, it will be available again.) It baffles me that such a wonderful recent novel (1992) could easily slip out of publication, especially when it is still very popular: apparently used bookstores can't keep this one their shelves for more then a day. With the huge success of Alan Moore's graphic novel "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen" you would think this similar blending of Victorian personages, both historical and fictional, would widely available. This is really the dark fantasy version of Moore's heroic graphic novel, and anyone who enjoys either 1) alternative history, 2) vampire novels, or 3) dark fantasy will adore this book and never let their copy out of their greedy reading hands.
Mr. Newman imagines Victorian England if the bloodsucking count had been the victor in Dracula. The Count marries Queen Victoria and becomes ruler of an England rapidly becoming the territory of `new-born' vampires, who seek to be `turned' so they can rise in rank. Dracula opens up a reign of terror reminiscent of a medieval monarchy, yet still filled with traditional British Vicotrian attitudes. It's a delightful mixed brew of history and gothic darkness.
Into this thrilling setting slinks Jack the Ripper (also known as `Silver Knife'), slashing vampire girls in Whitechapel. Charles Beauregard, a human (or a 'warm' in vampire terms) who works for a secret society, and Genevieve, a vampire of an ancient boodline who has great distate for Dracula's reign both search for the murderer. Coming from two different angles, they join forces to try to fathom the mystery of the killings. Their invesitgation will lead to repercussions for all of this topsy-turvy, nightmare  version of England.
"Anno Dracula" is an extraordinary feat of imagination: bloody, violent, erotic, and chock-full of historical and fictional guest stars: Oscar Wilde, Arthur Holmwood, Henry Jekyll, Jack the Ripper, Dr. Moreau, Danny Dravot (from Kipling's "The Man Who Would be King"), Professor Moriarty, George Bernard Shaw, etc. Even a quick mention of Lewis Carroll and Allan Quartermain! It's a Victorian literature lover`s dream come true -- and one for any fan of dark, exciting, BLOODY good fantasy and horror. Look for a copy, and let's hope it will be back in print soon!
1845630
I purchased this book at a library sale in April when I was visiting my son. I started to read it and couldn't put it down. As soon as I did, my son picked it up and read into the wee hours of the morning to finish it (and keep it!). Johan Theorin's gripping and haunting mystery so entranced me that I went on a reading binge of Scandinavian authors--still at it! I won't mention names of other authors here, because reading tastes differ. However, this book is still by far my favorite of all the many, many books I purchased through amazon both new and from second sellers. I recently ordered another in this series that has limited availability before it was no longer available.

I especially loved the way Johan Theorin so deftly handled the weaving together of the present day story with the rich and haunting story set in the early 1900s. I didn't want this book to end and I'm still searching for one that measures up. I've read plenty of excellent mysteries, but this was my favorite.
2727591
I absolutely loved this book. Even if I read it in French, it was one of the most addictive and incredible story I have read in a while. I really felt as if I was in the Victorian Era and every time I had some free time, all I wanted to do was to go back to the 1800's in London to get to know more and more about the story of these incredible characters. Little did I know that De Quincy was a real author that existed so I decided to download some of his books and will read them with great interest. Truly Morrell brought us back to a century back, with the smells (as well as my other sense's on fire) through this book. I really recommend it to all who love mystery murders as well as the Victorian Era. Great plot, great story telling, awesome surprises, truly an awesome book to read, and re-read.
2989579
Absolutely fantastic bit of Victorian Gothic..loved every minute of it!
2944573
A modern Gothic masterpiece! THE WICKED DEEP is a beguiling read. Beautiful prose, enchanting characters and a twisted plot. I am bewitched!
916719
I love a good murder mystery. This novel, being a Victorian mystery, is even more entertaining as well as being educational as the author took me into Victorian England. I'm impressed with Kathryn McMaster's masterful description of the characters, their dialogue, the locale and the trial details. She pulled me in as if I were there. With this being a true story, I can only imagine the many hours of research it took to bring this story to life from Victorian England to present day. I believe the true test of a story is when you can put yourself there because of good description. This book does not disappoint. I highly recommend "Who Killed Little Johnny Gill?"
2408694
WYNFIELD'S KINGDOM is a dark novel about the slums of Victorian England. The plight of abandoned children, orphans, and women, hunger, exploitation, depravity, and the horrendous dire circumstances of the lower classes is explored in this gripping, Dickens-like novel. At the heart of the novel are two main characters, Wynfield and Diana, both who respond in vastly different manners to their past sufferings and current dilemmas.

The author writes with vivid candidness, her characters compelling, her attention to historical detail impeccable. This is a novel that allowed me to slip into the story and remain there even after I finished reading. There were plenty of plot twists and suspenseful scenes that kept me reading long into the night. If you enjoy dark novels that have a powerful storyline and that depict both the glory and degeneracy of human nature, then do not let this book pass you by. Highly recommended.
3212080
Judy Blundell spins an excellently crafted tale that not only kept my attention, but kept me looking forward to what was going to happen chapter-by-chapter.  I managed to finish in 4 days time.  Again, I recommend this fine book!

Four stars!
847264
The Case of the Choir Boy Killer introduces us to a special variation of New York City. In this reality, vampires and other supernatural creatures exist among us, for the most part, without human's knowledge.

Mark Julian and co are a well developed cast of characters and this tale is edge of your seat good. While a quick read - I finished it in under a day - you can't put it down and it is immensely satisfying. Yes, the first version was poorly edited, but the new version has fixed most (if not all) of the initial errors.

Kyle Cicero's adaptation adds several new twists to the detective drama, throwing in old school, film noir techniques, with the added excitement of the background of a supernatural world. An excellent addition to gay literature and introduction to the world of Mark Julian - definitely worth picking up!
1096197
Agatha Christie is not one to disappoint readers looking for an excellent mystery. Intricately written, everything is not as it seems. The characters are well thought out with a delicate web of intrigue in this Middle Eastern tale. Follow Victoria on her romantic ride as she gets accidentally caught up in an international murder-Communist mystery!
2580607
The Darkling Bride is an incredibly enjoyable dark tale about the Gallaghers and their ancestral home of Deeprath in Ireland. Fans of Gothic fiction would love every bit of this read, as well as bibliophiles and historical fiction fans. The story jumps between three time periods (the present, the 1970s-80s, and the 1880s) but the author does it so seamlessly that it doesnt feel jarring. The prose is haunting but beautiful, much like the setting itself, and the pacing stays both suspenseful and measured throughout the book. I found the ending to be very satisfying as well.

I enjoyed all of the characters. Each is flawed in their own way but I think that adds to them being more complex. Carragh was a great protagonist but I was a big fan of Nessa and the inspector as well. I appreciated the fact that there was a smidgen of romance in the present story line so that it didn't overwhelm the focal point of the mystery. The mansion itself is a character too, watching over the events as they unfold. That moment when Carragh goes into Bride Tower, talk about goosebumps!

I really look forward to reading more books from the author. Its so easy to lose balance within the elements of between historical fiction, mystery, and paranormal but Andersen does it expertly.

Note: I received a free Kindle edition of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I would like to thank NetGalley, the publisher Random House - Ballantine, and the author Laura Andersen for the opportunity to do so.
51270
There are many fun things about this vintage mystery, first published in 1886... The unusual setting in late nineteenth-century Australia. A dramatic murder trial. The rivalry between two clever detectives who will do anything to discredit each other's findings. The love story between the heiress and the handsome young Irishman accused of murder. The way our suspicions keep shifting from one possible murderer to another. And the crime itself - the daring murder of a young man of fashion on a public road in a hansom cab.

The characters have the richness typical of the best Victorian novels. And society itself is an interesting character - frivolous, scandal loving and fickle. There are noble characters for us to admire, dissipated characters for us to despise, quirky detectives, a good old-fashioned lawyer of sterling character, and humorous characters with Dickinsonian eccentricities of speech and appearance.

Ferguson Hume grew up in Australia and worked as a clerk in a law office in Melbourne, but had literary aspirations. The Mystery of a Hansom Cab was self-published, but eventually became the best-selling mystery novel of the Victorian age. Arthur Conan Doyle was influenced by it, yet he put it down as "a slight tale." Perhaps he was a bit jealous, because this is an utterly engaging mystery, full of great gaslight atmosphere and replete with romance.

If you're reading the earliest classics of detective fiction, as I am, you won't want to miss this one. There are many editions around, but this one from Resurrected Press is nicely produced and very readable.
4055855
This is not the fantasy of Discworld but  a gripping tale in Victorian England of a typically unique Pratchett character with unexpected twists & turns and a feel-good journey and ending. Typically Pratchett phraseology and humour and set up to continue in a series. Highly recommended!
2570084
Excellent read! Written as a novel, but detailing actual events, this is riveting, fascinating, & unforgettable! No spoilers hereif you love intrigue, mystery, suspense, & the late 19th century Victorian age, this is a must-read!
1605294
Thomas De Quincey and his daughter Emily have been brought to London under mysterious circumstances. While they are in London, vicious and brutal murders take place reminiscent of murders from over forty years earlier. As De Quincey's essay "On Murder Considered as One of the Fine Arts" describes the murders in detail, the Scotland Yard is determined to receive De Quincey's assistance or secure his arrest. De Quincey and his daughter are in a race to clear his name amidst the growing civil unrest and his laudanum fueled dreams.

`Murder as a Fine Art' is an addictive read! It is so easy to get drawn into the world of Victorian London in 1854 through Mr. Morrell's vivid description, dialogue, and characters. An intensely compelling and exciting book, `Murder as a Fine Art' will capture the senses and the imagination. I don't want to give anything of the story away - just read this book!
507051
Another 5 stars for another wonderful, old-fashioned radio drama from Dark Adventure Radio Theatre, this time offering us a 2-disc adaptation of H. P. Lovecraft's short novel, "The Case of Charles Dexter Ward" -- and what a chilling, thrilling case it is indeed! As with all of their previous offerings, the adaptation is done with loving attention to detail, quite faithful to Lovecraft in all his monstrously otherworldly glory, complete with newspaper clippings & other period artifacts to enhance the overall atmosphere.

"Atmosphere" ... that word encompasses both Lovecraft's world & these adaptations. Here we have the tale of a scholarly but somewhat naive young man from a good family, fascinated by the tale of a warlock ancestor, who delves too deeply into mysteries best left untouched & pays the terrible price for it. Unlike many other Lovecraft tales, the true monsters here are human beings, devoid of conscience, driven by an unholy thirst for knowledge & power, trafficking with powers of the Outer Dark in their unceasing quest for ever more knowledge & power.

I won't say any more, in case you're unfamiliar with the story. Best to let you discover for yourselves what Charles Dexter Ward's friends & family slowly discover. as the full horror of what the young man has inadvertently let loose on the early early 20th Century becomes clear. I'll just say that the vocal acting, the music, the authentic-sounding commercials, all combine to provide an immensely entertaining evening in the Theater of the Mind.

Most highly recommended!