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rebuiltbybooks's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
linzm's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
emily_galloway's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Great!
I loved this book, the story was fast paced and interesting, the main characters were all unique and I had a fab time reading it. The author is very talented! Will definitely read the next addition of this story to see where it goes.
I loved this book, the story was fast paced and interesting, the main characters were all unique and I had a fab time reading it. The author is very talented! Will definitely read the next addition of this story to see where it goes.
lucy_anywhere's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
veronica87's review against another edition
3.0
Set in London in 1665, the first book in this series introduces readers to Charlie Tuesday, a thief taker - which basically means that he finds lost items for a fee. That's his usual gig anyway but the plague is hitting London hard and that means that a whole lot of people are either dying or leaving town for safer pastures, the consequence of which is that Charlie is having a hard time making his rent. Enter Maria, whose sister was brutally murdered in the prologue, who is dead set on seeing the killer found and brought to justice and who is willing to pay to see it done.
Now, here is where I have issues with the basic plot. I can understand Maria's anger and need for justice BUT, with the plague ravaging London and corpses piling up in mass graves and infection spreading faster than anyone can deal with, it just seems to me that Maria should have other matters taking precedence at this particular time...like survival. Of course, I never really liked Maria. It's nothing I can put my finger on or point to and say, "Oh yes, that's why I don't like her". I just never warmed to her and I didn't buy any of her actions but, then again, I consider it a matter of high stupidity to keep rushing into areas that are hardest hit with the plague just on the off chance of finding a clue. And the ending, as it pertains to her...I was really tempted to deduct a full star for that. It's clear she's meant to be the romantic love interest but from where I sit, there is zero/zip/zilch spark with Charlie.
To be fair to Maria, Charlie was also charging into plague infested areas of London and earning his fee isn't his only motivation. There's a mystery surrounding his mother and the strange key she left with him. I gather this element of the narrative will serve as longer arc through the series. I'm curious enough about that to give the second book in this series a try. I found the mystery in this one a bit iffy and confusing. Sitting here now, having just finished reading this last night, I'm having difficulty understanding what the killer's motivation was.
Now, here is where I have issues with the basic plot. I can understand Maria's anger and need for justice BUT, with the plague ravaging London and corpses piling up in mass graves and infection spreading faster than anyone can deal with, it just seems to me that Maria should have other matters taking precedence at this particular time...like survival. Of course, I never really liked Maria. It's nothing I can put my finger on or point to and say, "Oh yes, that's why I don't like her". I just never warmed to her and I didn't buy any of her actions but, then again, I consider it a matter of high stupidity to keep rushing into areas that are hardest hit with the plague just on the off chance of finding a clue. And the ending, as it pertains to her...I was really tempted to deduct a full star for that. It's clear she's meant to be the romantic love interest but from where I sit, there is zero/zip/zilch spark with Charlie.
To be fair to Maria, Charlie was also charging into plague infested areas of London and earning his fee isn't his only motivation. There's a mystery surrounding his mother and the strange key she left with him. I gather this element of the narrative will serve as longer arc through the series. I'm curious enough about that to give the second book in this series a try. I found the mystery in this one a bit iffy and confusing. Sitting here now, having just finished reading this last night, I'm having difficulty understanding what the killer's motivation was.
heidig's review against another edition
4.0
Charlie is a wily thief taker (Private Investigator) in 1665 London when the plague hits England with a vengeance. He is mistakenly implicated in the violent murder of a young woman by a plague doctor and forced to flee the relative safety of central London for the city's plague-filled outskirts. Charlie is both handsome and inventive. He runs from his present circumstances to find his past in hopes of learning more about his own foundling origins and his freedom. The only clue to Charlie's past is a mysteriously ornate key worn around his neck that will help clear his name and involve him in political intrigue on a scale that threatens the King.
Quinn's book is an enjoyable read. I'm not as familiar with this time period so I can't speak to it's historical accuracy, merely it's entertainment and readability. Quinn necessarily depicts the plague graphically but not to an uncomfortable degree. I would definitely read another book featuring this charming Thief Taker!
Quinn's book is an enjoyable read. I'm not as familiar with this time period so I can't speak to it's historical accuracy, merely it's entertainment and readability. Quinn necessarily depicts the plague graphically but not to an uncomfortable degree. I would definitely read another book featuring this charming Thief Taker!
bookswithjk's review against another edition
3.0
Received from Goodreads giveaway.
Reading this book over a second time, it's just as good as when I first read it. However, now, I see some issues that weren't as apparent the first time I read this. Also, I don't know what I thought I was reading, because this book became something entirely different the second time around.
First of all, I still love the pacing - it's a real page turner, with the story jumping from narrative to narrative. We switch between three viewpoints (aside from the prologue): Charlie comprises the main chunk of the book, then Mayor Lawrence (and the king to a certain extent), and finally Thomas Malvern, who makes up the second biggest chunk of the story. Each narrative is distinct from the other, although mentioned characters that you feel would have more depth to them end up being throwaways. These include Mayor Lawrence, Jack Turner, that determined, brutal tracker who doesn't even show his determined, brutal way in catching Charlie, the monkey (I forgot who owned it, to be honest), and Louise's brother, although I suspect that he might pop up in the sequels.
The main character is still enjoyable. Charlie Oakley is our Sherlockian thief taker, tricked into visiting a murder scene by Maria. The romance, however, feels a bit forced, perhaps due to the lack of chemistry I found between the two. After all, Maria lured Charlie in with the intent of arresting him and later shows little remorse over that. In fact, she seems to switch sides a little too quickly.
Speaking of Charlie, how could he possibly not contract the plague? The man runs around barefoot, possibly cutting up his skin with how rough those streets are, and he jumped into a cart full of plague-ridden bodies.
Now, Thomas Malvern is a villain I would have loved to know more about. He seems to be more nuanced than Charlie and Maria. The revelation that he's actually Thomas Blackstone was a bit jarring - for me, the idea that an old soldier could become a mayor's overworked assistant is comparable to a demotion of sorts. However, as Malvern is an alias, it could be that Blackstone merely stole the man's identity.
Onto the plot. The Thief Taker houses two mysteries: what does Charlie's special key mean, and who is killing all those young women? We get a taste of the first answer: the key opens a special chest owned by Blackstone, but what Charlie finds inside is frustrating. A marriage certificate hardly seems worth hiding and locking away, so there must be something else of more importance hidden in the chest.
For the second question, we are treated to a cat-and-mouse scenario, with Charlie eager to find the real murderer to clear his name. Through this mystery, we uncover a more devastating plot, one that attempts to undermine the economy and in turn spark a new revolution. However, I would have found it more interesting to pursue the witchcraft side of this mystery. The book could have delved more deeply into their motivation, because I felt that those ritualistic murders served no clear purpose. Also, Teresa and Thomas have different body types, so how could she physically pass off as him when she went to commit her rituals?
Finally, three more points. I realize where the idea of the zombies came from, but they're not truthfully zombies. They're only people riddled with pain and hoping (groaning/moaning) for someone to end their suffering. And second, despite having never used a gun before, Charlie miraculously delivers an accurate shot that knocked the bird out of the sky. How slow was that bird flying for him to shoot it down? And third, with Charlie being wanted for murder, why would they just let Malvern go?
However, I still enjoyed the story. The loose ends will hopefully be tied up throughout the series (I collected all of them so I could read them consecutively). If you're looking for something fun to read, I would pick this up.
Reading this book over a second time, it's just as good as when I first read it. However, now, I see some issues that weren't as apparent the first time I read this. Also, I don't know what I thought I was reading, because this book became something entirely different the second time around.
First of all, I still love the pacing - it's a real page turner, with the story jumping from narrative to narrative.
The main character is still enjoyable. Charlie Oakley is our Sherlockian thief taker, tricked into visiting a murder scene by Maria. The romance, however, feels a bit forced, perhaps due to the lack of chemistry I found between the two. After all, Maria lured Charlie in with the intent of arresting him and later shows little remorse over that. In fact, she seems to switch sides a little too quickly.
Speaking of Charlie, how could he possibly not contract the plague? The man runs around barefoot, possibly cutting up his skin with how rough those streets are, and he jumped into a cart full of plague-ridden bodies.
Now, Thomas Malvern is a villain I would have loved to know more about. He seems to be more nuanced than Charlie and Maria. The revelation that he's actually Thomas Blackstone was a bit jarring - for me, the idea that an old soldier could become a mayor's overworked assistant is comparable to a demotion of sorts. However, as Malvern is an alias, it could be that Blackstone merely stole the man's identity.
Onto the plot. The Thief Taker houses two mysteries: what does Charlie's special key mean, and who is killing all those young women? We get a taste of the first answer: the key opens a special chest owned by Blackstone, but what Charlie finds inside is frustrating. A marriage certificate hardly seems worth hiding and locking away, so there must be something else of more importance hidden in the chest.
For the second question, we are treated to a cat-and-mouse scenario, with Charlie eager to find the real murderer to clear his name. Through this mystery, we uncover a more devastating plot, one that attempts to undermine the economy and in turn spark a new revolution. However, I would have found it more interesting to pursue the witchcraft side of this mystery. The book could have delved more deeply into their motivation, because I felt that those ritualistic murders served no clear purpose. Also, Teresa and Thomas have different body types, so how could she physically pass off as him when she went to commit her rituals?
Finally, three more points. I realize where the idea of the zombies came from, but they're not truthfully zombies. They're only people riddled with pain and hoping (groaning/moaning) for someone to end their suffering. And second, despite having never used a gun before, Charlie miraculously delivers an accurate shot that knocked the bird out of the sky. How slow was that bird flying for him to shoot it down? And third, with Charlie being wanted for murder, why would they just let Malvern go?
However, I still enjoyed the story. The loose ends will hopefully be tied up throughout the series (I collected all of them so I could read them consecutively). If you're looking for something fun to read, I would pick this up.
cspiwak's review against another edition
3.0
Workmanlike book. Adequate plot & characters. May try another in the series
lnatal's review against another edition
4.0
Excellent debut novel, an historical mystery describing the Black Death in London with a very well historical research background.