Excellent book. I adored the storyline and the characters. A real page turner. I would this recommend this book.

This was just ok for me, I enjoyed the beautiful writing style and how it flowed, also enjoyed the descriptions but I grew a little bored with the story it self and didn't really care to much what happened. But it was enjoyable to read.

So the circle is closed; the merchants have become the goods.

I enjoyed this story greatly. It was atmospheric and an interesting storyline. I didn't guess what was going on to well into the second half of the book. The crimes were definitely of the age. The pace was a bit slow in the middle. I enjoyed the blossoming romance too.
Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own

Incredible. Atmospheric and thrilling debut. This is one to watch in months, years to come - going to be one of the best and biggest releases of next year, no doubt

Following closely in Sarah Waters' footsteps, this is a Victorian pastiche that returns to those perennials of murder, identity, prostitution and female survival. Carlin writes with fluency and conjures up a grim, dank, seedy London where the only sanctuary for our heroine is in female friendship.

This is an enjoyable read but it does feel more generic than original, and there are some clumsy tricks such as the extended death-bed confession/life-story at the end. Entertaining for Victoriana fans.

With overtones of FINGERSMITH and THE CRIMSON PETAL AND THE WHITE, this is a historical read for anyone who wants diversity in their gritty Dickensian rags-to-riches-and-back-again coming of age novel. Slow to start, it quickly picks up the pace and was a delightful romp. I can't wait to see what Carlin writes next. This luxurious cover hides dark depths within.

I loved the premise and indeed the first third of this book. As a long time fan of Sarah Waters there was enough to engage my interest in a similar vein, the grim poverty of nineteenth century London is particularly well imagined and the prose is undeniably well written.

However I just found it ultimately too long winded and a little convoluted. The ending was contrived and my interest was flagging by then.

However I would be very interested in reading anything else by this author in future.

This would usually be just my kind of book - a historical mystery set in the Victorian era with a female lead. In this case the focus is on Hester White, a young woman living in abject poverty in London after falling on hard times. A carriage accident changes her fate and introduces her to Rebekah Brock and her family. Against a backdrop of a spate of missing people in London, Hester and Rebekah scramble to solve the mystery which gets increasingly dangerous.


The historical setting was particularly grim and realistic, which worked well, but was a bit stomach-churning at times. The characterisation of the women and the relationship between them was also well done.


However, I just didn't find the book very satisfying, especially the skimming over time to get to the (slightly unbelievable) resolution. I also found the mix of genres a bit unevenly balanced - the mystery took a long time to get going and the relationship element was also slow. Finally, I just found so much of it grim - I realise it's intended to present the seedy underworld of London, but it was just unrelentingly bleak and cheerless, which made it hard reading.


Overall, I can't deny that this is well written and researched, but approach with caution if you are anticipating a light or easy historical read.