I love Lizzie Hardwicke and Will Davenport. Their chemistry is subtle and slow burning. They never cross the line into something more but it’s there simmering under the surface and in this book it is more recognisable. Lizzie is installed by Bow-street into a theatre as a second seamstress to sniff out who’s behind the goings on that threaten the theatre owner. While there she stumbles across a murder and then things really get interesting. Lizzie’s past comes to her aid as she uses it to slip between all the different roles she takes on and her quick thinking and wit save her more often than not. In the end it is Lizzie that puts all the pieces of the puzzle together. I can’t wait to see what other high jinx she gets up and hope that Lizzie makes many more appearances with Davenport in future novels.

This was an absolutely fantastic book! I knew it was part of a series but I hadn't read the first book yet. I'm absolutely going to go and read that book now! Lizzie and Davenport are both fantastic characters and they're both well written with exexellent character growth throughout the book. The mystery itself was excellent with great plotting. A must read for anyone who likes historical mysteries with well written characters. I'll be waiting for the next book to come out!

'The Corpse Played Dead' called to me as it's predominantly played out in the theatre. It was great to read this straight after the first in the series 'Death and the Harlot', I didn't need to recap and was very happy to join Lizzie and Will straight away on another case; it also works absolutely fine as a standalone though. Clarke's London of 1759 is well researched and executed; there's no holding back of the unsavoury aspects of life and its hardships during this time.
This book is centred on a gruesome murder in London's Drury Lane theatre run by Mr Garrick; I loved the depiction of backstage life as Lizzie finds herself undercover helping Fielding and Davenport once more. There's a terrific gathering of characters under suspicion, and the presentation of life backstage during this period is well depicted. These are character driven books and the second book allows us more information about Lizzie and her situation and I love the development of her 'relationship' with Davenport ~ really looking forward to seeing where else it leads as the series progresses. I do hope there are many more Lizzie Hardwicke adventures to come! I'll certainly be ready and waiting to read them.

Entertaining, witty historical crime reads for people seeking well-plotted stories with creatively put together characters, some emotional moments, dangerous criminals and an investigating prostitute at the helm!

Second book in the Lizzie Hardwicke series is even better than the first. Lizzie continues to use her keen sense of observation to help William Davenport solve crimes. Masquerading as a seamstress in a Drury Lane theater she stumbles upon a gruesome murder. Determined as ever to get to the bottom of this crime, Lizzie throws herself into uncovering the true story. Fantastic follow up to book one. Clarke excels at keeping you guessing until the end. Looking forward to what Clarke has in store for book 3. This series will be on the top of my reading list!

The Corpse Played Dead is a fantastic historical mystery. The main character is well developed and wonderful. Well written and interesting.

I can't get enough of historical mysteries. After completing The Venice Atonement, I knew I needed another. I was just browsing through Canelo publishing's page on Netgalley to see what else they have available, perhaps something else by Merryn Allingham again, when I saw this beautiful cover. And isn't the title absolutely intriguing?

The story is a little slow to start. It takes a pretty long while before the murder takes place. But the characters Georgina Clarke has created are so likeable and so full of substance, I could hardly complain. Lizzie Hardwicke is a prostitute working at Ma Farley’s Bawdy House in Soho. But she isn't just any prostitute: she's a popular one too. Two months ago, she helped in finding the murderer to a case, and since then she has earned herself quite a reputation. Despite that, she is pretty indifferent towards the change in her popularity. Then comes another case that Will Davenport, an inspector, needs her help with. She has managed to show him how useful she can be as one of low status, and he has returned to take advantage of that, much to her delight — and disappointment. But Davenport's intentions aside, to be part of a case matches well with her level of curiosity. Lizzie now finds herself working undercover at a theatre as a seamstress. What seems to be petty threats at first becomes a whole different case altogether when one morning, Lizzie finds a corpse hanging upside down with its throat slashed.

With all the bravado that the author has written Lizzie as, she makes sure to include a weakness to her through her bravery, and I like that. Plus, that makes all the swoon-worthy moments between her and Davenport all the more significant~ The author has really planned the series of events well: when Lizzie discovers this information and that, how well they mould together without it getting too confusing even with the red herrings making their appearances. Having so many characters within the story while making sure they get the screen time they need is really tough, and it is through how smooth the flow of the story is that we see the author's prowess in her craft. I was a little overwhelmed at the beginning, but when she begins to narrow down, helping the readers know who are of significance in the story, that's when I start to appreciate everything about this book. I even like Ma and the other girls living with Lizzie, somehow, and I'm just glad that our protagonist's circumstance is not entirely bad. Even if it is, I can see Lizzie overcoming all the obstacles. The strength in her heart and soul will help her heal eventually even as she comes out of it battered.

I am most definitely looking forward to the next installment! Hopefully, Lizzie and Davenport's romance will develop even more. I've got to admit I love the subtle hints of their feelings for each other though, so even if they don't get together by the next book, I won't grumble. *winks* In the meantime, I'm going to try getting my hands on the first book!

This book can be read as a standalone.

I have been eagerly awaiting this book which is the second in the series and was thrilled to have received an ARC from netgalley. It did not disappoint. I am amazed at how good the writing is. The characters are fully fleshed out, even the secondary characters. The mystery is intriguing and kept me guessing. And I love that the heroine is a prostitute. She’s not perfect but does what she has to to survive. She is tough and resilient and a truly fabulous heroine. This book picks up two months after the events of the previous book and finds Lizzie going undercover to help the magistrates office find out who is causing accidents at the theater in Drury Lane. She hasn’t been there very long when the bodies start piling up.
This book was just as excellent as the first one. Will is back as her contact from the magistrates office and there is some serious chemistry between the two. I adore both Lizzie and Will. There is definitely romance developing between them but it’s very slow going. Hopefully there will be more focus on that going forward and it won’t be dragged out too long. My favorite parts of the book are when they are together.

I was lucky enough to read the first book in this series and was eagerly awaiting the next instalment - it did not disappoint. This is one of the best books I’ve read in ages and I finished it in less than 5 hours.
Lizzie Hardwicke is a high class prostitute living and working in London. In this book she is persuaded to go undercover as a seamstress in Garrick’s theatre in order to uncover the truth behind some mysterious happenings. The dour Fielding and wonderful Davenport return as we pick up the characters lives effortlessly.
The authors characterisation is brilliant, Lizzie is an absolute star and the ending was perfect. You’ve to love a believable, human, strong woman who can and will survive even thrive against all odds. The author resists giving in to stereotypical female cliches too which is refreshing, Lizzie is neither sinner nor saint, but like everybody somewhere in between and likewise the men are properly developed, rounded individuals which makes them much more interesting.
I won’t say much about the plot for fear of giving away spoilers but I will comment that I didn’t guess the outcome.
I loved this and will be recommending it to everyone, I hope the next book is out soon!
I receive a ARC from Netgalley to review, all opinions are my own.