this is a really nice novel and then that's the tea on that. i really enjoyed it and i think you would like it to when you figure out what it's about. so like do that.

Predictable but charming, I very much enjoyed this Victorian crime novella. It successfully distracted me for a while and I thank the publisher and netgalley for providing me with a copy though I am afraid I've been rather late in sending in my review .

I loved the first in this series and I loved this one.
I loved the well thought and interesting cast of characters, the vivid and well researched historical background and the solid mystery that kept me guessing.
I can't wait to read the next installment and I want to know what will be next.
A highly entertaining and gripping read, strongly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I really really like this series! The writing is just fun and easy to read, so much so that I picked up this second book whilst only having read one chapter in the first book. That’s how good it is.

The cases are interesting and at first make you think something supernatural is going on. In this case Dr Carlyle finds a man on his slab who has the same fingerprints as a man who was hanged a year earlier… a hanging preacher Matthew was present at. What follows is an investigation into how one can fake a hanging, and a Lot of corpses.

But this story is a lot more than that. It also shows the beginning stages of fingerprinting. There is a lot of page time given to Carlyle’s daughter fighting for women’s rights and trying to get elected in the LCC. And there is the romance between her and Matthew. All of this is done very satisfactory in only 200 pages.

The mystery itself was just fine, though a bit too obvious. The fact that all potential suspects got murdered one by one made it even more clear that indeed the people I suspected from the start were responsible. And I had hoped that the motive might have been a bit more interesting.

But that doesn’t make this book any less enjoyable. The characters are just great, and both their banter and discussions are a joy to read. Having both a man of science and a man of religion at the center of the case, and the author not favoring either perspective, gives a nicely rounded narrative.

A great series I would highly recommend if you like your historical mystery.

Death Comes But Twice is an original and engrossing read that has you on the edge of your seat as the plot unfolds. Couldn't put it down and read it one sitting.

I really enjoyed this book. The mystery was suspenseful, I really liked they incorporated in the newest scienced, advancements at that historical time, and the banter between the two main characters. It's definitely worth reading!

In 1890s the fingerprint technology is still in its budding stage wherein most of the people are still unaware that no two Human Beings have same set of fingerprints. To prove that each fingerprint is unique Dr. Carlyle and Inspector Jennings secretly compare the each and every fingerprint of the dead bodies they encounter in their work. In one such comparison Dr Carlyle finds that the fingerprint of 'Arthur Skeleton' , the dead body which was send to him by Inspector Jennings to conduct tests matched with a man who was sentenced to death and was hanged an year before. This only meant that his fingerprint theory was wrong or both the dead were the same person. How could be a man who was dead a year ago die again? or who will want a dead man to be dead again? .

This is the second crime thriller in the Carlyle & West Victorian Mysteries. Though i haven't read the first one , it didn't make much a difference as the mystery is still standalone and book gives a good introduction of all the characters if you still don't know about them. Most of the things mentioned in the book is factual like the technological shortcomings or the patriarchal nature of the society at that time.

The book is intriguing and engaging , although some parts were quite predictable when you read it keenly and connect the dots. Good and proper explanation were given when a character proposed a theory of how a certain bit might have happened or, where a lot of medical and technical terms were used which is very good for a reader who may not get it at the first go. The language is easy and understandable. As a thriller lover myself i would recommend this book all the thriller lovers out there.

I must admit I choose this book mainly for the absolutely stunning cover, having never read any books by David Field. I'm happy to say that the stunning cover hides a delightful story, a mystery set in a time when most modern inventions were still a mystery to most people, and with strong and lively characters. Matthew is a very interesting young man and Adelaide of course a woman to my heart. I loved the mystery, the way it was solved, the strong characterization and the very, very entertaining dialogues.

Thanks to Netgalley for this digital review copy.

Death Comes But Twice is the second instalment of Field's Carlyle and West Victorian Mystery Series.
It has a nice introduction to the characters which is helpful if you haven't read the first but also a nice refresher if you have.

Matthew West the local preacher is once again drawn in to unusual circumstances when surgeon Carlyle asks for his help upon the murder of a man who was believed to already be dead and West had been present at the original hanging so how was this man now in the morgue?

As more people are murdered the duo along with Adelaide (Carlyle's daughter) and Inspector Jennings begin to worry West may be a target.

I already liked West and Carlyle from the first book but thoroughly enjoyed how their relationship developed in this instalment. Adelaide also became a much more prominent character and I found myself cheering her on in her own mission which I won't spoil for anyone. The additional thread of the possible romance between West and Adelaide provides some light hearted humour and I am looking forward to seeing it develop in the next book. Additional characters such as Mary were great, you can't help but be amused by some of her antics and how Adelaide reacts to them.

This is a great storyline which makes you think about how far we have come in terms of forensics and justice and Field has explored these subjects through this book.

I found it really interesting to read about the development of forensics such as fingerprinting and how it was developed as Carlyle, Adelaide and Jennings begin collecting samples and experimenting with fingerprint matches.

Field weaves historical fact into fiction such as the inclusion of the hangman Billingham, I wasn't aware he was a real person until I read the authors note at the end but I like how Field includes facts in to his mysteries. I enjoy Field's writing style and have found this series to be a fun easy to read mystery series.

1893 England great strides are being made in the field of forensic science. The art of finger printing as an aid to assisting forensics is in the preliminary stage but it does get support from all. Doctor Carlyle and his daughter Adelaide are working in the morgue trying to find out as much as possible about a murderer who has now died twice.

Adelaide is herself a pioneer as a woman in the field is unique. On another note, she is hoping to put herself forward as a candidate for the local elections and this again has created waves because women are now only able to vote, and that too only if they own property in their own right.

The story of Adelaide, and the elections and the on off romance with Pastor Matthew West is one story and the other is the investigation into how and why Skuja was apparently hanged, did not die but died again later in a murder incident. Who helped Skuja to escape the hangman's noose and when it is slowly revealed that bigger names are involved the plot widens and becomes more complicated by the day.


Old fashioned detection work but thoroughly enjoyable as the setting is old English style. A touch of romance adds interest too.

This story takes place around 1891 in London.
Dr James Carlyle is a hospital surgeon who specialises in mortuary science. Together with police inspector John Jennings he also investigates the new French theory about the uniqueness of fingerprints. His daughter Adelaide is his assistant. She’s a very high spirited young lady with feminist ideals and political ambitions. In the previous book, they met with Matthew West a street preacher from the Wesleyan church. He has fallen in love with Adelaide and has the approval of her dad but the young lady is dead set on proving that women can be totally self-sufficient and happy without male interference.
When a corpse in dr Carlyle’s mortuary turns out to not only as being poisoned but also as being that of a man who was hanged a year earlier, the doctor calls on the help of his friend Matthew. Some sort of subterfuge must have taken place during the hanging but how exactly it was done and who was behind it are unclear. Just as important is the matter of who felt it necessary to poison the resurrected criminal.

This book brings some very strong arguments against the death penalty. In the past spoke out several times against this practice. Most important is that we can’t always be absolutely certain that a person is indeed guilty of the crime he’s accused of. There are many men in prison, on death row and executed who are later proved to be innocent. And yes, I also have the same sentiment as most people that some perpetrators are that evil, vicious and inhuman that they deserve to suffer and have no right to live. But if we act on that sentiment, we are no better than a murderer. I can’t morally justify executions, even if they’re done painlessly and clinically. For those who are religious, there is written: “Thou shalt not kill!” In Victorian London, the hangings were a public spectacle that attracted many spectators. We’re confronted with the brutality and unpleasantness of them on the very first pages of the book.
It’s not only the hangings that are mentioned and described. Adelaide’s political ambitions make it possible to point out many of the ailments of Victorian society and especially the living conditions of the poor. But her main interest lays in the inequality and oppression of women. She’s extremely outspoken on that topic. She’s not prepared to allow Matthew any closer to her than friendship and swears never to marry. But when Mary, the woman of the anti-capital punishment group turns up and doesn’t hide her interest in him, Adelaide reacts very frostily. So, unwittingly, she may harbour softer feelings for him. She reminds me of the character ‘Annie Fuller’ in the Victorian San Francisco mysteries from Louisa Locke. If you like those, I’m certain you will like this series as well.
Adelaide and her friends are far more liberated than the average lady at the time. They’re professional women, own businesses and property and are very outspoken. They do not want to comply with the expectations that society has of women. It’s the brave choices that these women made, that form the base for our own liberties, possibilities and all we take for granted. This was just 130 years ago. Could you live under the restrictions these women suffered? I think I prefer social distancing and lockdown!
I haven’t read the first book, but that was no problem to get on with this story. There’s a short explanation in the first chapter who everybody is and how they’re related. They’re all very likeable, apart from the villains of course. I knew who was responsible quite early on in the book but I thought that it couldn’t be this simple because I didn’t see a motive. It was a bit of a shame that I guessed it too early, but I enjoyed the rest of the story as well. There are more than enough other elements in this story; romance, history, political and social comments, religion. I don’t know if it can be called a cosy mystery as the description of the hanging is unpleasant and some of the action occurs in the mortuary. The rest is written more light-footed and positive in tone. It’s a short and pleasant read with decent historical research. At the end of the book, the author gives a few interesting historical facts about the issues he mentions in her story.
I really want to give 4,5 stars because it was too easy to find the culprit. Guess that I feel generous today.
I thank Sapere Books and Netgalley for the free ARC they provided; this is my unbiased and honest review of it.

The mystery begins when a man found dead is identified as being a criminal previously hanged for his crimes. So the story begins. Carlyle and West make a team, alongside Carlyle’s father and inspector Jennings to discover what happened.

Carlyle and West make a good, if unusual, team. While I wouldn’t call the book fast paced or a thriller, it kept my interest particularly with the inclusion of The emergence of fingerprint testing as evidence. The relationships between the characters was good. I wasn’t aware until the end of the book that it was the second in the series so I’ll definitely go back and read the first. Enjoyable read.

This is the first book I have read by the author, but am now looking forward to more.

Dr Carlyle is an eminent surgeon in Victorian London, but also assists the police when needed. He is working with Inspector Jennings on a new experiment of fingerprinting those that pass through his mortuary.

The issue comes when a body is brought to the mortuary for the second time.....

Dr Carlyle is helped by his daughter Adelaide, who is trying to get elected to the LCC, helping her to do this, and also of a help to Dr Carlyle and in turn, the police is Matthew West an impoverished Wesleyan street preacher.

The dead person is named at Adam Skelton, but also appears to have been Artus Skuja, he was supposedly hanged at Newgate Prison the year before.

A really good story with interesting characters.

I look forward to reading more by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sapere Books for giving me the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Death Comes But Twice was a great historical mystery. What happens when emerging fingerprint forensics discover a dead body that was supposedly hanged until death the year before. Engaging well written characters, I will recommend to patrons and will purchase a copy for our library.

David Field's Death Comes but Twice is the second "Carlyle & West" historical mystery set in Victorian England. I found the first title in the series, Interviewing the Dead, an uneven read in a series that had the possibility of becoming richer in additional volumes. Death Comes but Twice is a stronger title than Interviewing the Dead, but it still feels as if the series hasn't hit its stride. Again, the potential for interesting tensions between rationalism and faith—the central characters are a Wesleyan minister and a surgeon/anatomist—isn't used as effectively as it might be. Add in a not-altogether-believable romance—the minister and the surgeon's fiercely independent and agnostic daughter—and the reader is left with an assortment of unmet possibilities. A third volume is due out, and I'll read that one, but without more depth and tension, that may be my last read in this series, even if new volumes follow.

I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions are my own.

I received this book from the publisher, Sapere Books in exchange for an honest review. This is the second book I have read in this series and this one was even better than the first. The characters are likeable and have many realistic qualities. The sparring between Matthew and Adelaide is delightful and has me laughing out loud most times. It is neat to see how they are developing the methods that police use now to solve crimes. The plot of the book evolves smoothly and flows nicely, blending a couple of story lines together. This book is a quick read and thoroughly entertaining which is just what a person wants in a book. I love the historical novels and it’s great to read one that isn’t full of lusty characters. I look forward to reading more books written by this author

This book was enjoyable and engaging, sadly at times it felt predictable almost like I have read it before.

It had engaging characters that have a happy ending in as much as it has everything needed for a mystery.

I still enjoyed the book and it would be the perfect introduction to the genre. There is also need to read the previous book to grasp this one.

The author has written a wonderful book, it just wasn’t for me.

Set in 1800s London, Dr James Carlyle examines the body of a man he discovers has a fingerprint match to Artus Skuja- a man executed the year before. The story unfolds to expose a much deeper plot afoot. The book is part of a series. I've not read its predecessor but was still able to enjoy it on its own. Well written and engaging. This one is a recommend. Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to review.

London, 1893
When doctor James Carlyle is given a dead body to investigate, he makes a shocking discovery Innovative fingerprinting techniques reveal the dead man was Artus Skuja. But Skuja was hanged a year ago. Carlyle discovers that his new friend, local preacher Matthew West was present at the hanging, and seeks out his help in solving the mystery. And when more deaths occur, it seems a larger plot could be at large.
This is the second book in this page turning series & it could easily be read on its own. A very well researched book that grabbed my interest at the start & I was engrossed all the way through. Strong characters who had depth, I really liked James & Matthew. The pace is very good & all in all a very good captivating read. My thanks to NetGalley & Sapere for an early copy. I look forward to more in the series

Thankyou to NetGalley, Sapere Books and the author, David Field, for the opportunity to read a digital copy of Death Comes But Twice in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.
I thought this book provided a good read. The settings and narrative were rich in detail and the characters are well drawn.
Worth a read for fans of the genre.