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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
Book 2 in the “Sally Lockhart Mysteries” series.
Set a few years after the first book The Ruby in the Smoke, Sally is well-established as a financial advisor and accountant to her friend (who loves her dearly) Frederick Garland.
Three seemingly separate events begin the unravelling the mystery at the centre of this novel. Firstly, a young woman turns up at Sally's office requesting assistance in claiming money back that she had invested in a shipping company when one of its sturdy steam-liners sinks. Suspecting fraud, Sally promises to investigate and attempt to claim back the woman's money.
The second event sees cockney geezer Jim Taylor providing muscle in the protection of a young magician who seems to have attracted the wrong sort of people at the back stage door. He later confides that he witnessed a murder and some people want him silences.
In the third event, Jim goes to see a medium and experiences a seance. Jim is convinced the woman is a fraud until she reveals some information that seems to link the magician and the sinking of the ship. Together, Sally, Fred and Jim attempt to figure out how the events are linked and through whom.
As with the first in the series, this is a short yet complex book with many twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the end. Sally is well fleshed out now, Fred though a little under-developed is likeable and you can't help but feel sorry for the man that Sally continues to reject his marriage proposals. Unfortunately, he is killed toward the end. The book suffers for the lack of dynamic between Fred and Rosa, especially following his death where she does not even get a mention. Perhaps Pullman felt that there was already too many female characters but I do feel that this book needed Rosa's presence.
The central plot is intriguing and is less of a crime novel and more of a mystery-drama. I know I said this about The Ruby in the Smoke, but this further develops away from simple crime thriller. Ultimately aimed at young adults, the series is an interesting introduction to the genre.
See more book reviews at my blog
Set a few years after the first book The Ruby in the Smoke, Sally is well-established as a financial advisor and accountant to her friend (who loves her dearly) Frederick Garland.
Three seemingly separate events begin the unravelling the mystery at the centre of this novel. Firstly, a young woman turns up at Sally's office requesting assistance in claiming money back that she had invested in a shipping company when one of its sturdy steam-liners sinks. Suspecting fraud, Sally promises to investigate and attempt to claim back the woman's money.
The second event sees cockney geezer Jim Taylor providing muscle in the protection of a young magician who seems to have attracted the wrong sort of people at the back stage door. He later confides that he witnessed a murder and some people want him silences.
In the third event, Jim goes to see a medium and experiences a seance. Jim is convinced the woman is a fraud until she reveals some information that seems to link the magician and the sinking of the ship. Together, Sally, Fred and Jim attempt to figure out how the events are linked and through whom.
As with the first in the series, this is a short yet complex book with many twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the end. Sally is well fleshed out now, Fred though a little under-developed is likeable and you can't help but feel sorry for the man that Sally continues to reject his marriage proposals. Unfortunately, he is killed toward the end. The book suffers for the lack of dynamic between Fred and Rosa, especially following his death where she does not even get a mention. Perhaps Pullman felt that there was already too many female characters but I do feel that this book needed Rosa's presence.
The central plot is intriguing and is less of a crime novel and more of a mystery-drama. I know I said this about The Ruby in the Smoke, but this further develops away from simple crime thriller. Ultimately aimed at young adults, the series is an interesting introduction to the genre.
See more book reviews at my blog
mysterious
medium-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
😭🩷
Sort of a let-down. Rosa and the church guy, not to mention Trembler, are totally left out of the story. Sally is sort of stupid in this one ("Do I love him? I just don't know..."). I think when you love someone it's pretty obvious and you don't need a whole lot of fighting to figure it out. Also, the ending pissed me off.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes