Cathy C. (cathyskye) -
Helpful Score: 6
First Line: Friday, 2 June 1780, West Sussex, England. Gabriel Crowther opened his eyes.
If Crowther had known what was in store for him, he just might have pulled the covers back over his head. Harriet Westerman, the unconventional mistress of Caveley Park, has found a dead man on her property, and she insists that reclusive anatomist Gabriel Crowther help her find the killer. Their search will take them from country walks to drawing rooms to grimy London streets to dissecting rooms, and by the time they're done, there will be no more secrets at neighboring Thornleigh Hall.
Harriet Westerman is the kind of amateur sleuth that I want to know more about. The wife of a sea captain, Harriet went to sea with her husband during peace time and in war-- and she misses it. The only reason why she's taken up residence at Caveley Park is because her husband has always wanted a big house and property. If left to her own devices, she'd still be at sea.
Gabriel Crowther on the other hand is an anatomist, which isn't a very popular occupation in eighteenth century England. He prefers solitude for many reasons, only one of which concerns his work. Having removed himself from polite society, he finds himself out of step when Harriet drags him back into it. This pair of self-appointed sleuths both have courage and razor-sharp minds, which bodes well for a series.
However, the author has also populated the book with several other well-drawn and memorable characters, one group of which is chased through the dark streets of London by a very scary murderer. Whether trying to track down the notes of a magistrate or attempting to protect the next people on the killer's list, I never knew when I'd run into another of the author's marvelous characters.
The only thing that kept me from raising this book to the ceiling and shouting, "Hallelujah!" is that the pace tended to be glacial until the last quarter of the book. But Robertson has now set up a world that I want to revisit again and again. Mrs. Westerman? Please set another place at table. I am coming to dine!
If Crowther had known what was in store for him, he just might have pulled the covers back over his head. Harriet Westerman, the unconventional mistress of Caveley Park, has found a dead man on her property, and she insists that reclusive anatomist Gabriel Crowther help her find the killer. Their search will take them from country walks to drawing rooms to grimy London streets to dissecting rooms, and by the time they're done, there will be no more secrets at neighboring Thornleigh Hall.
Harriet Westerman is the kind of amateur sleuth that I want to know more about. The wife of a sea captain, Harriet went to sea with her husband during peace time and in war-- and she misses it. The only reason why she's taken up residence at Caveley Park is because her husband has always wanted a big house and property. If left to her own devices, she'd still be at sea.
Gabriel Crowther on the other hand is an anatomist, which isn't a very popular occupation in eighteenth century England. He prefers solitude for many reasons, only one of which concerns his work. Having removed himself from polite society, he finds himself out of step when Harriet drags him back into it. This pair of self-appointed sleuths both have courage and razor-sharp minds, which bodes well for a series.
However, the author has also populated the book with several other well-drawn and memorable characters, one group of which is chased through the dark streets of London by a very scary murderer. Whether trying to track down the notes of a magistrate or attempting to protect the next people on the killer's list, I never knew when I'd run into another of the author's marvelous characters.
The only thing that kept me from raising this book to the ceiling and shouting, "Hallelujah!" is that the pace tended to be glacial until the last quarter of the book. But Robertson has now set up a world that I want to revisit again and again. Mrs. Westerman? Please set another place at table. I am coming to dine!
R E K. (bigstone) - , reviewed Instruments of Darkness (Crowther & Westerman, Bk 1) on + 1452 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
The setting is England of the 1700s. The heroine is Harriet Westerman who discovers a body on her property. Recognizing that the man was murdered, she searches out her neighbor, the renowned Gabriel Crowther, the hero. In spite of their differences and a bit of friction now and then, the two cooperate to search for the killer.
Mrs. Westerman once sailed the seas with her naval husband. Landbound, she now supervises the care of their English property at Caveley Park, lives with her sister and raises her children. I liked that that she misses the sea, her husband and the many adventures they had together. And, I enjoyed the scenarios with her children which add to the depth and complexity of her character.
Crowther has his own problems and protects his privacy, concealing the fact that he was born an aristocrat. His fascination with anatomy seems gruesome to many but his knowledge is respected. Mrs. Westerman is not a wilting violet and joins him in autopsies.
The story is complex, leading the reader and the characters in several directions as the investigation progresses. In describing the setting, the author includes the Gordon Riots adding to the tale's historical relevance. In addition, I found the characters both interesting and realistic, the plot a good one, and the ending well done.
Mrs. Westerman once sailed the seas with her naval husband. Landbound, she now supervises the care of their English property at Caveley Park, lives with her sister and raises her children. I liked that that she misses the sea, her husband and the many adventures they had together. And, I enjoyed the scenarios with her children which add to the depth and complexity of her character.
Crowther has his own problems and protects his privacy, concealing the fact that he was born an aristocrat. His fascination with anatomy seems gruesome to many but his knowledge is respected. Mrs. Westerman is not a wilting violet and joins him in autopsies.
The story is complex, leading the reader and the characters in several directions as the investigation progresses. In describing the setting, the author includes the Gordon Riots adding to the tale's historical relevance. In addition, I found the characters both interesting and realistic, the plot a good one, and the ending well done.
Meredith P. (Francophile) reviewed Instruments of Darkness (Crowther & Westerman, Bk 1) on + 52 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Robertson has come up with a terrific investigating team set in a time when neither of them would be accepted into "polite" society doing what they do. Together, however, they can't be overcome. Mrs. Westerman is an intriguingly modern woman stuck in the late 18th century, and Gabriel Crowther would be burned as a witch were he female. They overcome interesting obstacles and roadblocks to solve horrid crimes. Add to these two characters a very well-presented view of how life was lived "in those days" and you've got a great series. Instruments of Darkness is the first mystery, and sets up for all the rest (five so far.) Very well-written, very interesting, full of surprises.
Melissa P. (mp3359) reviewed Instruments of Darkness (Crowther & Westerman, Bk 1) on + 13 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Awesome, awesome author with great characters. I originally ordered this book from a british bookstore online because it was available there first and have since shared a couple of Facebook messages with the author. If you like historical mysteries in the flavor of Sansom, you'll enjoy this series. Highly recommend!
