Cathy C. (cathyskye) -
Patricia Finney, writing as P.F. Chisholm, has created one of my favorite historical mystery series, but I thought the Sir Robert Carey books ended with the fourth, A Plague of Angels. I was thrilled when I learned that new books are now appearing under the Poisoned Pen Press imprint. A Murder of Crows takes up right where the fourth book ended, and I loved being back in the world of Carey and his wonderful Sergeant Dodd. Finney is masterful at adding historical detail without bogging down the narrative, whether it's Shakespeare's envy at another's top-of-the-line paper and pens, or with Dodd's comparison of London street life with his beloved North. Neither has her laugh-out-loud sense of humor disappeared, since Dodd serves as both delineator of sixteenth-century life and comic foil.
As suits any Elizabethan mystery, there are subplots aplenty, but I had no trouble keeping them sorted as I read this fast-paced tale. Sir Robert Carey takes a backseat in this book, but I have to admit that I didn't really miss him. This is due to two facts: Dodd is more than capable of handling the bulk of the action, and Finney adds a very intriguing character in the young lawyer, James Enys, who-- delightfully-- is not exactly what he seems to be. (Finney has since published Do We Not Bleed?, the first of what I hope will be many James Enys mysteries.)
If you're in the mood for a first-rate historical mystery that will sweep you back to Elizabethan England where you will laugh and try to puzzle out what's going on, you can't do much better than reading any of P.F. Chisholm's Sir Robert Carey mysteries. I love them!
As suits any Elizabethan mystery, there are subplots aplenty, but I had no trouble keeping them sorted as I read this fast-paced tale. Sir Robert Carey takes a backseat in this book, but I have to admit that I didn't really miss him. This is due to two facts: Dodd is more than capable of handling the bulk of the action, and Finney adds a very intriguing character in the young lawyer, James Enys, who-- delightfully-- is not exactly what he seems to be. (Finney has since published Do We Not Bleed?, the first of what I hope will be many James Enys mysteries.)
If you're in the mood for a first-rate historical mystery that will sweep you back to Elizabethan England where you will laugh and try to puzzle out what's going on, you can't do much better than reading any of P.F. Chisholm's Sir Robert Carey mysteries. I love them!
Ah, another Robin Carey mystery. Ooh! And its set in London.
And honestly, its not bad at all. Four stars for sure.
The story opens with Dodd and Carey taking a walk and watching an execution (ah, these light hearted and enlightened Elizabethans!) and discussing matters that took place in A Plague of Angels. From there we move into the action as Carey's father (the Lord Hunsdon, half brother to the queen and her Chamberlain) summons him and Dodd to the discovery of a body on the watergate of one of the Queen's palaces. Then, add in the arrival of Carey's mother (a privateer!) and character in her own right.
The plot is properly twisty for anything involving royal politics and Henage is up to his tricks again. Plus, we meet his main tool and weapon as well. Like A Plague of Angels Dodd is our main viewpoint character and he offers a decent viewpoint as a fish out of water. His direct manner makes matters better (and worse) and make the book more interesting.
There are some neat characters from the King of London to a lawyer and Carey's mother. Its a good piece. I really liked it. There is also a "I cannot believe I missed that moment" when it was revealed. Its a good one and perfect for Dodd as well.
So, likes and dislikes.
Likes: Elizabethan London; Strong female characters; Legal action in London; Dodd taking matters into his own hands; Twisty plots; proper use of Chekhov's gun; Elizabethan era viewpoints; Building on previous adventures and events.
Dislikes: Dodd taking matters into his own hands; No Robert Carey viewpoints.
Highly recommended to fans of historical mysteries and Elizabethan fiction.
And honestly, its not bad at all. Four stars for sure.
The story opens with Dodd and Carey taking a walk and watching an execution (ah, these light hearted and enlightened Elizabethans!) and discussing matters that took place in A Plague of Angels. From there we move into the action as Carey's father (the Lord Hunsdon, half brother to the queen and her Chamberlain) summons him and Dodd to the discovery of a body on the watergate of one of the Queen's palaces. Then, add in the arrival of Carey's mother (a privateer!) and character in her own right.
The plot is properly twisty for anything involving royal politics and Henage is up to his tricks again. Plus, we meet his main tool and weapon as well. Like A Plague of Angels Dodd is our main viewpoint character and he offers a decent viewpoint as a fish out of water. His direct manner makes matters better (and worse) and make the book more interesting.
There are some neat characters from the King of London to a lawyer and Carey's mother. Its a good piece. I really liked it. There is also a "I cannot believe I missed that moment" when it was revealed. Its a good one and perfect for Dodd as well.
So, likes and dislikes.
Likes: Elizabethan London; Strong female characters; Legal action in London; Dodd taking matters into his own hands; Twisty plots; proper use of Chekhov's gun; Elizabethan era viewpoints; Building on previous adventures and events.
Dislikes: Dodd taking matters into his own hands; No Robert Carey viewpoints.
Highly recommended to fans of historical mysteries and Elizabethan fiction.
