HISTORICAL MYSTERIES by The Yarn Maggot
I’m sure some of you out there in blogland enjoy historical fiction as I do. Most of the historical fiction I read is action adventure (think of Bernard Cornwell, Patrick O’Brian, and Wilbur Smith), but in the last 6 months I’ve read a number of historical mysteries, four of which stand out. Many of you will be familiar with these books because they were/are quite popular with book clubs. I don’t belong to any book clubs currently because I like to read what I want, when I want, but I can understand the draw of book clubs and haven’t ruled out joining one in the future.
The most recent of the historical mysteries I’ve read is The Great Stink by Clare Clark. It is set in Victorian London (1850’s). I’m not an historian, but feel this book gives a pretty accurate picture of life in London in the mid nineteenth century. A word of warning, much of the story takes place in the sewers beneath the streets of London and the author doesn’t pull any punches in her descriptions of the sewers and the squalid living conditions. Also featured are rats, rat killing dogs, and self mutilation. However, if you’re not squeamish, I recommend this book. It may start slowly with the back story, but once it gets going, you’ll find it hard to put down. The story is told in parallel narratives which keep you guessing and on edge.
I didn’t know what to expect when I started to read Dark Matter by Philip Kerr. The extended title is The Private Life of Sir Isaac Newton: A Novel. Before buying the book, I had to convince myself that it really was fiction. It is, but cleverly is based on the real fact that late in the seventeenth century Sir Isaac Newton was appointed Warden of the Royal Mint, which at that time was located within the Tower of London. Part of Newton’s duties is to investigate and prosecute counterfeiters. Assisting Newton in this endeavor is a young man, Christopher Ellis (also a true fact), who is the narrator of the story much as Dr. Watson was for Sherlock Holmes. The plot is very complex with mysterious murders, coded documents, politics, references to alchemy, a romantic subplot, and tensions between Protestants and Catholics. The setting is a very realistically portrayed London of the period, including Bedlam “madhouse”, Newgate Prison, and the personage of Daniel Defoe as not a very nice person. As expected Newton uses his intellect to bring this mystery to a very satisfying conclusion. This is a very exciting read.
The final two books I want to mention are both by David Liss. A Conspiracy of Paper was the winner of the 2001 Edgar Award for best first novel and I can understand why it won. I thoroughly enjoyed it as I did its sequel, A Spectacle of Corruption. Both books are set in London, Paper in 1719 and Corruption in 1722. These books have the same hero and narrator, Benjamin Weaver. Weaver is an ex-pugilist and a Jew in a very non tolerant Christian London. He has become a “thief-taker” or what we would call a private eye/bounty hunter. In Paper Weaver investigates the mysterious death of his estranged father, a stock-jobber, and finds himself enmeshed in a political and economic battle between the Bank of England, the Royal Exchange, and the South Sea Company involving thieves , noblemen, merchants, and financiers.
In Spectacle of Corruption Weaver is framed for murder, but he knows not why. First he must escape from Newgate Prison to clear his name. The intricate plot revolves around early eighteenth century politics - the Tories supporting King George I versus the antiroyalist Whigs, the Jacobites trying to restore the deposed “Pretender” James II, labor organizations, various power brokers, and the criminal elite. Both books are rich in historical detail, squalid as it may be. I read in Publishers Weekly that these books are similar to Brue Alexander’s Sir John Fielding mystery series. Is anyone familiar with that series? I’m not.
Before signing off I’d like to respond to comments to my previous blog, “What is a Mystery Blogger?” I thank everybody who provided suggestions for future reads. I’ve added them to my “to read” list.
Cher, I’m not familiar with Charlaine Harris. I’ll check her out.
Talpianna, I agree; I need some new friends.
KaLyKo, you sound like exactly the same kind of reader I am. I find an author I like, I have to read everything by him or her and I save my books, too.
Anonymous, you asked what SF book I was digesting. It was Chindi by Jack McDevitt, the third book in a series of four. I’ve since completed the series by reading the fourth, Omega. In case anyone is interested, the first two books are The Engines of God and Deepsix. They are space opera, but with a very strong scientific mystery element. The characters are much better developed than in most space opera I’ve read.
That’s it for now. Happy Reading,
The Yarn Maggot
The most recent of the historical mysteries I’ve read is The Great Stink by Clare Clark. It is set in Victorian London (1850’s). I’m not an historian, but feel this book gives a pretty accurate picture of life in London in the mid nineteenth century. A word of warning, much of the story takes place in the sewers beneath the streets of London and the author doesn’t pull any punches in her descriptions of the sewers and the squalid living conditions. Also featured are rats, rat killing dogs, and self mutilation. However, if you’re not squeamish, I recommend this book. It may start slowly with the back story, but once it gets going, you’ll find it hard to put down. The story is told in parallel narratives which keep you guessing and on edge.
I didn’t know what to expect when I started to read Dark Matter by Philip Kerr. The extended title is The Private Life of Sir Isaac Newton: A Novel. Before buying the book, I had to convince myself that it really was fiction. It is, but cleverly is based on the real fact that late in the seventeenth century Sir Isaac Newton was appointed Warden of the Royal Mint, which at that time was located within the Tower of London. Part of Newton’s duties is to investigate and prosecute counterfeiters. Assisting Newton in this endeavor is a young man, Christopher Ellis (also a true fact), who is the narrator of the story much as Dr. Watson was for Sherlock Holmes. The plot is very complex with mysterious murders, coded documents, politics, references to alchemy, a romantic subplot, and tensions between Protestants and Catholics. The setting is a very realistically portrayed London of the period, including Bedlam “madhouse”, Newgate Prison, and the personage of Daniel Defoe as not a very nice person. As expected Newton uses his intellect to bring this mystery to a very satisfying conclusion. This is a very exciting read.
The final two books I want to mention are both by David Liss. A Conspiracy of Paper was the winner of the 2001 Edgar Award for best first novel and I can understand why it won. I thoroughly enjoyed it as I did its sequel, A Spectacle of Corruption. Both books are set in London, Paper in 1719 and Corruption in 1722. These books have the same hero and narrator, Benjamin Weaver. Weaver is an ex-pugilist and a Jew in a very non tolerant Christian London. He has become a “thief-taker” or what we would call a private eye/bounty hunter. In Paper Weaver investigates the mysterious death of his estranged father, a stock-jobber, and finds himself enmeshed in a political and economic battle between the Bank of England, the Royal Exchange, and the South Sea Company involving thieves , noblemen, merchants, and financiers.
In Spectacle of Corruption Weaver is framed for murder, but he knows not why. First he must escape from Newgate Prison to clear his name. The intricate plot revolves around early eighteenth century politics - the Tories supporting King George I versus the antiroyalist Whigs, the Jacobites trying to restore the deposed “Pretender” James II, labor organizations, various power brokers, and the criminal elite. Both books are rich in historical detail, squalid as it may be. I read in Publishers Weekly that these books are similar to Brue Alexander’s Sir John Fielding mystery series. Is anyone familiar with that series? I’m not.
Before signing off I’d like to respond to comments to my previous blog, “What is a Mystery Blogger?” I thank everybody who provided suggestions for future reads. I’ve added them to my “to read” list.
Cher, I’m not familiar with Charlaine Harris. I’ll check her out.
Talpianna, I agree; I need some new friends.
KaLyKo, you sound like exactly the same kind of reader I am. I find an author I like, I have to read everything by him or her and I save my books, too.
Anonymous, you asked what SF book I was digesting. It was Chindi by Jack McDevitt, the third book in a series of four. I’ve since completed the series by reading the fourth, Omega. In case anyone is interested, the first two books are The Engines of God and Deepsix. They are space opera, but with a very strong scientific mystery element. The characters are much better developed than in most space opera I’ve read.
That’s it for now. Happy Reading,
The Yarn Maggot
posted at 9:28 AM
