Another solid mystery in a magical alt-victorian world. Ned and Julian's romance continues to deepen, and their magical and detection partnership as well. Great read! ( )

I think I love this book even more than Death by Silver.

Same quality writing (still, there are a few pesky typos, but who cares, they are just that - typos), with amazing characters. Take Dolly Hall, for example. He dies in the very beginning of the book, but his presence is palpable all the way through the end. Challice, the poor soul. Stuck in a straight marriage, thinking himself an abomination at the same time longing for family and kids. There is not much of him in this story, either, but I couldn't help worrying about him and his wife.
Magic. Spells. Curses. Sex magic. Forbidden magic. Evil creatures. Half House. No, literally, Half House :) Yeah... pretty cool!
London. I was attached to both my ipad and my phone, following the streets on Google Maps and checking out the landmarks while reading. I only visited all the usual tourist traps for the most part when I was there, but it made it easier for me to orient myself. London is one of the most spectacular cities I've ever seen (step aside, Paris!) and one of my favorites.
Evil sorcerer. Well, not quite a sorcerer, but he used some pretty weird messed up magic. This time he was much harder to pin. In Death by Silver the murderer was very predictable and it caused me a lot of frustration. Every time the said criminal was on page, I couldn't help but yell at the boys: Right there! See? How can you be so blind! Figure it out already!
I could not put the book down and didn't want it to end. If you love KJ Charles, you will like this, too.
The MCs are under much pressure where their affection for each other is concerned (those were the times *sign*), so don't expect prolonged or explicit sex scenes. But the tenderness is there.

Very much recommended. ( )

I simply loved this one. The story itself was thrilling, with nail-biting moments (that desperate run through the fog!) and so filled with mostly despicable victims that you need to remind yourself that, no, eating human parts it's not the adequated way of dealing with things.

The relationship between Julian and Ned is... complicated. There are so many unsaid things, and so much in their past that it's affecting their present. And the times don't help, either. But, somehow, they make it work and manage to trust each other not only with their bodies (that was the easy part) but with their heart too.

But what I truly enjoyed here is how some secondary characters are taking a more definite shape. Miss Frost is sharp as a whip, resourceful, strong-willed and firmly set in her own goals, and I love her... and her friend, Miss Barton? Well, as she's going to work with Hatton as police matron I think we'll see more of her.

And talking of Hatton... I like him, too. He is down-to-earth, sensible and intelligent, his work his motivating force. A truly decent man, in the real sense of the word.

Even Oppenshaw is likeable: stern but curious, severe but compassionate. Yeah, I like him.

So, yes, this certainly made to my favourites list =D ( )

What's harder to solve than a locked room murder? A case where the victims' hearts are removed without leaving a mark on the body. And how does it tie in with the blackmail of ladies romance fiction writers? Another metaphysical case for Ned Mathey and Julian Lynes. ( )