Good mystery. Generic English historical-fiction setting that made me think about how Georgette Heyer establishes a sense of time, whether 18th or early 19th century. Much of her genius is in the details of clothing, which reflect extensive research and comprehensive notebooks; there is also a great deal of mention of current events, whether balloon ascensions or the Napoleonic Wars. This book lacks those (we are told but not shown that J. is a leader of fashion!), and could have been set in the time of Dickens, or Jack the Ripper, just as easily. I was quite a ways into the book before it was entirely clear when it was supposed to be happening. There is also a romantic interlude with perhaps the least compatible couple I have ever met in literature, and I have read the epilogue to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, so that is saying quite a lot.

But it was a good mystery, well constructed, and fun to read. Definitely earned at least three-and-a-half stars. ( )

I dearly needed a novel and this filled the bill. But lordy, what an anachronistic bundle of romance among the Dickensian grime. The dialogue is handled well. But the characters in this strictly proscribed historical social setting seem to have very little awareness of class or morality. ( )

I thought it was an enjoyable read. There was a little complexity to the mystery that I liked. The only thing I didn't care for was Julian's fling with Sally. Maybe it would have happened in the real world, maybe not, I understand this is fiction but he was just way too understanding with her profession and discussing her sleeping with 3 guys back to back like it was nothing. Eewh! : ( ( )

I read this as a buddy read with friends. I have mixed feelings about it. I like some aspects a lot: Kestrel, Dipper, the relationship between them in particular. And I like the introduction of Dipper's sister, Sally. The mystery itself was interesting and led to an exploration of a house for fallen women where religious types "reformed" them. There was also a connected mystery which involved a scion of a wealthy family who may or may not have been involved in the main death. Once again Ross mixes the high and low societies of London in relatively believable ways.

In terms of what I didn't like: I find it increasingly difficult to believe the relationship between Kestrel and Dipper, and introducing Sally made it even more unlikely. Of course no man is a hero to his valet, but we are supposed to accept that Kestrel is both a highly respected man of the ton and also best buddies with his ex-pickpocket manservant. The social distance that would still exist just wasn't there for me. And Kestrel's relationship with Sally was even more far-fetched. Are we supposed to buy that a man of his interests and tastes would fall in love (not lust, but love) with an illiterate prostitute? Sure, she has a heart of gold and street smarts, but I still think Kestrel would want to talk to the love of his life.

I had a similar issue with the mystery, especially when it came to the Earl's son. The lack of information until the last minute depends on no men ever sharing secrets or being interested in emotional and personal issues (that's apparently women's work). But it just doesn't ring true that he could keep a huge secret for years, especially given he wasn't all that good at dissimulating.

Finally, how many fridged women is Ross going to write? Why is it always young women? Why the sex slavery? Maybe it's the era she's writing in (or to), which did hinge a lot of plots on extremely dastardly villains and innocent victims. At this point I'd like to see another setup. ( )

Julian Kestral is such a dandy that his style is copied everywhere, but his true gift is in sleuthing. When his valet's sister stumbles upon a chilling letter, he takes the case. The mystery is twisty and dark, and solved through a combination of legwork, wit and courage. I love the dialog in these books, which is snappy but always feels natural. The relationships between characters are my favorite part. Dipper and his master, Kestral, live together in a wonderfully symbiotic way, and his sister's cocky, forthright addition to their dynamic is adorable to read. Rare among mystery series, the characters from the first book's mystery (Dr.MacGregor, Philipa) pop up again in this book, which makes everything feel more realistic. (After sharing such intense emotions and experiences, it seems unlikely that they would all fall out of touch, just in time for another mystery to pop up, as generally happens.) ( )