Kind of a cross between Jack the Ripper and Sherlock?? Not really sure. There were so many characters and I was never quite sure which narrator was "speaking". Rathe disjointed story-telling. Could have been much better if the author stayed in one voice. ( )

In east London in 1840, a serial killer who has been dubbed "The Man of Crows" is preying on young women. Instead of finding a man to marry, Catherine is defying her uncle and following the newspaper reports, worrying about what has happened to the women who disappeared, and trying to piece together what is going on. Can she do this safely and avoid becoming a victim herself?

I'm always a bit worried that serial killer books will turn out to be tacky and exploitative, but Kate Williams' first novel balances great storytelling, an engaging heroine, some rather more malevolent characters (male and female), rather well. I began to feel a sense of real suspense and apprehension. I also liked the use she made of her setting (the Spitalfield area) I did find the shifting narrative point of view and the number of characters a little bit confusing initially.

Williams has written several non fiction books but this is her first novel, I will certainly look out for any future ones she may write.

Reviewed for Amazon Vine February 2012 ( )

An odd but strangely fascinating story about a young woman's desire to be free of her past and her fears about herself. Excellent read! ( )

This was one of the strangest books I have ever read. I liked the premise and plot of the story, but it was so hard to follow. There were so many times I couldn't distinguish if the story was being told from the actual killer's point of view, or the main character's thoughts on the killer's point of view. Because of this, it made it very difficult for me to follow when the POV switched back to the main character herself. If this, plus thoughts and memories of Catherine's, had been presented in a slightly clearer manner, I would have enjoyed reading this story so much more. ( )

The Pleasures of Men by Kate Williams - ok I think

Not sure what to make of this book. Certainly, I didn't like it. It was well written and should have been right up my street, but I just didn't take to its claustraphobic, paranoid atmosphere. I guess it didn't help that, partway through, I realised who the author was (one of the rent-a-mouths about royal things that the BBC uses) and I don't care for her.

We are focused on a young woman,living with her uncle, in Cheapside during the early Victorian period. There is a serial killer on the loose, 'The Man of Crows' who is killing and disfiguring young women. Catherine is obsessed by these crimes. She has a haunted past and believes that she is the focus of evil.

The book follows this belief... or is is paranoia... to its conclusion.

I don't know, I just felt it was all very nasty and spiteful and wanting to be a horror book. Oh, got it! A penny dreadful! That's how it felt and that really isn't my thing. For someone who likes this kind of book, I would recommend it, it was quite well written and a reasonable read. I just didn't care if we found out what had happened to Catherine in her past, whether she lived or died or whether we ever found out who The Man of Crows actually was. Not quite sure why I didn't abandon it. Maybe it was OK after all.

(PS just had to edit this review to change the name from Charlotte to Catherine. I only finished this book yesterday & yet I couldn't remember the lead character's name - says it all really).
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