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Devoured (Hatton and Roumande Mystery #1)
by
D.E. Meredith (Goodreads Author)
One of London’s first forensic detectives chases a grisly killer in this stunning debut mystery rich in period detail and sinister intrigue.
London in 1856 is gripped by a frightening obsession. The specimen-collecting craze is growing, and discoveries in far-off jungles are reshaping the known world in terrible and unimaginable ways. The new theories of evolution threaten...more
London in 1856 is gripped by a frightening obsession. The specimen-collecting craze is growing, and discoveries in far-off jungles are reshaping the known world in terrible and unimaginable ways. The new theories of evolution threaten...more
Hardcover, 304 pages
Published
October 26th 2010
by Minotaur Books
(first published October 16th 2010)
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Aug 24, 2012
Kate
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
favourites-read-in-2012
Superb Victorian mystery, encompassing scientific and evolutionary expeditions in Borneo, the glamorous mansions of dukes and the muck and gloom of London's poorest streets. Devoured is an exciting and intelligent thriller which weaves together a thread of trails in an atmospheric and riveting manner. Gory and polished, this is a thoroughly enjoyable thriller and mystery, set at a time when forensics were in their infancy and science was undoing beliefs. Plus lots of twists which I didn't guess....more
As I began to turn the pages of Devoured, one of my first thoughts was to marvel at the depth of research undertaken by D E Meredith in order to immerse us fully in Victorian life. The detail is astonishing and, at times, both gory and shocking.
We experience the extreme poverty of the era, the sight and sensations of the jungles of Borneo plus the immunity enjoyed and power exerted by London's influential middle and upper classes.
I have always been fascinated by Darwin's voyages and theories yet...more
We experience the extreme poverty of the era, the sight and sensations of the jungles of Borneo plus the immunity enjoyed and power exerted by London's influential middle and upper classes.
I have always been fascinated by Darwin's voyages and theories yet...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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"Devoured" began promisingly, introducing a mid-nineteenth-century duo of early forensics experts just starting to develop a relationship with Scotland Yard. But I thought both plot and characterization was thin. The villains had more substance than the heroes--never a good thing in a mystery where you're supposed to root for the good guys. I had the weird feeling I was reading the work of multiple authors, cobbled together to make one book. There are sections presenting "flashbacks" via the let...more
This novel details the rising field of forensics in 19th-century England. The reader is not spared, either the sordid mess that attends dealing with the dead or the fascination of coping with new discoveries. We are brought into forensics and many of the subjects that touch upon this subject, along with the hostility, alarm and suspicion among the hidebound elite who viewed this then-new science as an abomination of religion and disrespect towards the dead.
There are many diverse tangled threads...more
There are many diverse tangled threads...more
There is much to like about this historical mystery. There is the beginnings of the science of forensics, the study of botanicals, and the sedition that is Darwinism.
And yet, Meredith tries to do too much, at least as far as I'm concerned. I seldom read jacket blurbs and read most books based on recommendations from trusted friends. So, I had no idea who the main characters were in this book. There is Lady Bessingham, her friend Benjamin Broderig, the morgue workers Aldolphus Hatton and Albert R...more
And yet, Meredith tries to do too much, at least as far as I'm concerned. I seldom read jacket blurbs and read most books based on recommendations from trusted friends. So, I had no idea who the main characters were in this book. There is Lady Bessingham, her friend Benjamin Broderig, the morgue workers Aldolphus Hatton and Albert R...more
The Review from my Recommends card at work;
What starts off as an interesting Victorian account of collectors and the beginnings of forensic science, soon turns into a slippery trippery murder case where all is certainly not as it seems.
It was a slow start, and I remember at the start, getting annoyed at the letters. I didn't understand the significance or care, what did it matter that some guy took a trip to Borneo? What I wanted to know about was why were people dying and who was this French se...more
What starts off as an interesting Victorian account of collectors and the beginnings of forensic science, soon turns into a slippery trippery murder case where all is certainly not as it seems.
It was a slow start, and I remember at the start, getting annoyed at the letters. I didn't understand the significance or care, what did it matter that some guy took a trip to Borneo? What I wanted to know about was why were people dying and who was this French se...more
Devoured is set just a few years before Darwin published The Origin of Species, when England was in the grip of a mania for collecting specimens of fossils and forms of life from all over its far-flung empire. The unconventional Lady Bessingham, a wealthy, attractive widow who is a patron of the new scientific ideas about evolution, is murdered in her bedroom and a packet of letters sent to her by a friend on a collecting expedition overseas has disappeared. Adolphus Hatton, a doctor and practit...more
This was a really well written murder mystery, set not in the Ripper years, as so many of the recent Victorian age novels are, but 30 years earlier. Forensic investigation is in its infancy, and is considered to be a lower class of occupation, far below that of surgeon or doctor.
The book revolves around the murder of a wealthy aristocrat, who supported specimen collection, and centres around some missing letters. However, as the tale draws you slowly but surely into its grip, you begin to wonder...more
The book revolves around the murder of a wealthy aristocrat, who supported specimen collection, and centres around some missing letters. However, as the tale draws you slowly but surely into its grip, you begin to wonder...more
Dr. G and CSI Meet...? Well, That's the Problem.
The premise (and promise) of Devoured and a recommendation from one of my favorite authors, Matthew Pearl, was all I needed to give this book a try. Unfortunately, it didn;t meet my expectations but, hey, 3 stars isn't that bad. What I mean in the title of this review is while the characters of Hatton and Roumande were interesting and sympathetic, I don;t know that the author could decide what the rest of the book should be. Too many characters and...more
The premise (and promise) of Devoured and a recommendation from one of my favorite authors, Matthew Pearl, was all I needed to give this book a try. Unfortunately, it didn;t meet my expectations but, hey, 3 stars isn't that bad. What I mean in the title of this review is while the characters of Hatton and Roumande were interesting and sympathetic, I don;t know that the author could decide what the rest of the book should be. Too many characters and...more
I thoroughly enjoyed D.E. Meredith's DEVOURED, and cannot resist saying that I did indeed devour it. The author has bravely tackled subjects, which during the mid 19th century, were shocking, even horrifying to some. There are twists and turns in this dark story that surprise and take the reader on a swiftly paced excursion.
The author's resplendent characters make their way through the muck of murder, the enlightening forensics and the new procedure of autopsy. The team of Hatton and Roumande ar...more
The author's resplendent characters make their way through the muck of murder, the enlightening forensics and the new procedure of autopsy. The team of Hatton and Roumande ar...more
Historical fiction set in England, early forensics, science versus religion...what's not to like. That's what I thought when I picked up this novel, I SOOO wanted to love it. Sadly, "Devoured" left a lot to be desired.
My main complaint is that the story plodded along at a snail's pace without much character development (especially the main two forensics experts) and the little vignettes from all the different perspectives felt really choppy and not cohesive. The mystery aspect of the plot I fel...more
My main complaint is that the story plodded along at a snail's pace without much character development (especially the main two forensics experts) and the little vignettes from all the different perspectives felt really choppy and not cohesive. The mystery aspect of the plot I fel...more
1 like · like · see review
D.E. Meredith's book, Devoured, is set in the Victorian era when Darwinism has become very fashionable and questionable. Dr. Adolphus Hatton and his assistant Albert Roumande are in charge of the autopsies. They use their forensic skills to help solve the murder of Lady Bessinham. Meredith wrote with extended knowedge of the era and London. I would liked to have read more about the forensics. I found the nested narrative (a story within a story) to be a little confusing although both stories wer...more
I'm never sure what to do with a mystery. Can I just sit back and enjoy it, or am I supposed to be trying to solve it? Not knowing the answer to that plays havoc with my rating. I loved the subject matter of Devoured. It is set in mid nineteenth century London at the time natural sciences are developing and the public are being exposed to all that means. Some are not happy about it. I won't give away more than that.
My problem with rating it is that I loved the subject matter, but would a regula...more
My problem with rating it is that I loved the subject matter, but would a regula...more
Interesting book which is set in London in 1856 right at the embryomic stage of forensics, coupled with the mysterious arena of autopsy and the introduction of the new theory of evolution to an unwelcoming public. First there's a gruesome murder of a socialite then another seemingly unrealted killing but just as grisly as the first then another . . where Scotland Yard Inspector Adams struggles to find the reason behind each death and the key that ties them together. This was a pretty good read b...more
Lord Actor said that power corrupts. In mid nineteenth century London, there are a number of people who have power over others, and the results are not pretty. Benjamin Broderig has been collecting specimens in Borneo, writing letters to the beautiful widowed Lady Bessingham. Now Ben is back in London, the lady is a murder victim, and the letters are missing. Scotland Yard's celebrity detective Inspector Adams enlists Professor Hatton to prove that the infant science of forensics can help solve...more
I generally prefer my mysteries to be the so-called 'fair play' mystery where the author provides all the necessary information to allow readers to solve the mystery themselves. Or to at least make it obvious that the author's hiding things. But while Meredith *appeared* to be following a 'fair play' path, in the end lots and lots of crucial info was hidden from the reader.
Overall, I didn't like this mystery much. The story lurched from a forensic-heavy mystery, to a traditional detective whodun...more
Overall, I didn't like this mystery much. The story lurched from a forensic-heavy mystery, to a traditional detective whodun...more
I've just returned from spending a few days in the mid 19th century in the company of some fascinating characters and a cleverly constructed plot. I have to confess that until a few weeks ago I was unaware of D E Meredith and her work. I was lucky enough to win a signed copy of The Devil's Ribbon and was keen to read it, so I consulted fantasticfiction.co.uk and found that the author's previous novel was Devoured. Ignoring an assurance from the author herself on Twitter that her novels can be re...more
D E Meredith's Devoured is an engrossing read set in both Victorian London and the jungles of Borneo.
It is a Victorian mystery with a very complex but absorbing plot... an unputdownable read.
I was immediately drawn into the world of Victorian England and felt immersed in the plot from the first page.
I loved the beautiful prose, descriptions and meeting intriguing and likeable characters as well as the wicked and twisted ones.
A gripping, absorbing page turner that I can't recommend enough.......more
It is a Victorian mystery with a very complex but absorbing plot... an unputdownable read.
I was immediately drawn into the world of Victorian England and felt immersed in the plot from the first page.
I loved the beautiful prose, descriptions and meeting intriguing and likeable characters as well as the wicked and twisted ones.
A gripping, absorbing page turner that I can't recommend enough.......more
I liked this book to start with. There was well written imagery of nineteenth century London but as I read on I began to care less and less about the story. Personally I thought Terry Pratchett painted a better picture in Dodger.
My main criticism though was that despite the story being focussed around two early dabblers in forensics there was almost no reference to forensic science. In fact the crimes were solved in the last page and purely on guess work and gut feel. I feel if there was more ab...more
My main criticism though was that despite the story being focussed around two early dabblers in forensics there was almost no reference to forensic science. In fact the crimes were solved in the last page and purely on guess work and gut feel. I feel if there was more ab...more
First Line: The door creaked open as the maid stepped into the room.
The year is 1856, and the London elite find themselves gripped by the craze of collecting specimens. Expeditions are being sent to far-off jungles to gather the known and the unknown. Combine this addiction with the new theories of evolution that are changing the ways people think about themselves and the world around them, and a potentially explosive situation is being created.
Glamorous Lady Bessingham prides herself on being a...more
The year is 1856, and the London elite find themselves gripped by the craze of collecting specimens. Expeditions are being sent to far-off jungles to gather the known and the unknown. Combine this addiction with the new theories of evolution that are changing the ways people think about themselves and the world around them, and a potentially explosive situation is being created.
Glamorous Lady Bessingham prides herself on being a...more
London, Victorian London is the place and the time is nineteenth century . London, the capital of the mightiest empire on the face of the earth in ushering in the new age of science and technology. New invention and discoveries are the call of the day. One such novelty is Forensics, a new branch of science dealing with examination of cadavers and crime scenes. And this one of the many reasons why the e lines protagonist Prof. Adolphus Hatton , the chief forensic examiner at the St. Bart hospital...more
Another excellent book by DE Meredith that kept me guessing and reading, it was hard to put down at times thats for sure. The exotic 'flavor' also really added a little extra the to book, great job!! I'm looking forward to see what you do with the third book :)
Meredith’s thriller, Devoured. In the budding world of Darwinism, botanical study, forensics, and science in general– Hatton is using early forensic science to solve crimes all around Victorian London hoping that this new manner of solvin...more
Meredith’s thriller, Devoured. In the budding world of Darwinism, botanical study, forensics, and science in general– Hatton is using early forensic science to solve crimes all around Victorian London hoping that this new manner of solvin...more
This is pretty superficial stuff. Occasionally slightly interesting but not enough research or period detail to sink your teeth into. It has really stupid plot. This book is supposed to be about the first forensic investigations in the Victorian London- But the characters "solve" the murder by non-forensic means. The structure and the point become null and void. Really don't bother reading this - The writer is a bit stupid and the publishers more so for letting this slip through into print.
Jul 31, 2012
X5-494
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Sarah, Kathi-sass, Kathi, Agniezska, Priscila Pesce L. De Oliveira
GEIL! Sofortige Kaufempfehlung!
Keine unnötige Lovestory, nur ein spannender, interessanter Fall mit netten Charakteren, wiedermal angesiedelt im viktorianischen London. (Man könnte meinen, es wird langsam langweilig, aber nein!)
Ein fantastischer Roman, der einem wirklich bewusst macht, dass es Tatortermittlung und Pathologie (also, die Forensik im allgemeinen) noch gar nicht soooo lange gibt und dass es der Darwinismus und die Naturwissenschaften anfangs alles andere als leicht hatten, sich geg...more
Keine unnötige Lovestory, nur ein spannender, interessanter Fall mit netten Charakteren, wiedermal angesiedelt im viktorianischen London. (Man könnte meinen, es wird langsam langweilig, aber nein!)
Ein fantastischer Roman, der einem wirklich bewusst macht, dass es Tatortermittlung und Pathologie (also, die Forensik im allgemeinen) noch gar nicht soooo lange gibt und dass es der Darwinismus und die Naturwissenschaften anfangs alles andere als leicht hatten, sich geg...more
I bought this on a deal from bookdepository.com but won't be keeping it. It's run off the mill historical crime fiction, well written, but not interesting. I have noticed that these historical novels tend to have so much complexity in building out characters that they have no complexity in the mystery itself. I thought the mystery was slightly cliched and not exactly a fun-puzzle to solve.
The two main characters Hatton and Roumande were just meh...
The two main characters Hatton and Roumande were just meh...
I did really enjoy this. OK so it wasn't exactly a 'whodunnit' (although there were enough loose ends to keep you interested to the end)and characterisation was a little sketchy - I still have only the vaguest mental picture of the two forensic experts who are the heroes of this series - but it was a good read for a long coach journey back from London and it was an entertaining - if gory - 24 hours of escapism.
This is a book with a great premise and backbone but was let down by lack of description and character development. I felt nothing for any of the characters and was so confused by the end of the novel. A lack of description made the story drag and I was so bored trudging through each chapter.
As a novel intended to encapsulate the Victorian world, the world of budding forensic science this novel had so much potential but failed to deliver.
As a novel intended to encapsulate the Victorian world, the world of budding forensic science this novel had so much potential but failed to deliver.
I loved this book. Dense with characters, meaty, interesting. The forensic detail from it's inception was really great and I found myself having to slow down or I would miss detail! A great who done it, and really for readers whom enjoy the complex and rich stories with a flavour of Doyle. I look forward to this authors next outing!!
As many readers said on Amazon, the book is a bit confusing. I reread several paragraphs in an effort to make more sense of motives and at times, even actions that had just been described. Now that I've finished, SPOILER ALERT, I see how the "radical" science was just a smoke screen for everything else. I understand why the author might wish to hid this from the reader, but drowning the real motives in layers and layers of murk makes the tale very hard to follow. So, I might read the second book...more
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D. E. Meredith is the author of the HATTON AND ROUMANDE historical crime series: DEVOURED (Book One), THE DEVIL'S RIBBON (Book Two) feature the first forensic scientist, Professor Adolphus Hatton, and his trusty French morgue assistant, Albert Roumande.
After reading English at Cambridge, D. E. Meredith ran the press office at the British Red Cross, where she oversaw media response all internation...more
More about D.E. Meredith...
After reading English at Cambridge, D. E. Meredith ran the press office at the British Red Cross, where she oversaw media response all internation...more
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May 03, 2013 05:00am