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The Raven's Seal: A Historical Mystery
A Murder. A Fall from Grace.
A Mysterious Symbol That Could Be the Key to One Man’s Salvation…
When the body of Thaddeus Grainger's rival turns up stabbed to death in an alley just hours after their inconclusive duel, only one suspect comes to mind. Charged with murder, Grainger's fate is sealed before his trial even begins.
A young gentleman of means but of meaningless pursuits, Grainger is cast into the notorious Bellstrom Gaol, where he must quickly learn to survive in the filthy, ramshackle prison. The "Bells"--where debtors, gaolers, whores, thieves, and murderers all mix freely and where every privilege comes at a price--will be the young man's home for the rest of his life unless he can prove his innocence.
Despite his downfall, his friends--the journalist William Quillby and Cassie Redruth, the poor young girl who owes Grainger a debt of gratitude--refuse to abandon him. But before they can win his freedom, they must contend with forces both inside and outside the prison determined to keep Grainger behind bars and, at the same time, decode the meaning behind the crude wax seal that inspires terror in those who know its portent.
Set against the urban backdrop of late 18th-century England, The Raven's Seal unravels a tale of corruption, betrayal, murder, and—ultimately—redemption and love.
A Mysterious Symbol That Could Be the Key to One Man’s Salvation…
When the body of Thaddeus Grainger's rival turns up stabbed to death in an alley just hours after their inconclusive duel, only one suspect comes to mind. Charged with murder, Grainger's fate is sealed before his trial even begins.
A young gentleman of means but of meaningless pursuits, Grainger is cast into the notorious Bellstrom Gaol, where he must quickly learn to survive in the filthy, ramshackle prison. The "Bells"--where debtors, gaolers, whores, thieves, and murderers all mix freely and where every privilege comes at a price--will be the young man's home for the rest of his life unless he can prove his innocence.
Despite his downfall, his friends--the journalist William Quillby and Cassie Redruth, the poor young girl who owes Grainger a debt of gratitude--refuse to abandon him. But before they can win his freedom, they must contend with forces both inside and outside the prison determined to keep Grainger behind bars and, at the same time, decode the meaning behind the crude wax seal that inspires terror in those who know its portent.
Set against the urban backdrop of late 18th-century England, The Raven's Seal unravels a tale of corruption, betrayal, murder, and—ultimately—redemption and love.
416 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2012
62 people are currently reading
639 people want to read
About the author
Andrei Baltakmens
5 books27 followersAndrei Baltakmens was born in Christchurch, New Zealand, of Latvian descent. He has a Ph.D. in English literature, focused on Charles Dickens and Victorian urban mysteries.
His first novel, The Battleship Regal, was published in New Zealand in 1996. His short fiction has appeared in various literary journals, and his first historical mystery, The Raven's Seal, was published in 2012.
Since 2004, he has lived in Ithaca, New York and Brisbane, Australia, where he recently completed a doctorate in Creative Writing at The University of Queensland. He now lives in Palo Alto, California, with his wife and son, and works for Stanford University as an instructional designer.
HIs new historical mystery, A Hangman for Ghosts, will appear in 2018.
His first novel, The Battleship Regal, was published in New Zealand in 1996. His short fiction has appeared in various literary journals, and his first historical mystery, The Raven's Seal, was published in 2012.
Since 2004, he has lived in Ithaca, New York and Brisbane, Australia, where he recently completed a doctorate in Creative Writing at The University of Queensland. He now lives in Palo Alto, California, with his wife and son, and works for Stanford University as an instructional designer.
HIs new historical mystery, A Hangman for Ghosts, will appear in 2018.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
February 24, 2015
This book came from Netgalley for review (a long time ago – sorry about that) – thank you to NG and the publisher.
I seem to say this a lot lately: this was not what I expected. It's a Dickensian, Dumas-esque, dark mystery with fantastic elements … I think that covers most of it. That The Count of Monte Cristo is in the book's genealogy is without doubt.
It all begins with a tussle in a tavern, as Thaddeus Grainger defends the honor of a young working-class woman against someone who sees her as fair game. Thaddeus saves the girl, Cassie Redruth, and earns himself a duel with her aggressor, to her dismay. By the next evening, Thaddeus is nursing his wounds – but his rival is dead, and not from their duel. Thaddeus knows that, and his friends believe it, but the constabulary do not, and he is arrested, tried, convicted, and imprisoned – he never stood a chance.
And there's where The Count of Monte Cristo comes in – except that the conspiracy behind the scenes of The Raven's Seal is much bigger and more impersonal. They don't care about Thaddeus, or Cassie, or even much about the murdered man. The latter had to be put out of the way, and Thaddeus was a convenient scapegoat. As a larger entity, this shadowy force is harder to discover, harder to get at, and harder to overcome – especially when the troops arrayed against it consist of a young housemaid, a man in prison, an impoverished writer, and an old man. Goliath, meet David.
The description on Goodreads for this specifically states that it is set in late 18th-century England – and that surprises me. I don't know if I failed to pay attention at the right times, but I had this pegged as being set elsewhere entirely, a setting that looks and sounds and smells like but isn't quite 17-something England. I think that's my only real problem with the book, is that the setting – Bellstrom Gaol – is fictional, yet it was supposed to be England. I could have wished for either more of a footing in reality, or a complete disconnect from reality. It isn't a fantasy, really, at all – but it feels like it ought to be. In fact, it feels a great deal like Ellen Kushner's fantasies of manners – and that isn't in any way a bad thing.
I seem to say this a lot lately: this was not what I expected. It's a Dickensian, Dumas-esque, dark mystery with fantastic elements … I think that covers most of it. That The Count of Monte Cristo is in the book's genealogy is without doubt.
It all begins with a tussle in a tavern, as Thaddeus Grainger defends the honor of a young working-class woman against someone who sees her as fair game. Thaddeus saves the girl, Cassie Redruth, and earns himself a duel with her aggressor, to her dismay. By the next evening, Thaddeus is nursing his wounds – but his rival is dead, and not from their duel. Thaddeus knows that, and his friends believe it, but the constabulary do not, and he is arrested, tried, convicted, and imprisoned – he never stood a chance.
And there's where The Count of Monte Cristo comes in – except that the conspiracy behind the scenes of The Raven's Seal is much bigger and more impersonal. They don't care about Thaddeus, or Cassie, or even much about the murdered man. The latter had to be put out of the way, and Thaddeus was a convenient scapegoat. As a larger entity, this shadowy force is harder to discover, harder to get at, and harder to overcome – especially when the troops arrayed against it consist of a young housemaid, a man in prison, an impoverished writer, and an old man. Goliath, meet David.
The description on Goodreads for this specifically states that it is set in late 18th-century England – and that surprises me. I don't know if I failed to pay attention at the right times, but I had this pegged as being set elsewhere entirely, a setting that looks and sounds and smells like but isn't quite 17-something England. I think that's my only real problem with the book, is that the setting – Bellstrom Gaol – is fictional, yet it was supposed to be England. I could have wished for either more of a footing in reality, or a complete disconnect from reality. It isn't a fantasy, really, at all – but it feels like it ought to be. In fact, it feels a great deal like Ellen Kushner's fantasies of manners – and that isn't in any way a bad thing.
July 7, 2013
Baltakmens has created an imaginary, Dickensian city with a dark prison looming on a hill at the top of this grim, fairy tale-like world. He sets his allegorical novel in this intensely constructed realm, more compact and symbolic than any real setting could be. Evil and corruption thrive. The bored gentleman we meet at the beginning is no match for the serpentine contrivances hidden away in shadow and actively arrayed against him. The code of honor of the 18th century upper classes comes under scrutiny and is found wanting when the “gentlemen” choose conventionality and financial gain over true inner worth—a good Dickensian theme. There is a suitably unconventional love story and a solid development of the central character’s growth as he figures out how to survive in a world turned upside down. If you are a fan of Dickens and the intricacies of 18th century customs and daily life, you’ll enjoy this macabre book.
Baltakmens includes extended discussions and symbols illuminating society’s corruption and cruelty. For example, as one of the primary characters goes homeward at night, Baltakmens describes the moment:
“Midnight has fallen on the dark streets of Haught and Battens Hill, and the watchman saith, All is well. We have prospered by the day, set our lock and bolt, and tried the windows, and all is well. Want, murder, desperation, and despair still roam in the filthy alleys and tenements of The Steps and breed countless wrongs in their path, yet the watchman passing cries, All is well. The watchman clears away the hungry children who hunt for scraps behind the New Theatre while a nobleman’s carriage rolls by, but decent folk turn, sighing in their sleep, and faintly hear the report: all is well. The prison gates are shut, and what is within is surely confined there, and touches us not; therefore, all is well.”
Ah, but the prisoners are far too clever to let a mere gate limit their influence. Beware.
Baltakmens includes extended discussions and symbols illuminating society’s corruption and cruelty. For example, as one of the primary characters goes homeward at night, Baltakmens describes the moment:
“Midnight has fallen on the dark streets of Haught and Battens Hill, and the watchman saith, All is well. We have prospered by the day, set our lock and bolt, and tried the windows, and all is well. Want, murder, desperation, and despair still roam in the filthy alleys and tenements of The Steps and breed countless wrongs in their path, yet the watchman passing cries, All is well. The watchman clears away the hungry children who hunt for scraps behind the New Theatre while a nobleman’s carriage rolls by, but decent folk turn, sighing in their sleep, and faintly hear the report: all is well. The prison gates are shut, and what is within is surely confined there, and touches us not; therefore, all is well.”
Ah, but the prisoners are far too clever to let a mere gate limit their influence. Beware.
January 20, 2021
"The Raven's Seal" - written by Andrei Baltakmens and published in 2012 by Top Five Books. "The old Bellstrom Gaol crouched above the fine city of Airenchester like a black spider on a heap of spoils." This opening sentence is your clue that it's going to be a dark tale and was it ever! Not especially violent, but a web of evil doings, forcing people into never-ending debt, and always the dark, wet weather. When thinking about why I enjoyed this book so much, I realized that it was all the rich weather descriptions and they seemed to be on every page, setting the atmosphere. "The dark outside the prison was wild and autumnal, and the candle between the two men flickered as a gust blustered against the panes of the tap-room." The setting is an English town in 1775 and once an innocent man is accused of murder, the jail becomes a very familiar place. He works throughout the book to solve the crime and it was so satisfying to see the pieces fall together. "So many pawns to move upon the board, and if one should escape your attention, the whole game falls asunder." This was an excellent, compelling read and I'd like to read his 2018 book, "A Hangman for Ghosts."
November 2, 2012
It's been a while since I've read a Historical novel that I've enjoyed so much. The prose is lyrical, descriptive and so evocative that you are easily drawn to the fictional town of Airenchester and the characters inhabiting it. From the genteel salons of the gentry to the squalor of the tenements in The Steps, every location is brought vividly to life.
Grainger is unjustly imprisoned on a murder charge and sequestered in Bellstrom Gaol and it was interesting to note how his incarceration differed from those of the 'lower orders'. Those who couldn't pay the gaoler's 'garnish' are fettered in chains and sent to the most desolate parts of the prison.
The thrust of the book is Grainger trying to find out who set him up and why. Rumours abound of a certain society called the Black Claw, which seems to have claws in every villainous pursuit in the town. But who is behind it all? Who is the mastermind? That is something you'll have to read the book to find out, I don't want to spoil it.
Some of the characters are larger than life, but never quite turn into caricatures. The names are wonderful - Mrs. Scourish for a housekeeper and Quillby for a writer, were just some of the great touches of humour within the book. It's a book to be experienced, not just read.
The author loves words and language, you can tell just by the way he's written this book. It's a book you want to savour like a good meal. Despite its old-fashioned language, it is easily read and fast-paced. Nothing I say in a review can do it justice. It's wonderful, a joy to read and I can't recommend it highly enough.
Review copy from Netgalley.
Grainger is unjustly imprisoned on a murder charge and sequestered in Bellstrom Gaol and it was interesting to note how his incarceration differed from those of the 'lower orders'. Those who couldn't pay the gaoler's 'garnish' are fettered in chains and sent to the most desolate parts of the prison.
The thrust of the book is Grainger trying to find out who set him up and why. Rumours abound of a certain society called the Black Claw, which seems to have claws in every villainous pursuit in the town. But who is behind it all? Who is the mastermind? That is something you'll have to read the book to find out, I don't want to spoil it.
Some of the characters are larger than life, but never quite turn into caricatures. The names are wonderful - Mrs. Scourish for a housekeeper and Quillby for a writer, were just some of the great touches of humour within the book. It's a book to be experienced, not just read.
The author loves words and language, you can tell just by the way he's written this book. It's a book you want to savour like a good meal. Despite its old-fashioned language, it is easily read and fast-paced. Nothing I say in a review can do it justice. It's wonderful, a joy to read and I can't recommend it highly enough.
Review copy from Netgalley.
August 19, 2019
The fitst couple of chapters were a bit confusing-- lots of characters snd places. When the story really started, it was addictive. I literally read all night, much to my wife's chagrin. Many reviews have compared this book to Dickens. Of course, it is in the wrong century and nobody ever compares to the core Dickens novels. Having said that, this eas certainly Dickensian. At the best moments, it felt just a bit like reading Dickens. That is quite an accomplishment.
July 30, 2019
I have to admit that although I really enjoyed this book to begin with, I reached a part where it was moving so slowly that I almost put it down. But, my curiosity got the better of me and I picked it up again. I'm glad I did. I really enjoyed this very Dickensian novel and the ending was very satisfactory.
June 18, 2019
More people should read this book!
September 27, 2012
This was an early reviewers copy via LibraryThing.
The author is an expert on Charles Dickens and this book has strong influences from that quarter. I'm not a Dickens fan so I approached this book with a bit of wariness but thankfully, for me, it's much easier to read and take in than CD.
In fact the prose and language used are really wonderfully descriptive and it's a pleasure to read just for that. At one point, about a third of the way in, I felt the story was dragging on a bit where not much happened but then it picked up again and moved at a good pace towards an exciting climax. The character names were all enjoyable and very Dickensian (Mrs. Scourish for a housekeeper!) and the main characters fairly well developped though I think my favourites were Cassie and William moreso than the main character, Thaddeus.
The story revolves around a miscarraige of justice. Thaddeus Grainger is a Gentleman and an idler. He ends up in an early morning duel with a rival. Both walk away alive, Thaddeus somewhat injured. The argument was a minor one over the other man's treatment of a woman in a pub, Cassie Redruth who had only come in to find her brother. There has been a contentious history between the two men and this appeared to be a continuation of it. But in the morning, the other man is found dead and Thaddeus is accused. It's clear to him and his friend and journalist William Quillby that he was set up by false witness but there doesn't seem to be a way to uncover the truth. William subsequently works hard at trying to free his friend along with the help of Cassie who feels responsible. It's really no spoiler to say that they are all ultimately successful but it's a long painful process with twists and turns sharper than the narrow warrens of the 18th century town where they live.
We follow Thaddeus' adjustment to the notorious Bellstrom gaol as well as William and Cassie's efforts and all the characters they meet along the way. It's a good portrayal of what life in the prisons of that time would be like, where, if you have money, your imprisonment may be more comfortable with visitors allowed daily to bring you food and home comforts but if you don't have the means, your term will be cold, dreary and miserable. The prison teems with life and intrigue and a code of it's own. The imagery the author conveys is so easy to picture, that I think it played out in my head like a film and indeed, I think this story could be made into a good, dark, shadowy moody movie though, as usually the case, it would never be as good as immersing yourself in the book especially one as well written as this.
There's also a great illustration of the fictional town of Airencester where this takes place here:
The author is an expert on Charles Dickens and this book has strong influences from that quarter. I'm not a Dickens fan so I approached this book with a bit of wariness but thankfully, for me, it's much easier to read and take in than CD.
In fact the prose and language used are really wonderfully descriptive and it's a pleasure to read just for that. At one point, about a third of the way in, I felt the story was dragging on a bit where not much happened but then it picked up again and moved at a good pace towards an exciting climax. The character names were all enjoyable and very Dickensian (Mrs. Scourish for a housekeeper!) and the main characters fairly well developped though I think my favourites were Cassie and William moreso than the main character, Thaddeus.
The story revolves around a miscarraige of justice. Thaddeus Grainger is a Gentleman and an idler. He ends up in an early morning duel with a rival. Both walk away alive, Thaddeus somewhat injured. The argument was a minor one over the other man's treatment of a woman in a pub, Cassie Redruth who had only come in to find her brother. There has been a contentious history between the two men and this appeared to be a continuation of it. But in the morning, the other man is found dead and Thaddeus is accused. It's clear to him and his friend and journalist William Quillby that he was set up by false witness but there doesn't seem to be a way to uncover the truth. William subsequently works hard at trying to free his friend along with the help of Cassie who feels responsible. It's really no spoiler to say that they are all ultimately successful but it's a long painful process with twists and turns sharper than the narrow warrens of the 18th century town where they live.
We follow Thaddeus' adjustment to the notorious Bellstrom gaol as well as William and Cassie's efforts and all the characters they meet along the way. It's a good portrayal of what life in the prisons of that time would be like, where, if you have money, your imprisonment may be more comfortable with visitors allowed daily to bring you food and home comforts but if you don't have the means, your term will be cold, dreary and miserable. The prison teems with life and intrigue and a code of it's own. The imagery the author conveys is so easy to picture, that I think it played out in my head like a film and indeed, I think this story could be made into a good, dark, shadowy moody movie though, as usually the case, it would never be as good as immersing yourself in the book especially one as well written as this.
There's also a great illustration of the fictional town of Airencester where this takes place here:
December 21, 2012
Within the first few pages of The Raven's Seal, my thought was, this author is a fan of Dickens. Turns out, he has a PhD in English Literature with a special emphasis on that illustrious Victorian writer. Don't get me wrong - I love Dickens and I appreciated this homage to him.
Author Baltakmens does a more than admirable job of evoking Dicken's marvelous descriptive prose without turning it into caricature. Much of the story takes place inside a fictional prison, Bellstrom Gaol at the end of the 18th c., a place where money can decide if you live in relative comfort or if you are left chained and half-starved in a dark, dank cell and, thanks to Baltakmen's descriptions, it is very easy to picture the horrors of such a place.
Dicken's influence can also be seen in the characters. We have the poor but pure good girl, Cassie, who will fight to save the hero even though she knows the class system will never allow them to be together. There is the best friend, William Quillby, a writer of course, who will never stop fighting to save his friend. There is the villain who can appear ever genteel while stealing the eyes from blind paupers. And, of course, there is the hero, Thomas, who, no matter the circumstances, will remain heroic and continue to fight the good fight. The story is also often moved forward by unlikely coincidences and murky motives, again not unlike Dickens.
As in Dickens, the mystery itself, which really isn't much of a mystery, is less important than the social commentary and Baltakmens does a surprisingly accurate job of describing the social conditions of Georgian England during the infancy of the Industrial Revolution.
Baltakmens is not the first author I have read who has intentionally tried to reproduce Dicken's style but he is certainly the best. His prose is neither as rich nor as evocative as Dickens and he doesn't show the same sense of humour or irony but perhaps that is not a bad thing. Dickens wrote contemporary literature for Victorians; by writing in his style, without pushing it to its limits, Baltakmens has written a very entertaining and surprisingly accurate historical mystery while avoiding the melodrama and schmaltz reproducing Dickens can so easily lend itself to.
Author Baltakmens does a more than admirable job of evoking Dicken's marvelous descriptive prose without turning it into caricature. Much of the story takes place inside a fictional prison, Bellstrom Gaol at the end of the 18th c., a place where money can decide if you live in relative comfort or if you are left chained and half-starved in a dark, dank cell and, thanks to Baltakmen's descriptions, it is very easy to picture the horrors of such a place.
Dicken's influence can also be seen in the characters. We have the poor but pure good girl, Cassie, who will fight to save the hero even though she knows the class system will never allow them to be together. There is the best friend, William Quillby, a writer of course, who will never stop fighting to save his friend. There is the villain who can appear ever genteel while stealing the eyes from blind paupers. And, of course, there is the hero, Thomas, who, no matter the circumstances, will remain heroic and continue to fight the good fight. The story is also often moved forward by unlikely coincidences and murky motives, again not unlike Dickens.
As in Dickens, the mystery itself, which really isn't much of a mystery, is less important than the social commentary and Baltakmens does a surprisingly accurate job of describing the social conditions of Georgian England during the infancy of the Industrial Revolution.
Baltakmens is not the first author I have read who has intentionally tried to reproduce Dicken's style but he is certainly the best. His prose is neither as rich nor as evocative as Dickens and he doesn't show the same sense of humour or irony but perhaps that is not a bad thing. Dickens wrote contemporary literature for Victorians; by writing in his style, without pushing it to its limits, Baltakmens has written a very entertaining and surprisingly accurate historical mystery while avoiding the melodrama and schmaltz reproducing Dickens can so easily lend itself to.
January 23, 2013
Historical fiction is a difficult style of writing. The author has to be authentic, modern, archaic, and updated all at the same time. It must "feel" right, but it can't go overboard into the historical details and forget the narrative. The Raven's Seal Andrei Baltakmens is a great example of how it should be done.
The story is set in the fictional 18th-century city of Airenchester, England. The mystery begins when the body of Thaddeus Grainger's rival turns up stabbed to death in an alley just hours after their inconclusive duel.Grainger, a wealthy man well placed in English society, is the only suspect. He's imprisoned and fights to clear his name.
Baltakmens writes with the same descriptive flourish as Charles Dickens. His novel is part mystery and part social commentary on the conditions of Nineteenth Century England. While he evokes Dickens, he succeeds because he doesn't try to reproduce Dickens. The novel maintains a modern pacing and narrative style for modern readers. The dialogue, details, and even the names ring with authenticity. Plus it's just a darn good mystery yarn!
NetGalley preview copy
The story is set in the fictional 18th-century city of Airenchester, England. The mystery begins when the body of Thaddeus Grainger's rival turns up stabbed to death in an alley just hours after their inconclusive duel.Grainger, a wealthy man well placed in English society, is the only suspect. He's imprisoned and fights to clear his name.
Baltakmens writes with the same descriptive flourish as Charles Dickens. His novel is part mystery and part social commentary on the conditions of Nineteenth Century England. While he evokes Dickens, he succeeds because he doesn't try to reproduce Dickens. The novel maintains a modern pacing and narrative style for modern readers. The dialogue, details, and even the names ring with authenticity. Plus it's just a darn good mystery yarn!
NetGalley preview copy
October 20, 2012
Great example of style winning out of substance. The Raven's Seal had great descriptions of 18th Century England, as well as wonderful scenes in the prisons of the times. But not a very well laid out plot. The actually scheme itself under investigation was pedestrian at best, and the pacing was just terrible. Valiant start, but needs to improve for his next novel.
October 30, 2012
I loved this book, took a chapter to get into it, but when it came to the final 100 pages I became obsessed to finish it. I can see some of the influence from Dickens, if you are going to emulate a writer, Dickens is a great choice.
January 4, 2015
I enjoyed this Dickensian stylish novel with its prison setting
January 1, 2017
Good plot, but difficult to read because of all the Old English Slang. Still, recommend if you like historical fiction.
October 17, 2013
Entertaining read and a great achievement. Enjoyed by others in my book club too...
March 31, 2015
Excellent read, truly evocative writing and the mystery holds until the ending. Highly recommended.
November 27, 2019
I am a fan of historical novels and this book did not disappoint. The author did a great job of conjuring up Dickensian England. The description of the prison and it's inmates was wonderful and the whole book was dark and atmospheric.
August 22, 2020
Ravens Seal
Good story, but long. Characters were well developed and carried through the story well. I liked the book, but it just did not grab me as compelling. Maybe it was just me?
Good story, but long. Characters were well developed and carried through the story well. I liked the book, but it just did not grab me as compelling. Maybe it was just me?
June 1, 2023
Set against the urban backdrop of late 18th-century England, The Raven's Seal unravels a tale of corruption, betrayal, murder, and—ultimately—redemption and love.
Sounded interesting but I'm in the second chapter and it is tooooo slow.
Sounded interesting but I'm in the second chapter and it is tooooo slow.
December 15, 2021
Thumbs up
June 22, 2017
I'm an avid reader, I read around 80 books a year, the majority of books I read are historical fiction. In general like filth and grit, rats and lice and a little dose of plague in my fiction. I've read a number of books featuring Newgate Prison and the Tower of London and even though Bellstrom Gaol is a fictional prison, this novel sounded like it was destined to become a favorite of mine.
I did enjoy the setting and the details of the period, the story begins in 1775, with rival gentlemen engaged in a duel, later the victor is found murdered, the loser is accused of the crime and the case is pretty well open and shut. The guilty man Mr. Thaddeus Grainger is confined to Bellstrom Gaol and his bosom friend William Quilby makes every effort to get him out. Mr. Grainger also enlists the help of Cassie Redruth and Sukie Mills in an effort to find out why he was convicted of a crime he didn't commit.
The storyline itself, the setting, the mysteries and the writing are all good but where this story fell apart for me was with the characterizations and the relationships between the protagonist and his female helpers. The women are too eager to help Thaddeus and while the motivation for Cassie to assist is understandable at first, it's only understandable to a point. Her actions go beyond that point to where she is taking risks and acting on Thaddeus's behalf in a way that isn't realistic.
If there had been some more character development and relationships with these characters had been developed in a way that made their efforts to assist the protagonist logical I would have found their actions reasonable. If there had been more character development in general I would have been more invested in finding out what happened to them. As it was I read half of the novel before giving it up because I was no longer engaged by this story and didn't care enough about the characters to read on and find out what happened to them.
I did enjoy the setting and the details of the period, the story begins in 1775, with rival gentlemen engaged in a duel, later the victor is found murdered, the loser is accused of the crime and the case is pretty well open and shut. The guilty man Mr. Thaddeus Grainger is confined to Bellstrom Gaol and his bosom friend William Quilby makes every effort to get him out. Mr. Grainger also enlists the help of Cassie Redruth and Sukie Mills in an effort to find out why he was convicted of a crime he didn't commit.
The storyline itself, the setting, the mysteries and the writing are all good but where this story fell apart for me was with the characterizations and the relationships between the protagonist and his female helpers. The women are too eager to help Thaddeus and while the motivation for Cassie to assist is understandable at first, it's only understandable to a point. Her actions go beyond that point to where she is taking risks and acting on Thaddeus's behalf in a way that isn't realistic.
If there had been some more character development and relationships with these characters had been developed in a way that made their efforts to assist the protagonist logical I would have found their actions reasonable. If there had been more character development in general I would have been more invested in finding out what happened to them. As it was I read half of the novel before giving it up because I was no longer engaged by this story and didn't care enough about the characters to read on and find out what happened to them.
September 22, 2012
I received this book through LibraryThing Early Reviewers.
In the press release that accompanied the book, there is a lot of emphasis on this book's similarity to Charles Dickens' books. There is certainly comparison points with Dickens' work: the time period, the darkness of the setting, the juxtaposition of wealthy and poor, criminal activity and honesty. The weaving plot is also like a Dickens plot. Which all makes sense, given that the author has studied Dickens intently. The actual writing style, however, is not Dickens but 21st century. The book lacks the richness and depth of Dickens' descriptions, his style of building a rich, deep character and his/her background. This plot moves at a faster clip than Dickens, I think, and there is much more telling, whereas Dickens draws out every concept for the reader to come to it with much study. Of course, if Dickens was to write today, he likely would not be published: his work is greatly connected the time in which he wrote when people poured over his words again and again because there were few other opportunities for escape and entertainment. We are saturated with opportunities for escape and entertainment.
Putting the Dickens comparison aside, I did feel drawn in with the characters and the plot and enjoyed reading the book. There are some similarities to The Shawshank Redemption, too (innocent prisoner, prisoner who is aloof and well respected, prisoner who befriends a bird). It is its own story, too, and worthwhile.
In the press release that accompanied the book, there is a lot of emphasis on this book's similarity to Charles Dickens' books. There is certainly comparison points with Dickens' work: the time period, the darkness of the setting, the juxtaposition of wealthy and poor, criminal activity and honesty. The weaving plot is also like a Dickens plot. Which all makes sense, given that the author has studied Dickens intently. The actual writing style, however, is not Dickens but 21st century. The book lacks the richness and depth of Dickens' descriptions, his style of building a rich, deep character and his/her background. This plot moves at a faster clip than Dickens, I think, and there is much more telling, whereas Dickens draws out every concept for the reader to come to it with much study. Of course, if Dickens was to write today, he likely would not be published: his work is greatly connected the time in which he wrote when people poured over his words again and again because there were few other opportunities for escape and entertainment. We are saturated with opportunities for escape and entertainment.
Putting the Dickens comparison aside, I did feel drawn in with the characters and the plot and enjoyed reading the book. There are some similarities to The Shawshank Redemption, too (innocent prisoner, prisoner who is aloof and well respected, prisoner who befriends a bird). It is its own story, too, and worthwhile.
July 23, 2017
Andrei Baltakmens’ The Raven’s Seal is an amazing work of historical mystery set in fictional city of Airenchester, England in 1776. Baltakmens has an incredible gift for writing in period English without bogging it down with either unnecessary Dickensian bluster or anachronisms. Even if the plot weren’t great (which it is), it would be a treat to read this book just for the language Baltakmens uses...
Read the rest of my review at A Bookish Type.
Read the rest of my review at A Bookish Type.
January 6, 2013
As I was reading this book, I kept thinking, "Charles Dickens. Charles Dickens." Turns out that the author is a Dickens fanatic. Dickens is definitely much better. I found the book melodramatic with enough red skies and rain to satisfy any meteorology fanatic. There were unnecessary characters (why do we need Captain Grimsborough other than to provide a daughter for the hero's friend?)
Forget this book and read Little Dorritt if you want English prisons.
Forget this book and read Little Dorritt if you want English prisons.
April 24, 2016
Enjoyed the period, but not the language
I enjoy historical fiction. I prefer it written in contemporary English. For example, I prefer "jail" to "gaol". I also prefer real places over fictitious ones. I don't think anyone would be offended by setting the book in a place which could be viewed on Google maps. There are many English towns with historical neighborhoods, and setting the story in one of those would make it easier to follow.
I enjoy historical fiction. I prefer it written in contemporary English. For example, I prefer "jail" to "gaol". I also prefer real places over fictitious ones. I don't think anyone would be offended by setting the book in a place which could be viewed on Google maps. There are many English towns with historical neighborhoods, and setting the story in one of those would make it easier to follow.
January 21, 2013
A Dickensian murder mystery, the mystery itself has enough shady characters and red herrings to be interesting. However, it’s written at a distance and hard to connect with the hero, Grainger, and his heroine, Cassie. The story takes its time setting up but the last half of the book moves pretty quick. Received free copy for review.
October 6, 2012
J'ai enregistré un livre sur BookCrossing.com !
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/9993995
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/9993995
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August 10, 2013Reads like Bram Stoker - reader is drawn deep into the details of each setting and character and the mystery sneaks in like fog
March 21, 2014
Dickensian.
April 3, 2016
Mystery & more...
Well written but at times tedious! Excellent characters, solid storyline & an excellent research base for the plot. Good read!
Well written but at times tedious! Excellent characters, solid storyline & an excellent research base for the plot. Good read!
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