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A Grand & Batchelor Victorian Mystery #1
The Blue and the Grey
"Introducing 19th-century private investigators Matthew Grand and James Batchelor in the first of a brand-new historical mystery series."
April, 1865. Having been an eye witness to the assassination of President Lincoln, Matthew Grand, a former captain of the 3rd Cavalry of the Potomac, has come to London on an undercover assignment to hunt down the last of the assassin's co-conspirators. Ambitious young journalist Jim Batchelor has been charged with writing a feature article on the visiting American, with the aim of getting the inside story on the assassination. Both men are distracted from their missions by the discovery of a body behind the Haymarket Theatre in London s Soho district. It's the latest in a series of grisly garrottings by a killer known as the Haymarket Strangler.
As Grand and Batchelor team up to pursue their investigations through the dark underbelly of Victorian London, it becomes clear that there may be a disturbing connection between the assassination of Abraham Lincoln and the Haymarket Strangler.
April, 1865. Having been an eye witness to the assassination of President Lincoln, Matthew Grand, a former captain of the 3rd Cavalry of the Potomac, has come to London on an undercover assignment to hunt down the last of the assassin's co-conspirators. Ambitious young journalist Jim Batchelor has been charged with writing a feature article on the visiting American, with the aim of getting the inside story on the assassination. Both men are distracted from their missions by the discovery of a body behind the Haymarket Theatre in London s Soho district. It's the latest in a series of grisly garrottings by a killer known as the Haymarket Strangler.
As Grand and Batchelor team up to pursue their investigations through the dark underbelly of Victorian London, it becomes clear that there may be a disturbing connection between the assassination of Abraham Lincoln and the Haymarket Strangler.
220 pages, Hardcover
First published December 31, 2014
23 people are currently reading
133 people want to read
About the author
M.J. Trow
149 books119 followersMeirion James Trow is a full-time teacher of history who has been doubling as a crime writer for seventeen years. Originally from Ferndale, Rhondda in South Wales he now lives on the Isle of Wight. His interests include collecting militaria, film, the supernatural and true crime.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
November 27, 2017
The former captain of the 3rd Cavalry of the Potomac Matthew Grand is tasked to catch the last co-conspirator at the assassination of Abraham Lincoln and the trail leads to London. In London, journalist Jim Batchelor stumbles over the dead body of a prostitute and that will turn his whole life upside down, but will also lead him to work with Matthew Grand.
This is the first book in a planned historical mystery series and what a great first book it was. Matthew Grand and Jim Batchelor are an excellent team, and it was great fun watching poor Grand trying to get used to London and its different "language" just a simple thing like ordering muffins at a coffee house and not at all getting the American muffin you excepted. Hell, I would have been confused as well.
Muffin and English Muffin
But even though I liked both Grand and Batchelor I actually like Inspector Tanner the best, there was just something about the man I just liked as soon as he was introduced into the story and I hope he will get a larger part in the future books.
It was an enjoyable book to read, a good introduction to a new series. The cases were OK, not earth-shattering, I mean I wasn't that surprised when the culprits were revealed. There was no "OMG I didn't see that coming" moment. I think back in my head I was already a bit suspicious when it came to the killers. I mean there wasn't that many to pick from and it is seldom the first person that the police suspect.
The Blue and the Grey was a nice historical mystery book, precisely the kind I like to read and I'm looking forward to the next one!
3.5 stars
Thank you Netgalley for providing me with a free copy for an honest review!
This is the first book in a planned historical mystery series and what a great first book it was. Matthew Grand and Jim Batchelor are an excellent team, and it was great fun watching poor Grand trying to get used to London and its different "language" just a simple thing like ordering muffins at a coffee house and not at all getting the American muffin you excepted. Hell, I would have been confused as well.
Muffin and English Muffin
But even though I liked both Grand and Batchelor I actually like Inspector Tanner the best, there was just something about the man I just liked as soon as he was introduced into the story and I hope he will get a larger part in the future books.
It was an enjoyable book to read, a good introduction to a new series. The cases were OK, not earth-shattering, I mean I wasn't that surprised when the culprits were revealed. There was no "OMG I didn't see that coming" moment. I think back in my head I was already a bit suspicious when it came to the killers. I mean there wasn't that many to pick from and it is seldom the first person that the police suspect.
The Blue and the Grey was a nice historical mystery book, precisely the kind I like to read and I'm looking forward to the next one!
3.5 stars
Thank you Netgalley for providing me with a free copy for an honest review!
January 8, 2015
James Batchelor - junior reporter on the Telegraph finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time. He is caught literally red handed standing over a dead body. He is arrested but it soon clear to Inspector Tanner that he didn't commit the murder and the two strike up a friendship.
Meanwhile across the Atlantic Captain Matthew Grand is also in the wrong place at the wrong time when he finds himself in the audience when President Lincoln is assassinated. He is sent across to London to try and find some of the conspirators and to test whether he is one of them himself.
James and Matthew team up after James is ignominiously sacked by his editor and goes freelance. This is an intriguing start to a new series with two unlikely heroes who are both keen on justice. The background of Victorian London and post Civil War America is interesting and well researched.
I liked the characters of James and Matthew and the detective, Inspector Tanner and I enjoyed the dialogue which is frequently amusing. I will definitely be reading the next one in the series and I shall be watching out for it. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical crime novels. I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley for review purposes.
Meanwhile across the Atlantic Captain Matthew Grand is also in the wrong place at the wrong time when he finds himself in the audience when President Lincoln is assassinated. He is sent across to London to try and find some of the conspirators and to test whether he is one of them himself.
James and Matthew team up after James is ignominiously sacked by his editor and goes freelance. This is an intriguing start to a new series with two unlikely heroes who are both keen on justice. The background of Victorian London and post Civil War America is interesting and well researched.
I liked the characters of James and Matthew and the detective, Inspector Tanner and I enjoyed the dialogue which is frequently amusing. I will definitely be reading the next one in the series and I shall be watching out for it. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical crime novels. I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley for review purposes.
July 24, 2023
Actual rating 3.5☆. Having already book 4 in the series a few years ago, I decided to delve further into this crime solving duo. I found this a good read and will read more in this series. However, I found that at one point my mind started to wander. The author failing to keep your attention doesn't bode well when reading a book.
March 1, 2015
An historic piece surrounding the assassination of President Lincoln, its aftermath and the rounding up of the conspirators. When one appears to have fled to England a former army captain, Grand pursues him as much to clear his own name as seek justice for a man he served faithfully for during the Cival War.
It is a good piece as the american comes to terms with the London and a recently out of work journalist, Batchelor, becomes his guide as he struggles to understand the culture and find his man.
Plenty of duplicity and questioning whose side people are on; I particularly enjoyed the developing relationship between the two main characters and the need to trust people in a foreign country.
I found the language appropriate to the time and enjoyed the historical references and simple insights into newspapers.
There isn't much scope for female characters and I would have liked perhaps for stronger woman; otherwise the book points to marriage as success or begging and prostitution. It appears to be a male dominated world but clearly after all the bloodshed they didn't make a good job of things.
The book gives rise to more in this series and I look forward to reading more as this is a strong novel and isn't purely an historical crime drama it should suit all tastes in murder mysteries and crime thrillers.
It is a good piece as the american comes to terms with the London and a recently out of work journalist, Batchelor, becomes his guide as he struggles to understand the culture and find his man.
Plenty of duplicity and questioning whose side people are on; I particularly enjoyed the developing relationship between the two main characters and the need to trust people in a foreign country.
I found the language appropriate to the time and enjoyed the historical references and simple insights into newspapers.
There isn't much scope for female characters and I would have liked perhaps for stronger woman; otherwise the book points to marriage as success or begging and prostitution. It appears to be a male dominated world but clearly after all the bloodshed they didn't make a good job of things.
The book gives rise to more in this series and I look forward to reading more as this is a strong novel and isn't purely an historical crime drama it should suit all tastes in murder mysteries and crime thrillers.
July 3, 2015
Excellent start to a new series. A lot of history and background of historical events very enjoyably presented.
September 14, 2021
Even though the plot begins at the conclusion of the American Civil War, War Between the States, or War of Northern Aggression, the spelling in the title, The Blue and the Grey should indicate that the book has a very English component. One would expect this from the author of the marvelous Inspector Lestrade and Kit Marlowe Tudor Mystery series, and one would not be disappointed. The Blue and the Grey is the inaugural volume for a new series featuring former U.S. Captain Matthew Grand and former journalist for The Telegraph James Batchelor. Respective encounters for both protagonists take place in an alley beside a theatre, one in the U.S. and one in London, cause me to attach the “former” to their titles.
I loved the moment when a Londoner looked apologetically at Grand because the band had struck up “Dixie” in his presence. He tells the Londoner that the song was written by a northerner. That’s true, but he also could have mentioned that “Dixie” was one of Lincoln’s favorite song (I was informed at an ACW reenactment on one occasion.). I also very much appreciated the line about where one of our protagonists might find a brothel: “Her premises in the strangely apt Charles II Street were palatial by anyone’s standards.” (p. 126) Placing a house of ill repute on the street named after the decadent Restoration king made perfect poetry to me. I also learned what a bombazine dress was, since M. J. Trow used it twice to adorn female characters in this delightful period piece.
The mystery is well-conceived. The suspects make sense and even when there are surprises, they make sense from a psychological perspective. To be sure, the origins of Trow’s killers in this historical mystery are not as dark as some of those in Anne Perry’s Victorian novels, but they are quite dark enough. And, though I have attended plays in the Haymarket Theatre (including an Oscar Wilde play in that theatre where the playwright himself had attended a performance of it), I really began to understand the stigma associated with theatre in the eras in question. Some portions of this story make the modern scandal of Harvey Weinstein seem to pale in comparison. (Not to excuse the travesty in either era!)
The Blue and the Grey surprised me by tying up loose ends and providing a plausible basis for a potential team-up relationship between Grand and Batchelor in the future. The evolution of their working relationship seemed quite credible, even though I was, at first, rather skeptical. I look forward to reading more in this series.
I loved the moment when a Londoner looked apologetically at Grand because the band had struck up “Dixie” in his presence. He tells the Londoner that the song was written by a northerner. That’s true, but he also could have mentioned that “Dixie” was one of Lincoln’s favorite song (I was informed at an ACW reenactment on one occasion.). I also very much appreciated the line about where one of our protagonists might find a brothel: “Her premises in the strangely apt Charles II Street were palatial by anyone’s standards.” (p. 126) Placing a house of ill repute on the street named after the decadent Restoration king made perfect poetry to me. I also learned what a bombazine dress was, since M. J. Trow used it twice to adorn female characters in this delightful period piece.
The mystery is well-conceived. The suspects make sense and even when there are surprises, they make sense from a psychological perspective. To be sure, the origins of Trow’s killers in this historical mystery are not as dark as some of those in Anne Perry’s Victorian novels, but they are quite dark enough. And, though I have attended plays in the Haymarket Theatre (including an Oscar Wilde play in that theatre where the playwright himself had attended a performance of it), I really began to understand the stigma associated with theatre in the eras in question. Some portions of this story make the modern scandal of Harvey Weinstein seem to pale in comparison. (Not to excuse the travesty in either era!)
The Blue and the Grey surprised me by tying up loose ends and providing a plausible basis for a potential team-up relationship between Grand and Batchelor in the future. The evolution of their working relationship seemed quite credible, even though I was, at first, rather skeptical. I look forward to reading more in this series.
September 17, 2019
Captain Matthew Grand, veteran of the US civil war, is at the theatre when President Abraham Lincoln is assassinated. Grand gives chase to James Wilkes Booth but is cold cocked by a co-conspirator with a British accent. He is sent to London, England to pursue this mysterious figure. Meanwhile fledgling journalist, James Batchelor, whilst out at the theatre in London, stumbles upon the body of a murdered prostitute who has been garroted. Grand and Batchelor eventually find their investigations meet and they decide to work together to solve both cases.
The plot itself was fairly interesting and had some good twists and turns, and I think the two main characters could improve over further books. They did seem to be quite dim at times, in letting themselves be found as the only person in the vicinity when discovering a body, etc. The female characters were a bit lacking and seemed to mainly be young prostitutes or older harridans - which is a bit unimaginative. I do like the author's Kit Marlowe series so I will be giving this series another go with the second book to see if it improves.
TW: some sexual activity, and towards the end a public hanging is described in some detail.
The plot itself was fairly interesting and had some good twists and turns, and I think the two main characters could improve over further books. They did seem to be quite dim at times, in letting themselves be found as the only person in the vicinity when discovering a body, etc. The female characters were a bit lacking and seemed to mainly be young prostitutes or older harridans - which is a bit unimaginative. I do like the author's Kit Marlowe series so I will be giving this series another go with the second book to see if it improves.
TW: some sexual activity, and towards the end a public hanging is described in some detail.
June 19, 2019
I really like this author's Maxwell books, so decided to try this. I found it to be very good, bringing together an American "spy" and an English journalist. Grand, the American is sent to England to find a man involved with the assassination of President Lincoln, as he had seen someone he believed to be connected with it leaving the theatre when Lincoln was shot. He didn't come here by choice but was sent or be suspected of being involved. James Batchelor, a newspaper reporter has been sacked, but was at the scene of a murder of a street girl. The story progresses from there, with both men working together.
I will definitely be reading more of this series.
I will definitely be reading more of this series.
July 10, 2019
In Washington, DC, Matthew Grand witnesses the assassination of President Lincoln, and tries to stop Wilkes in his attempt to flee, but is stopped himself by a mysterious Englishman. In pursuit of this conspirator, Matthew travels to London. Meantime, in London, someone slits the throat of a lady of the evening outside a theatre, and James Batchelor, a young journalist, is first on the scene. When Grand arrives in London, and the two men encounter each other, they form a tentative partnership. The writing is witty and spare, with a bit of wry English humor, while the characters are interesting and believable. I do wish, however, that the author had included a note at then. Recommended.
June 17, 2018
I checked this book out because it had two factors I love: Victorian London and a Theater setting. Sometimes authors throw in something that They think is period. Like saying theater in America in 1865 was vaudeville. Vaudeville didn’t come around until at least 20 years later. This I find jarring in a historical novel. I read historical novels specifically to be brought to the period. When something inaccurate is thrown in, credibility’s is immediately compromised. In this book, I did not find the plot compelling. Nor did I find the period wholly accurate. Meh.
November 10, 2017
Matthew Grand witnesses the assassination of President Lincoln. He's sent undercover to London to seek out all conspirators in the plot. Whilst there he falls in with down on his luck journalist James Batchelor who's investigating the Haymarket Strangler. This was a good little mystery story set in the latter part of the 19th century. It was kind of obvious that the two investigations would interlink but it was still good to read.
August 16, 2018
A bit slow to begin with, but once Matthew Grand and James Batchelor meet up, the pace quickens.
Easy-to- read start to a series about an American Civil war officer and a British journalist who become private investigators.
What is the connection, if any, between the assassination of President Lincoln and the Haymarket Strangler? Our intrepid heroes overcome the odds and reach a solution.
Easy-to- read start to a series about an American Civil war officer and a British journalist who become private investigators.
What is the connection, if any, between the assassination of President Lincoln and the Haymarket Strangler? Our intrepid heroes overcome the odds and reach a solution.
September 12, 2021
I'm completely inthralled with this new series from M. J. Trow. I picked the second book up by accident and had to read the first. Difficult to put down.
February 13, 2023
This one was ok.
April 1, 2023
Did not finish I’m afraid. The structure of the text was very hard to follow, swapping between POV constantly.
July 10, 2024
I liked the interplay between the Lincoln murder conspiracy and the Haymarket Strangler murders. Nice characters and good plot line. Let’s see if the next in the series is worth the read
February 14, 2022
There were two events that happened simultaneously on both sides of the Atlantic in April 1865. One historical impactful death blow to a nation that just ended its Civil War that was in hindsight inevitable given the high emotional state of contrasting emotions in the hearts of the euphoric victors and the roiling mortification in the hearts of the vanquished. On Palm Sunday, on the 9th of April 1865, General Robert E. Lee of the Confederate Army (Grey) surrendered to his counter~part on the Yankee (Blue) side, General Ulysses S. Grant... Robert Lincoln, the President's son, was a witness to that historical landmark re~uniting North and South. Having gone for days without sleep before Lee's surrender, Robert declined his father's invitation on Good Friday to accompany them into the theater where during Act III Scene 2 of the comedy play, the President was assassinated at close range. Captain Matthew Grand was at the audience with his shrewish fiancée, and deeply chagrined for failing to protect his President, he followed Booth out of the Ford Theater... Booth got away from him and the stable boy, both of them injured by the man and his horse... still Grand tried to follow and was prevented by a big man speaking the King's English. Meanwhile in England, at a dark alley in Haymarket near the theater, a young prostitute was garotted to death and junior journalist James Batchelor was first on the scene and was arrested for the crime having touched the victim and had blood on his hands. How the two men would meet and would become friends while investigating the murders they were both involved with as well as Grand's own agenda for visiting England and collaborating with Scotland Yard would be the subject of this engrossing mystery.
July 26, 2015
Two of a Kind.
I don’t know if it has anything to do with this being the one-hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the end of the American Civil War, but I have been running into more than a few books about the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Not surprisingly, given its title, The Blue and the Grey, by M.J. Trow is another.
It’s April 1865, and former Union Cavalry Captain Matthew Grand is in Ford’s Theatre when Abraham Lincoln is assassinated. In fact, he almost captures John Wilkes Booth, but is ambushed by an Englishman, and Booth escapes. After being rather brusquely questioned National Detective Police Grand is deemed innocent. Since he was a witness, and saw the English conspirator he is sent to London by its commander, Colonel Baker, to see if he can find one man in the teeming metropolis of London.
Meanwhile, in London, journalist James Batchelor, after a night of heavy drinking, finds himself accused of the murder of a prostitute after he stumbles upon her corpse in an alley. Batchelor is released after being questioned by Inspector Tanner of the London Metropolitan Police, with the expectation that he will write about the murder, and keep Inspector Tanner informed. Since he usually covers garden shows and the like Batchelor considers it a chance to make a name for himself. When more ladies of the evening are found dead he finds himself investigating a killer known as the Haymarket Strangler.
After a slew of coincidences and a brigade of characters move the story along Batchelor finds himself covering Grand for the Papers, and the two men find common cause, and that the two mysteries they are investigating may be linked. From there the two men work together to unsnare two cases, and bring to justice a murderer and an accessory to the murder of the President.
Mr. Trow clearly knows and enjoys the time and setting, and both come to life. The characters of Grand and Batchelor are refreshing realistic, and enjoyably down-to-earth. There are a plethora of supporting characters, and they are all multi-dimensional as well. If anything, the amount of characters and the space they occupy in this novel may have been a bit of a hindrance at times. I found myself enjoying each tangential character and their individual stories, but at the expense of narrative drive and tension. I felt at times that Mr. Trow was taking two good stories, almost two good books, and forcing them into one fairly enjoyable but rather unwieldy whole. The amount of coincidences and plot devices that had to happen to bring the two main characters and their stories together stretched credulity at times, but it never broke. Mr. Trow’s assured prose, and his unabashed enjoyment managed to keep the plot one point, and if the pace was slowed now and again by the side trips, each detour was enjoyable. I suppose it might not be too much of a spoiler, since this is advertised as the first book of a series, that in the end Grand ends up staying in London, and he and Batchelor hang up their shingle. I’ll probably drop in for the next case.
Review by: Mark Palm
Full Reviews Available at: http://www.thebookendfamily.weebly.com
I don’t know if it has anything to do with this being the one-hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the end of the American Civil War, but I have been running into more than a few books about the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Not surprisingly, given its title, The Blue and the Grey, by M.J. Trow is another.
It’s April 1865, and former Union Cavalry Captain Matthew Grand is in Ford’s Theatre when Abraham Lincoln is assassinated. In fact, he almost captures John Wilkes Booth, but is ambushed by an Englishman, and Booth escapes. After being rather brusquely questioned National Detective Police Grand is deemed innocent. Since he was a witness, and saw the English conspirator he is sent to London by its commander, Colonel Baker, to see if he can find one man in the teeming metropolis of London.
Meanwhile, in London, journalist James Batchelor, after a night of heavy drinking, finds himself accused of the murder of a prostitute after he stumbles upon her corpse in an alley. Batchelor is released after being questioned by Inspector Tanner of the London Metropolitan Police, with the expectation that he will write about the murder, and keep Inspector Tanner informed. Since he usually covers garden shows and the like Batchelor considers it a chance to make a name for himself. When more ladies of the evening are found dead he finds himself investigating a killer known as the Haymarket Strangler.
After a slew of coincidences and a brigade of characters move the story along Batchelor finds himself covering Grand for the Papers, and the two men find common cause, and that the two mysteries they are investigating may be linked. From there the two men work together to unsnare two cases, and bring to justice a murderer and an accessory to the murder of the President.
Mr. Trow clearly knows and enjoys the time and setting, and both come to life. The characters of Grand and Batchelor are refreshing realistic, and enjoyably down-to-earth. There are a plethora of supporting characters, and they are all multi-dimensional as well. If anything, the amount of characters and the space they occupy in this novel may have been a bit of a hindrance at times. I found myself enjoying each tangential character and their individual stories, but at the expense of narrative drive and tension. I felt at times that Mr. Trow was taking two good stories, almost two good books, and forcing them into one fairly enjoyable but rather unwieldy whole. The amount of coincidences and plot devices that had to happen to bring the two main characters and their stories together stretched credulity at times, but it never broke. Mr. Trow’s assured prose, and his unabashed enjoyment managed to keep the plot one point, and if the pace was slowed now and again by the side trips, each detour was enjoyable. I suppose it might not be too much of a spoiler, since this is advertised as the first book of a series, that in the end Grand ends up staying in London, and he and Batchelor hang up their shingle. I’ll probably drop in for the next case.
Review by: Mark Palm
Full Reviews Available at: http://www.thebookendfamily.weebly.com
June 3, 2015
First Sentence: “I don’t believe it!” Arlette Ross McKintyre’s eyes flashed fire as she looked up at the Presidential box.”
Captain Matthew Grand happened to be attending the play at Ford’s Theater when Lincoln is shot. He attempted to apprehend Booth, but failed and is sent to London undercover to track down one of the co-conspirators. Jim Batchelor has been investigating a series of garrottings by the Haymarket Strangler but is hired to do an article on Grand and the assassination. The unlikely pair team up when there are signs the two cases may be related.
The story begins with an opening which starts out light but quickly turns much darker and tragic. What is interesting is that one never thinks of Lincoln’s assassination from the perspective of a bystander, yet Trow does an excellent job of making you feel as though you were there.
The characters are fully drawn. Grand’s fiancée is catty, ambitious and highly annoying; yet her butler is delightful. Grand has the confidence of a former military captain, yet you feel his overwhelm in coming to London. Batchelor is canny and a survivor who believes in what he does.
Trow provides fascinating references to historical characters and events, most of which may have been previously unknown to readers, yet their inclusion adds extra dimension to the story. For all the grimness of the situations, Trow’s voice and touches humor, of situations and the dialogue.
“The Blue and the Gray” is a very good read introducing two wonderful characters. How delightful to find a new series to follow.
THE BLUE AND THE GRAY (Hist Mys – Captain Matthew Grand/James Batchelor – Washington D.C., London – 1865) - VG
Trow, M.J. – 1st in series
Severn House – April 2015
Captain Matthew Grand happened to be attending the play at Ford’s Theater when Lincoln is shot. He attempted to apprehend Booth, but failed and is sent to London undercover to track down one of the co-conspirators. Jim Batchelor has been investigating a series of garrottings by the Haymarket Strangler but is hired to do an article on Grand and the assassination. The unlikely pair team up when there are signs the two cases may be related.
The story begins with an opening which starts out light but quickly turns much darker and tragic. What is interesting is that one never thinks of Lincoln’s assassination from the perspective of a bystander, yet Trow does an excellent job of making you feel as though you were there.
The characters are fully drawn. Grand’s fiancée is catty, ambitious and highly annoying; yet her butler is delightful. Grand has the confidence of a former military captain, yet you feel his overwhelm in coming to London. Batchelor is canny and a survivor who believes in what he does.
Trow provides fascinating references to historical characters and events, most of which may have been previously unknown to readers, yet their inclusion adds extra dimension to the story. For all the grimness of the situations, Trow’s voice and touches humor, of situations and the dialogue.
“The Blue and the Gray” is a very good read introducing two wonderful characters. How delightful to find a new series to follow.
THE BLUE AND THE GRAY (Hist Mys – Captain Matthew Grand/James Batchelor – Washington D.C., London – 1865) - VG
Trow, M.J. – 1st in series
Severn House – April 2015
January 24, 2015
A curious book for me. Not a true favorite because it seemed to have trouble deciding if it wanted to be similar to a light comedy or a slasher horror story. I definitely kept reading because I wanted to see how the author tied together the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln in America with garroting of prostitutes in London. It reads like two books for the longest time because so much material needed to be explained about Captain Matthew Grand (present at the performance at Ford's Theatre the night Lincoln was shot) and how he was forced to travel to England in pursuit of an accessory in the plot to kill Lincoln. The second story involves one James Batchelor who turns down the favors of a prostitute and is later found in a dark alley covered in her blood. As a fledgling reporter James wants to get the story and immediately makes friends with the Scotland Yard Inspector. Managing to bring the two men together worked okay, just relying on a whole heaping lot of coincidences.
What I did like about this book was how well author M. J. Trow kept his dynamic secrets until he was ready to reveal them. In other words, I didn't guess who the killer of the prostitutes was. This is the first book in a series to feature these two very different yet oddly appealing young crime solvers.
I received an ARC of this novel through NetGalley.
What I did like about this book was how well author M. J. Trow kept his dynamic secrets until he was ready to reveal them. In other words, I didn't guess who the killer of the prostitutes was. This is the first book in a series to feature these two very different yet oddly appealing young crime solvers.
I received an ARC of this novel through NetGalley.
November 14, 2014
I have to admit that I have never been a fan of the American Civil War era in books. For whatever reason, I much prefer mysteries that take place in the Victorian England. This book may have changed my mind, just a little bit. There are parts of the story that take place in England and have all the trappings of a Victorian mystery, but I found myself more drawn to the action that took place on American soil. I enjoyed the transplanted American in London details. World travel was much more uncommon back then, so the experience for Grand must have been nearly overwhelming.
The first few chapters, describing Lincoln’s assassination, were well written. Having recently visited Washington D.C., I found myself remembering the street that contains both the theater and the boarding house that are now so famous in history. All of the activity that surrounded Lincoln's assassination, the murders and attempted murders of other in the cabinet, was an education to me. I must have learned about it in school, but I was taken by surprise reading about it in this novel. They mysteries in the book were interesting and kept me wanting to read to find out who was responsible. An education inside a novel that you can't put down, hooray for M.J. Trow!
The first few chapters, describing Lincoln’s assassination, were well written. Having recently visited Washington D.C., I found myself remembering the street that contains both the theater and the boarding house that are now so famous in history. All of the activity that surrounded Lincoln's assassination, the murders and attempted murders of other in the cabinet, was an education to me. I must have learned about it in school, but I was taken by surprise reading about it in this novel. They mysteries in the book were interesting and kept me wanting to read to find out who was responsible. An education inside a novel that you can't put down, hooray for M.J. Trow!
June 30, 2015
I think it helps to be familiar with the broader story of Lincoln's assassination when you read this book. Knowing about Booth's accomplices, and the swift and unyielding furor that drove the country to find and kill the people who shot Lincoln. It also helps to have some familiarity with mediums and their role in the mid-19th Century. I say all of that because the background thoroughly enriched this terrific story. No doubt I would have enjoyed it even without a broader understanding of the historical context; the characters are fun, complex and perfectly suited to the chase for Lincoln's killers and a Haymarket strangler. Capt. Grand is at Ford Theatre and watches, helpless, as his President is shot. Booth is nearly in his grasp when a co-conspirator knocks him flat, proclaiming that Johnny wouldn't have been so stupid as to come without friends. Grand is haunted and hunted, recruited to find this co-conspirator and sets off for London. Losing a fiancee in the mix, I might add. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am excited to read the next in the series. A perfect mystery for Civil War and Victorian buffs.
January 21, 2015
This is a very creative, well-researched and exciting book, telling dual stories and pulling this feat off well. If you are a Lincoln fan, this book will
doubt appeal to you. In general, as a Victorian fiction novel, this is one of the best that This I have had the pleasure of reading.
The characters are interesting and have the kind of depth that allows you entry into the world of the story so you feel as if you are part of it. The language is appropriate for the chosen time period and setting and the author was careful not to reveal too much too soon.
I liked the way this story unfolded. I was never sure if things were going to go as I expected or take a different course. The pages turned quickly and I was sorry to reach the end, but happy with the way the author chose to end this story.
Overall, I thought this was an excellent book and would definitely recommend it to other readers.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
doubt appeal to you. In general, as a Victorian fiction novel, this is one of the best that This I have had the pleasure of reading.
The characters are interesting and have the kind of depth that allows you entry into the world of the story so you feel as if you are part of it. The language is appropriate for the chosen time period and setting and the author was careful not to reveal too much too soon.
I liked the way this story unfolded. I was never sure if things were going to go as I expected or take a different course. The pages turned quickly and I was sorry to reach the end, but happy with the way the author chose to end this story.
Overall, I thought this was an excellent book and would definitely recommend it to other readers.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
April 1, 2015
This was a book of a different style. M J decided to write this book from two perspectives. One side is the American Civil War and Lincoln's assassination. The other is the Victorian era across the Pond. It took me awhile to get used to the switchovers. There are a whole lot of spoilers and just as many twists and turns. If you like the Victorian era and our Civil War you should give this book a try. Enjoy your reading. I have this book for an honest review for NetGalley.
April 23, 2015
This is an excellent book. I love the characters and how they interact with each other.
I recommend this book.
I recommend this book.
October 11, 2015
This is a readable book and is quite lighthearted but I did not enjoy the story or like the characters so I doubt I will bother reading any of the author's other books.
October 29, 2015
satisfying on many levels: at and behind the scene in history, remarkable characters, reasonable mystery.
May 25, 2016
An enjoyable mystery: however some historical clunkers (Lincoln buried in DC!) spoil the book.
August 24, 2016
Very likable characters. An enjoyable read.
December 1, 2016
A very nice mystery. Trow really captured the period.
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