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The Mute of Pendywick Place #1
The Mute of Pendywick Place: And the Torn Page
London, November 3rd, 1881. A young woman slips through the curtains of fog down Pendy Corner, to the 26th house in the row. She vacillates at the gate. For past that sullen door, she must seek the help of the distinctively eccentric and impatient young language expert named Basil Collingwood. The fate of Europe, and indeed, the free peoples of the world may depend upon getting him to understand her. The only trouble? She cannot speak a word.
147 pages, Paperback
Published August 11, 2016
About the author
Alydia Rackham
131 books145 followersYou don’t have to be afraid when you read my books. Well—you might be terrified for the hero, because his arch-nemesis has him at gunpoint with his back to the river Thames, demanding that he hand over the code that could spell the downfall of Europe…
But you’ll never have to squint, worrying that the romantic scene is about to get FAR too steamy—or that, in a tirade, someone is about to spew a stream of obscenities that will make you want to shut the book and go take a shower.
I don’t write sexual scenes in my books. EVER. And I do not use profanity. EVER. And yes, God lives in my stories. He is the deep foundation—you can FEEL Him.
Yet, I can prove without a shadow of a doubt that WITHOUT ANYTHING risqué, you can still have the adventure of a lifetime between these pages. You’ll hold your breath, you’ll laugh, you’ll sit on the edge of your chair, you’ll stay up till two in the morning pinned to the page—and you might even cry. In fact, I’ll bet on that. And I HATE it when writers are lazy and tacky and beat you over the head with some philosophical or theological point they’re trying to make, instead of just TELLING THE STORY. So, I avoid that at all costs. Still not sold? Well, give one of these books a try. Go ahead—any of them! Whether we’re speeding through space, breaking through the ice on a frozen river, galloping on a chariot across the desert or running up the Asbru bridge chased by wolves…you’re still safe with me.
But you’ll never have to squint, worrying that the romantic scene is about to get FAR too steamy—or that, in a tirade, someone is about to spew a stream of obscenities that will make you want to shut the book and go take a shower.
I don’t write sexual scenes in my books. EVER. And I do not use profanity. EVER. And yes, God lives in my stories. He is the deep foundation—you can FEEL Him.
Yet, I can prove without a shadow of a doubt that WITHOUT ANYTHING risqué, you can still have the adventure of a lifetime between these pages. You’ll hold your breath, you’ll laugh, you’ll sit on the edge of your chair, you’ll stay up till two in the morning pinned to the page—and you might even cry. In fact, I’ll bet on that. And I HATE it when writers are lazy and tacky and beat you over the head with some philosophical or theological point they’re trying to make, instead of just TELLING THE STORY. So, I avoid that at all costs. Still not sold? Well, give one of these books a try. Go ahead—any of them! Whether we’re speeding through space, breaking through the ice on a frozen river, galloping on a chariot across the desert or running up the Asbru bridge chased by wolves…you’re still safe with me.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
February 23, 2021
Audiobook Edition
A mysterious beginning that beguiled and tantalized the listener to thirst for answers made this new to me serial, author, and narrator a welcome combination. I love historical mysteries and saw this one ties in with a few literary greats like Sherlock Holmes so of course I had to give it a try.
The Mute of Pendywick Place is a serial historical mystery story and this was the beginning introducing a mysterious woman who lacks the power of speech and struggles with other language and memory-related issues. She knows that she desperately needs to get to Basil Collingwood and somehow convey a desperate message. Basil is something of a shock as he is a speech teacher, but he is a quirky man with a few mysteries of his own. They get on like matches and gas, but I liked how their struggles to work together along with her struggles to communicate add a nice tension to the story. Revelations near the end of this first part came as fabulous twists.
I loved meeting the household at Pendy Place, Basil’s work with his patients and this mysterious woman. It was fun tripping over mentions of 221B Baker Street and Basil going to school with Mycroft, and I think I missed a few others though I did have the sense that I was in the Pygmalion/My Fair Lady story, too. I also liked how her speech and memory issues felt authentic as did Basil’s work with several speech and language issues.
Serials are usually problematic for me, but I have to say that this one was ended in a good spot. Finishing up one series of tied together scenes and stopping before another big series of scenes begins. It was fully developed even while having the work of introducing characters, setting, and the beginning of the plot.
Bill Schafer’s narration work was delightful. He voiced the accents, class differences, and genders well, but he also tackled several of Basil’s speech patient’s issues right, too. He caught the tone and pacing of the story so well. I would definitely listen to more of his work. The production quality was exceptional.
All in all, this was a great start to the historical mystery serial and I’m excited to see where it goes from here. I can recommend it to historical mystery fans.
I rec'd a copy of this audiobook to listen to in exchange for an honest review courtesy of Audiobookworm Reviews.
A mysterious beginning that beguiled and tantalized the listener to thirst for answers made this new to me serial, author, and narrator a welcome combination. I love historical mysteries and saw this one ties in with a few literary greats like Sherlock Holmes so of course I had to give it a try.
The Mute of Pendywick Place is a serial historical mystery story and this was the beginning introducing a mysterious woman who lacks the power of speech and struggles with other language and memory-related issues. She knows that she desperately needs to get to Basil Collingwood and somehow convey a desperate message. Basil is something of a shock as he is a speech teacher, but he is a quirky man with a few mysteries of his own. They get on like matches and gas, but I liked how their struggles to work together along with her struggles to communicate add a nice tension to the story. Revelations near the end of this first part came as fabulous twists.
I loved meeting the household at Pendy Place, Basil’s work with his patients and this mysterious woman. It was fun tripping over mentions of 221B Baker Street and Basil going to school with Mycroft, and I think I missed a few others though I did have the sense that I was in the Pygmalion/My Fair Lady story, too. I also liked how her speech and memory issues felt authentic as did Basil’s work with several speech and language issues.
Serials are usually problematic for me, but I have to say that this one was ended in a good spot. Finishing up one series of tied together scenes and stopping before another big series of scenes begins. It was fully developed even while having the work of introducing characters, setting, and the beginning of the plot.
Bill Schafer’s narration work was delightful. He voiced the accents, class differences, and genders well, but he also tackled several of Basil’s speech patient’s issues right, too. He caught the tone and pacing of the story so well. I would definitely listen to more of his work. The production quality was exceptional.
All in all, this was a great start to the historical mystery serial and I’m excited to see where it goes from here. I can recommend it to historical mystery fans.
I rec'd a copy of this audiobook to listen to in exchange for an honest review courtesy of Audiobookworm Reviews.
April 25, 2020
This was such a cute book!
Positives: The characters were nicely laid out and the mystery was intriguing enough. I also liked the, hmmm, slower feel of the book despite it being short. Pacing I believe was well done, and the writing style was unique but easy to follow
Negatives: There may have been a few stylistic things but I think that's more opinion than criticism. Also, perhaps the characters were not as explored as deeply as I wanted. But it IS the first in a five book series and I sense character ARCS coming up
Opinion: The book wrapped up its own arc well enough that it didn't leave me wanting, except for the main arc's conclusion. As the person who recommended the series said, the male lead is very much like BBC's Sherlock (though I have not watched the show) and the female lead was fun even if a bit agitated, though in her circumstances, one could deeeeefinitely understand why. Also, I liked the cozier slow pacing of this one, though simultaneously it was fast. Gave a lot of room for us to see the characters. And overall, this was just a cute book I would definitely recommend!
ALSO. I loooooove how the author is tying her stories up with England classics. So far, I think we have a good set up for Sherlock Holmes' appearance and A Christmas Carol thing!! EEEEEE
Content: Very clean! And I'm hoping it stays that way. Mention of mutilation but that's about it
Positives: The characters were nicely laid out and the mystery was intriguing enough. I also liked the, hmmm, slower feel of the book despite it being short. Pacing I believe was well done, and the writing style was unique but easy to follow
Negatives: There may have been a few stylistic things but I think that's more opinion than criticism. Also, perhaps the characters were not as explored as deeply as I wanted. But it IS the first in a five book series and I sense character ARCS coming up
Opinion: The book wrapped up its own arc well enough that it didn't leave me wanting, except for the main arc's conclusion. As the person who recommended the series said, the male lead is very much like BBC's Sherlock (though I have not watched the show) and the female lead was fun even if a bit agitated, though in her circumstances, one could deeeeefinitely understand why. Also, I liked the cozier slow pacing of this one, though simultaneously it was fast. Gave a lot of room for us to see the characters. And overall, this was just a cute book I would definitely recommend!
ALSO. I loooooove how the author is tying her stories up with England classics. So far, I think we have a good set up for Sherlock Holmes' appearance and A Christmas Carol thing!! EEEEEE
Content: Very clean! And I'm hoping it stays that way. Mention of mutilation but that's about it
December 19, 2019
If you like mysterious characters set in a historical setting ,then I highly recommend this .
First let me say that I really really suck at writing positive reviews . It's easy for me to write a negative review because I usually distinctly know what I want to write about
As with all of Alydia Rackham's books,I have a strong vivid picture in my mind of what everything looks like . She also creates a cozy atmosphere
where the story is original ,but it has the comfortable feeling of the familiar . (I don't quite know how to describe it ,or do it justice .)
Synopsis :
Late one foggy night, a girl makes her way through the London streets to a house . Upon receiving her inside the Master of the house first finds her to be both unable of speech ,and unable to make known why she's even arrived at his door step .
Content :
Crystal Clean because Alydia's the queen of keeping it real . ✨
First let me say that I really really suck at writing positive reviews . It's easy for me to write a negative review because I usually distinctly know what I want to write about
As with all of Alydia Rackham's books,I have a strong vivid picture in my mind of what everything looks like . She also creates a cozy atmosphere
where the story is original ,but it has the comfortable feeling of the familiar . (I don't quite know how to describe it ,or do it justice .)
Synopsis :
Late one foggy night, a girl makes her way through the London streets to a house . Upon receiving her inside the Master of the house first finds her to be both unable of speech ,and unable to make known why she's even arrived at his door step .
Content :
Crystal Clean because Alydia's the queen of keeping it real . ✨
May 8, 2020
This is a charming entry to the series! The author does a wonderful job pulling you in and keeping you reading. I've thoroughly enjoyed reading this first installment and cannot wait to continue.
And I must mention Jack, the dog. The treatment and dedication he receives from Basil add warmth and depth to his (seemingly) cold disposition.
And I must mention Jack, the dog. The treatment and dedication he receives from Basil add warmth and depth to his (seemingly) cold disposition.
Read
October 19, 2016Great short story... Well written with good characters...can't wait to read !the next story...highly recommend
May 27, 2017
I won this in a Goodreads giveaway.
A very well written short story. I have handed it off to fellow readers with a high recommendation.
A very well written short story. I have handed it off to fellow readers with a high recommendation.
January 12, 2024
The Mute of Pendywick Place. Is. Fabulous.
I completely stumbled upon it in the "Other Readers Enjoyed" list (which I always peruse) and celebrate the day I did. Ok, I sound nuts. Hear me out.
-A young woman, clearly intelligent and well-bred (excellent manners, plays an instrument), but subject to violent episodes seeks out a well-known speech pathologist
-She can't explain why she is there, where she came from, how she knew about him, or who she is because she can't speak, read or write
The speech pathologist and the reader are both trying to figure out who she is and why she is important. The reader has an advantage, because they "hear" little clues in mini flashbacks experienced by Her in response to triggers. (I love that the character is called Her-with-a-capital-H because it turns the simple pronoun into an identity.)
Some key pieces to the puzzle are revealed right before the end of this Book 1 in a DON'T TOUCH THAT DIAL kind of feeling that had me scrambling to download Book 2 immediately after finishing.
It's well-written. The characters are intriguing. And, there is clearly going to be a helluva dangerous chase (in a Victorian sort of way) happening through the course of the series.
More people need to know about this.
I completely stumbled upon it in the "Other Readers Enjoyed" list (which I always peruse) and celebrate the day I did. Ok, I sound nuts. Hear me out.
-A young woman, clearly intelligent and well-bred (excellent manners, plays an instrument), but subject to violent episodes seeks out a well-known speech pathologist
-She can't explain why she is there, where she came from, how she knew about him, or who she is because she can't speak, read or write
The speech pathologist and the reader are both trying to figure out who she is and why she is important. The reader has an advantage, because they "hear" little clues in mini flashbacks experienced by Her in response to triggers. (I love that the character is called Her-with-a-capital-H because it turns the simple pronoun into an identity.)
Some key pieces to the puzzle are revealed right before the end of this Book 1 in a DON'T TOUCH THAT DIAL kind of feeling that had me scrambling to download Book 2 immediately after finishing.
It's well-written. The characters are intriguing. And, there is clearly going to be a helluva dangerous chase (in a Victorian sort of way) happening through the course of the series.
More people need to know about this.
May 12, 2020
I received this book for free. I am voluntarily posting this review and all opinions expressed herein are my own.
This is the first part of a five part story but, I would still say that this is a standalone in that we do learn the identity of the main character in part one. However, the rest of the mystery related to the main character is still up in the air.
What a delightful story! If you like historical fiction with a bit of mystery - then this book is for you! The story draws you in immediately as you are transported in time to Victorian London and plunked down into the center of the mystery. The characters were well-developed and compelling. Basil Collingwood, the language expert, was very interesting and his efforts to communicate with the main character were captivating. Of course, the most intriguing being the main character - of whom we learn about in drips as she is mute.
The narrator, Bill Schafer, really reminded me of Alan Cummings - both in tone and execution of the narration. It was a very enjoyable listen!
This is the first part of a five part story but, I would still say that this is a standalone in that we do learn the identity of the main character in part one. However, the rest of the mystery related to the main character is still up in the air.
What a delightful story! If you like historical fiction with a bit of mystery - then this book is for you! The story draws you in immediately as you are transported in time to Victorian London and plunked down into the center of the mystery. The characters were well-developed and compelling. Basil Collingwood, the language expert, was very interesting and his efforts to communicate with the main character were captivating. Of course, the most intriguing being the main character - of whom we learn about in drips as she is mute.
The narrator, Bill Schafer, really reminded me of Alan Cummings - both in tone and execution of the narration. It was a very enjoyable listen!
May 31, 2021
More of an episode or first chapter than a satisfying short story in and of its own, this opening instalment about a mute girl arriving at the London home of a language expert takes a while to get going... then takes a turn for the darker. I'm not sure the blurb quite led me to have the right expectations, as not much happens about the over-arching Europe plot and Pendywick Place doesn't seem to be quite the known location it's made out to be (I expected an eccentric Sherlock Holmes v2, rather than a gruff young chap with some attitude issues who doesn't seem used to mystery waifs and strays appearing). I gets the grim tone right, though the Americanisms and holding back information for so long could get a little frustrating to read at times. A few nods to Victorian fictional characters of note could make for an interesting mix in future episodes.
August 30, 2020
A lot of fun, Interesting plot!
I don't think I have ever read a book with a plot quite like this one. It's a lot of fun, with all of the characters being quite interesting, and the mystery being rather intriguing with a satisfactory answer to them (at least the questions that got answered in this book!) I am excited to continue reading this series and discover more about these characters and the world.
I don't think I have ever read a book with a plot quite like this one. It's a lot of fun, with all of the characters being quite interesting, and the mystery being rather intriguing with a satisfactory answer to them (at least the questions that got answered in this book!) I am excited to continue reading this series and discover more about these characters and the world.
March 22, 2024
Fantastic!
This book grabs your attention right from the very first page. The author does a fantastic job of recreating Victorian England right down to the smallest detail. The characters are multifaceted and your heart goes out to the heroine immediately. I am looking forward to the next book in what promises to be an intriguing series.
This book grabs your attention right from the very first page. The author does a fantastic job of recreating Victorian England right down to the smallest detail. The characters are multifaceted and your heart goes out to the heroine immediately. I am looking forward to the next book in what promises to be an intriguing series.
May 1, 2020
This was the first story I have read. And I will keep on reading. What a great storyteller mrs Rackham is. I cannot wait to see how she the incorporate Sherlock Holmes characters into the adventures.
April 30, 2025
I didn't like this book much. The plotting is really slow and nothing really happens. It is such a short book and I don't think it gave enough time to connect to the characters much at all. The ending was abrupt and made the story feel unfinished.
January 13, 2020
Really delightful. I love everything I've read by Alydia Rackham.
This being an original work is wonderfully original so far. Great job!
This being an original work is wonderfully original so far. Great job!
May 8, 2023
A delicious bite. Just what I needed. Can't wait for the next episode.
May 23, 2025
This was such a unique story to get immersed in. Alydia Rackham has a way of spinning a tale that keeps a reader captivated.
The story is told through the main female character's voice. Since she is mute, it makes her 'speaking voice' all the more intriguing. Seeing everything through her eyes is utterly fascinating. Basil is another interesting character study with his eccentricities. The developing relationship between Basil and Her was well done along with the mystery that keeps you guessing until the end.
Highly recommend taking the time to read this book!
content: mild violence
The story is told through the main female character's voice. Since she is mute, it makes her 'speaking voice' all the more intriguing. Seeing everything through her eyes is utterly fascinating. Basil is another interesting character study with his eccentricities. The developing relationship between Basil and Her was well done along with the mystery that keeps you guessing until the end.
Highly recommend taking the time to read this book!
content: mild violence
January 1, 2021
This story captured me from page one. I couldn't put it down. Great characters and an interesting storyline that kept me captivated and wanting more.
Content:
Sexual: none
Violence: mild
Language: none
Content:
Sexual: none
Violence: mild
Language: none
August 16, 2023
I have read the whole series a few times now because I absolutely love it! A great Victorian mystery/romance that feels reminiscent of Sherlock Holmes except instead of solving murder, the characters are solving a mystery around language. Highly recommend this series!
January 4, 2026
(3.5 stars)
I enjoyed this book, but it did get a little dark. Especially when you find out what happened to make the girl mute. Thus, I took a half star off.
I enjoyed this book, but it did get a little dark. Especially when you find out what happened to make the girl mute. Thus, I took a half star off.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews