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A Most Malicious Murder
Not all monsters are fictional.
In an alternate 1851, Edgar Allan Poe has finally overcome his demons. Married to his childhood sweetheart Elmira and with a successful writing career, he's now touring England with his popular lecture series. But Poe's notoriously bad luck returns with a vengeance during a stop in Oxford, leaving him implicated in the gory murder of a chambermaid.
Alone and desperate, Poe must recruit a shy young undergraduate named Charles Dodgson (soon to be known as Lewis Carroll) to help him clear his name. Can this most unlikely pair of detectives track down the killer before Poe hangs for a crime he didn’t commit?
In an alternate 1851, Edgar Allan Poe has finally overcome his demons. Married to his childhood sweetheart Elmira and with a successful writing career, he's now touring England with his popular lecture series. But Poe's notoriously bad luck returns with a vengeance during a stop in Oxford, leaving him implicated in the gory murder of a chambermaid.
Alone and desperate, Poe must recruit a shy young undergraduate named Charles Dodgson (soon to be known as Lewis Carroll) to help him clear his name. Can this most unlikely pair of detectives track down the killer before Poe hangs for a crime he didn’t commit?
- GenresMystery
203 pages, ebook
First published August 31, 2021
5 people are currently reading
28 people want to read
About the author
Melanie Fletcher
15 books9 followersMelanie Fletcher is an expatriate Chicagoan who currently lives in North Dallas with her husband the Bodacious Brit™ and their four fabulous furbags JJ, Jordan, Jessica, and Jeremy (yes, they were following a theme, moving along now).
When not herding cats, she turns into SF Writer Girl, and has the SFWA Active membership to prove it. Her first novel, the alternate history mystery A MOST MALICIOUS MURDER, will be released in August 2021.
When not herding cats, she turns into SF Writer Girl, and has the SFWA Active membership to prove it. Her first novel, the alternate history mystery A MOST MALICIOUS MURDER, will be released in August 2021.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
November 27, 2022
The Cat’s Meow
Fabulous book! Took my mind to a different time and place and provided a well thought out story line. Melanie’s use of vocabulary was particularly masterful as if the reader was truly in the character’s head. Visually well done while providing the reader with relevant details. Bravo!
Fabulous book! Took my mind to a different time and place and provided a well thought out story line. Melanie’s use of vocabulary was particularly masterful as if the reader was truly in the character’s head. Visually well done while providing the reader with relevant details. Bravo!
September 22, 2021
(I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.)
What if Edgar Allan Poe had not died in 1849 and turned his life around? Then finds himself on tour in England trying to drum up subscriptions for his brainchild, The Stylus magazine? His first stop is Oxford for a talk at Christ Church, one of the largest colleges at the University. Yet, a nasty encounter and a pushy publisher lead him to cave to his alcohol craving imp's wishes, despite his promise to his second wife not to imbibe. A lapse he comes to doubly regret when he awakens in the wrong room of the hotel but a foot or two from a murdered maid.
Melanie Fletcher does an outstanding job of weaving what has been to what could have been. The details are vivid, and she expertly shows the amalgamation that is Oxford and its varied challenges. Including Charles Dodgson before he became the famed Lewis Carroll adds a nice layer, as we see the author in his still formative years.
The two men, different in temperament, country, and age, must find ways to deal with one another and accept what each brings to the table in order to clear Poe's name and catch a murderer. With the viewpoints shifting from Poe to Dodgson and the killer, readers will get an immersive view of events.
A Most Malicious Murder is a sensory delicious and fast-moving read.
What if Edgar Allan Poe had not died in 1849 and turned his life around? Then finds himself on tour in England trying to drum up subscriptions for his brainchild, The Stylus magazine? His first stop is Oxford for a talk at Christ Church, one of the largest colleges at the University. Yet, a nasty encounter and a pushy publisher lead him to cave to his alcohol craving imp's wishes, despite his promise to his second wife not to imbibe. A lapse he comes to doubly regret when he awakens in the wrong room of the hotel but a foot or two from a murdered maid.
Melanie Fletcher does an outstanding job of weaving what has been to what could have been. The details are vivid, and she expertly shows the amalgamation that is Oxford and its varied challenges. Including Charles Dodgson before he became the famed Lewis Carroll adds a nice layer, as we see the author in his still formative years.
The two men, different in temperament, country, and age, must find ways to deal with one another and accept what each brings to the table in order to clear Poe's name and catch a murderer. With the viewpoints shifting from Poe to Dodgson and the killer, readers will get an immersive view of events.
A Most Malicious Murder is a sensory delicious and fast-moving read.
September 10, 2021
What is Edgar Allan Poe had not died mysteriously, but overcome his demons and married his childhood sweetheart? As a life long Poe fan, when I read the description for this one, I knew I had to read it.
I am intrigued by alternate history timeline stories and this one was fantastic. In this story, Edgar Allan Poe did not die in 1849 of mysterious circumstances. Instead, he married Elmira and set out on a book tour through England, performing readings of his most famous work. One night he has too much to drink and the next morning after a chambermaid is found dead, he is a suspect. Drawing on his own character creation, Inspector Dupin, can he unravel the clues in time to save not only his reputation but the life of an innocent man?
The story is unique, ingenious and well written. With charming characters, a wonderful setting and an ending that is worthy of Dupin himself, this story is sure to hold your attention and keep you guessing until the very end. I felt the pacing was nice and I loved the back and forth between what Poe was experiencing and what the killer was experiencing. I look forward to more from this author. I received this book for free from Booksirens for an honest review.
I am intrigued by alternate history timeline stories and this one was fantastic. In this story, Edgar Allan Poe did not die in 1849 of mysterious circumstances. Instead, he married Elmira and set out on a book tour through England, performing readings of his most famous work. One night he has too much to drink and the next morning after a chambermaid is found dead, he is a suspect. Drawing on his own character creation, Inspector Dupin, can he unravel the clues in time to save not only his reputation but the life of an innocent man?
The story is unique, ingenious and well written. With charming characters, a wonderful setting and an ending that is worthy of Dupin himself, this story is sure to hold your attention and keep you guessing until the very end. I felt the pacing was nice and I loved the back and forth between what Poe was experiencing and what the killer was experiencing. I look forward to more from this author. I received this book for free from Booksirens for an honest review.
April 25, 2022
A most Malicious Murder is a fun smooth read. The level of interest picks up early on in the story, not wasting any time, and is confidently maintained throughout the book. The "whodunit" element is also satisfying, sending the reader to shift the assumption of guilt from one suspect to the next. Despite its premise, it's a very nice and light read for aficionados of thrillers, Victorian fiction, and crime novels.
On the flip side, the story is not particularly historically accurate, as far as I can discern. Not that it matters very much if one is not a stickler, as perhaps I tend to be. Also, despite the Victorian backdrop, the writing is very unmistakably American.
Finally author Melanie Fletcher would have done better, I think, if the ending was shorter and more concentrated. The book continues a little too long after the story ends. That said, if there will be a sequel I will definitely pick it up.
On the flip side, the story is not particularly historically accurate, as far as I can discern. Not that it matters very much if one is not a stickler, as perhaps I tend to be. Also, despite the Victorian backdrop, the writing is very unmistakably American.
Finally author Melanie Fletcher would have done better, I think, if the ending was shorter and more concentrated. The book continues a little too long after the story ends. That said, if there will be a sequel I will definitely pick it up.
November 22, 2021
Edgar Allen Poe is on a tour of the universities of England, His first stop Oxford. He's worried about his wife who's had a rough time on the way over. Hes had a bit too much to drink to celebrate his success he then wakes up in what he thinks is his room with a very sore head and a dead chambermaid at the bottom of his bed on the floor!
He must do everything he can to clear his name so he can continue with his tour.
It is an absolutely encapsulating story it did remind me a bit of Sherlock and Watson. It's very well written and captures your imagination from the start!
The murder scenes are rather gruesome but then murders aren't meant to be pretty are they! The air of mystery through out the novel keeps you wanting to read through to the end to find out whodunit and why?
a fantastic mystery to keep you captivated.
He must do everything he can to clear his name so he can continue with his tour.
It is an absolutely encapsulating story it did remind me a bit of Sherlock and Watson. It's very well written and captures your imagination from the start!
The murder scenes are rather gruesome but then murders aren't meant to be pretty are they! The air of mystery through out the novel keeps you wanting to read through to the end to find out whodunit and why?
a fantastic mystery to keep you captivated.
September 30, 2021
First of all thanks to Booksirens and the author who allowed me to have an advance review copy for free.
I really enjoyed reading this novel. This is a murder mystery which is set in an alternative London in which Edgar Allan Poe would have met a young Lewis Carroll.
I found that the plot of the story was well-developped and it was really well written. Even though I wasn't that surprised when the murderer was revealed, it was still very enjoyable. It was the kind of book that you can't really put down and that makes you want to know the end.
The characters were quite good and I was personally intrigued by Lady Georgiana. I do hope for her to get a story of her own some day.
I really enjoyed reading this novel. This is a murder mystery which is set in an alternative London in which Edgar Allan Poe would have met a young Lewis Carroll.
I found that the plot of the story was well-developped and it was really well written. Even though I wasn't that surprised when the murderer was revealed, it was still very enjoyable. It was the kind of book that you can't really put down and that makes you want to know the end.
The characters were quite good and I was personally intrigued by Lady Georgiana. I do hope for her to get a story of her own some day.
January 25, 2022
What if Edgar Allan Poe didn’t die in 1849, but instead married his sweetheart and toured England spreading his marvelous works? On tour in England, starting in Oxford to do just that, but one day after a night of a few too many he awakes caught up in a murder mystery and must do what he can to clear his name.
This book was a fascinating and tantalizing murder mystery, that kept me on the edge of my seat.
**disclaimer** I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book was a fascinating and tantalizing murder mystery, that kept me on the edge of my seat.
**disclaimer** I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 6, 2025
As I'm not generally one for alternate history, I wasn't sure I was going to like this book when I started it. Much to my surprise I quickly became so engrossed in the tale that I had a very difficult time putting down the book. I think it started with the imagery but it quickly progressed to the storyline itself. The tale was so twisty that when the reveal came I was genuinely surprised for a moment. Yes, the author did that good of a job penning the story. I sincerely hope there will be more alternate history stories about Mr. Poe from this author.
September 11, 2021
A what if book. I fell in love with it. I don't know that much about authors like Poe and Carroll. So the story was surprising that Carroll is a pen name for Charles Dodgson. (Who knew?) I was surprised about that. The story was excellent, I thought. It was exciting and so believable. I got goosebumps all over. Some of the corpses was scary and horrifying. I received a complimentary review copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
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October 8, 2021This book was written well. The author had a wonderful way of making you feel as you were right in the story. I liked the idea of Edgar Allen Poe and Lewis Carroll meeting at Oxford and working together to solve a murder. I gave this book 3 stars because even though I liked the book, it didn’t grab my attention so it took me longer to read. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 6, 2021
A fictional novel with Edgar Allen Poe being accused of murder, more than once, and how he decides to think like his character, Inspector Dupin, to find the real killer. Wonderful settings, ingenious plots, and magnetic personalities, Ms. Fletcher has produced a first rate story sure to hold your interest throughout. Highly Recommended.
I received an ARC for free and this is my honest review.
I received an ARC for free and this is my honest review.
September 15, 2021
Fletcher combines alternate history and mystery in this tale of Edgar Allan Poe and the life he should have had. Together with a young Charles Dodgson, he must find the killer of a kindly young chambermaid before the police make up their minds to arrest him instead. Charmingly written and brimful of lovely bits about Oxford, this is a mystery not to be missed.
September 21, 2021
This was a wonderfully done alternative history novel, I enjoyed seeing the what ifs of Edgar Allan Poe's world. It was perfectly done and so well written, the characters felt on point and I had a lot of fun reading this.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 18, 2023
Frenetically Entertaining!
I was excited to hear about this book because it combines so many things that I love: Poe, literature, Oxford, mysteries, and the intertwining of historical people in unusual ways. I was delighted by this story! I would happily read a sequel if one should be written.
I was excited to hear about this book because it combines so many things that I love: Poe, literature, Oxford, mysteries, and the intertwining of historical people in unusual ways. I was delighted by this story! I would happily read a sequel if one should be written.
July 5, 2025
A very entertaining alternative history mystery in which what if Poe hadn't died, had remarried, given up alcohol, and went on a book tour in England where he stops a madman from his murderous rampage. Great twists and exciting scenes (as well as some gruesome ones).
December 6, 2021
Nevermore Could a Raven Be Like a Writing Desk
I really enjoyed reading this alternate history crime novel. It's always fun to throw actual historical figures together to see how they would respond to each other, and the altered world that author Melanie Fletcher created seems entirely believable. She's a good writer.
The combination of Edgar Allan Poe with Charles Dodgson, both having made such an impact on fiction, was inspired. Both are cult figures and I imagine that their fans will love this book, especially since it gives Poe some additional longevity.
I was fortunate to obtain a free advanced reading copy of A Most Malicious Murder, courtesy of the author and BookSirens. My review is not influenced by the source of the material, however. I think A Most Malicious Murder is a wonderful read.
I really enjoyed reading this alternate history crime novel. It's always fun to throw actual historical figures together to see how they would respond to each other, and the altered world that author Melanie Fletcher created seems entirely believable. She's a good writer.
The combination of Edgar Allan Poe with Charles Dodgson, both having made such an impact on fiction, was inspired. Both are cult figures and I imagine that their fans will love this book, especially since it gives Poe some additional longevity.
I was fortunate to obtain a free advanced reading copy of A Most Malicious Murder, courtesy of the author and BookSirens. My review is not influenced by the source of the material, however. I think A Most Malicious Murder is a wonderful read.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews