Tracey’s Reviews > A Murder at Rosamund's Gate > Status Update

And there it is. I'd read about this in other reviews. "...She took a deep breath and sealed her mouth right against the magistrate's and blew...she thumped on the magistrate's heart." Ladies and gents, I give you: Restoration Era CPR.

"She was holding a cup of tea to the little girl's head"

To her head? Is this some folk remedy I've never heard of?

"Perhaps if there were women on the jury…"

Why, it's as if he has a crystal ball and can see into the future.

"I have seen many a time when an accused man grows flustered, or is tongue-tied, or simply forgets to pose the right questions to his accusers"

Well. I have to say this is the simplest and clearest explanation for "why are there lawyers" that I've ever seen. This book owes a star in my eventual rating to this and a couple of other lessonings.

I just hope it's not the only star...

"We … got bloody hammered once"

And the little ground gained by my being taught something goes away. Unless I'm also wrong that a 17th century gentleman would never say "bloody hammered"? When did "hammered" come into use? Should I have to do this much checking up on a book's accuracy?

"One [Quaker], Jacob, plied me with spirits"

Huh? I thought ... *search* Well. If nothing else, I'm learning a little from this book; I thought Quakers were prohibitionist, but from what I'm finding they do not and apparently did not forbid alcohol (or tobacco). Good to know.

"… the terrible images that had just assaulted her senses"

Now it's more than just her nose being attacked. On the one hand, it's clever to use violent words to underscore the violence of the prison. On the other hand, using the same word twice and a similar word in a third spot, all within a very short span of "pages", isn't so clever.

"… And, frankly, he was filthy."

Well, he (Our Heroine's brother Will) has been in Newgate prison for two weeks. "Filthy" is par for the course, especially the way the prison is described here; frankly, if he wasn't it would be highly suspicious.

Also - again, he's been there two weeks. And she's just going to visit him for the first time.

Gee, thanks, sis. You do remember I exist.

50% "…could you do with a spot of wine?" … A few minutes later, this is referred to as "a few swigs of spirits". Has "spirits" EVER referred to wine?

*searches* Aha - "spirits" are distilled. Wine is not distilled. Therefore.

@ 49% ... a horrible stench assailed her nose...

@50% ... a great stench assaulted her nose ...

Her poor nose. Such violence.