The Bookish Island's Book Review:
She Be Damned by M. J. Tjia
Are there spoilers?
No.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Disclaimer:This book was sent to me from the publishing company through NetGalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
Title: She Be Damned
Author: M. J. Tjia
Series: Heloise Chansey Mysteries #1
.........................................................
Pages: 288
Publisher: Legend Times Group
Published: 2018
Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Fiction
.........................................................
Date Read: June 28, 2018
Rating: ★★★★★
London, 1863: prostitutes in the Waterloo area are turning up dead, their sexual organs mutilated and removed. When another girl goes missing, fears grow that the killer may have claimed their latest victim.
The police are at a loss and so it falls to courtesan and professional detective, Heloise Chancey, to investigate.
With the assistance of her trusty Chinese maid, Amah Li Leen, Heloise inches closer to the truth. But when Amah is implicated in the brutal plot, Heloise must reconsider who she can trust, before the killer strikes again.
Tjia brings us a pacey and exciting murder mystery set in Victorian London. This historical crime thriller sees a young female detective work with the police to evade a violent killer.
The Rating:
My Review:
I managed to read this book in one day. And I can say it really took me for a ride.
This book contains a series of very dark and adult themes. Like mutilation and the such (I'm not going to say more since I don't want to spoil it) and racism and sexism. Mostly because it was set in 1863's London.
It opened up with a strong prologue. Immediately telling you what to expect for the rest of the book.
The murders that occurred in this book reminded me of Jack the Ripper.
I have to admit that the mystery was fantastic, gruesome, but good. I didn't know who the suspect was at all.
Heloise is such an interesting character in my opinion. I don't think I've read any other character like her.
She doesn't take no shit from no one. And isn't afraid to use her skills to her advantage.
I was reminded of Phryne from Miss Fisher's Murder Mystery with this book. Not that I have read the books so I don't know if they are similar to the show but Phryne from the show is similar to Heloise.
Not only are Heloise and Phryne similarly strong, independent women who just happen to surround themselves with people who are willing to protect and care deeply for them. They both wanted to escape the evils of their pasts and achieve the slightest slivers of happiness and peace wherever they could find it.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Welcome, all lovely booknerds!