From description: Atticus Riot took a bullet to his head the day his partner was killed. Three years later, Riot returns to San Francisco to put his ghosts to rest, but the abduction of an heiress snags his attention. Two ransom demands are delivered, and the husband of the abducted Isobel Kingston is hiding the truth.
The clock is ticking. Can Riot find Mrs Kingston in time, or will she become one more regret among many?
The first chapter left me divided about continuing, but then the introduction of Isobel/Bel hooked me completely. As I read, I found myself wondering if Flynn intended the book to be about Atticus Riot, but fell in love with the socially incorrigible Bel. For me, the book began with the unpredictable Bel and her kick-ass personality.
A rollicking Victorian mystery set in San Francisco. Not perfect, I knit-picked about half a dozen things, but still enjoyed it immensely and went on to the next book.
Free with Kindle Unlimited.
Historical mystery. 2014. Print length: 270 pages.
Bel reinvents herself as a reporter and a member of the Ravenwood Detective Agency and her twin brother Lotario emerges in a larger secondary role. Oh, the gender-bending--Bel masquerades as a man at times, and Lotario as a woman.
The plot involves Riot and Bel working together to solve a number of "suicides."
I can't say these books are believable; they are pretty far-fetched. On the other hand, they both kept me interested in the plots and the characters. A small cast of secondary characters like Tim, Miss Lily, Tobias, and Grim make a likable group of supporters for the two main characters. And Lotario? Well, he's certainly a law unto himself. Or herself.
The books are like gobbling Halloween candy. I know a thing or two about that. :)
Kindle Unlimited.
Historical mystery. 2015. Print length: 377 pages.
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A great character can save an otherwise so-so read, can't they? And Bel sounds like a really great character. :)
ReplyDeleteBoth books kept me entertained. Maybe not realistic, but fun and a historical look at San Francisco. :)
DeleteI agree with Lark. Sometimes we are hooked with the character(s) more than the story itself. :)
ReplyDeleteThe plot were interesting as well, suspenseful and a bit far-fetched mysteries. :)
DeleteSometimes fun reading is just what we need, no matter how far-fetched or imperfect. Bel sounds like a great character!
ReplyDeleteShe was certainly a woman ahead of her time! :)
DeleteAnother fun series! And your experience shows that it can be advantageous to read a bit further in a book before giving up on it. Some books take a few chapters to get going!
ReplyDeleteTrue. Sometimes I don't always give a book a chance to catch my interest, and I'm glad I kept reading this one!
DeleteSounds like a fun series! And, love the funny cartoon of the witches. I'll have to share that with my mystery book group.
ReplyDeleteI love that cartoon! :)
DeleteInteresting books -- new titles and authors for me, so thank you :)
ReplyDeleteHistorical San Francisco makes a great setting for these mysteries!
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