When the house across the way burns down, Julia takes in the two annoying little old ladies who have been left homeless. She's planning to leave on the next train anyway and has cleared all evidence of the naughty pictures she has taken to keep her independence.
An accident on the train line and a request to photograph the details of a crime scene, prevent her escape.
As Julia photographs the body of the murdered woman, she notices things that Inspector Collingwood wouldn't be aware of: the condition and quality of the woman's clothing, the movement of the body, the importance of the missing hat. Julia has a woman's perspective, an artist's perspective, and a past victim of abuse's perspective that the police lack.
Although her dream is to travel and take pictures of the wild places in the world, Julia also has an interest in the French use of crime scene photography, and Inspector Collingwood is smart enough to take advantage of a crime scene photographer and a woman's perspective. Julia's sympathy for the unidentified woman leads her to do some investigating on her own.
And Julia has a secret of her own that she is desperate to hide.
Snap Shot, the first in the series, introduces the characters and background, but Cast Iron can be read as a stand alone.
NetGalley/Sapere Books
Historical Mystery. Oct. 20, 2019. Print length: 221 pages.
Julia sounds like a great character! Another new series to explore. :)
ReplyDeleteThere is always a new series, isn't there? :)
DeleteI love when characters have interesting jobs...like photography. Makes me enjoy the mystery even more. :)
ReplyDeleteFrom taking pictures of the "recently departed" to naughty pictures to the early use of crime scene photography!
DeleteOh I think this one sounds very interesting. I'm going to check it out!
ReplyDeleteThe Victorian setting and photographic advances make this one interesting.
DeleteLove the sound of this series. Julia McAllister is independent and female in an era in which nice ladies didn't have to work, but her niche profession gives her a realistic advantage and way in to the detection of crime(s).
ReplyDeleteBeing a single woman and earning a living was difficult. It still is, but not as hard as in the late 1800's. Julia is an unusual protagonist is several ways--very modern for the period.
DeleteThese sound different enough to make the stand out in the crowd of mystery novels being written these days. The author was really clever to come up with the idea of using early photography like this.
ReplyDeleteEspecially using the historic use of using photography to document a crime scene as Bertillon was doing in France. :)
DeleteWhat an interesting premise this is! I need to find the first in the series, I think.
ReplyDelete:) Since there are only two in the series, it is easy to begin with the first book. When there are dozens in a series, it can be intimidating.
DeleteSuch an interesting profession for a Victorian mystery. I really need to give this series a try.
ReplyDeleteIt does have that independent Victorian woman theme that I like. Oh, and I just finished a new Tessa Arlen mystery with a new protagonist and setting. You like the Lady Montfort/Mrs. Jackson mysteries, don't you? The new series is set during WWII.
DeleteThe setting, the protagonist, and the early use of photography all make this sound like a good escape series.
DeleteIn the first book, I realized the French system was the one founded by Bertillon--which increased my interest. :)
DeleteI like a good mystery, and I always enjoy good historical mysteries that are informative as well as entertaining. :)
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a really interesting mystery. I like that the focus is on a female photographer. I will have to keep this series in mind.
ReplyDeleteEarly photography is interesting: creepy photos of the dead were in high demand, skimpily dressed or nude pictures were a well-paying niche for photographers, and then the use of photographs to solve crimes.
DeleteI think I have a copy of Snap Shot on my TBR pile. This sounds really good too!
ReplyDelete