Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Book Review of A Conventicle of Magpies: A victorian fantasy adventure

A Conventicle of Magpies: A victorian fantasy adventure
better0ffread avatar reviewed on + 51 more book reviews


A Conventicle of Magpies is a Victorian mystery adventure that leaves the reader wanting more.
The tale follows Rook, a girl who lives an alternative lifestyle as a pickpocket and much more. She belongs to a group called Conventicle of Magpies thieving to help provide for her sick mother and sisters at home. The city is being hunted by a serial killer who drains his victims of their blood because in this world blood is a valuable commodity. No one is safe from the killer not even Magpie's girls.
The city is at war the poor and rich hate each other and show it throughout the book. The poor steal from the rich and the rich turn their noses up when the poor are near. The police will not help the poor when they become victims of the killer's blade. So, the only hope they have are Magpie's girls and the Jaguars. It's a race to try to survive in this hard-tough industrial world where everyone is out for themselves.
I felt the LMR Clarke brought a world to life that was fleshed out with the darkness and despair around every corner. Rich with Victorian style and flair that would make Sherlock Holmes feel at home, this would be one mystery he would be intrigued to find the killer.