If, like me, you are a fan of historical mysteries, than do yourself a favor and order this book. It has a lot going for it. For one thing, it is extremely well researched and written. The world of 1889 London is vividly created and brought to life in the pages of The Affair of the Porcelain Dog. Whether its the specific composition of a gentlemans cologne or what the inside of a hansom cab looks and feels like or the décor of a typical rich mans home, the details are all here to help you recreate Victorian London in your mind as you read the book. Clearly Faraday has done the needed research and then some; time and time again I was astounded at the rich detail that set the scene. You never get bogged down in extraneous minutiae, but time and time again I was struck with the vividness of the authors word play.
The plot, too, is excellent. It twists and weaves, unfolding in a rich story that keeps you guessing until the end. But getting there is so much fun. Told in the first person by Ira Adlera complex, multilayered characterhis story is a fascinating one that involves multiple characters that are all fully drawn and interesting. A loving but ruthless crime lord, beautiful rent boys, a mysterious Asian woman who is not what she seems, a gifted doctor working with the poor, abandoned children, cocaine dealers: an amazing cast of characters lights up the pages, making you want to read just one more chapter before putting the book down.
The wonderfully alive characters, the detailed and atmospheric setting, the twisting plot that keeps you guessing until the last pagesa perfect recipe for a great escape. Get this book!
The plot, too, is excellent. It twists and weaves, unfolding in a rich story that keeps you guessing until the end. But getting there is so much fun. Told in the first person by Ira Adlera complex, multilayered characterhis story is a fascinating one that involves multiple characters that are all fully drawn and interesting. A loving but ruthless crime lord, beautiful rent boys, a mysterious Asian woman who is not what she seems, a gifted doctor working with the poor, abandoned children, cocaine dealers: an amazing cast of characters lights up the pages, making you want to read just one more chapter before putting the book down.
The wonderfully alive characters, the detailed and atmospheric setting, the twisting plot that keeps you guessing until the last pagesa perfect recipe for a great escape. Get this book!
Helpful Score: 1
Set in 1889 London, our hero (Ira Adler) is a former rent-boy who landed a soft position as secretary/lover of a crime kingpin. But the kingpin is being blackmailed about his sexual orientation at a time when homosexuality was a crime, so Ira sets out to recover the incriminating evidence. He encounters former friends and current enemies, and discovers a crime that he finds it hard to ignore. His actions change his life. I enjoyed the voice of the hero and the mystery.(
