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Out of the Limelight
When a flower girl is killed on the streets of Victorian London, two innocent comedians stand accused of her murder. Vilified by their audience, and hounded by a police sergeant seeking promotion, they find themselves in a murky world of deceit and lies; a world of conspirators and aristocrats, lovers and killers... *** Set in the rumbustious Music Hall of the late 19th century, 'Out of the Limelight' is a tale of conspiracy, murder and love. This is a gripping read - a Victorian novel with a contemporary flavour, full of colourful characters, warmth, wit and humour. *** SHADOW OF THE BRIDGE, a Farrow and Flint novella, is now available REFLECTION OF MURDER, the second Farrow and Flint novel, will be published later in the year
394 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 8, 2012
24 people are currently reading
139 people want to read
About the author
James Bagworth
2 books3 followersJames Bagworth is the author of the Farrow and Flint series of novels. A full-time writer, he has previously worked in theatre, as well as the retail, broadcasting and photographic industries. When not writing, he is a keen amateur cook and musician. A seasoned traveller, James currently lives in the rural plains of Buckinghamshire in England, along with his wife, dog, two cats and a flock of itinerant spiders.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 18, 2012
This was a nice little Easter treat when I downloaded this fun crime chase set in Victorian London, better than the rubbish Easter egg I got anyway. This novel combines two things that are literary cat-nip for me, a good crime novel, a bit of comedy and set in another century. That's three things but who's counting?
Out of the Limelight has two unusual detectives; Farrow and Flint, and they are a double act working the theatres of Victorian London music halls. They find themselves caught up in a murder investigation as a flower seller called Mary is found dead. A planned assassination, an alluring French singer, a police sergeant with an interesting hobby and a chase to find out what really happened to a dead hamster all contribute to a fast-paced adventure.
This is a gripping and fun read. The characters of Farrow and Flint are engaging and their humour crackles from the page. There are plenty of twists and turns and most of all, the author James Bagworth has made Victorian London cool. This is the first in a series, looking forward to the next one.
Out of the Limelight has two unusual detectives; Farrow and Flint, and they are a double act working the theatres of Victorian London music halls. They find themselves caught up in a murder investigation as a flower seller called Mary is found dead. A planned assassination, an alluring French singer, a police sergeant with an interesting hobby and a chase to find out what really happened to a dead hamster all contribute to a fast-paced adventure.
This is a gripping and fun read. The characters of Farrow and Flint are engaging and their humour crackles from the page. There are plenty of twists and turns and most of all, the author James Bagworth has made Victorian London cool. This is the first in a series, looking forward to the next one.
June 1, 2017
I got this as a freebie for my Kindle and when books are free they can sometimes be of dubious quality. This one was fine and I quite enjoyed it. I liked the Victorian music hall setting and the two main characters. It seemed to vary in pace quite a bit with sections of frenetic action and then long scenes of two people talking in a room. All in all it passed the time and I liked it while reading it, but don't remember a lot about it afterwards.
February 4, 2020
I really wanted to like this book but there were too many things wrong with it. I did enjoy the characters of Farrow and Flint. They reminded me of Laurel and Hardy. However, 1) some of the dialogue sounded too modern; 2) the plot had many holes and inconsistencies; and 3) there were some spelling and punctuation errors, which makes me wonder whether or not the author had a professional editor. Unfortunately because of these drawbacks, I can only give this book 2 stars.
September 16, 2020
Entertaining romp of a victorian mystery though some liberties taken with regard to historical accuracy - pet hamsters indeed!
March 6, 2018
Well worth your time
This who done it plot line was interesting in that two comedians stumble their way through this and survive. The police officer in charge of a murder investigation could not find his way out of a brown paper bag. When you get to the end you find that karma can be a bitch.
This who done it plot line was interesting in that two comedians stumble their way through this and survive. The police officer in charge of a murder investigation could not find his way out of a brown paper bag. When you get to the end you find that karma can be a bitch.
September 21, 2012
Flint and Farrow are two music hall entertainers, they are on stage at various London stablishments. They are accidently implicated in the gruesome death of a young woman. The reader follows them in their bumbling rather than skilled attempts at sleuthing, whilst they try to find the real killer.
The book is set in the Victorian era and in some of the scenes you can almost imagine a Bobby walking by in the fog. Saying that I also felt that now and again the book felt too modern, as if the writer kept slipping forward a few decades or so.
At the same time the reader is introduced to a female singer called Annelise, who is hiding from a mysterious man and a sinster sounding past.
I have to say that despite the fact the two stories merge somewhere along the way, that I think the Annelise subplot overshadowed the real stars and main storyline of the book. The Flint and Farrow characters are strong enough to captivate a reader for an entire book. Their amusing interaction combined with the policeman Wyatt and his overactive imagination, made for a good little crime mystery. Whereas the Annelise story was over complicated, mushy and reminiscent of a romance plot.
Hopefully the two wannabe sleuths will make another literary appearance in the near future with more a of leading role.
The book is set in the Victorian era and in some of the scenes you can almost imagine a Bobby walking by in the fog. Saying that I also felt that now and again the book felt too modern, as if the writer kept slipping forward a few decades or so.
At the same time the reader is introduced to a female singer called Annelise, who is hiding from a mysterious man and a sinster sounding past.
I have to say that despite the fact the two stories merge somewhere along the way, that I think the Annelise subplot overshadowed the real stars and main storyline of the book. The Flint and Farrow characters are strong enough to captivate a reader for an entire book. Their amusing interaction combined with the policeman Wyatt and his overactive imagination, made for a good little crime mystery. Whereas the Annelise story was over complicated, mushy and reminiscent of a romance plot.
Hopefully the two wannabe sleuths will make another literary appearance in the near future with more a of leading role.
August 15, 2012
This was better than I expected (after reading several other low-cost/self-published mystery e-books). Our heroes are a comedy double act in Victorian-era England. When they're accused of murdering a flower girl, they figure they better find out whodunit before they're hung whether they did it or not. I usually like a bit more description in my historical mysteries, but the plot ticks along nicely and with occasional flashes of humor.
November 18, 2014
Victorian England, a heinous murder, tons of suspects, twists, turns, and subplots, an unusual police detective, and two infinitely likable protagonists make for a delightful read. Loved the humor and the intelligent dialogue, and the clever way all the elements came together at the end. Can't wait for the implied sequel!
December 30, 2014
I really wanted to like this more because I was hoping to find a new Victorian mystery series, but this just didn't do it for me. No real chills, just a straightforward mystery, a little bit predictable, although at times I didn't really care too much-- I sped through it more to get to the end than because of a compulsion to read it...
October 29, 2014
Victorian mystery with the comedic duo of Flint and Farrow using their stage skills of bluff, magic, and acrobatics to track down the real murderer, after they were accused of the crime. Nice banter too and from, even if the history seemed a bit off and the police too Keystone cop.
August 19, 2012
A fun little mystery story
February 16, 2017
An interesting mystery set in a historical time period, but I have no idea of the accuracy of the historical elements. Enjoyable.
October 31, 2012
I see all these 4-5 stars. What am I missing? I findnthis book BORING! Ihave been trying and trying to hold on cuz I "know it'll get better" but it's not...I give up at 50% read
December 22, 2012
Fun read. I'd look for more by this debut author.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews