What do you think?
Rate this book
Cragg & Fidelis Mystery #2
Dark Waters
The setting for the second Cragg and Fidelis mystery is again Georgian Preston, with the time moving forward a year to 1741.
When the pair are called to the drowning of the landlord of the Ferry Inn, whose corpse has turned up entangled in the River Ribble’s salmon traps, a complex investigation begins in which love, greed and politics all take a hand. A national general election campaign is on, with Preston’s two parliamentary seats being contested, and the town in a ferment of political debate punctuated by sporadic violence. The outbreak of deadly sickness that strikes a week before voting looks like a natural epidemic, but Dr Fidelis is convinced it is man-made and the possibility opens up that someone is trying to disrupt the vote. Is the mysterious political agent Denis Destercore part of the plot? And what of the role played by the town’s rat-catcher, and his beautiful grand-daughter Maggie, as she wins an election of her own as Preston’s May Queen?
As the investigation proceeds Fidelis is led to conduct a strange forensic experiment, while Cragg seeks inspiration in his library, from writers as varied as Chaucer, Aesop and Izaak Walton.
http://us.macmillan.com/darkwaters/Ro...
When the pair are called to the drowning of the landlord of the Ferry Inn, whose corpse has turned up entangled in the River Ribble’s salmon traps, a complex investigation begins in which love, greed and politics all take a hand. A national general election campaign is on, with Preston’s two parliamentary seats being contested, and the town in a ferment of political debate punctuated by sporadic violence. The outbreak of deadly sickness that strikes a week before voting looks like a natural epidemic, but Dr Fidelis is convinced it is man-made and the possibility opens up that someone is trying to disrupt the vote. Is the mysterious political agent Denis Destercore part of the plot? And what of the role played by the town’s rat-catcher, and his beautiful grand-daughter Maggie, as she wins an election of her own as Preston’s May Queen?
As the investigation proceeds Fidelis is led to conduct a strange forensic experiment, while Cragg seeks inspiration in his library, from writers as varied as Chaucer, Aesop and Izaak Walton.
http://us.macmillan.com/darkwaters/Ro...
304 pages, Paperback
First published August 2, 2012
7 people are currently reading
349 people want to read
About the author
Robin Blake
23 books35 followersRobin Blake is the author of acclaimed works on the artists Van Dyke and Stubbs. He has written, produced and presented extensively for radio, is widely published as a critic, and is a Royal Literary Fund Fellow at Brunel University. He lives in London.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
December 16, 2021
Set in the, then small town of Preston in Lancashire and features the lawyer and coroner Titus Cragg. Together with his friend the local Doctor, Luke Fidelis they start an investigation when Antony Egan is pulled from the river Ribble where he had drowned. As the town fills with political factions of the Tories and Whigs in preparation for the first contested Parliamentary election for over 20 years and more mystery ensues.
Doctor Fidelis has some early forensic skills that help to sort murder from an accident. Are the deaths political or are there more than Craggs has yet to discover? A well-crafted plot and plenty of action and interesting characters make this a good read.6
4stars
Doctor Fidelis has some early forensic skills that help to sort murder from an accident. Are the deaths political or are there more than Craggs has yet to discover? A well-crafted plot and plenty of action and interesting characters make this a good read.6
4stars
May 9, 2016
I think I enjoyed learning about the election process more than the mystery. I can see where some readers might find this novel to be a bit dry and an information overload. However, I found it fascinating.
March 26, 2021
I enjoyed reading the first of this series and moved straight on to this.
Although I still admire the style of writing and the way the story moves quickly, I regret that it didn't appeal as much as its predecessor.
Of some necessity because of the plot, there was quite a large 'cast' involved and I found that I hadn't fixed each firmly enough in mind. By midway I had lost track of many and, perhaps of greater importance, where each's political allegiances lay.
Undoubtedly the fault here was mine and I should have concentrated more ( or perhaps should have drawn one of my character maps) but I fear that some blame must stay with the author.
As I said about the previous book, I know little about this period history and this book gives a disturbing incite into the early days of our democracy and the election process in particular.
The background notes were extremely useful in filling in the historical facts surrounding the political scene of the time and really set the stage for the action in the story. If I had realized just how much, I would have read this section first.
Despite my negatives, it was still an enjoyable read which in no way deters me from the rest of the series.
Although I still admire the style of writing and the way the story moves quickly, I regret that it didn't appeal as much as its predecessor.
Of some necessity because of the plot, there was quite a large 'cast' involved and I found that I hadn't fixed each firmly enough in mind. By midway I had lost track of many and, perhaps of greater importance, where each's political allegiances lay.
Undoubtedly the fault here was mine and I should have concentrated more ( or perhaps should have drawn one of my character maps) but I fear that some blame must stay with the author.
As I said about the previous book, I know little about this period history and this book gives a disturbing incite into the early days of our democracy and the election process in particular.
The background notes were extremely useful in filling in the historical facts surrounding the political scene of the time and really set the stage for the action in the story. If I had realized just how much, I would have read this section first.
Despite my negatives, it was still an enjoyable read which in no way deters me from the rest of the series.
July 29, 2017
I was reluctant to continue to read this book after the first chapters as I am American and do not know anything about British politics let alone mid 18th century British politics. But, I had won this book in a goodreads giveaway and felt obligated. By the fifth chapter I was hooked. Mr. Blake is very good with red herrings. I can honestly say that this is now one of my favorite historical mysteries. Plus, thrown into the pot are the beginnings of "Rule Britannia" and, how the voting process worked in the mid 1700's. All the while there are some murders to be solved and, for me, an ending I did not see coming. I loved this book and look forward to more in this series.
August 22, 2013
Goodreads Giveaway
While I have not read the first Cragg & Fidelis mystery I did not have any trouble picking up this, the second in the series. Twists and turns in the investigation of a series of suspicious deaths, including some interesting early forensic techniques, set against a back drop of hotly contested Parlimentary elections. Kept me reading and I will look for more in this series.
While I have not read the first Cragg & Fidelis mystery I did not have any trouble picking up this, the second in the series. Twists and turns in the investigation of a series of suspicious deaths, including some interesting early forensic techniques, set against a back drop of hotly contested Parlimentary elections. Kept me reading and I will look for more in this series.
May 28, 2018
Second entry in the series is just as entertaining and compelling as the first. Using his friend Dr. Luke Fidelis as his Watson, Titus Cragg undertakes to solve what becomes a series of murders while following the fortunes of political intrigue in Preston.
What I especially appreciate is that Coroner Cragg goes about his business without the edition of superfluous conflict -- hes the coroner and he's allowed to do his job -- no page-inflating troubles here.
What I especially appreciate is that Coroner Cragg goes about his business without the edition of superfluous conflict -- hes the coroner and he's allowed to do his job -- no page-inflating troubles here.
March 25, 2021
I enjoyed the first book in the series but didn't enjoy this one.
The book is well written but the plot & storyline I found boring. So this is really a personal opinion and I would advise people who have had read the first one to bear this in mind & not to be put off reading this book. Read the scenario first before making up your mind.
As I didn't enjoy it I can only give it 3 stars but appreciate how well the book is written.
The book is well written but the plot & storyline I found boring. So this is really a personal opinion and I would advise people who have had read the first one to bear this in mind & not to be put off reading this book. Read the scenario first before making up your mind.
As I didn't enjoy it I can only give it 3 stars but appreciate how well the book is written.
October 22, 2018
I gave up halfway through. (If I'd been visiting Preston in 1741, I would have hurried away as soon as I could.) While Cragg and Fidelis are decent people, and their methods of detection are probably quite appropriate for their time, the story just was not engaging.
June 13, 2017
Solid historical crime writing. Well researched feels authentic, feisty characters.
June 17, 2017
Couldn't finish this book .......
October 22, 2017
Another good historical 1740's mystery set in Preston in Lancashire, the 2nd in a series.
December 2, 2017
Simply excellent!!!!
April 30, 2018
At first I was bored, but with each new chapter, it became like I couldn't put the book down. I loved it
March 8, 2019
Couldn’t put it down!
October 13, 2021
Far better than No. 1 in the series. Better story line, more character depth and fast paced. Well written and nice twists too.
February 25, 2022
Pretty good whodunnit, mostly enhanced by the fact that it's set in my home town.
March 11, 2017
This one is also good because an important part of the plot is the intriguing by the mayor and city council; the mayor is not a friend to Cragg, but as he is a crown appointment, there is not much the mayor can do about it. Also part of the plot is the electioneering and election of MPs, so we learn about how politics is played out on the local level. I like historical mysteries that really make some or more aspect/s of life back then part of the plot, rather than those "historical" mysteries that just plop a modern character back in time dressed in the then style but modern in thought and manner. Why bother with all that? Fidelis and Elizabeth are developed as characters. It is not clear how old Cragg is but I am thinking 40ish at most. Elizabeth is somewhere in her 20's and Fidelis in his late 20's.
February 14, 2017
The book takes place in Preston, England in 1741. A man is found drowned, and Titus Cragg, the coroner is called. There is about to be an election, and there are two candidates each for the Whiggs and the Tories, and a lot of competition. Soon another man is found dead and Titus and his friend Dr. Fidelis find it was from poisoning. It soon appears that there might be a political reason for the deaths. Fidelis manages to prevent Titus being killed by a cudgel. Things are pretty confusing, but together, Cragg and Fidelis manage to figure everything out.
July 26, 2013
Disclaimer: I received this book in a Goodreads giveaway on the premise that I would review it. My copy was an Advance Reading Copy, and there may be minor changes in the final product.
Dark Waters by Robin Blake
It is the Year of Our Lord 1741 in the small but bustling English town of Preston. Attorney and coroner Titus Cragg is shocked but not surprised to find his drunkard uncle-in-law has fallen into the river and drowned. The coroner's jury rules it an accidental death, and that seems to be an end of it.
But then a man falls dead under suspicious circumstances just before a hotly contested election is scheduled, and it just so happens that he shares strong political beliefs with the first to die. Is there a political conspiracy afoot? Mr. Cragg must unravel the riddle with the help of the young and scientifically inclined Dr. Luke Fidelis before there's no more room to store the bodies.
This is the second historical mystery featuring the team of Cragg & Fidelis; I have not read the first. There are author's notes at the end concerning the politics and monetary system of the time, which enhance the value of the book. The characters are likable, and the plot moves well.
Trigger Warning: period slut-shaming.
This is good of its kind, and I recommend it to historical mystery fans.
Dark Waters by Robin Blake
It is the Year of Our Lord 1741 in the small but bustling English town of Preston. Attorney and coroner Titus Cragg is shocked but not surprised to find his drunkard uncle-in-law has fallen into the river and drowned. The coroner's jury rules it an accidental death, and that seems to be an end of it.
But then a man falls dead under suspicious circumstances just before a hotly contested election is scheduled, and it just so happens that he shares strong political beliefs with the first to die. Is there a political conspiracy afoot? Mr. Cragg must unravel the riddle with the help of the young and scientifically inclined Dr. Luke Fidelis before there's no more room to store the bodies.
This is the second historical mystery featuring the team of Cragg & Fidelis; I have not read the first. There are author's notes at the end concerning the politics and monetary system of the time, which enhance the value of the book. The characters are likable, and the plot moves well.
Trigger Warning: period slut-shaming.
This is good of its kind, and I recommend it to historical mystery fans.
February 15, 2017
over wordy no substance
February 10, 2017
Second in this excellent series. Well up to the standard of the first
July 29, 2015
I like this team of Cragg and Fidelis. There are some moments of humor in Fidelis's character and Cragg's intimacies with his wife are fun and often funny. I like her (Elizabeth) a lot. The mysteries are intriguing given the setting (an english town) and the era (mid 1700s.) I really like books that give me some sense of living in the locality of them while I am reading. This is one such book. Well written, interesting, good characters and seems historically well researched. All three of his Cragg and Fidelis books have been good reads. I recommend them.
July 28, 2016
I enjoy the main characters in this mystery series and appreciate the historical details of the era that are included. I kind of got lost in the weeds with this one, with an abundance of minor characters and loads of political information. Even in the final chapters I was continually having to remind myself who everyone was and what political party they belonged to, much less trying to figure out the methods and motives of the perpetrators. Although this book wasn't a favorite, I'll continue to give this series a chance, and look forward to the next installment.
June 22, 2014
I received this book as a Giveaway. I had read the first book in the series already, so the characters were not new to me. I enjoyed all the twists and turns throughout the story, but thought there was a lot in the book that could have been left out without making any major changes to the book. I read mystery book that are mostly staged in the past and in the British Isles. Their way of voting was very interesting. I liked the previous book better.
June 17, 2015
Construction of plot misleads the reader who would like to solve the mystery along with the main characters of this series, the coroner and the doctor. Both these characters are appealing but I do lose patience with this flavor of trickery. I am plowing ahead to the next book in series, the latest. Then I will decide whether to follow this author. There is interesting historical information, so that might be enough to keep me going.
November 3, 2016
A better book than the previous A Dark Anatomy, and an interesting look at the voting process in 1741 England. While well written and historically accurate, I felt that the ending was somewhat contrived in a too hasty manner. Still, I'll be waiting for another in the series.
August 3, 2013
I'm sorry to say that this book was not a great read. It was long, too long, and while I felt I got to know a few characters they were not enough to hold my interest. As I received it as a advanced reading copy, I felt an obligation to finish it. I do enjoy mysteries, but not particularly set in the 18th century.
I am only glad the author did not write it in "old english speak".
I am only glad the author did not write it in "old english speak".
September 13, 2013
Very good. Historical mystery of the mid-18th century, rural England, with political commentary. Several murders occur as the town prepares for the first contested election of the county's MP in some years, while the coroner Titus Cragg and his pal the young doctor try to seek the culprits and prevent more deaths. Human frailties abound....and humor.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews