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The Northminster Mysteries #2
The Dead Songbird
“Death is too good for a whore like you. But He may show you mercy yet. BE PREPARED”
Celebrated singer Anna Morgan has come to Northminster to escape a troubled past and sing at the city's Handel Festival. But when she continues to receive the poisonous letters that have been plaguing her, she turns to Chief Constable Major Giles Vernon and Police Surgeon Felix Carswell to find her persecutor, drawing the two men into her charismatic orbit.
At the same time a talented young tenor is found dead in curious circumstances in a locked chapel, and the hunt for a murderer is on. Together, Vernon and Carswell must untangle the web of secrets that surround the dead man, uncovering a Northminster that throbs with clandestine passions and thwarted desires, a world of illegal pornographic books and risqué theatricals.
However, Felix finds himself bedevilled by romantic feelings for the beautiful Anna, who may or may not be his father's mistress, while Giles must face the tragedy of his own marriage before he is able to determine the truth behind the mystery of The Dead Songbird.
The Dead Songbird is the second Northminster Mystery featuring early-Victorian detectives Vernon and Carswell.
Celebrated singer Anna Morgan has come to Northminster to escape a troubled past and sing at the city's Handel Festival. But when she continues to receive the poisonous letters that have been plaguing her, she turns to Chief Constable Major Giles Vernon and Police Surgeon Felix Carswell to find her persecutor, drawing the two men into her charismatic orbit.
At the same time a talented young tenor is found dead in curious circumstances in a locked chapel, and the hunt for a murderer is on. Together, Vernon and Carswell must untangle the web of secrets that surround the dead man, uncovering a Northminster that throbs with clandestine passions and thwarted desires, a world of illegal pornographic books and risqué theatricals.
However, Felix finds himself bedevilled by romantic feelings for the beautiful Anna, who may or may not be his father's mistress, while Giles must face the tragedy of his own marriage before he is able to determine the truth behind the mystery of The Dead Songbird.
The Dead Songbird is the second Northminster Mystery featuring early-Victorian detectives Vernon and Carswell.
379 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 7, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
February 4, 2017
Certainly a better read - and book - than the first in this series, but once again the question is: are the characters solving crime or looking for love? This lack of focus detracts as it distracts.
May 9, 2016
Back to the 19th century where we learn more about Felix Carswell and Major Giles Vernon.
Again, I am wowed by this story.
Getting to know Felix it's becoming clear that he is not only a young man (who needs a good smack) but he's very conflicted as far as his relationship is to Lord Rothborough and women.
Major Vernon appears stronger but here we learn more about his weakness... and how tragic is his life!
On to the third in the series!
Again, I am wowed by this story.
Getting to know Felix it's becoming clear that he is not only a young man (who needs a good smack) but he's very conflicted as far as his relationship is to Lord Rothborough and women.
Major Vernon appears stronger but here we learn more about his weakness... and how tragic is his life!
On to the third in the series!
April 14, 2018
Another enjoyable book in this series!
October 19, 2019
I very much enjoyed reading the further adventures of Chief Constable Giles Vernon and Police Surgeon Felix Carswell. Both characters were imperfect but decent men and easy to relate to. What really held my interest in these Northminster mysteries were the descriptions of Victorian morals and manners. Interviewing suspects took on elaborate twists and turns in this context. My only quibble with the story was the Anna Morgan character, the celebrated singer and damsel in distress. It appeared that almost without exception, every straight male character in the story found her to be completely irresistible and became intoxicated by her beauty and charm. While it may have served a purpose in creating tension among the characters, her appeal just seemed a bit over the top. Other than that, the pace of the story was good, I felt embedded in the time period, and I could easily visualize the characters. I downloaded this book during a Bookbub promotion.
August 30, 2021
A decent but flawed follow up to the first book. The main characters come across even less admirable than the first book, where one could find their stumbles a young foolish mistake, but having them fall almost immediately into the same stupid stumbles again starts to make them seem like a part of their design rather than an error.
The doctor character is even less likable and stable than in the first book, acting like a cad and an ass through the bulk of this story. All of the men, every one of them, seems driven primarily by their gonads in an imbecilic manner that leads to self destruction. And the singer while beautiful and a great songbird comes across as nasty, calculating, deceptive, and manipulative while clearly meant to be noble and put-upon. Everyone really comes across as nasty, in the end.
The doctor character is even less likable and stable than in the first book, acting like a cad and an ass through the bulk of this story. All of the men, every one of them, seems driven primarily by their gonads in an imbecilic manner that leads to self destruction. And the singer while beautiful and a great songbird comes across as nasty, calculating, deceptive, and manipulative while clearly meant to be noble and put-upon. Everyone really comes across as nasty, in the end.
April 19, 2023
3.5 stars
I quite enjoy these period murder mysteries. Written in a very "old school" style.
I quite enjoy these period murder mysteries. Written in a very "old school" style.
September 6, 2018
DNF at 50%
It's rare that a book actually repulses me, but this one managed to make me throw it aside in disgust. A rare feat!
I really enjoyed the first one in the series, so was excited to pick up the second one and return to the world. The first one had a few problems with how it treated women, as I recall, but overall it was very enjoyable and I was willing to give it the benefit of the doubt!
I shouldn't have given it the benefit of the doubt. I should've burnt it while invoking the ghost of Mary Wollstonecraft, that's what I should've done. The book starts with Felix ogling one of his employees and making an offer of prostitution to her, and only gets worse from there. By the time he attempts to sexually assault a woman at the 50% mark I was done. I don't want to read about this disgusting excuse for a human being solving crimes, I want to read about him becoming the victim of them.
Ugh. What an incredible disappointment.
It's rare that a book actually repulses me, but this one managed to make me throw it aside in disgust. A rare feat!
I really enjoyed the first one in the series, so was excited to pick up the second one and return to the world. The first one had a few problems with how it treated women, as I recall, but overall it was very enjoyable and I was willing to give it the benefit of the doubt!
I shouldn't have given it the benefit of the doubt. I should've burnt it while invoking the ghost of Mary Wollstonecraft, that's what I should've done. The book starts with Felix ogling one of his employees and making an offer of prostitution to her, and only gets worse from there. By the time he attempts to sexually assault a woman at the 50% mark I was done. I don't want to read about this disgusting excuse for a human being solving crimes, I want to read about him becoming the victim of them.
Ugh. What an incredible disappointment.
October 12, 2018
This is the second Northminster mystery that I have read, and I think I am seriously addicted to the series. The two main characters, Chief Constable Vernon and surgeon Felix Carswell, are interesting personalities, complete opposites, but both honorable men.This time they are faced with murder in the minster, with many possible culprits. Concurrently, a famous singer in town for a concert has been receiving threatening letters, and she asks for Vernon's help. Felix's meddling father, Lord Rothborough, continues to exasperate Felix, although Lord Rothborough is extremely capable in a crisis. AND, Vernon, Felix, and Lorth Northborough are all in love with the singer. The draw in the story is not the crime solution, but the personalities and their emotions that the author is able to describe. There are a few loose ends, but maybe they will be tied up in future stories.
June 9, 2015
I finished the first book in this series – The Butchered Man – and was so enamored of that book, I started this one immediately.
That was a mistake.
The first book had a mystery that was interesting and entertaining. The character development kept my attention.
This book has the same main characters but the story itself was not something I enjoyed.
The plot is based on who is sleeping in whose bed. There are two main mysteries and neither one gets much attention because the sex lives of the characters seem to be more interesting.
That may have been interesting for some people, just not me. I have read books which include sex scenes, this particular story did not appeal to me. I was disappointed because I enjoyed the first mystery so very much.
That was a mistake.
The first book had a mystery that was interesting and entertaining. The character development kept my attention.
This book has the same main characters but the story itself was not something I enjoyed.
The plot is based on who is sleeping in whose bed. There are two main mysteries and neither one gets much attention because the sex lives of the characters seem to be more interesting.
That may have been interesting for some people, just not me. I have read books which include sex scenes, this particular story did not appeal to me. I was disappointed because I enjoyed the first mystery so very much.
May 9, 2019
The book was only marginally okay. The two "heroes" are once again more caught up with the fairer sex than with solving the mystery. There are actually 2 mysteries, neither terribly compelling. Once again the two villains were fairly obvious. The book was definitely more tedious than exciting. I only wanted the story to be over and done with. I have books 1, 2, and 3 on my kindle so will need to read book 3 for completeness sake, but no more. I don't really care what happens to either hero. RIP
January 23, 2020
The mystery itself was pretty simple. The sexual frustrated Major And Carswell take up way too much time. I got the 3 book set thinking I was in for a good mystery, rarely would I pick up a book that as another reader said was a soap opera.
I understand it was Victorian times, but get on with the mystery and get over the sexual fantasy.
I understand it was Victorian times, but get on with the mystery and get over the sexual fantasy.
May 18, 2019
I didn't like this book as well as the first in the series.
August 13, 2019
Okay, so the main characters fall in lust or live with everything with tits.
Plus the villains stuck our Luke a sore thumb.
Plus the villains stuck our Luke a sore thumb.
June 2, 2019
First was better
This is my honest and voluntary review.
The Northminster Mysteries Book 2, The Dead Songbird, is a decent mystery. My problem with the book was all the focus on sexual immortality. I thoroughly understand that sex & sexual deviations are a part of life, both then & now, but I feel that the subject is being over used by the author. There is a higher concentration on the sexual thoughts of the main characters & suspects then I thought necessary. More for shock value than good writing. I am much more interested in the crimes themselves than the passions of the main characters. More time could have been spent on the mysteries. I'm not sure if I wish to read another, as I worry that shock value & soap opera dealings are in further books. It's too bad, as the first book was balanced better & a better mystery.
This is my honest and voluntary review.
The Northminster Mysteries Book 2, The Dead Songbird, is a decent mystery. My problem with the book was all the focus on sexual immortality. I thoroughly understand that sex & sexual deviations are a part of life, both then & now, but I feel that the subject is being over used by the author. There is a higher concentration on the sexual thoughts of the main characters & suspects then I thought necessary. More for shock value than good writing. I am much more interested in the crimes themselves than the passions of the main characters. More time could have been spent on the mysteries. I'm not sure if I wish to read another, as I worry that shock value & soap opera dealings are in further books. It's too bad, as the first book was balanced better & a better mystery.
September 19, 2019
Excellent mystery writer, disappointing content
I did not finish this book. It is the second and last I will read from this author. This saddens me, as I deeply enjoy her bright, engaging, suspenseful writing style punctuated with humour. I just don't care for certain elements. In this book, one of the protagonists was aroused by a mother nursing her infant! DISGUSTING!!!! Later, he continuously fawns over a married woman; the immoral details were nauseating!! Then, there appears to be dalliances between men and sordid meetings where men play dress-up (in a manner of speaking). Nothing I wish to read about. Ever! I am not interested in mysteries with this kind of content, no matter the first -rate quality of writing. Yet, I will give three stars, as I think the author is otherwise a talented story-teller.
I did not finish this book. It is the second and last I will read from this author. This saddens me, as I deeply enjoy her bright, engaging, suspenseful writing style punctuated with humour. I just don't care for certain elements. In this book, one of the protagonists was aroused by a mother nursing her infant! DISGUSTING!!!! Later, he continuously fawns over a married woman; the immoral details were nauseating!! Then, there appears to be dalliances between men and sordid meetings where men play dress-up (in a manner of speaking). Nothing I wish to read about. Ever! I am not interested in mysteries with this kind of content, no matter the first -rate quality of writing. Yet, I will give three stars, as I think the author is otherwise a talented story-teller.
March 21, 2018
1840 Northminister and singer Anna Morgan has arrived in the area and asked to see Major Giles Vernon, the Chief Constable concerning vile threathening letters she has received. But he and Dr Felix Carswell are called away to investigate a death.
We learn more about the private lives of Vernon and Carswell, so a mix of mystery and romance but an enjoyable read and I look forward to reading the next in the series
We learn more about the private lives of Vernon and Carswell, so a mix of mystery and romance but an enjoyable read and I look forward to reading the next in the series
April 8, 2019
Crime mystery set in Victorian England. I found the "victim," a singer who seemed intent on seducing anything in pants and who routinely made stupid decisions, to to be annoying. I do really like the inspector (this part of a series). The police force physician is likeable but incredibly immature (and easily seduced). It is irritating that the aristocracy were treated like they were to be believed just because they were rich, but that was the reality of the times
July 18, 2021
Disappointing. Now I read the first book almost two years before this one. Gave that book 5 stars but I would give the story 2.5 stars.
As another reviewer pointed out, the author was absolutely fixated with the romantic and sexual lives of the two main characters instead of the mystery. Also she wrote the behavior of one of the lead characters in such a way that I will be hard-pressed to find this same character "heroic" in future books. Not sure if I will try another one in this series.
As another reviewer pointed out, the author was absolutely fixated with the romantic and sexual lives of the two main characters instead of the mystery. Also she wrote the behavior of one of the lead characters in such a way that I will be hard-pressed to find this same character "heroic" in future books. Not sure if I will try another one in this series.
May 13, 2025
2nd in the Northminster Mystery series I found this story to be even more tedious than book one, The Butchered Man. Although it is described as a mystery, a romantic melodrama would have been a better description.There was hardly any area of this book that I found particularly interesting and with very little action it was a relief to reach the epilogue. I can't see myself reading any further novels in the Northminster Mystery series.
November 22, 2016
Good Read
The Dead Songbird, book 2 of the Northminster series was an enjoyable read. This is a series I will continue with. I enjoy the main characters and the situations they get themselves into.
On a different note i did notice many errors in the text, repeated words, some pronoun errors and punctuation issues. These should be reviewed and fixed as the small errors detract from the flow of reading and the enjoyment of the stories
The Dead Songbird, book 2 of the Northminster series was an enjoyable read. This is a series I will continue with. I enjoy the main characters and the situations they get themselves into.
On a different note i did notice many errors in the text, repeated words, some pronoun errors and punctuation issues. These should be reviewed and fixed as the small errors detract from the flow of reading and the enjoyment of the stories
December 31, 2017
This second in the Northminster Murder series once again takes us back to the early Victorian era and our two protagonists from the first book are even more at odds. The characters are developing well and even more interesting than before. The mystery is well plotted, and the historic background continues to fascinate me. I'm looking forward to keeping up with the series.
July 29, 2017
Smart mystery
Satisfying second instalment to the Northminster series.
More than anything else, the continued development of the two protagonists -- they are consistently drawn, even as show some little growth from the previous book -- is this book's strong point. I found myself as eagerly anticipating their actions as I did the solving of the mystery.
Satisfying second instalment to the Northminster series.
More than anything else, the continued development of the two protagonists -- they are consistently drawn, even as show some little growth from the previous book -- is this book's strong point. I found myself as eagerly anticipating their actions as I did the solving of the mystery.
October 5, 2017
Another very entertaining novel from Harriet Smart, what I like about her writing is that it seemingly transports you back to this period, or at least her idea of how this period was like. The characters are developing from the first book and the use of language is wonderful. A great series that I will return to again.
April 11, 2018
Cannot put down
I rarely read novels. I preferred non fiction but I already like ms Smart's major Vernon and surgeon Carswell from the first novel.
The mystery of this book was quite interesting and the effort to solve it made a lot of sense.
I already plan to buy the 3rd book from this series
I rarely read novels. I preferred non fiction but I already like ms Smart's major Vernon and surgeon Carswell from the first novel.
The mystery of this book was quite interesting and the effort to solve it made a lot of sense.
I already plan to buy the 3rd book from this series
February 16, 2019
I think I liked the first one better, although the author seems to be fleshing out the characters for us. In this story, there is an opera singer visiting, but she is having some trouble and our chief and surgeon are going to try to help her. They are also trying to solve the murder of a young choristor at the same time
June 1, 2023
Second in the series, and as I mentioned re: first book, I like the characters (chief constable and doctor). Maybe a pattern developing, as in romantic interests for both, just seeming anachronistic if this was really a book written in the Victorian era :-). Still there is entertainment value, and it is a diversion.
August 5, 2023
Well paced writing and good plot
I like this series.but.struggle.with the shallowness of the Carswell character. He seems fickle and fragile for a trained physician of this period. Its unsettling that he behaves so childishly and seems.to have no.physical strength.in multiple encounters. I hope he developes..
I like this series.but.struggle.with the shallowness of the Carswell character. He seems fickle and fragile for a trained physician of this period. Its unsettling that he behaves so childishly and seems.to have no.physical strength.in multiple encounters. I hope he developes..
April 8, 2018
Interesting well written murder mystery!
This well written murder mystery is a very intriguing story of days gone by! I love the way the author describes the scenes and characters that create visuals in the mind when reading! Great story line and I highly recommend this one!
This well written murder mystery is a very intriguing story of days gone by! I love the way the author describes the scenes and characters that create visuals in the mind when reading! Great story line and I highly recommend this one!
April 8, 2019
Basic bodice ripper. Two main characters are men with an adolescent fixation on sex. The sex scenes are gratuitous, contrived and cringe-worthy. I hope the paragraph describing Giles talking his way into Mrs. Morgan's bed was supposed to be funny. Anne Perry has nothing to worry about.
June 7, 2022
Though enjoyable, I did find myself getting a little annoyed with Felix's desire for the fairer sex. I felt some of the references were a tad drawn out, hence the star reduction. This however has not deterred me from reading the next in the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews